Home  >  Articles  >  NWF and Affiliate News  >  NWF News  >  Funding Opportunities     Printable Version Tell a friend Download PDF Version
To download PDF version of this web page, right click the link and select "open in a new window" or "save target as."

Funding Opportunities

Monday, April 20, 2009

(National Wildlife Federation)

List of 100 top U.S. Foundations

Top 100 U.S. Foundations - Lists top U.S. Foundations by total giving, top corporate grant makers by asset size, top corporate grant makers by total giving, largest community foundations by asset size, and largest community foundations by total giving.  http://foundationcenter.org/findfunders/topfunders/top100assets.html


Multi-site Fund Finder Search Engines

U.S. EPA Database
Grant and debarment opportunities located at grants.gov, U.S. EPA, Office of Grants and Debarment (OBD) Grants Competition website, EPA:  Small Business Gateway, and the online Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.
http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/funding_opportunities.htm

North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) –
Multi site search for grant opportunities

The Foundation Center (79 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10003 Tel: (212) 620-4230 Fax: (212) 691-1828 email: feedback@fdncenter.org ) is an independent nonprofit information clearinghouse established in 1956. The Center's mission is to foster public understanding of the foundation field by collecting, organizing, analyzing, and disseminating information on foundations, corporate giving, and related subjects.


State Specific

Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation
Detailed information for grant and loan programs
http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/grants.htm

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Detailed information for grant programs
http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/recreation/grants.shtml

Maryland Department of Environment – Multi site search for grant opportunities in Maryland and throughout the U.S.
http://www.mde.state.md.us/Programs/WaterPrograms/Wetlands_Waterways/pop_up/fundingpritable.asp


Pacific Northwest only

The Brainerd Foundation is focused on grassroots environmental support in the Pacific Northwest (recipients must be located in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, British Columbia, and the Yukon Territory)
Brainerd Foundation

The Regence Foundation
The Regence Foundation is committed to improving health care for the communities the company serves throughout Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Utah. The Foundation works to transform health care and address core problems in the health care system with innovative solutions. To achieve this, the Foundation is currently providing grants through the following two program areas: Building Healthier Communities addresses the systemic access to health care, with a secondary focus on critical community health needs. Transforming Health Care focuses on increasing the accessibility and usability of information for consumers to help them make informed health care decisions. Applications may be submitted at any time. Visit the website listed above to take the required online applicant questionnaire.


Western United States only

Wilburforce Foundation 3601 Fremont Ave N #304 Seattle, WA 98103-8753 206.632.2325 206.632.2326 fax). Focus is on "organizations that work to protect habitats which are critically important to sustaining abundant ecological communities in Western Canada and the Western United States."

Social Activism

Poverty Law Center: Mix It Up Grants Program
The Mix It Up Grants Program, administered by the Southern Poverty Law Center, funds small-scale youth-directed activist projects that focus on identifying, crossing, and challenging social boundaries in schools and communities. Grants of up to $500 are provided for projects led by youth (ages 13 years and older) that bring together different youth groups, clubs, or community groups. Funded projects should step outside of the box and incorporate fresh ways to engage in and encourage socially just behaviors. Requests may be submitted at any time. Visit the website listed above to review examples of funded projects and download the application guidelines and forms.


Biological Diversity/Sustainability

http://www.bluemoonfund.org/

The blue moon fund seeks to improve the human condition by changing the relationship between human consumption and the natural world. Support is provided to nonprofit organizations in the United States, Latin America, and Asia that have developed innovative approaches to improving human quality of life in harmony with the natural world.  Support is provided in the following three initiative areas: Rethinking Consumption and Energy is aimed at developing environmentally-friendly, efficient, and economically competitive transportation and energy choices worldwide. Balancing Human and Natural Ecosystems promotes new economic and cultural approaches to reducing resource pressure and preserving biodiversity. Reenergizing Urban Communities is based on the belief that underpinning vibrant

cities is their capacity to self-organize in ways that maximize the

economic, cultural, environmental, and spiritual benefits of urban

life. Letters of inquiry may be submitted throughout the year;

proposals are reviewed by invitation only. Visit the blue moon fund

website to take the required online eligibility test.


Charles Stewart Mott Foundation (1200 Mott Foundation Building, Flint, Michigan 48502-1851 Phone: (810) 238-5651, Fax: (810) 766-1753 email: infocenter@mott.org) "The mission of the Mott Foundation's environmental grantmaking is to support the efforts of an engaged citizenry working to create accountable and responsive institutions, sound public policies, and appropriate models of development that protect the diversity and integrity of selected ecosystems in North America and around the world

The Conservation Alliance . "is a group of 62 outdoor businesses whose collective contributions support grassroots citizen-action groups and their efforts to protect wild and natural areas where outdoor enthusiasts recreate. Applicants for grants must be sponsored by one of the member businesses." To request a sponsor and find out more about the program, contact Jil Zilligen at Patagonia, 259 W. Santa Clara Street, Ventura CA 93001. Their most recent round of grants awarded $140,000 to 5 groups, including Sea Turtle Restoration Project and Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance
http://www.conservationalliance.com/grants


Consultative Group on Biological Diversity, San Francisco CA.(Lincoln and Torney, Presidio Building 1014, P.O. Box 29361, San Francisco, CA 94129-0361 tel: (415) 561-6575 Fax:(415) 561-6490 email: cgbd@cgbd.org) The Consultative Group on Biological Diversity is an association of more than 40 grant makers that seeks to focus attention on issues and program opportunities related to the conservation of biological resource.

Fund for Wild Nature
The Fund for Wild Nature provides grants to grassroots organizations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico for campaigns to save and restore native species and wild ecosystems, including actions to defend wilderness and biological diversity. The Fund seeks proposals with visionary and yet realistic goals to create tangible change. Priority is given to projects premised on effective, intelligent biocentric strategies on issues that are not receiving adequate national attention, and may not be fundable through mainstream sources. The Fund rarely supports proposals from organizations with large budgets (over $250,000 annually). The remaining deadlines for 2009 are May 1 and November 1. Application guidelines and forms are available on the Fund's website.

The MacArthur Foundation Program on Global Security and Sustainability: ( Office of Grants Management, 140 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60603 USA, email: 4answers@macfound.org) The program "promotes peace within and among countries, healthy ecosystems worldwide, and responsible reproductive choices."


Jenifer Altman Foundation, the Mitchell Kapor Foundation, and the StarFire Fund . "The Jenifer Altman Foundation, Mitchell Kapor Foundation, and StarFire Fund share a common vision of contributing to the prospects for a more socially just and ecologically sustainable future. Presently, this work is focused primarily, but not exclusively... on the impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals and other fetal contaminants on human health and on biodiversity. "

Surdna Foundation, Inc.(330 Madison Avenue, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10017-5001 E-mail: request@surdna.org ) "The Environment Program has 4 program areas: Biological Diversity and the Human Communities Which Depend On It, Human Systems, Transportation and Urban/Suburban Land Use, Energy." Their program interests include "Translating scientific concerns and findings into public policy; conservation-based development; promoting public policies that insure species preservation; promoting market-based approaches that ensure species preservation; and creating programs that raise broad public awareness of these issues."

Turner Foundation (Executive Director, TURNER FOUNDATION, One CNN Center, Suite1090 - South Tower, Attn: Program Department, Atlanta, GA 30303 ) Habitat funding is based on 2 basic principles: "Ecosystem protection and restoration based on the principles of conservation biology; and; Relieving the relentless pressure that our consumption of resources and land, multiplied by growing human numbers, has placed on these ecosystems."

The Biodiversity Project (214 N. Henry Street, Suite 203 Madison, WI, 53703 tel: (608) 250-9876 Fax (608) 257-3513, Project Director, Jane Elder, email: jelder@cgbd.org) is a public education initiative to focus attention on issues and program opportunities related to conservation and restoration of biological resources.

The Christensen Fund
Deadline: 31 March 2009; 31 August 2009
Description: The Christensen Fund makes grants to organizations that work towards maintaining the rich diversity of the world—biological and cultural—over the long run, including the persistence and adaptation of indigenous systems for managing landscapes that sustain cultural and biological value and diversity.

Gifts In Kind International (333 North Fairfax Street Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 836-2121 Fax (703) 549-1481 Toll Free TeleFax (888) 288-4043 email: ProductDonations@GiftsInKind.org) "We are the leading charity in the field of product philanthropy, helping companies donate product efficiently and effectively to charities and schools in your home town and around the world.


Regional - Great Lakes

The Joyce Foundation (Three First National Plaza, 70 West Madison Street Suite 2750, Chicago, Illinois 60602, Phone: (312) 782-2464, Fax: (312) 782-4160, General email: info@joycefdn.org) "The Joyce Foundation supports efforts to protect the natural environment of the Great Lakes" Articles on environment is an interesting section of published articles on environmental change

The Pew Charitable Trusts (2005 Market Street, Suite 1700, Philadelphia, PA 19103-7077, Tel: (215) 575-9050, email: webmaster@pewtrusts.com ) "a Philadelphia-based foundation with approximately $4.7 billion in assets, invested over $213 million in 298 nonprofit organizations in 1998."  The Environment program awarded over $38 million to 60 groups in 1998, and "aims to promote policies and practices that protect the global atmosphere and preserve healthy forest and marine ecosystems." Their Grantee web links page is extensive.

Wal-Mart Foundation State Giving Program
The Wal-Mart Foundation State Giving Program awards grants at the state and regional level to programs that have a strong impact within the communities the company serves. The program provides grants of $25,000 and up in the following categories: Education grants support programs that address the educational needs of underserved young people ages 12-25. Workforce Development/Economic Opportunity grants target job skill training and support services for unemployed and displaced workers. Health and Wellness grants strive to improve access to healthcare, reduce healthcare disparities, and promote healthy lifestyles. Environmental Sustainability grants assist in the development or expansion of environmentally sustainable communities, with emphasis on green building and job training. The Foundation has a particular interest in supporting veterans and military families, traditionally underserved groups, individuals with disabilities, and people impacted by natural disasters. The application deadlines for 2009 are April 17 and September 18. Visit the website listed above to review the FAQ and submit an online application.


Bank of America: Neighborhood Excellence Initiative

<http://www.bankofamerica.com/foundation/index.cfm?template=fd_neighborexcell>

 The Neighborhood Excellence Initiative, Bank of America's signature philanthropic program, recognizes nonprofit organizations and individuals working to improve their communities. The focus is on areas such as education, community development and/or neighborhood preservation, arts and culture, and health and human services. The Initiative's Neighborhood Builders category provides grants of $200,000 each to two nonprofit organizations working to promote vibrant neighborhoods in each of the Bank's 45 markets

<http://www.bankofamerica.com/foundation/neimarkets>

. The Local Heroes category provides grants of $5,000 each to

nonprofit organizations selected by each of five recognized

individuals in the targeted markets. Applications and nominations must be submitted online by June 30, 2009; early submission is encouraged. Guidelines for both categories are available on the Bank of America website listed above. |

Georgia-Pacific Foundation

<http://www.gp.com/gpfoundation/index.html>

 

 The Georgia-Pacific Foundation supports a wide range of

organizations that improve the quality of life in communities where Georgia-Pacific operates. (The Georgia-Pacific facility directory http://www.gp.com/facilitydirectory/index.asp

 is available online.) The Foundation has identified the following

key investment areas: educational efforts that empower youth and

provide workers with job readiness training; community enrichment issues such as affordable housing and community safety; environmental programs that promote clean air and water, recycling, and land and resource conservation; and entrepreneurship initiatives that foster self-sufficiency and economic empowerment, especially among youth, women, and minorities. Applications may be submitted online from January 1 through October 31, annually. Visit the Georgia Pacific website to take the Foundation's Eligibility Survey.



Collaboration and Engagement

The Rockefeller Family Fund (437 Madison Ave., 37th Floor, New York, NY, 10022, tel (212) 812-4252, fax: (212) 812-4299, email: mmccarthy@rffund.org ) "is a family philanthropy located in New York City. RFF supports a wide range of environmental, political participation and reform, women's rights, and other domestic activist-oriented nonprofit groups." Their Technology Project "seeks to accelerate social and political progress by building technological capacity for community collaboration and citizen engagement."


Children and Young Adults

Disney Minnie Grant for Youth Service America program - June 15
http://ysa.org/MyYSA/YSAContent/YSANews/tabid/219/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/134/DisneyMinnieGrant2ndRound2009.aspx

Captain Planet Foundation
Deadline: 31 March 2009, 30 June 2009, 30 September 2009; 31 December 2009
Description: The Captain Planet Foundation will fund projects that promote understanding of environmental issues, focus on hands-on involvement, involve children and young adults 6-18 (elementary through high school), promote interaction and cooperation within the group, help young people develop planning and problem solving skills, include adult supervision, commit to follow-up communications with the Foundation. The Foundation only funds projects to organizations or sponsoring agencies that are exempt from federal taxation under the Internal Revenue Code Section 501. Grants typically range from $250-$2500 USD. In an effort to conserve paper the Captain Planet Foundation requires grant applicants to apply for funding using the online application form. Should you have any questions regarding the grant application or the small grants program, please contact Taryn Murphy, CPF's program director.

Jim Henson Foundation
The Jim Henson Foundation awards grants for the creation and development of innovative works of puppet theater. Project grants of $5,000 are awarded for the continued development and production of new works ready to be presented in the coming year. Seed grants of $2,000 are provided for the development and workshopping of pieces in the earlier stages of creation. The Foundation also offers grants of $3,000 for the development of new and innovative work specifically for children and families. Applications for international collaborations are accepted, but the primary artist and fiscal sponsor must be American. Projects that will only take place outside of the United States are not eligible for funding. The deadline for letters of intent is April 24, 2009; invited proposals are due September 14, 2009. Visit the website listed above for application guidelines.


Native American Issues

Seventh Generation Fund for Indian Development
The Seventh Generation Fund for Indian Development is dedicated to promoting and maintaining the uniqueness of Native peoples throughout the Americas. The Fund's primary grantmaking program areas include: Arts and Cultural Expression, Environmental Health and Justice, Human Rights, Sacred Earth, Sustainable Communities, Intergenerational Leadership, and Women's Leadership. Grants from $500 to $5,000 are provided three times per year to Native communities that address one or more of the Fund's program areas. The next application deadline is June 1, 2009. (Mini-grants of up to $500 are reviewed throughout the year.) Application guidelines and a cover sheet form are available on the Fund's website.

Federal Programs


Visit www.nps.gov/rtca for more information.

The National Park Service helps partners plan successful locally-led
outdoor recreation and natural resource conservation projects.

August 1 is the deadline for the next round of assistance from our
Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss project ideas
with RTCA staff before submitting an application.


North American Wetlands Conservation Act Program
NAWCA Accepts U.S. Standard Grant Applications

http://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/Grants/NAWCA/index.shtm

 Standard Grant applications are being accepted from U.S. public and private organizations for wetland conservation projects as part of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act Grants Program.

 

National Forest Foundation Matching Awards Program
Deadline: 5 June 2009
Description: By matching federal funds provided through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Forest Service to non-federal dollars, the National Forest Foundation (NFF) Matching Awards Program (MAP) is able to effectively double the resources available to nonprofit partners to implement projects that directly benefit our National Forests and Grasslands.

National Forest Foundation Mid-capacity Assistance Program
Deadline: 12 June 2009
Description: With Ford Foundation support, the National Forest Foundation (NFF) has established the Mid-Capacity Assistance Program for locally-based collaborative efforts working on natural resource issues on National Forests and Grasslands

Wildlife Forever Challenge Grants
Deadline: 1 July 2009
Description: Grants from Wildlife Forever are targeted for habitat restoration and acquisition, research and management, and educational projects. Special emphasis is placed upon grassroots programs that involve local conservation, sportsmen's or outdoor recreation groups.

U.S. Department of the Interior – Interior Grants Management Virtual Library
http://www.doi.gov/pam/pamfain.html

 

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation provides funding on a competitive basis to projects that sustain, restore and enhance the Nation’s fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats through our Keystone Initiative Grants and other Special Grant Programs.  Browse over 50 programs.
http://www.nfwf.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Browse_All_Programs&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=20&ContentID=5401

 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Federal, state, and local Green Buildiing Funding Opportunities
http://www.epa.gov/greenbuilding/tools/funding.htm#states2

 


National Fish and Wildlife Foundation – Grants Library

The Grants Library allows users to search for general information on approximately 550 completed conservation projects funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.  Final project reports, evaluation reports, and related publications are also provided, where available.
http://www.nfwf.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Conservation_Library

 

Rolling Deadlines

Wilburforce Foundation
Deadlines: Various
Description: Wilburforce Foundation is dedicated to protecting nature's richness and diversity through funding programs that help preserve our remaining wild places. We focus our funding on organizations that work to protect habitats that are critically important to sustaining abundant ecological communities in Western Canada and the Western United States.

Patagonia Foundation
Deadline: Rolling
Description: Patagonia funds organizations that identify and work on the root causes of environmental problems and approach issues with a commitment to long-term change. Because we believe that true change will occur only through a strong grassroots movement, our funding focuses on organizations that build a strong base of citizen support. We look for innovative groups that produce measurable results, and we like to support efforts that force the government to abide by its own – our own – laws. Most grants are in the range of $3,000 to $8,000.

Arizona Partners For Fish and Wildlife
Deadline: Rolling
Description: This program of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service focuses on protecting, restoring, and enhancing wetland and streamside (riparian) habitats that will benefit Federal trust species, federally listed threatened and endangered species, waterfowl, shorebirds and migratory songbirds. The Service will provide technical and financial assistance to Arizona landowners who voluntarily want to increase the value of their lands as wildlife habitat. For questions, comments and/or more information, contact Kris Randall, Arizona Partners for Fish and Wildlife Coordinator or visit the program website.

National Forest Foundation Community Assistance Program
Deadline: Rolling
Description: The National Forest Foundation established the Community Assistance Program (CAP) to promote the creation of locally-based, collaborative natural resource partnerships which seek to build ecological, social and economic sustainability. The program will support newly-forming or re-organizing nonprofit organizations that are in need of start-up funds for capacity building that intend to proactively and inclusively engage the local community in forest management and conservation issues on and around National Forests and Grasslands.

Various Environmental Grantmaker Websites