Category Archives: Environmental

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.

Park Foundation

The Park Foundation is a family-run foundation established in 1966 by Roy H. Park. They are dedicated to creating a more just and sustainable society across the United States and in their hometown of Ithaca, NY.

The Foundation offers grants in 8 priority areas: Democracy, Civic Participation, Media, Environment, Animal Welfare, Sustainable Ithaca, Community Needs, and School Food and Nutrition. Eligibility varies by funding area.

Letters of interest are not required, but are highly recommended. After submitting your LOI, do not submit a full proposal until you hear from a Foundation staff member. LOI’s can be submitted at any time. Proposals are reviewed on a quarterly basis. Upcoming due dates are: September 22, 2023, and January 5, 2024.

Funding Priorities

Democracy

Eligibility

Grants under this category are open to nonprofit organizations across the United States.

Prioritized Activities

Expanding voting access
Advocating for reform at the local, state, and federal levels
Ending partisan gerrymandering
Eliminating dark money in elections
Holding government officials accountable
Overturning Citizen’s United
Supporting a field of diverse, young leaders
Promoting progressive agendas

Civic Participation

Eligibility

Grants under this category are open to nonprofit organizations across the United States.

Prioritized Activities

Working to stop voter suppression
State-based groups educating, motivating, and mobilizing voters
National and state groups protecting voters’ rights and election integrity

Media

Eligibility

Grants under this category are open to nonprofit organizations across the United States.

Prioritized Activities

Public broadcasting
Investigative journalism
Media policy

Environment

Eligibility

Grants under this category are open to nonprofit organizations working on a national level or in New York State.

Clean Water: Prioritized Activities

Investment in publicly owned and operated water utilities
Reduced bottled water consumption
Strong, enforced policies
Empowering people to defend their right to clean water

Energy

Grants under this category are open to state-level organizations in New York for:

Advocacy
Policy development
Organizing
Corporate responsibility

Animal Welfare

Eligibility

Grants under this category are open to nonprofit organizations across the United States working on projects of national significance.

Focus Areas

Indigenous wildlife management
Organizing, educating, and advocating on behalf of endangered species and ecosystems
National and regional efforts to preserve birds, pollinators, whales, and wolves

Sustainable Ithaca

Eligibility

Grants under this category are open to nonprofit organizations in Ithaca and Tompkins County, NY.

Program Priorities

Ecosystem conservation
Energy and climate change
Environmental education
Smart growth

Community Needs

Eligibility

Grants under this category are open to nonprofit organizations in Tompkins County, NY.

Program Priorities

Developing interventions in partnership with low income residents
Identifying barriers to success and implementing programs to overcome them
Tailoring programs using data about subpopulations to ensure needs are being met

School Food and Nutrition

Eligibility

Grants under this category are open to nonprofit organizations in Tompkins County, NY.

Goal

Breaking the self-reinforcing cycle of poverty, hunger, poor health, negative social and academic impacts, and limited future opportunities.

Cornell Douglas Foundation

The Cornell Douglas Foundation was founded in 2006 to provide grants to organizations working to protect the environment. They award grants in five focus areas: Environmental Health and Justice, Land Conservation, Mountaintop Removal Mining, Sustainability of Resources, and Watershed Protection.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for awards averaging $15,000 – $50,000.

Eligibility

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

Funding Areas

Applicants may request funding for any or a combination of:

General support
Environmental Health and Justice
Land Conservation
Mountaintop Removal Mining
Sustainability of Resources
Watershed Protection

Application Requirements

All applications should include:

A brief letter of introduction
IRS determiniation letter
Most recent 990
A list of other sources of support

Sam and Mary Lawrence Foundation Sea2Earth Fund

The Sam and Mary Lawrence Foundation was founded in 1986 to build a culturally rich society and environmentally sustainable world through education, advocacy, and direct support. They established the Sea2Earth Fund in 2023 to assist others doing this work.

Awards of up to $25,000 are available for an 18 month period; most grants will be $2,500 – $10,000. Letters of interest are due via email by September 10, 2023. Organizations selected to submit a full proposal will be notified on October 10th and proposals will be due by November 10, 2023.

Eligibility

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

Allowable Expenses

Expense Types

Grant funds may be used for:

Operating support
Capital expenses

Activities

Grant funds may be used for:

Environmental education
Youth development
Habitat restoration
Conservation activities
Community gardens
Activities that connect people of all ages with nature

Submission

Letters of interest should be sent to sea2earthfund@gmail.com.

Climate Smart Humanities Organizations Grant

The Climate Smart Humanities Organizations Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities supports strategic planning by humanities organizations to adapt to climate change and minimize their own impacts on the climate. Activities are divided into Mitigation and Adaptation, but applicants are encouraged to address both areas in their project.

The NEH anticipates awarding 20-30 grants of up to $300,000 each for a period of up to 24 months. Recipients are required to provide a 1:1 match in non-federal, third party funds, which must be raised by March 31, 2025. Applicants have the option to submit a draft by August 9, 2023; final versions are due by September 14, 2023 through Grants.gov.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
State and local governments
Federally recognized Tribal governments
Institutions of higher education

The applicant or one of its subunits must work primarily in the humanities and support research, education, preservation, or public programming.

Two or more organizations may also apply as a consortium.

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be spent on:

Salaries for key personnel and others
Consultants
Participant/trainee support costs
Equipment
Equipment or facility rental/user fees
Materials and supplies
Travel
Publication costs
Automated Data Processing (ADP)/Computer services

Grant Activities

Mitigation

Funded mitigation activities may include:

Comprehensive energy audits
Calculating the organization’s carbon footprint
Testing HVAC, natural gas, water, and other systems to improve efficiency
Installing equipment to measure consumption

Adaptation

Funded adaptation activities may include:

Examining location specific risks such as sea level rise or wildfire
Assessing building and grounds’ ability to withstand current and future climate events
Data collection on weather, temperature, etc. to model future conditions
Evaluating the impact of climate change on programs, i.e. location, time of year, etc.

Review Criteria

All applications will be reviewed based on:

Humanities significance and impact
Institutional commitment
Quality of the plan
Work plan and budget
Quality of the project team
Plan assessment, dissemination, and next steps

The J.W. Couch Foundation

Jesse W. Couch was a World War II veteran, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. The Foundation established in his name carries on his legacy by investing in projects in Preservation, Education, and Wellness.

They meet twice a year to review submitted applications. The second due date for 2023 is September 15.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
For profit businesses in the United States working in Preservation, Education, or Wellness

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be used for:

General operating support
Specific programming
New product development for social entrepreneurs

Program Areas

Preservation

Eligible applications under Preservation may focus on:

Historic Preservation – conserving historic resources to cultivate the importance of community
Wildlife Conservation – protecting land and water so all life on Earth can thrive
Renewable Energy – expanding solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass and geothermal power to prevent catastrophic global temperatures
Food Management – reducing emissions from all levels of food production: growing, transporting, and waste disposal
Transportation – transforming the transportation industry to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Waste Management – shifting consumption to reduce single use products and the need to obtain raw materials

Education

Eligible applications under Education may focus on:

Early Childhood Education – creative approaches to education such as life skills, project based learning, and increased outdoor time
21st Century Education – teaching essential skills for modern times, such as critical thinking, collaboration, oral and written communication, and entrepreneurship
Teachers – investing in teachers

Wellness

Eligible applications under Wellness may focus on:

Mental Health – assisting people struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc.
Digital Wellbeing – promoting a more balanced approach to technology use
Get Outside – promoting the health benefits of outdoor activities