Category Archives: Environmental

Unity For Humanity Grant

The Unity for Humanity Grant is an international funding opportunity for charitable projects created with an RT3D platform (Unity, Unreal, Quill, etc.). Projects must also align with at least one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

A total of $500,000 in grant funding will be awarded with one grant specifically for a student project. Applications for up to $100,000 are due by February 7, 2025 at 11:59 PM PT.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

Nonprofit organizations
Organizations with a fiscal sponsor. Applicants without a nonprofit sponsor will have potential partners recommended to them.

Applications may come from any country that does not have U.S. sanctions against it. These countries are:

The Crimea Region of Ukraine
Cuba
Iran
North Korea
Sudan
Syria*

*Subject to change due to new Syrian government

Project Medium

Applicant projects may use one or more of these mediums:

AI
AR
Film
Game – Mobile
Game – Console
Game – PC
Interactive Design
Music
Robotics
Theatre, Live immersive experience
Visual art, Installation
VR
Mixed Reality
Other

Application Requirements

Applications must include:

An accessible link to a project sample, trailer, or walk through. These do not have to be in English, but must include English subtitles
An accessible link to a project pitch deck

Applications must be submitted in English.

New Earth Foundation

The New Earth Foundation provides grant funding to US-based organizations working around the world to create a brighter future.

Letters of Inquiry are due annually by February 1st and July 1st.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
Organizations with a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor

Smaller, newer organizations will receive priority consideration.

Vision and Mission

All applications must meet the Foundation’s Vision and Mission.

Vision – “assisting to create an enhanced worldwide awareness, manifesting as universal peace and respect for all forms of life, the responsible use of Earth’s resources in sustainable ways, and a common realization that all is interconnected and One.”

Mission – “peace and delight to fund innovative, humanitarian projects according to the vision of New Earth Foundation, from community efforts that create models of social sustainability, to educational innovations that prepare youth to be future socially responsible leaders; from strategies that offer economic advances, to environmental initiatives that curb pollution and save the planet’s precious resources and earth’s natural biosphere.”

Funding Criteria

Applications must also:

Outline one specific project with clearly defined goals, an implementation plan, and expected results
Indicate who will benefit and how
Endeavor to involve the target population in the planning process
Include plans for replication
Contain an evaluation process
Seek community involvement and/or collaboration with other organizations
Be cost-effective with a realistic budget
Have a plan for acquiring future funding from other sources

Funding Limitations

The Foundation does not fund:

General operating expenses
Real estate, repairs, maintenance, building or renovation
Mainstream social services
Standard after-school programs, summer camps, or gardening programs

IEN-WMAN Mining Mini-Grant Program

The Western Mining Action Network, in collaboration with the Indigenous Environmental Network, offers the Mining Mini-Grant Program to communities in the U.S. and Canada threatened or adversely affected by mining. Issues caused by legacy, closed, and abandoned mines are eligible.

Applications for US$4,000 are due February 1st, June 1st, or October 1st. The application portal will open one month before each due date.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

Indigenous organizations
Community-based, grassroots organizations
Organizations with a fiscal sponsor

Priority consideration will be given to applicants with an organizational or mining-specific program budget under US$75,000.

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds must be used for project-specific activities such as:

Scientific/technical/legal assistance
Organizing
Education and outreach
Developing materials
Media
Travel
Interns and consultants
Staff salaries (up to 10%)

Grant funds may not be used for:

General operating expenses
Projects related to oil, gas, pipelines, fracking, or tar sands
Projects related to aggregates, quarries, gravel, sand, or cement

Peace Development Fund Community Organizing Grants

Community Organizing Grants from the Peace Development Fund are separated into three programs: Seeding the Movement, Braiding New Worlds, and Western Mass Transformation. All programs support grassroots, social justice organizations. Applications are due by January 31, 2025.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
501(c)4 nonprofit organizations
Fiscally sponsored organizations

The Western Mass Transformation Fund is open to applicants in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire Counties in Massachusetts. The Seeding the Movement and Braiding New Worlds Funds are limited to the United States, U.S. territories, Mexico, and Haiti.

Funding Areas

PDF supports projects focused on:

Organizing to Shift Power
Working to Build a Movement
Dismantling Oppression
Creating New Structures

Grant Programs

Seeding the Movement

Seeding the Movement grants are typically $2,500-$7,500. Past grantees have focused on issues such as environmental justice, labor rights, racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and women’s issues.

Braiding New Worlds

Braiding New Worlds grants are typically $3,000-$6,500 for youth-led and youth-focused organizations. Funding recommendations are made by a committee of youth activists.

Western Mass Transformation

Western Mass Transformation grants are typically $500-$3,000 for organizations in Western Massachusetts focused on community organizing and systemic change. Preferential consideration will be given to organizations led by people of color.

Funding Limitations

PDF does not fund:

Organizations with budgets larger than $250,000
Social services, educational programs, or research not linked to a clear organizing strategy
Conferences, trainings, and other one-time events
Academic institutions and scholarships

Good Jobs in Clean Energy Prize

The Good Jobs in Clean Energy Prize is a U.S. Department of Energy American Made Challenge. The goal of this Challenge is to create high quality jobs and build an equitable and inclusive workforce in the clean energy sector.

Through a 3 Phase process, coalitions from across the country will compete for a part of the $3,375,000 prize pool. Registration for Phase 1 ends January 31, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET. Applicants can register and find coalition members through Herox.

Eligibility

This competition is open to coalitions that either formed after the Prize was announced or established a new or amended goal after the Prize was announced. Coalitions must, at minimum, have one member from:

A labor organization
A clean energy employer
A community-based organization
A public agency
An education or workforce provider

Competition Phases

Phase 1: Coalition Formation

Over the course of 6 months, coalitions will form and identify:

A clean energy employment opportunity in their community
The target population they will serve
Workforce challenges
Their anticipated high-level scope of work during Phases 2 and 3

Up to 15 teams will receive $50,000 each and proceed to Phase 2.

Phase 2: Coalition Action Plan

Phase 2 is an additional 6 month period, during which coalitions will participate in a virtual DOE-provided High Road training and develop their own Action Plan. Up to 10 teams will receive $100,000 each and proceed to Phase 3.

Phase 3: Implementation and Impact

Coalitions that make it to Phase 3 will have 12 months to implement their Action Plan. They will also measure its impact on job quality and access for their target population and employment opportunity. All Phase 3 participants have the opportunity to receive an additional monetary prize.

First place – $300,000
Second place – $250,000
Third place – $200,000
Up to seven runners-up – $125,000 each

INTBAU Grassroots Grants Programme

The INTBAU Grassroots Grants Programme supports projects that address challenges in the built environment. Awards of up to £5,000 are available to applicants from anywhere in the world not sanctioned by the UK government.

Expressions of Interest are due by January 19, 2025 at 12:00 AM UTC. If invited, full applications will be due by March 6th for projects that will start in late April/early May.

Eligibility

This grant is open to anyone with relevant and substantial experience and an interest in sustainable architecture and design. This includes everyone from graduate students to seasoned professionals.

Project Examples

Potential projects might include:

Demonstration Projects

Experiments in turf cladding
A prototype for a seismic resistant school
Construction using biomaterials such as straw, cob, or hempcrete

Training and Workshops

Traditional workshops
Online tutorials
Apprenticeships

Research

Research expenses
Travel expenses for presenting research at a conference
Creating additional resources to communicate research findings

Evaluation Criteria

All applications will be evaluated based on:

Concept
Local relevance
Capability
Funding use
Long-term impact

Holohil Grant Program

The Holohil Grant Program provides transmitters from the Holohil product line at low or zero cost for endangered species research and educational work.

Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis; due dates are the 15th of January, April, July, and August. Email your application to grantprogram@holohil.com for a chance at some or all of the $2,500 in product available each quarter.

Eligibility

This grant is open to anyone, scientists and non-scientists, from anywhere in the world.

Project Criteria

Holohil is looking for projects that:

Make significant use of Holohil transmitters for data collection
Advance scientific knowledge
Contributes to conservation
Engage/educate the public
Involve underrepresented study species of high research or conservation value

Review Criteria

All applications will be reviewed based on:

Need
Project Design
Public Education
Scientific Merit
Overall Scope
Project Potential
Urgency to study species
Targeting under-represented species
Targets a particularly remote/isolated location or is in an area of minimal current research
Achievability

Free Rivers Fund Grants

The Free Rivers Fund supports anyone, anywhere fighting to keep rivers flowing free. Their grant program provides funding for efforts to undam rivers or to protect waterways from development.

Award amounts vary, but are generally €1,000 – €2,000 (US$1,078.66 – $2,157.32.) Applications are due by January 10, 2025.

Eligibility

Anyone is welcome to apply for a FRF grant, including individuals. The only requirement is that you have a clear plan for how the funding will be used to keep rivers free.

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be used for costs such as:

Legal fees
Equipment for research
Construction
Photography
Film and art projects
Protests

Grant funds may not be used for:

Clean ups
General research projects
General renaturalization or reforestation projects

Payment

FRF’s legal structure does not allow them to disburse money directly to grantees. They may either:

Have invoices issued in Free Rivers Fund’s name
Submit receipts for reimbursement

Andrew Family Foundation: Junior Board Grants

Andrew Family Foundation Junior Board Grants support youth focused projects in the U.S. in Education, Arts Education, and Sustainable Living.

Letters of Inquiry from eligible applicants are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Eligibility

This grant is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations who:

Have been in operation for at least five years (unless a Board member is familiar with the organization)
Have an annual budget of less than $5 million

They prefer to fund project or program specific requests, rather than general operating expenses.

OPEC Fund for International Development

The OPEC Fund for International Development support projects in non-member countries that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Applications are accepted on a continual basis for Country-Specific Activities, Global or Regional Development Initiatives, and Emergency Aid. As a general rule, requests should not exceed 50% of a project’s budget.

The OPEC Fund is not affiliated with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

Nongovernmental organizations
Government entities
Private sector entities
Research institutes
UN agencies

Activities must take place in one or more developing country that is not an OPEC Fund member. Special consideration will be given to Least Developed Countries.

Focus Areas

The Fund’s primary funding areas are:

Agriculture
Health
Energy
Finance
Transportation
Water and sanitation

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be used for activities such as:

Institutional capacity building and technical assistance
Knowledge production and dissemination
Advocacy/outreach
Thematic studies
Private sector development initiatives
Consulting services
Workshops and seminars
Training
Equipment, excluding vehicles
Operation costs

Applications Requirements

Photo by Denis Ngai: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-elderly-people-sitting-on-chairs-in-yard-of-hospital-in-poor-african-village-4483669/

Among other elements, applications must include:

Proof of valid legal registration
Proof of a certificate to do business in the target country or countries
A letter of approval from a government entity (For NGOs, excluding Development Finance Institutions and UN agencies)
A letter of support/recommendation from a sponsor or donor (First time applicants only)