Category Archives: Environmental

Wells Fargo Foundation

The Wells Fargo Foundation awards grants as part of their commitment to building a more sustainable and inclusive world. They fund projects in four priority areas: Financial Health, Housing Affordability, Small Business Growth, and Sustainability and Environmental Justice.

Grant Interest Forms are accepted on an ongoing basis. Only if your form is approved will you receive a code to submit a full application. A grant amount is not specified, but the Interest Form question “Select the budget amount for the proposed project” has the options:

$0-$50k
$101-$500k
$51-$100k
Over $500k

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

Nonprofits with a 501(c)3 designation
Government agencies
Native American Tribes
Public schools or school systems

Applicants must also be able to demonstrate fiscal and administrative stability.

Priority Areas

Financial Health

Applicants under this heading should be working to increase access to financial systems for racially and ethnically diverse and low to moderate income Americans. This access will allow them to reduce debt, grow their savings, and build wealth. Secondary categories under this area are:

Youth/Young Adult Financial Health
Adult Education Counseling, Coaching and Education
Asset Building
Financial Research and Policy Advocacy
Technical Assistance and Practitioner Training
Innovation of Products and Services

Housing Affordability

Projects under this heading should focus on making it possible for all Americans to have a safe place to call home. This includes promoting racial equity in housing and home ownership. Secondary categories under this area are:

Affordable Home Supply
Expand Homeownership Opportunities
Housing Stability
Transformation and Innovation

Small Business Growth

Applicants under this heading should provide support such as training, technical assistance, and capital to small business. Secondary categories under this area are:

Capital and Product Innovation
Technology
Sustainability
Policy, Research and Advocacy

Sustainability and Environmental Justice

Projects under this heading should be working toward a low carbon future through innovative clean technology, developing local climate resiliency, and promoting environmental justice. Secondary categories under this area are:

Sustainable Finance
Adaptation/Resilience
Measuremen

Change Happens Foundation

The Change Happens Foundation was founded in 2001 with the mission of being a catalyst for progressive, secular social change. They do this by partnering with organizations that have a high impact and are committed to improving the human experience.

Their primary focus areas for grantmaking are Education, Science, and the Environment. Letters of Inquiry, may be submitted at any time.

Eligibility

This grant is open to applicants in the United States who are:

Registered 501(c)3 nonprofits
Government entities
Federally recognized Native American Tribes

Applicants must also be verifiable via GuideStar with valid credentials and three years of 990 forms.

Focus Areas

Education – Ideas and practices to educate and prepare students for bright and rewarding futures

Science – Research and education in science, technology, engineering, mathematics

Environment – Programs focused on conservation, climate change, and sustainable energy

Ineligible Activities

Change Happens funds may not be used for:

Scholarships
Endowments
Special Events
Individuals
Indirect costs such as processing fees or fiscal sponsor fees
Religious activities

Application Process

All new applicants must submit a Letter of Inquiry with basic information about the organization and project.
If your LOI is accepted will you be invited to submit a full proposal.

Applicants whose LOI was not accepted are asked not to submit a second inquiry.

Current and past grantees may be asked to submit a second proposal once all performance reports have been completed.

TiME Land Purchase Grant Program

This is My Earth (TiME) is an international environmental organization founded in 2016. Their Land Purchase Grant Program helps local groups acquire threatened land and protect its biodiversity.

Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. If approved, projects will then be included in TiME’s annual crowdfunding campaign which begins on January 1st. Although no maximum amount is specified, the average request is $20,000 – $60,000.

Eligibility

Applicant

This grant is open to groups that:

Are nonprofit or non-governmental organizations with legal documentation
Are locally based or able to demonstrate a capacity to operate locally
- Are capable of purchasing and protecting the land
Have a clear conservation objective
Have a plan for long-term management of the land

Land

To be eligible, land must:

Be for sale
Be located in an area with high biodiversity and conservation value
Be under threat

Crowdfunding Campaign

Applications that have been received and approved will be a part of the crowdfunding campaign starting the following January 1st. Both TiME and the applicant are responsible for recruiting donors to the project.

Each donor of at least $1 will have the right to vote on how funds raised should be distributed among the different projects. The campaign runs until sufficient funds have been raised or December 31st, whichever comes first.

American Trails Legacy Trails Grant Program

The American Trails Legacy Trails Grant Program is offered in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service and funds projects on National Forest System trails and trail bridges.

Up to $100,000 is available for a 2 year grant period. A match of at least 50% of the requested amount is required, but this can include in-kind donations of time and equipment. Applications are due by December 1, 2023 and must include a letter of support from the local Forest Service office.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

Nonprofit organizations
For profit businesses
Non-federal agencies

Program Goals

The Legacy Trails Program is intended to improve acquatic habitat and improve resilience to natural disasters by:

Building trail bridges
Converting roads to trails
Relocating trails
Decommissioning unauthorized trails
Decommissioning closed trails following a public comment period

Program Priorities & Preferences

Priority consideration will be given to proposals that protect or restore:

Water quality and watershed function
A watershed that supplies a public drinking water system
The habitat of a threatened, endangered, or sensitive fish or wildlife species, or a species of conservation concern
A watershed for which the Forest Service has completed a watershed protection and restoration action plan.

Preference will also be given to proposals that include:

Volunteer participation which may be included as an in-kind match
Indigenous and traditional ecological knowledge in project design
Partnerships to identify risks to critical infrastructure and social, cultural, and economic values

USDA Solid Waste Management Grants

Solid Waste Management Grants from the USDA Office of Rural Development fund technical assistance and training for better planning and management of solid waste sites.

The USDA anticipates $4 million for this program, pending Congressional budget approval. There is no maximum or minimum amount and no matching requirement. Applications are due through Grants.gov by December 31, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET for projects running from October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025.

Eligibility

Applicant

This grant is open to:

Public bodies
Nonprofits
Federally recognized tribes
Academic institutions

Applicants must have:

Experience with a program similar to the one proposed
The legal authority to provide training and technical assistance

Area

Grant activities must take place in a rural area or town with a population of 10,000 or less. Special consideration will be given to projects serving:

An area with fewer than 5,500 or fewer than 2,500 people
Regional, multi-state, or national areas
Lower-income populations

Key Priorities

Applicants are encouraged to pursue projects that work towards:

Economic recovery for rural communities through through market opportunities and improved infrastructure
Ensuring that Rural Development programs are accessible and beneficial to all rural residents
Decreasing climate pollution and increasing climate resiliency through economic support for rural communities

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be used to:

Evaluate landfill conditions for potential threats to water resources
Provide technical assistance and/or training to improve management of active landfills
Provide technical assistance and/or training to reduce the amount of solid waste the community sends to the landfill
Provide technical assistance and/or training to prepare for the closure and future use of a landfill site

Grant funds may not be used to:

Duplicate, replace, or substitute for currently provided services
Duplicate assistance provided by the U.S. Forest Service
Pay for capital assets, real estate, or vehicles.
Pay for construction, operation, or maintenance.
Improve or renovate office space or repair or maintain private property

Justin Brooks Fisher Foundation

The Justin Brooks Fisher Foundation supports projects in the U.S. that address environmental issues and work toward the long term well-being of life on earth. They are particularly interested in funding projects focused on Conservation, Environmental Education, and Climate Change.

Applications are accepted year round and reviewed quarterly. The last day to be considered for a grant in 2023 is November 1st. Thus far in 2023, awards have ranged from $7,500 to $62,500.

Eligibility

The Foundation does not specify who is eligible for this grant other than to say that they are not permitted to fund individuals. However, the registration form, which covers all Hillman Family Foundations, asks:

Does your organization have a tax ID or EIN?
If you are not a 501c3 or your organization falls outside the geographic area of focus, please explain below.

Application

Applicants must register on the application site and be approved before submitting a request. Approval should take 24-48 hours. Once approved, there will be three applications formats to choose from:

Capital project
Program grant
Annual fund

Requests for event support should use the annual fund application .

BHP Foundation

The BHP Foundation is a global philanthropy funded by the global resources company BHP. They partner with organizations finding new solutions to social and environmental challenges.

Partnerships are long-term investments to get at the root of systemic issues. Interested organizations may submit an idea at any time.

Program Areas

Education Equity – increasing opportunities for disadvantaged communities to receive a quality education
Environmental Resilience – creating new methods of conserving and sustainably managing natural resources and environments
Natural Resource Governance – using natural resource wealth to build a more inclusive and sustainable future
Australia Program – focusing on Indigenous rights and youth development to create a more equitable and sustainable country
Canada Program – improving education and career opportunities for Indigenous communities and improving management of water resources
Chile Program – increasing educational opportunities for disadvantaged and vulnerable communities, building community resilience to social and environmental change, and create pathways for participation in effective decision making
USA Program – supporting self-determination programs for Native Americans and improving management of water resources

USDA Forest Service Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program

The USDA Forest Service Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program provides funding to establish community forests. This protects forest land and provides economic, environmental, and educational benefits.

Interested applicants should contact their Community Forest Program Regional Contact. Grant awards are available for up to $600,000 over two years with a required 1:1 match of non-federal funds. Applications must be submitted to State Foresters or Tribal Governments by January 12, 2024.

Eligibility

Applicant

This grant is open to entities in the United States, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, such as:

Federally Recognized Native American Tribes (including Alaska Native Corporations)
Local governments
Qualified nonprofit organizations

Land

To be eligible for conversion to community forest under this program, property must be:

At least 5 acres
At least 75% forested
Able to sustain natural vegetation
Threatened by conversion to non-forest uses
For sale by a willing seller
Not held in trust by the United States on behalf of any Native Tribe and not Tribal allotment lands
Accessible to the public

Allowable Costs

Grant funding is intended to be used for full fee title acquisition of a piece of forested property. Also allowable are related costs, such as:

Title examination
Appraisals and appraisal reviews
Land surveys
Legal and closing costs
Development of the Community Forest Plan

Funds may not be used for:

Long-term operations, maintenance, and management of the land
Construction of buildings or recreational facilities
Existing liens or taxes owed
Research
Costs associated with preparing this application

Review Criteria

All applications will be evaluated based on:

Community benefits (economic, environmental, educational, recreational) – 20 points
Community engagement – 10 points
Strategic contribution and connection to broader landscape initiatives – 5 points
Threat or likelihood of property being converted to non-forest use – 5 points

Other considerations include:

Costs to the federal government
Other funds leveraged
Due diligence completed

Global Innovation Fund

The Global Innovation Fund invests in evidence-based concepts with the potential to change the lives of millions of the worlds poorest people. Through their grants they give entrepreneurs the opportunity to develop and improve their ideas.

Applications are accepted on a continual basis for three stages of funding – Pilot, Test & Transition, and Scale. Available funding varies by stage.

Eligibility

Applicant

Any type of organization working in developing countries may apply for this grant. This includes:

Nonprofit organizations
Social enterprises
Government agencies
International organizations
Research institutions
For-profit businesses

Idea

GIF will fund innovative concepts that:

Focus on the poor
Are novel approaches
Are evidence-based
Can be widely applied in many different settings
Have the potential to expand to reach millions of people
Are led by strong, dynamic teams
Are ready for investment
Will produce new insight
Have a clear role for GIF
Take gender impacts into account
Factor in climate risk and opportunity

Funding Stages

Pilot

Ideas in the Pilot Stage may apply for up to $230,000. Although these concepts are in the beginning stages, they must have a well thought out plan for developing and testing the idea. Funds at this stage may be spent on:

Research and development
Determining user demand
Assessing outcomes and costs
Conducting test studies

Test & Transition

Ideas in the Test & Transition Stage may apply for up to $2.3 million. These ideas have been tried at a smaller scale and shown promise for greater impact. Funds at this stage may be used for further growth and to produce additional evidence of the concept’s social impact.

Scale

Ideas in the Scale Stage may apply for up to $15 million. At this stage, concepts should have been rigorously tested and have a feasible plan to grow to impact millions of people. Evidence should support the financial, political, and logistical viability of the plan.

Funds may be used to adapt the idea to different locations and conditions, assess the most cost-effective methods for scaling up, and meet with partners.

Application Process

Every application must go through a multi-step process before being approved for funding.

Initial application – Submit the online application.
Follow- up call – A GIF team member will schedule a phone call to gather more information.
Full application and due diligence – Applicants will be invited to submit a full application with more detailed information. Team members will also contact stakeholders, references, and experts in the field.
Decision panel – A panel of senior GIF leadership and subject experts will convene to assess the full proposal and evidence gathered during due diligence.
Funding agreement – If approved by the panel, GIF and the applicant will enter a funding agreement.

Whole Foods Market Local Giving

Whole Foods Market grocery store chain is on a mission to nourish people and the planet. Their Local Giving program supports community-based organizations that align with that mission and their core values.

The fourth quarter deadline to submit a request for awards of $100 – $2,000 is October 15, 2023.

Eligibility

This funding opportunity is open to:

U.S. based 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
Registered Canadian charitable organizations
U.K. charitable incorporated organizations

Eligible applicants must also be located in communities served by Whole Foods stores.

Funding Types

Local Giving funds may be used to support programs that focus on:

Food access
Environmental stewardship
Other closely-related topics

Funds may also support either General Operating Expenses or Specific Programs.

Notes on Application and Disbursement

In the online application form, there will be a “Select Organization” button. Only organizations registered with Benevity Causes Portal will be listed. If your organization is not listed and you have to register, the process may take a few months. This should not, however, impact your application.

Disbursements will be made through Benevity’s Versaic grant management system. All awards will be subject to a cause support fee equal to 2.9% of the award amount, up to $250.