Grants for Nonprofits - Environment

This program provides funding for community partnerships to restore habitats, improve water quality, and engage underserved populations in ecological projects across the country.

Ability Central is providing the 2025 Communication Access Grants Program for Developing and training healthcare professionals in strategies and tools that improve access to care for people with communication disabilities. Donor Name: Ability Central State: California County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/13/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Ability Central is looking for projects to develop, train, and implement resources and programmatic models for people with disabilities who communicate and access information via methods such as braille, screen readers, American Sign Language (ASL), tactile interpreters, co-navigators, and/or Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Funding Categories Developing and training healthcare professionals in strategies and tools that improve access to care for people with communication disabilities. Ability Central is looking for projects to develop, train, and implement resources and programmatic models for people with disabilities who communicate and access information via methods such as braille, screen readers, American Sign Language (ASL), tactile interpreters, co-navigators, and/or Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). This project is intended to train and equip healthcare professionals and healthcare systems with the knowledge, accessible resources, and multi-modal communication partner strategies to improve culturally responsive care for patients with communication disabilities and their care teams. These projects should be replicable and include people with disabilities in the planning, training, and implementation. Ability Central encourages projects that incorporate these elements: Person-Centered Approach: Successful culturally responsive healthcare training projects for people with communication disabilities should prioritize a person-centered approach. This means that the training should focus on the individual needs and preferences of the person, and the training should empower the person to be an active participant in their healthcare decisions. Communication Access: Successful projects should prioritize and understand access needs. This includes accommodations such as sign language interpreters, captioning, assistive technology, etc., that allow individuals to communicate effectively with healthcare providers. Collaboration: Healthcare training projects should involve multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure that all aspects of a person’s health needs are addressed. This could include collaborating with healthcare administration, front line staff such as doctors, nurses, medical assistants, behavioral health therapists, social workers, occupational therapists, appointment schedulers, and/or other professionals whose interactions impact the medical care of individuals with communication disabilities. Ongoing Evaluation: Successful projects should include ongoing evaluation to ensure that the training is effective and meets the needs of individuals with communication disabilities. This includes collecting feedback from both healthcare providers and individuals with communication disabilities to identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments to the training. Career and leadership development projects for people with communication disabilities. Ability Central is seeking strong, scalable, and replicable projects that provide supportive and fairly-compensated career training opportunities for people with communication disabilities. Ability Central seeks projects that: Demonstrate understanding of the unique challenges faced by people with communication disabilities in accessing career and leadership development opportunities. Prepare people with communication disabilities for career advancement, going beyond entry-level, customer service-based work. While also considering preparations on the employer’s behalf to ensure an accessible and inclusive work environment. Utilize innovative and effective strategies for providing support to participants with communication disabilities throughout the career training process. Have or will establish partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including self-advocates, disability organizations, employers, colleges, and/or training institutes. Include accommodations (interpreters, screen reader-friendly documents, AAC, etc.) and project staff/mentors who are familiar with them to enhance accessibility and participation. Incorporate a person-centered approach, considering the individual strengths, preferences, and goals of participants with communication disabilities. Measure outcomes and evaluation methods to assess the effectiveness of the career training program and its impact on participants’ employment outcomes. Plan for sustainability beyond the grant period, including strategies for long-term funding, partnerships, and ongoing support for participants. Describe the project’s scalability, indicating the potential for expansion and replication in other settings or regions. Commit to a disability inclusion framework within their organization. Eligibility Criteria Ability Central only funds organizations with a 501(c)3 status that are headquartered in California. Ability Central does not fund individuals, events, religious organizations, or political and religious work. Nor does it support the purchase of vehicles, land, or oversized equipment. Finally, Ability Central does not fund organizations that discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity and expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status. For more information, visit Ability Central.

The Rural Child Care Planning Program seeks to support the use of data and analysis by rural communities to determine the specific needs and solutions for child care in their area. Donor Name: Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) State: Iowa County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: Child care is a challenge across rural communities in Iowa and across the nation. However, the solutions are often more complicated than the construction of a new facility. Many factors need to be carefully analyzed to determine the feasibility for development of a child care center, expansion of an existing one or support for in-home providers. Through greater understanding of their geographic market, demographics, competition, financials, and other factors, communities can be armed with the information needed to take proactive steps towards addressing child care challenges. Funding from the program will empower communities to assess their current child care environment and develop strategies. The program, defined in Iowa Administrative Code, is administered by the Center for Rural Revitalization, a division of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), in consultation with the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative Task Forces. Funding Information Grant Recipients will be awarded $20,000. Grant Period All project activities and incurred expenses must occur within the eligible contracted funding period of October 1, 2024 – June 30, 2026. Uses of funds  The program provides funding for planning initiatives addressing child care needs through a professional third party partner. Eligible Project Requirements Requirements for Rural Child Care Planning Grant awards include, but are not limited to the following: Applicants must demonstrate the capacity for grants administration. Applications must provide 1:1/2 cash match. Applications must agree to contract with a professional third-party partner for completion of the market study and strategic goals. Applicant communities must identify the third-party organization in their application that will conduct the planning process.  Eligibility Criteria Iowa businesses, colleges and universities, city or county government, federally tax-exempt nonprofit agencies and foundations Projects/programs must exist in and benefit a community in Iowa with a population of 20,000 or fewer and not contiguous to a city with a population of 40,000 or greater. If a countywide project, must be in one of the 88 least populous counties. For more information, visit IEDA.

This funding opportunity provides support for U.S. institutions to create short-term research training programs for health professional and graduate students interested in biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research careers.

This new multi-year grant program intends to create local community connections to California’s rich and diverse cultural history and natural areas outside of California’s state park boundaries. Eligible projects will enhance connections to local cultural history, local parks, open space or natural areas through community events, programming or installations that help to build sustainable community connections, health and well-being. The Local Parks Grants Program will be managed and administered by Parks California. This program supports the “Outdoor Access for All” initiative led by Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, along with the Natural Resources Agency’s “Outdoors for All” initiative, and California State Parks’ Reexamining Our Past Initiative.

The Rocky Brands Community Improvement Fund is seeking applications from 501c3 organizations and government agencies in specific Ohio counties for projects that align with their mission and values, address current or emerging needs, encourage cooperation, and can leverage additional funds, with a focus on areas such as children's welfare, hunger, education, senior citizens, health wellness, community development, and more.

The Whidbey Community Foundation is seeking applications for its Community Health Grant Program to improve the quality of life on Whidbey Island. Donor Name: Whidbey Community Foundation State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: A wide range of factors influence how long and how well we live, including: opportunities for education, income and wealth, safe housing, and the right to shape policies and practices that impact our lives and futures.  Applicants may submit a proposal for a Community Health Grant in one of the four following areas: Health Behavior, including alcohol and drug use, diet and exercise, and tobacco use. Clinical Care, including health care access and quality. Social and Economic Factors, including education, employment, income, family and social support and community safety. Physical Environment, including air and water quality, housing, and transit. Funding Information Organizations can request up to $10,000 for a Community Health Grant.  Eligibility Criteria Any organization that operates with a charitable status or for a charitable purpose on Whidbey Island is eligible to apply for a grant. You do not need to have a headquarters or physical presence on Whidbey, so long as services are provided here. Whidbey Community Foundation does not award grants for the following ineligible organizations or purposes: Annual campaign appeals Endowments Individuals Political or lobbying activities Private operating foundations For-profit organizations Scholarships Religious organizations for sacramental or theological purposes For more information, visit Whidbey Community Foundation.

This funding initiative provides financial support to businesses and organizations along the Route 40 corridor in Cecil County, Maryland, for exterior improvements and revitalization efforts, with a special focus on removing blighted structures.

The Harry A. and Margaret D. Towsley Foundation seeks to maximize the positive impact by partnering with charitable organizations to accomplish common objectives for improving the lives of people and communities. Donor Name: Harry A. & Margaret D. Towsley Foundation State: Michigan County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/06/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Effectiveness, efficiency, organizational sustainability, strategic thinking, environmental stewardship and community collaboration are among the strengths they encourage in the grantees. Grants Guidelines The Foundation generally adheres to the following: The geographic area of primary interest is Michigan. Individuals and private foundations are not eligible for grants, loans or scholarships. Grants are generally not made for conference attendance, travel, books, publications, films, tapes and other communications media. Educational conferences hosted by the applicant are eligible. Capital project grant requests may not exceed 10% of the total cost of the project.  If approved, these grants are normally paid in equal annual installments over a 3 to 5 year period. Projects or organizations that are political or seek to influence legislation are not eligible. The Foundation does not generally meet or communicate with grant applicants unless requested to do so by the Grants Review Committee after considering the organization’s on-line application. The Foundation encourages financial sustainability and self-sufficiency, and does not fund programs or organizations on an annual or ongoing basis. A diversity of funding sources is encouraged An organization that has previously received support from the Towsley Foundation may not submit another grant request until at least two years have elapsed since the date of the final payment.  Furthermore, an organization that has submitted a prior grant application for which funding was declined may not submit another request until at least one year has elapsed since the date of the most recent letter advising the consideration and declination of an application.  Notifications that a request is not eligible are not considered declinations.  Exception may be made by the Foundation for organizations with separately functioning units or funds covered under the same tax exemption number.  Discretionary grants or matching gift requests initiated by a Foundation trustee are not considered in determination of a wait period.  Note that this timetable and the application deadlines below are changes from prior practices necessitated by the significant increase in number of applications as well as frequency of applications from the same organizations. For more information, visit HMTF.

Ball Brothers Foundation offers General Grants to support organizations operating within Indiana, with a strong focus on East Central Indiana and the Muncie/Delaware County area. These grants, ranging from $5,000 to $100,000, aim to fund capacity-building initiatives, innovative approaches for community needs, specific program/project initiatives, general operating support, and seed money for new endeavors. Grant renewed every year. Grant Round 2 Annual deadlines: September 1st (preliminary application July 15th)

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina is accepting applications for its Breaking the Cycle Grant Program. Donor Name: Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina State: South Carolina County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: These grants are designed for organizations creating and sustaining pathways to economic mobility and self-sufficiency. Eligible organizations deliver proven programs that disrupt the cycle of poverty and support long-term, sustainable economic change for individuals, families and/or communities. Funding Information Grants in this focus area is typically $15,000-$20,000. Eligibility Criteria A deep understanding of the complex, multi-faceted issues that surround poverty in the community they serve is reflected in the organization’s values, practices and programming. Programming is comprehensive and multi-layered in its approach to breaking the cycle of poverty. Examples include integrated services and two-generation approaches for families Programs have clear short and long-term goals, distinct indicators for success, and can clearly show how participants are moving out of poverty. Program is informed by research — using long-term data gathered from successful internal implementation and/or based on emerging/best practice models. The organization carries out effective, ongoing program evaluation and adapts based on lessons learned and participant feedback. The organization demonstrates effective collaboration and partnerships (both formal and informal) with other organizations. For more information, visit SCFSC.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, government entities, and educational institutions in Charlevoix County to implement projects focused on environmental education, protection, restoration, and sustainability.

The Disability Inclusion Fund (DIF) at Borealis Philanthropy is currently accepting applications from organizations working to strengthen disability inclusion, rights, and justice. Donor Name: Borealis Philanthropy State: All States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/29/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: DIF grants will support organizations whose work is rooted in intersectional cross-movements, is collaborative, and works to build a more vibrant, just and joyful world for people with disabilities—from arts and culture, to policy and advocacy. All funding will be aligned with the Disability Inclusion Fund’s guiding values: Participation: Movement funding is accountable to the disability justice movement. Those most impacted by injustice/exclusion should be involved in strategies to advance justice/inclusion. Intersectionality: Acknowledging that disabled people have multiple and intersecting social and political identities that can influence their access and inclusion including race, gender identity, class, and sexual orientation. Radical inclusion: Deeply committed to removing barriers and ensuring access so that those most affected by intersecting identities can participate, valuing lived experience. Leadership of those most impacted: Emphasis is given to organizations led by disabled people of color, queer, gender nonconforming and women with disabilities. Cross-movement solidarity: Intentional focus on collaboration and bridge-building amongst disability justice activists and across movements. Sustainability: Resources and tools that support the growth of grassroots disabled-led organizations, and expand operational capacities for ongoing movement building. Borealis Philanthropy will prioritize funding organizations that meet the following criteria: Organizations that are disability-led with priority towards Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), queer and gender non-conforming, and women disability-led organizations. Borealis Philanthropy define ‘disability-led’ as the leadership in your organization are people with disabilities, including more than 50% of the organization’s management staff/advisory committees/governing boards. Work that engages other social movements and injustices for examples: The movement for Black lives, climate change, immigration rights, labor rights, racial justice, queer and trans liberation, etc. Work that brings other organizations, leaders, movements, and communities together to build power through relationships, coalitions and opportunities for collaboration. Work that drives narrative change in ways that dismantle ableism and attitudinal barriers in the policy, society, and culture. towards more by Strategies that celebrate, create, and elevate uplifting the authentic representation of disabled people in the arts, media, literature, and other creative works. Work that moves practices of disability inclusion and disability justice forward. Examples of this work include community organizing, mutual aid, advocacy, and/or policy work. Funding Information This funding opportunity will provide two-year grants. Successful applicants will receive $75,000 per year totaling $150,000. Eligibility Criteria  Your organization’s annual budget with committed revenue is less than $1 million Your organization must be U.S-based or U.S. territory-based 501(c)3 or be fiscally sponsored. For more information, visit Borealis Philanthropy.

The objective of the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF) is to help raise the overall standard of living in rural areas to a level that meets or exceeds statewide benchmark averages by 2030 while preserving the best aspects of cultural heritage and rural way of life. Donor Name: Rural Maryland Council State: Maryland County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/17/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Resources provided to RMPIF are designed to facilitate significant targeted investments in important economic and community development programs and promote regional and intergovernmental cooperation. These investments will also enable local and regional public and nonprofit organizations to leverage additional non-state financial and human resources to facilitate the realization of sustainable rural development objectives. The Fund will serve the interests of the entire State by: Encouraging the increase of entrepreneurial activity and commerce and a balanced economy in the State; Relieving conditions of unemployment and underemployment in rural areas; Assisting in the retention of valuable farm and forest land for productive use by present and future generations; Promoting intergovernmental cooperation and public sector/private sector partnerships in and between rural and other areas; Enhancing the deployment of housing, transportation, water, wastewater, and broadband communications infrastructure and services in rural areas; Supporting rural commercial center redevelopment and community revitalization efforts; and, Generally promoting the health, happiness, safety, employment opportunity, and general welfare of the residents of each of the rural counties and municipal corporations of the State. Funding Information For Fiscal Year 2025, the State has budgeted $1,500,000 in General Funds for the entrepreneurship portion of the RMPIF program. Eligible Expenditures Salaries and Wages are allowable expenses. It is strongly encouraged to include a statement on sustainability for future years. Administrative costs including construction, leasing, and renovation of buildings are eligible expenses Acquisition of land is not. The purchase or rental of vehicles are eligible expenses. The purchase of equipment is an eligible expense. These administrative expenses should not exceed more than 25% of the grant request. Quotes for purchases and construction work should be included. Meals are allowable if the costs are reasonable and a justification is provided that such activity maintains the continuity of the meeting and to do otherwise will impose arduous conditions on the meeting participants. Indirect administrative costs are capped at 10%. Eligibility Criteria  Applicants must be a local government, institute of higher education, regional council, or be a 501(c)(3) IRS tax designation or similar and serve a regional or statewide rural constituency. Community Colleges, Career Technology Centers, Regional Councils, and Libraries are eligible applicants. The applicant does not have to be located in a rural area or in the area it serves. For more information, visit RMC.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to municipalities in New York State for developing or expanding food scraps recycling programs to promote sustainable waste management and reduce landfill waste.

This grant provides financial support to non-profit organizations in the Homer area for innovative projects that enhance education, recreation, environmental initiatives, and cultural development.

The "Fiscal Year 2024 Tribal Wetland Program Development Grants" aim to assist tribal governments and intertribal consortia in developing or refining programs that protect, manage, and restore wetlands, with a focus on increasing wetland quantity and quality, and incorporating climate change and environmental justice considerations.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for nonprofit organizations and public agencies to develop, acquire, or rehabilitate affordable housing for low-income households and individuals experiencing homelessness in Vancouver, Washington.

The William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund believes that arts and culture play a central role in the development and growth of healthy individuals and thriving communities and commits its resources to promote and sustain a vibrant arts and culture sector in metropolitan Baltimore. Donor Name: Baltimore Community Foundation State: Maryland County: Anne Arundel County (MD), Baltimore County (MD), Carroll County (MD), Harford County (MD), Howard County (MD), Queen Annes County (MD) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/19/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Its grants support organizational effectiveness, promote local artists and their work, and provide cultural experiences that welcome people of all backgrounds, enhance residents’ lives, and strengthen the region’s sense of cohesion and identity. Objectives Enrich metropolitan Baltimore life Support a lively creative environment Deepen civic connections and engagement through arts and culture Ensure that programs are inclusive and outreach efforts broad Sustain a healthy cultural ecosystem Provide artistic funding opportunities to strengthen the programs and practices of organizations that offer significant cultural experiences, foster sector cooperation and alliances and sponsor an artist portfolio awards initiative that supports and promotes local artists through a nonprofit intermediary. Funding Priorities Strengthening Organizational and Artistic Practices Capacity programs to improve internal organizational and management practices—including board training, strategic planning, fundraising and marketing expertise, budgeting and financial planning, program planning, professional development, technology upgrades and training and operating support for key partners. With submission of a full proposal, qualified applicants may apply for a working capital reserve or fixed asset replacement reserve grant requiring a 1:1 match. See Reserve Funds Grant Application. Occasional capacity requests from arts magnet schools Professional development programs for the benefit of practicing metropolitan Baltimore artists Small grants for facility enhancements (not renovations) Innovative Programs Innovative programming initiatives and projects from organizations with budgets larger than $75,000 to present or exhibit the work that will deepen audience engagement or engage new audiences. Small grants (up to $1,500) to present or exhibit the work of professional artists/performers that will deepen audience engagement or engage new audiences. Eligibility: organizations with budgets under $75,000 which operate as nonprofits or are under the auspices of a fiscal agent and individuals using a fiscal sponsor. Application Process: History of presenting organization, description of project, most recent year-end organizational budget, project budget, Data Arts Profile in Baker format, and IRS Determination Letter. Letter of Inquiry required. Applications accepted year-round. Cultural Sector Collaboration Strategic alliances that support collaboration and cooperation across the cultural community and strengthen organizational abilities to work at the highest levels. Funding Information $10,000 is available. Eligibility Criteria  Cultural organizations (or their fiscal agents) serving the Baltimore area that qualify as public charities under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, national origin, political persuasion, age, physical handicap, gender or sexual orientation. For more information, visit BCF.

Founded in 2011 after a rapid fundraising achievement, the Benton Community Fund (BCF) was established through the collaborative efforts of the Benton State Bank, the City of Benton, the Benton Community Development Corporation, and numerous community members. This permanent endowment aims to support and enhance the community of Benton by annually distributing grants from its earnings. These grants are allocated to local non-profit organizations, the school district, and government agencies committed to charitable programs or projects that benefit the Benton community. The BCF is a component of the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, reflecting its commitment to local development and enrichment. Grant renewed every year. Grant annual deadline: July 1st