Category Archives: Environmental

Ben & Jerry’s Foundation National Grassroots Organizing Program

The Ben & Jerry’s Foundation National Grassroots Organizing Program supports small, constituent-led nonprofit organizations working for systemic change.

Applications are due by October 31, 2024. Two year general operating support grants are available for up $30,000 per year.

Eligibility

This grant is open to organizations:

With a 501(c)3 nonprofit status or a fiscal agent
Located in the United States and its territories, except Vermont (separate programs are available for organizations in Vermont)
With an annual operating budget of less than $350,000
That use grassroots campaigns as their primary strategy

Priority consideration will be given to organizations led by members of the BIPOC community addressing systemic oppression and the legacy of white supremacy.

Funding Limitations

This grant is intended to be used for general operating support.

Explicitly prohibited expenses include:

Capital or endowment campaigns
Research
Fellowships or scholarships
Political activities
Religious activities
Regranting
Arts or media campaigns not a part of a grassroots campaign

Grassroots Organizing Strategies

The Foundation defines grassroots organizing as movements established from the bottom up, using the power of the people to take on the status quo. Activities may include:

Constituent empowerment & decision-making
Leadership development of constituents
Community & ally outreach
Mobilizing constituents & allies
Coalition building
Popular education
Campaign development
Non-violent direct action

Cisco Global Impact Cash Grant Program

The Cisco Global Impact Cash Grant Program supports innovative approaches to critial social challenges in four areas: Crisis Response, Education, Economic Empowerment, and Climate Impact and Regeneration.

Letters of Inquiry from eligible applicants are accepted on a continual basis. First time applicants may request up to $75,000.

Eligibility

This grant is open to organizations that:

Have a 501(c)3 nonprofit designation or their country’s equivalent
Serve an audience made up of 65% or more economically served people relative to the average standards of the target geography
Has overhead expenses of 25% or less. Exceptions will be made in exceptional and justified cases.

Public and private universities and for-profit entities may be considered for Climate Impact and Regeneration ONLY.

Funding Limitations

Grant funding may not be used for:

General operating expenses
Research
Events
Healthcare
Schools and scholarships

Evaluation Criteria

All applications will be reviewed based on:

Addresses a critical social challenge with unmet need
Incorporates metrics to measure program impact
Serves the underserved
Makes innovative use of technology
Employs an innovative approach with potential for broad impact
Is designed to be replicable, scalable, and sustainable
Possesses outstanding leadership

Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants

Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants support projects that benefit disadvantaged communities by building climate resilience and the capacity to address environmental and climate justice issues.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will award grants in two tracks – Community-Driven Investments for Change and Meaningful Engagement for Equitable Governance. There is no cost share requirement for either track. Applications are due by November 21, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET.

Eligibility

This grant is open to partnership between two community-based non-profit organizations (CBOs) or between a CBO and a:

Federally-Recognized Tribe
Local government
Institution of higher education

Program Objectives

Photo by Matheus Bertelli: https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-multiethnic-people-gathering-around-female-speaker-in-studio-3856027/

Providing resources for community-driven projects to address environmental and climate challenges in disadvantaged communities
Investing in strong cross-sectoral collaborations working with and for communities with environmental and climate justice concerns.
Unlocking access to additional federal and non-federal resources to advance environmental and climate justice goals
Empowering communities and strengthening their capacity to drive meaningful positive change
Strengthening community participation in government decision-making processes

Grant Tracks

Track I: Community-Driven Investments for Change

The EPA expects to award approximately 150 Track I grants of $10-20 million each to address specific, community-driven environmental justice issues.

Objectives

Increasing community resilience through climate action activities
Reducing local pollution to improve public health
Centering meaningful community engagement
Building community strength
Reaching priority populations
Maximizing integration across projects

Requirements

Climate Action Strategy

At least one project must focus on at least one of these strategies:

Green Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions
Mobility and Transportation Options for Preventing Air Pollution and Improving Public Health and Climate Resilience
Energy-Efficient, Healthy, and Resilient Housing and Buildings
Microgrid Installation for Community Energy Resilience
Community Resilience Hubs
Brownfield Redevelopment for Emissions Reduction and Climate Resilience
Waste Reduction and Management to Support a Circular Economy
Workforce Development Programs for Occupations that Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Air Pollutants

Pollution Reduction Strategies

At least one project must focus on at least one of these strategies:

Indoor Air Quality and Community Health Improvements
Outdoor Air Quality and Community Health Improvements
Clean Water Infrastructure to Reduce Pollution Exposure and Increase Overall System Resilience
Safe Management and Disposal of Solid and Hazardous Waste

Community Engagement and Collaborative Governance Plan

This plan should address:

Past Community Outreach and Engagement Conducted
Community Engagement Plan Implementation
Collaborative Governance Structure

Community Strength Plan

This plan should address:

Maximizing Economic Benefits of Projects
Displacement Avoidance

Track II: Meaningful Engagement for Equitable Governance

The EPA expects to award approximately 100 Track II grants of $1-3 million each. Projects should facilitate the participation of disadvantaged communities in the development and implementation of environmental justice policies and programs.

Project Examples

Photo by Christina Morillo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-people-talking-to-each-other-in-front-of-brown-wooden-table-1181360/

Educational and Training Programs
Environmental Advisory Boards (EABs)
Collaborative Governance Activities
Participation in Governmental Funding and Budgeting Processes

Hurtigruten Foundation

The Hurtigruten Foundation supports projects in the areas of the world where the Hurtigruten Group leads adventure travel expeditions. Awards are typically €5,000 – €10,000 and usually only cover part of a project’s costs. In rare cases, they will consider covering the entire project.

Applications are due each year on May 1st and November 1st for projects focused on:

Endangered species
Eliminating plastic waste and ocean litter
Supporting local communities

Eligibility

This grant is open to any organization interested in doing work within Hurtigruten’s areas of interest in:

Alaska
Antarctica
Arctic Canada and the Northwest Passage
Argentina
The British Isles
The Caribbean
Chile
Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands
The Falkland Islands
Greenland
Iceland
Norway and Svalbard
Cape Verde
Senegal
Gambia
Guinea-Bissau

Organizations interested in collaborating with Hurtigruten Expeditions on a scientific research project or whose project requires the use of a Hurtigruten vessel are asked to email a brief outline to hurtigruten.foundation@hurtigruten before submitting an application.

Project Types

Grant funds may be used to conduct:

Grassroots projects
Environmental projects
Community based projects
Science research projects
Educational projects

DWF Foundation

The DWF Foundation funds organizations and communities to help them reach their full potential. Applications requesting up to £5,000 are due by October 31, 2024 for projects focused on:

Homelessness
Health and wellbeing
Employability
Education
Environment and sustainability

Eligibility

This grant is open to registered charities in:

Australia
Canada
France
Germany
India
Ireland
Italy
Poland
Qatar
Spain
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States

Applicants outside the United Kingdom and Ireland are asked to email the Foundation Manager at clare.beavan@dwf.law to discuss their eligibility before filling out the application.

Program Goals

Photo by Max Fischer: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-children-clapping-together-5212700/

The Foundation seeks to fund organizations and projects that are:

Focusing on a specific community issue
Making voluntary and community groups more effective
Getting often overlooked and excluded members of the community involved
Helping youth develop skills to benefit themselves and their community

Funding Limitations

Grant funds may not be used for:

General operating expenses
Salaries
Startup costs for new organizations
Sponsorships
Marketing and fundraising
Activities for which a statutory body is responsible
Academic research
Higher education facilities
Animal welfare
Vehicles

Rockstart

Rockstart funds startups who are creating a sustainable future through Agrifood, Energy, and Emerging Technology. Applications are accepted from around the world on a continual basis.

Eligibility

This funding opportunity is open to early stage startups from anywhere in the world who are focused on one of the program areas.

Program Areas

Agrifood

The Agrifood Fund supports new technologies and business models to improve the food supply system. This includes:

Restoring soil and oceans for carbon capture
Reducing food waste
Increasing access to high quality, nutritious food

They are particularly interested in companies working on:

Alternative packaging and proteins
Smart fulfillment and logistics
Bio-alternatives to chemicals and plastic
Precision food production
Data and vertical data libraries
Production capacity growth tools
Upcycled products
Carbon sequestration
Supply chain traceability
Molecular farming and genomics
Impact certification in carbon markets
Human health

Energy

The Energy Fund supports new technologies and business models to slow climate change. This includes:

Optimizing renewable energy supplies
Helping energy-intensive industries reach net zero emissions
Making cities smarter

They are particularly interested in companies working on:

Renewable energy
Energy storage
Smart grid
Energy efficiency
Smart mobility
Decentralized energy systems

Emerging Technology

The Emerging Technology Fund supports new technologies and business models to solve universal problems. This includes:

Improving production facilities
Innovations in healthcare delivery
Data privacy and security

They are particularly interested in companies working on:

Photo by Jo McNamara: https://www.pexels.com/photo/mask-made-in-3d-printer-11288657/

ML / AI
Computer vision
web3 and Blockchain
Biometrics
Geospatial tech
IoT and Edge computing
Additive manufacturing

NDN Collective Community Action Fund

NDN Collective supports Indigenous communities, organizers, and movements to defend Native rights and protect their natural resources. Their Community Action Fund provides one-time, short-term urgent response funding for direct action.

Applications will be accepted on a continual basis until October 31, 2024 at 5:00 PM CT. The average grant is $15,000 for up to 6 months, but can be as much as $40,000.

Eligibility

Location

This grant is open to applicants from:

The United States
Canada
Mexico
Puerto Rico
American Samoa
Guam
The Northern Mariana Islands
The U.S. Virgin Islands

Applicant

Applicants must be:

Indigenous-led non-profit organizations
U.S. based Tribes, tribal non-profit entities, or tribal programs
Alaska Native Villages or their non-profit entities
First Nations or Inuit/Metis communities, groups, and organizations based in Canada
Indigenous communities, groups, and organizations based in Mexico
Individual Indigenous people leading direct action or movement building work

Applicants may work with a fiscal sponsor.

Allowable Activities

Grant funds may be used to engage in non-violent direct action, such as marches, camps, or boycotts. They may also be used for community-based response to climate connected natural disasters such as flooding, fires, and earthquakes.

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be used for:

Travel
Climate response items
Supplies
Equipment
Consultants
Contractual services
Staff

A Well-Fed World Sustainable Keys Global Grants

A Well-Fed World advocates for plant-based solutions to international food security to create a more sustainable, climate-friendly future. They work with nonprofits and non-governmental agencies in the U.S. and around the world to create top-down change.

Their Sustainable Keys Global Grants focus on bottom-up, grassroots movements for plant-based food and farming. Applications are accepted on a continual basis and awarded quarterly. Typical awards are $500 for individuals and $1,000 for organizations.

Eligibility

This grant is open to both individuals and organizations. A 501(c)3 status is not required.

Grant Priorities

Plant-based feeding programs in low-income communities in the U.S. and other countries
Plant-based food as outreach in communities of all income levels to increase plant-based purchasing habits
Plant-based farming including home and community gardens, education, and training
Social justice outreach projects that connect food justice, the environment, health, safety, and youth
Online and print advocacy that distributes information through videos, news, and social networking
Event advocacy such as organizing, sponsoring, attending, or presenting at events

Explorers Club Impact Grant

The Explorers Club has been supporting scientific expeditions since 1904. With more than 30 chapters on multiple continents, they strive for advancements in field research and environmental conservation. The Club is offering funds to explorers/researchers who also function as storytellers through their Impact Grant.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed multiple times a year. Awards are typically $10,000 – $25,000 and should be completed within one year. Membership in The Explorers Club is not required.

Eligibility

Applicant

Impact Grants are open to any individual, 18 years or older from anywhere around the world. Applicants may be associated with a research or educational institution, but grants will not be awarded to institutions.

Research

Research in the following scientific disciplines will be considered:

Anthropology
Archaeology
Astronomy
Biological Sciences
Earth Sciences
Ecology
Paleontology

Projects may include a laboratory component, but a fieldwork expedition must be the primary focus. Applicants are encouraged to apply at least six months before the start of their field research.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be reviewed based on the following criteria.

Alignment with The Explorers Club’s mission to increase scientific understanding
Credentials of the team leader and members
Scientific merit of the proposed project
Use of innovative methods
Possible impact
Potential for use to educate the public through storytelling

Publication and Media

Grant recipients are encouraged to publish the results of their expedition in relevant academic journals. The Explorers Club would like to be informed as soon as possible about upcoming publications.

Prior to their expedition, grantees will attend a planning session with the Explorers Club to discuss potential media and other logistics. Grantees must also provide a stipulated number of photos and videos along with their regular reports for use on social media and other promotion efforts.

North American Wetlands Conservation Act Small Grants Program

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act Small Grants Program supports on-the-ground projects that further the the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.

Applications for $1,000 to $250,000 with a required 1:1 match in nonfederal funds are due by October 10, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

State, county, and municipal governments
Special district governments
Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
Public and private institutions of higher education
Independent school districts
501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
Native American tribal organizations
Small businesses

Program Goals

The goal of the Small Grant Program is to promote partnerships between public agencies and organizations to work towards:

The long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated habitats to benefit wetlands-associated migratory birds
Maintaining and improving the current distributions of wetlands-associated migratory birds
Maintaining an abundance of waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) and other wetlands-associated migratory birds consistent with North American Waterfowl Management Plan.

Allowable Expenses

Allowable expenses for this program fall under multiple headings.

Acquisition

Fee-title acquisition and donation (transfer of title)
Conservation easement and lease acquisition and donation
Appraisal fees
Boundary surveys
Acquisition legal costs
Travel and transportation
Annual payments for 10-year conservation agreements

Wetland Restoration or Establishment

Engineering and design costs
Material and supplies
Equipment
Travel and transportation

Wetland Enhancement

Photo by Em Hopper: https://www.pexels.com/photo/cattail-plant-2984969/

Engineering and design costs
Material and supplies
Equipment
Travel and transportation
Initial land management costs
Nest boxes
Habitat islands
Plantings