Environmental Grants

The St. Croix Valley Environmental Grant Program, administered by the St. Croix Valley Foundation (SCVF), is a regionally focused philanthropic initiative designed to enhance and sustain the environmental health of the St. Croix Valley region. Originating from a generous 2021 endowment by donors Jim and Judy Freund, the Environmental Fund has grown through contributions from numerous supporters. The fund matured into a competitive grantmaking program officially launched on April 22, 2024—coinciding with Earth Day. Its intent is to support local organizations that promote environmental stewardship, education, conservation, and equitable access to natural spaces within six counties straddling Minnesota and Wisconsin. The program awards both general operating and program-specific grants to eligible entities. General operating support, ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, is available to nonprofit organizations whose missions and core programming focus squarely on environmental priorities. This category supports broad organizational needs, from strategic planning to staffing and outreach. In contrast, program support grants of $500 to $10,000 are open to both environmental and non-environmental organizations delivering specific hands-on environmental programming in the community. These might include experiential education, habitat restoration, or initiatives to enhance community access to outdoor environments. SCVF prioritizes programs that embed experiential learning, promote access and inclusion for diverse populations, and support advocacy for environmental policy change. All funded work must take place within SCVF’s six-county service region: Chisago and Washington counties in Minnesota, and Burnett, Polk, Pierce, and St. Croix counties in Wisconsin. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or qualifying public entities such as governmental bodies, tribal nations, or educational/religious institutions. Fiscal sponsorship is permitted when backed by formal agreement. Notably, funding is not available to individuals, for-profit enterprises, capital campaigns, endowments, or large-scale scientific and restoration projects. Applications are submitted through SCVF’s online portal. While the application form allows for extensive narrative content, reviewers value concise, clearly articulated submissions. Applications open annually on Earth Day (April 22) and are due by mid-June. Award notifications occur in July, and grant funds must be expended within one year of the award date. Only one application per organization is permitted per cycle. Evaluation criteria for operating support include organizational mission alignment, long-term environmental commitment, strategic vision, and specific actions around learning, access, and advocacy. Program-specific applications are assessed on delivery capacity, clear outcomes, participant benefits, budget realism, and opportunities for volunteer or partner engagement. In 2025, SCVF awarded $225,000 to 19 organizations through this program, illustrating the initiative’s impact. Funded projects included general operating grants to environmental nonprofits and program grants to schools and conservation alliances. This historical context underscores SCVF’s ongoing commitment to fostering environmental resilience across the St. Croix Valley. Interested applicants are encouraged to begin preparing early and contact program officer Heidi Herron with any questions regarding eligibility or the application process.

Write concisely even though space is large; reviewers prefer clarity.