Celebrating Earth Day - Green Grants Across the U.S.

Apr 22, 2025 7:00:00 AM / by Daniel Cavins

Celebrating Earth Day - Green Grants Across the U.S.-2

This Earth Day, nonprofits dedicated to environmental conservation have the chance to access vital funding to further their impactful work. Grants aimed at protecting the environment are available across the country, supporting efforts to preserve natural resources and promote green initiatives. See below to explore environmental funding opportunities by state or region.

Alaska

Alaska Conservation Foundation

The Alaska Conservation Foundation (ACF) supports a range of grassroots initiatives dedicated to protecting the state’s natural resources and ecosystems. Through multiple grant programs, ACF provides funding to address and support long-term conservation goals, urgent environmental threats, Indigenous advocacy, and public education about wildlife.

Discovery Grants: ACF’s Discovery Grants are designed to strengthen Alaska’s grassroots conservation movement by supporting leadership development, collaboration, and adaptability in shifting political and economic landscapes. These grants are intended for smaller nonprofits working to grow their capacity and impact.

  • Eligibility: Applicants must be nonprofit organizations engaged in conservation advocacy, based in Alaska or operating an Alaska-based program. Preference is given to organizations with annual operating budgets under $400,000.
  • Award Range: $500 - $2,000
  • Deadline: Rolling

 

Rapid Response Grants: The Rapid Response Grant program supports immediate conservation action in response to urgent or unforeseen opportunities or threats of statewide significance. These grants enable organizations to act quickly and effectively to influence environmental policy or prevent long-term harm.

  • Eligibility: Open to nonprofit organizations based in Alaska or with Alaska-based programs. Projects must address an urgent conservation issue with a clearly defined timeline and decision point.
  • Award Range: Up to $15,000
  • Deadline: Rolling

 

Indigenous Fund: The Indigenous Fund supports Indigenous-led conservation efforts across Alaska. Funding is focused on amplifying Indigenous voices in advocacy efforts aimed at protecting key regions like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Bristol Bay, and the Tongass National Forest, and resisting hard rock mining projects. Grants primarily support travel for testimony, outreach, and public engagement.

  • Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations or Alaska-based Indigenous programs engaged in conservation advocacy and organizing.
  • Award Range: Varies depending on project scope
  • Deadline: Rolling

 

Watchable Wildlife Conservation Trust: Created in partnership with the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, this grant program funds projects that enhance sustainable wildlife viewing, promote wildlife education and conserve biological diversity in Alaska. Projects may include signage, educational programs, research, trail or facility development, or habitat acquisition.

  • Eligibility: Applicants must be nonprofit organizations based in Alaska or with Alaska-based programs.
  • Award Range: Up to $5,000
  • Deadline: August 2025 (exact date TBA)

 

California

California Environmental Grassroots Fund

The California Environmental Grassroots Fund supports small, community-based organizations working on climate resilience and environmental justice throughout the state. The fund prioritizes groups that are rooted in and representative of historically marginalized communities, especially BIPOC, frontline, immigrant, and low-income communities. Supported activities include grassroots advocacy, restoration, education, litigation, and organizing. All grants provide general operating support to help emerging groups strengthen their impact and long-term sustainability.

  • Eligibility: Organizations must have annual expenses or income of $150,000 or less. Applicants must be based in California or have a project with a direct impact in the state. They must be a nonprofit, have a fiscal sponsor, or request fiscal sponsorship through the fund.
  • Award Range: Up to $7,500
  • Deadline: The next application deadline will be announced in 2025.

 

Colorado

Colorado River District - Community Funding Partnership

The Colorado River District’s Community Funding Partnership supports water-related projects that prepare communities in western Colorado for a hotter and drier future. Launched in 2021, this program funds multi-purpose water projects within five categories: productive agriculture, infrastructure, healthy rivers, watershed health and water quality, and conservation and efficiency. Projects must demonstrate multiple public benefits, strong local support, and alignment with the River District’s mission to protect, conserve, and develop water resources across its 15-county region. Funding may be awarded as a grant, loan, or investment, and projects are encouraged to leverage additional funding from state, federal, or private sources.

  • Eligibility: Eligible applicants include individuals, local governments, mutual ditch companies, nonprofits, private entities, and partnerships with projects located within the River District boundaries. All applicants are required to complete a 15-minute inquiry call with River District staff before submitting a full application.
  • Award Range: Funding amounts vary based on project needs. The District typically funds 20 to 30 percent of the total project cost.
  • Deadline: Rolling

 

Florida

Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida

The Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida offers several specialty grant programs funded through license plate sales, supporting conservation, education, and restoration efforts across the state. Below are the foundation’s primary recurring grant programs, but additional funding opportunities are also available for coral restoration, fisheries research, manatee protection, outdoor education, and more. Each program has its own eligibility criteria, funding levels, and application timeline.

Protect Florida Springs Grant: This grant supports targeted, community-based freshwater springs research and outreach that is not currently funded by the state. Priority is given to projects that address nutrient pollution, invasive species, habitat restoration, and the development of tools and outreach strategies to improve spring conservation. Public education, behavior change strategies, and regional impact are key components of successful proposals.

  • Eligibility: Federal, state, and local agencies, public and private universities, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations may apply. Private for-profit entities may be considered if the project clearly benefits the public.
  • Award Range: Up to $30,000
  • Deadline: RFP to be released in Spring 2025

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Wildlife Foundation of Florida Grant: This grant supports land conservation, habitat restoration, public access to hunting lands, and programs that promote hunting, archery, and shooting sports. Grants may also support ecological restoration and the removal of invasive species on lands open to the public.

  • Eligibility: Federal, state, and local agencies, public and private universities, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations may apply. Private for-profit entities may be considered if the project clearly benefits the public.
  • Award Range: Up to $75,000
  • Deadline: July 23, 2025

 

Discover Florida’s Oceans Grant: This grant funds ocean, estuarine, and coastal research, education, and conservation efforts. Projects often focus on marine biodiversity, ecosystem restoration, and public awareness.

  • Eligibility: Federal, state, and local agencies, public and private universities, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations may apply. Private for-profit entities may be considered if the project clearly benefits the public.

 

Hawaii

Maui Recovery Funders Collaborative

The Maui Recovery Funders Collaborative was established in response to the devastating wildfires that struck Maui in August 2023. These wind-driven fires destroyed more than 2,200 structures and caused approximately $5.5 billion in damages. The Collaborative was formed to coordinate and streamline philanthropic efforts aimed at rebuilding and supporting affected communities. All standard request types are welcome. However, proposals that directly support disaster recovery efforts are prioritized.

  • Eligibility: Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, organizations fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3), and 509(a)(1) public charities.
  • Award Range: $10,000 - $500,000 (Most grants awarded are $100,000 or less)
  • Deadline: Rolling

 

Michigan

Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan

The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan (CFSEM) offers competitive grants to support nonprofits addressing complex regional challenges across a wide range of sectors, including health, environment, human services, education, arts, and culture. The Foundation focuses on long-term, strategic investments and seeks projects that promote sustainability, leverage other resources, support regional collaboration, and create measurable, lasting impact across Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Washtenaw, St. Clair, and Livingston counties.

  • Eligibility: Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, school districts, universities, or government entities headquartered in and serving residents of southeast Michigan.
  • Award Range: Most grants fall between $30,000 and $75,000, though awards may range from $5,000 to $1 million depending on available funds and the scale of the project.
  • Deadlines: August 15, 2025

 

New England

Grassroots Environment Fund

The New England Grassroots Environment Fund supports local environmental initiatives that build healthy, just, safe, and sustainable communities across six states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Seed Grants: Seed Grants are intended for grassroots groups that are either launching a new project or making a significant change to an existing one. Most recipients have been working on the project for less than a year and may have little to no prior experience implementing their ideas. These grants prioritize new efforts led by community members and are designed to address local environmental and social justice issues.

  • Eligibility: Applicants must be community-based organizations located in one of the six New England states. Priority is given to groups with no more than two full-time paid staff and annual budgets under $100,000.
  • Award Range: $500 - $1,000
  • Deadline: Rolling

Grow Grants: Grow Grants are designed for groups with some experience implementing environmental or social justice projects who are ready to expand their work or deepen community participation. These grants support a wide variety of activities and are guided by the fund’s commitment to equity, community voice, and environmental sustainability. Projects funded through Grow Grants often involve collaboration, leadership development, and long-term systems change.

  • Eligibility: Applicants must be community-based organizations located in one of the six New England states.
  • Award Range: $1,000 - $4,000 (Applicants are encouraged to request the full $4,000)
  • Deadline: September 16, 2025

 

Virginia

Campbell Foundation

The Campbell Foundation offers unsolicited grants twice per year to support a wide range of charitable programs, with a special interest in environmental work. While the foundation is open to funding projects across the United States and internationally, it places particular focus on initiatives based in California and the Chesapeake Bay region. These grants are intended to support nonprofits that are working with diverse communities, addressing racial equity, and dismantling systemic barriers. Funding can support general operations, capacity building, specific programs, or even capital expenses.

  • Eligibility: Applicants must be a U.S.-registered 501(c)(3) public charitable organization, including educational institutions and government agencies.
  • Award Range: $2,500 - $25,000
  • Deadline: August 29, 2025

Need Assistance?

USFCR’s Consulting Division offers assistance with grant applications through grant writing and review and submission services. To learn more about grant services or the sourcing of other grants, please contact us at (877) 252-2700 or complete the grant assessment below.

Take the Grant Assessment

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Daniel Cavins

Written by Daniel Cavins