Category Archives: Environmental

Natoora Farm Fund

Natoora is on a mission to preserve the flavor in food by protecting the planet and its people. They do this through supply chains that source ingredients directly from growers and supporting young farmers with their Farm Fund.

The Farm Fund helps farmers 35 and under in the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe overcome financial barriers to establishing sustainable farming practices. Applications for up to $12,500 are due by February 2, 2024.

Eligibility

This grant is open to farmers in the US, UK, and Europe who are:

Individuals aged 35 and under
A cooperative or partnership primarily made up of individuals aged 35 and under

Key Areas

Grantees must be committed to agroecological methods that preserve rather than deplete the environment. Projects must address at least one key focus area and be able to measure progress in achieving their goals.

Key areas:

Soil Health
Cultural Preservation
Innovation
Biodiversity
Education
Access to Land
Accessible Scale

Grantee farms are also expected to keep synthetic interventions as a last resort, if they use them at all.

NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET)

The Bay Watershed Education and Training program from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provides funding for projects that expose youth to meaningful watershed educational experiences.

To place these experiences within a local context, the program is administered through seven regional NOAA offices: California, Chesapeake, Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico, Hawaii, New England, and Pacific Northwest. All applications should be submitted through Grants.gov, but deadlines and award amounts vary by region. No matching funds are required.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

K-12 public and independent schools and school systems
Institutions of higher education
Nonprofit organizations
State or local government agencies
Interstate agencies
Native American tribal governments

Regional Offices

California

The California B-WET program is not being offered in 2024.

Chesapeake

The Chesapeake office serves states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed which includes Maryland, the District of Columbia, and parts of Virginia, Delaware, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York. Projects should advance the environmental literacy goals of both the NOAA Education Strategic Plan and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.

Applications are due by February 16, 2024 for requests of up to $150,000.

Great Lakes

The Great Lakes office serves New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Projects are separated into Conventional and Indigenous Communities.

Conventional applications are due by February 29, 2024 for requests of $30,000 – $150,000. Indigenous Communities applications are due by March 1, 2024 for requests of $50,000 – $100,000.

Gulf of Mexico

The Gulf of Mexico office serves Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Applications are due by February 5, 2024 for requests of $25,000 – $100,000.

Hawaii

Applications to the Hawaii office are due by January 31, 2024 for requests of $50,000 – $150,000.

New England

The New England office serves Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Applications are due by February 20, 2024 for requests of $25,000 – $150,000.

Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest office serves Oregon and Washington. Applications are due by February 1, 2024 for requests of $60,000 – $150,000.

Green Our Planet Garden Grants

Green Our Planet is on a mission to teach youth in the United States to love and protect the environment through garden-based STEM activities. These gardens become living laboratories where they learn about topics like conservation, nutrition, and financial literacy.

The garden building program is only available in Las Vegas, but the Garden Connect STEM Program and Hydroponics STEM Program are open to schools throughout the US.

Garden Connect STEM Program

Grants for this program are available for $2,500; schools are expected to provide an additional $1,000 to cover the full cost of the program. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Eligibility

This grant is open to public, private, and charter schools in the United States.

Requirements

Applications must include:

A signed letter of support from the school principal
Three digital photos of the garden or garden space

Grantees will also be expected to:

Commit to at least one year of participating in the Garden Connect STEM Program
Participate in monthly surveys and quarterly reports to assess the program

Program Elements

Program participants will receive:

STEMWorks accredited Outdoor Garden STEM Curriculum for grades K-5, MS & HS Health Curriculum, and K-12 Financial Literacy Lessons
1-on-1 Virtual Consulting with Garden Connect Coordinators
Access to Resource Library
Access to Virtual Academy
Online community through Green Our Planet’s Magic Garden Portal

Hydroponics STEM Challenge

Grants for this program are available for $8,000; schools are expected to provide an additional $2,000 to cover the full cost of the program. Applications from schools outside Nevada are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications from schools in Nevada are currently under consideration.

Eligibility

This grant is open to

Public, private, home, and charter schools
Libraries
Community centers

Requirement

Applications must include a signed letter of support from the administrator.

Program Elements

Program participants will receive:

Hydroponics systems for 20 classrooms
Seed germinator
Nutrient fertilizers
pH measurement tool
Total dissolved solids (TDS) measurement tool
The Green Our Planet Hydroponic Manual
Support from a Green Our Planet Hydroponic Coordinator

Powering Climate & Infrastructure Careers Challenge

The Powering Climate & Infrastructure Careers Challenge from The Families & Workers Fund will provide financial and technical assistance to infrastructure and clean energy projects in the United States. Projects must have or be applying for funding from climate, infrastructure, or other government funding.

Round One applications for $150,000 – $1.5 million in direct funding or technical assistance over 1-3 years are due by January 19, 2024. Invitations to apply for Round 2 will be issued to a select number of Round 1 applicants. Finalists from Round 2 will be invited to interview with the Fund who expects to award 10-20 grants total.

Eligibility

This funding opportunity is open to:

501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
Public agencies
Native American Tribal governments
Public-private partnerships, such as workforce development boards

Applicants must also:

Have or intend to apply for climate, infrastructure, or other government funding
Be committed to advancing career opportunities and improving economic mobility, especially for underinvested communities

Funding Tracks

Projects may fall under both of these tracks, but they must be under at least one.

Training & Career Pathways

Projects in this track will be working to train, place, support, and retain a diverse workforce to meet growing demands in the clean energy, infrastructure, and related industries.

Appropriate applicants for this track include:

Nonprofit organizations
Institutions of higher education
Workforce agencies
Employer partnerships
Other training providers

Government Planning & Implementation

Projects in this track will support partners with workforce data analysis and planning, procurement, and job quality efforts.

Appropriate applicants for this track include government agencies and nonprofit organizations on Native land or in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, or Wisconsin.

Government Funding Sources

https://blog.ucsusa.org/charlie-hoffs/how-are-wind-turbines-made/

Applicants may be leveraging funds from:

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
CHIPS and Sciences Act
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), including State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF)
Private investment or contracts from businesses receiving federal funds
Other (must specify)

The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation

For 20 years, The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation has been planting fruit, nut, and medicinal trees alongside Native American tribes, schools, and animal sanctuaries. Their goal is to help plant 18 billion trees around the world to protect the environment by improving the soil, water, and air quality, to feed those in need, and to strengthen communities.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis. Most funded projects are in the United States, but they accept applications from international projects as well.

Eligibility

Applicant

This grant is open to:

Nonprofit organizations
Non-government organizations
Public schools
Government entities serving a charitable purpose

Applicants must also:

Own or have a long term lease on the planting site or have a long term usage agreement with the non-profit or governmental entity that owns it
Be committed to caring for the orchard indefinitely
Have a clear goal for how the orchard can help them fulfill their charitable mission
Be able to recruit and coordinate volunteers for planting day

Site

The site must:

Be suitable for planting trees about 15 feet apart with holes dug to 18 inches deep and 2 feet wide
Have a year-round irrigation source. The Foundation may be able to provide hoses or a drip irrigation system, but there must be somewhere to hook them up.

There isn’t a set number of trees required per project but they typically consist of at least 15-20 trees.

Grant Package

Grantees will receive:

Assistance with designing the layout of their orchard
Trees and shrubs
Equipment
Horticultural workshops
Training and manuals on the care and maintenance of the trees
Funds for deer fencing and irrigation systems is available on an as needed basis
Optional educational materials for schools

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