Environment Grants

The Healthy Environment, Healthy Communities Grant Program is a funding initiative by the Chesapeake Bay Trust that supports projects by various organizations to address environmental and public health issues through education, small-scale greening, and large-scale restoration in specific areas affected by wastewater treatment plants and energy companies.

This funding opportunity supports community-driven tree planting projects in underserved urban areas of Maryland to improve environmental quality and promote equity.

This program provides funding for events that raise awareness about the restoration and protection of natural resources in the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland's watersheds, targeting nonprofits and community organizations.

The Possibility Grant Program, overseen by the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, is a unique initiative with a core mission to foster a more just and equitable society. This program distinguishes itself by empowering Bay Area Youth (BAY) Community Fellows, who serve as youth advisors, to design and decide the grants. This approach aligns directly with the Fund's strategic priority of uplifting youth and incorporating intergenerational perspectives into its grantmaking. The grants are specifically designed as general operating support, ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, with flexible terms of either one or two years, providing essential financial stability to recipient organizations. The target beneficiaries for the Possibility Grants are primarily small organizations located in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, or Santa Clara County in California. These organizations must be 501(c)3 entities or fiscally sponsored by one. The impact goals are centered on challenging systems of oppression through various avenues, including cultural education, Black liberation values, community-based care, healing, and art. The program seeks to support organizations that respond to the current domestic and global political climate, demonstrating an active commitment to social change and equity. The Fund prioritizes organizations that are actively working to challenge and dismantle systems of oppression. This includes fostering intergenerational connections to uplift youth, centering collaboration in their work, and seeking a strong intersectional impact. The focus is on entities that embody Black liberation values and utilize cultural education, community-based care, healing, or art as tools for social transformation. These priorities reflect the foundation's theory of change, which posits that by supporting grassroots organizations with these specific focuses, they can contribute to systemic change and the creation of a more equitable society. Expected outcomes include the strengthening of small organizations that are vital to their communities and are at the forefront of social justice efforts. The program aims to enable these organizations to sustain and expand their work in challenging oppression and fostering intergenerational connections. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the general operating support, the emphasis on organizations actively working to dismantle systems of oppression and seeking intersectional impact suggests a qualitative assessment of their contributions to social equity and the empowerment of marginalized communities. The long-term impact envisioned is a Bay Area where youth are uplifted, collaboration is fostered, and systemic injustices are actively addressed.

This funding opportunity supports the creation and expansion of community gardens in Prince George’s County to improve food security, promote sustainable practices, and engage local residents.

This grant provides funding for local governments and non-profit organizations to design and construct habitat restoration projects that combat erosion and flooding while benefiting communities and addressing climate change.

This funding opportunity supports community-led gardening projects in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, that focus on environmental sustainability through the use of native plants for stormwater management, pollution reduction, and habitat restoration.

Funding Opportunity Title: FY2024 U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe: 2025 US-ROK-Japan Trilateral Global Leadership Youth Summit Funding Opportunity Number: OSAKA-PAS-FY24-04 Deadline for Applications: August 24, 2024 (by 11:59 pm JST) Assistance Listing Number: 19.040 Public Diplomacy Programs Total Amount Available: $200,000 A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe, in partnership with the U.S. Embassy Tokyo Public Affairs Section and the U.S. Embassy Seoul Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Department of State, announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out the 2025 Young Trilateral Leaders (YTL) networks United States-Republic of Korea-Japan Trilateral Global Leadership Youth Summit, to be held in the Summer of 2025 in the Kansai region of Japan (potential host cities include Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto, among others). In the face of growing security, trade, financial, and environmental instability in the Indo-Pacific region, the trilateral relationship between the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea has never been more important. This program will build upon the inaugural 2024 Trilateral Global Leadership Youth Summit held in Busan, Republic of Korea. This series of programs aims to build the expertise in strategic issues of youth from the United States and their peers from two of our closest allies and to provide them with a platform through which to regularly meet and engage on global issues. Priority Region(s): Japan, Republic of Korea Program Objectives: The Summit will focus on developing the leadership skills and global outlook of a cohort of approximately 50 youth leaders. Participants should have demonstrated leadership abilities, a track record of engagement in their communities, and the capacity to collaborate with peers from other nations. We will also leverage the expertise of youth leaders from similar USG-sponsored youth leadership initiatives such as the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) and the Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) Program to ensure young people in East Asia understand broader regional issues and how youth have successfully worked together in other areas of the Indo-Pacific. This Youth Summit is a key pillar of the Young Trilateral Leaders (YTL) network, a regional youth initiative that creates space for young leaders to make meaningful contributions to trilateral policy discussions. YTL fosters a tight-knit network of young leaders who understand the issues facing the trilateral partnership while working together to identify innovative solutions to future global challenges. Participants who complete the program can continue contributing to the network as YTL alumni. The 2025 Kansai Summit will build upon the outputs of the 2024 Busan Summit. Additional trilateral youth activities may be sustained via small grants administered by U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe and U.S. Embassies Tokyo and Seoul. Participants and Audiences: The recipient and the U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe, in partnership with the U.S. Embassy Tokyo and the U.S. Embassy Seoul, will be jointly responsible for recruitment, vetting, and selection of program participants. The U.S. government retains final approval authority for all participants, who will apply via a standardized application form on a public website with program information and associated information and social media campaigns. Participants should be between the ages of 18 and 35 years old, have English proficiency, and be able to demonstrate a history of excellence in local and regional youth leadership activities. Applicants from regions and constituencies who are underrepresented in official programs are strongly encouraged to apply. Program Structure: Proposals should incorporate four primary elements (1) Pre-program promotion and selection process: The recipient will design and implement a program promotion and online application process for prospective participants, including a dedicated program website. Proposals should include a plan to incorporate U.S. Consulate/U.S. Embassy promotional channels, U.S. Consulate/U.S. Embassy concurrence on the selection process, and U.S. Consulate/U.S. Embassy participation in applicant selection itself. (2) Four-week period (minimum) of virtual engagement: The recipient will organize a series of preparatory virtual engagements with the participants to generate excitement for the summit, prepare summit objectives and structure, and allow participants to build rapport. These events should also include subject-matter experts (academic, civil society, government, etc.) from all three countries who can speak about the trilateral relationship, youth civic engagement, and other issues relevant to the theme of global youth leadership. These engagements should also lay out logistics and expectations for the in-person summit. (3) Three-day (minimum) summit in the Kansai region of Japan: The recipient will organize a summit to include lectures, exercises, facilitated workshops, and training sessions that cover topics such as organizing, advocacy, civic engagement, and briefings on international issues (on topics such as climate change, regional security, trade, science and technology, and other relevant themes). The sessions should be led by expert trainers and subject-matter experts representing the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. Participants may also lead sessions about youth initiatives in their own countries. The final output of this summit should be an actionable implementation plan leading to follow-on activities for program alumni and, potentially, future Summit participants. The recipient may also organize limited visits to relevant cultural and/or political sites and community service/social engagement activities to connect with the host community. The recipient will be responsible for arranging all logistics, including travel, transportation, food, and other items as necessary. Decisions on venues for the Summit will be determined with the U.S. Consulate/U.S. Embassy. (4) Follow-on activities: Following the summit, the recipient will conduct mentorship activities and facilitate/monitor any potential follow-on projects. *Please find attached the full notice

This program provides funding to community groups in Anne Arundel County for tree planting and invasive species removal projects that promote environmental stewardship and improve local ecosystems.

This funding opportunity is designed to assist local and state organizations, private companies, and nonprofits in Maryland with projects that improve water quality by reducing pollution in designated watersheds.

This program provides funding to local organizations and governments in Colorado to develop strategies for protecting river resources without federal designation, supporting projects like planning and restoration efforts.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that install and maintain technologies to intercept and remove marine debris, benefiting coastal habitats and marine resources.

This grant provides funding to local governments, non-profits, and educational institutions to implement projects that improve flood resilience and tackle the effects of climate change.

Funding Opportunity Description Naval Weapons Station (NAVWPNSTA) Seal Beach Detachment Fallbrook (Detachment Fallbrook, installation) is located in north San Diego County, adjacent to Camp Pendleton and the town of Fallbrook. Detachment Fallbrook resides within the California Floristic Province, which is a Mediterranean type climate and is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot of global significance ecosystem known for high biodiversity and endemism. On the installation, there is a diversity of flora and fauna. The low-intensity land use requirement of the military mission has kept over 90% of Detachment Fallbrook lands as undeveloped and largely natural open space that supports a range of plant communities and provides habitat for many sensitive species, including federally listed threatened and endangered species. The intent of this project is to study five taxonomic groups: amphibians (including the federally endangered Arroyo Toad [ARTO, Anaxyrus californicus] and federally proposed Spadefoot Toad [Spea hammondii]; reptiles (including federally proposed Southwestern Pond Turtle [Actinemys pallida]); mammals (with a focus on bats [Chiroptera] and other mammals of potential management interest); plants (with a focus on rare, endangered, and species of potential management concern); and invertebrates (including the federally proposed Monarch Butterfly [Danaus plexippus]). One species, ARTO, is both a California species of special concern and a federally listed endangered species. The ARTO is surveyed regularly per a 2003 United States Fish and Wildlife Service (UFWS) Biological Opinion (BO) to support the implementation of fire management on the installation (FWS-SDG-04B0004-04F0005). Of particular interest with the ARTO is tracking the riverine portion of the population over time as well as characterizing its uplands occupancy. The installation also supports a diverse herpetofaunal population (reptiles and other amphibians). Numerous herpetofaunal species on the installation are considered California species of special concern and a couple, the Spadefoot Toad and Southwestern Pond Turtle, have been proposed for federal listing. This taxonomic group is routinely surveyed to assess diversity and trends in species within the installation, as well as monitor for exotic or rare species that may not have been detected yet. One group of mammals, the bats, has received a lot of conservation attention in North America in recent years. This is due in part to their ecological and economic value in the face of alarming population declines following the spread of a fungal disease known to be associated with white-nose syndrome. Bats occur throughout the installation, to include roosting in bat boxes and within manmade structures such as magazines; there are current mission/bat conflicts that require evaluation and management support. There are other mammalian species of potential management concern at Detachment Fallbrook that have been less well studied, including San Diego Black-tailed Jackrabbit, American Badger, and Woodrats. Plant diversity on the installation is high with over 600 plant species documented on Detachment Fallbrook. The majority of plant species are classified as native; however, approximately 30% are non-native. Detachment Fallbrooks 2016 Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) identifies which species have voucher specimens on file and which species are on the Detachment Fallbrook Watch List because more information (e.g., confirmation of presence) is needed. In response, botanical diversity at Detachment Fallbrook is surveyed periodically for differing management purposes, including early detection of invasive species, vigilance for rare or listed species, assessing parameters for habitat restoration and recovery, etc. Finally, in addition to being ecologically significant (e.g., as important food source, pollinators, decomposers, etc.), some invertebrate species in our region are of particular management interest because they are invasive pests (e.g., Gold-Spotted Oak Borer, Shothole Borer) or species at risk and/or proposed for listing (e.g., Monarch Butterfly). The Monarch Butterfly is known to occur on Detachment Fallbrook and is of current management interest because it is slated to be listed in 2024, but the Navy does not have good data on its potential habitat and distribution. Brief Description of the Anticipated Work: The Navy is seeking statements of interest that address two objectives: 1) to conduct mandatory surveys for ARTO, along with surveys for other amphibians and reptiles (with an emphasis on species proposed for federal listing), bats, plants and invertebrates (with an emphasis on Monarch Butterfly), and as required by the aforementioned BOs and DoD instructions. 2) to continue surveys for these taxonomic groups per requirements in accordance with the installations INRMP as enforced through 16 USC 670c-1 (Natural Resources Management - Sikes Act), Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 4715.03 and Operation Naval Instruction 5090-1. Please see enclosure 1 for full scope of work and enclosure 2 for applicable terms and conditions.

The Charles County Forestry Grant Program, offered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust in partnership with Charles County, aims to implement cost-effective reforestation and afforestation projects. The program seeks to increase tree canopy, create forest habitat, improve water quality, and provide ecosystem services such as potable water and air quality. Eligible projects should be in Charles County, Maryland, and must place reforested areas under an easement for protection in perpetuity. Applicants can request up to $20,000, with typical requests being less than $4,500 per acre. Matching funds are encouraged but not required.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for large-scale marine debris removal projects that enhance the resilience of coastal and marine environments, benefiting local communities and economies.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is accepting grant applications for the Land and Water Conservation Fund program until September 13, 2024. The program provides 50 percent reimbursement to selected outdoor recreation projects sponsored by political subdivisions and other public agencies. Eligible projects include the development and/or acquisition of outdoor facilities for public recreation. Applications will be reviewed for eligibility according to the LWCF guidelines and the 2021 Kansas Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). Applications should include all required documentation and meet the needs identified in the 2021 Kansas Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). A checklist is included to ensure project sponsors have met all requirements. Incomplete or late applications will result in withdrawal from funding consideration. Federal Standard Forms (SF-424) for Budget Information and Compliance Assurance are also required.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state agencies, local governments, and special purpose districts to create or improve recreational facilities in economically disadvantaged communities.

This program provides financial assistance to marinas and boat docking facilities in North Carolina's coastal counties for installing or upgrading sewage pumpout stations to improve water quality.

The Pennsylvania Shooting Range Improvement Grant Program (SRIP), managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), aims to provide financial support for the state's aging shooting range infrastructure. The program's core mission aligns with the PGC's pride in Pennsylvania's hunting and shooting heritage, seeking to ensure a bright future for the next generation of hunters and shooters by revitalizing existing facilities and creating opportunities for increased access. This initiative is a strategic move to foster community engagement and support for shooting sports. The target beneficiaries of the SRIP grant are existing shooting ranges, shooting clubs, recreational shooting organizations, archery clubs, and education groups that can demonstrate public use of their facilities. Retail ranges are explicitly excluded. The program's impact goals include increasing public access to private and club-type facilities, enhancing the availability and quality of shooting ranges for the public, improving public safety and environmental stewardship, and bolstering facilities for the Pennsylvania Hunter-Trapper Education Program. A key priority is also to provide funding to facilities that have not previously received grants, thereby broadening the reach of support. The program focuses on bringing life into aging infrastructure and creating opportunities for new members. This is achieved through a tiered funding structure (Tier One, Tier Two, and Tier Three) based on grant amount and project useful life, with each tier having specific deliverables. These deliverables include PGC signage of program funding, a certain number of youth field days or hunter/shooter education classes, and a specified number of public days per calendar year for matches, tournaments, sight-in days, or open house events. Eligible projects include rifle, handgun, shotgun, skeet, trap, and archery ranges, which should be designed to established industry standards or mirror PGC state game land ranges. Expected outcomes and measurable results are directly tied to the program's goals and deliverables. For example, increased public days directly measure enhanced public access, while the number of youth field days and hunter/shooter education classes demonstrate an enhancement of educational opportunities. The program anticipates increased use of state lands, decreased firearms-related vandalism, local citizen support and appreciation, increased generated funds for ranges, and enhanced user support of hunting and shooting sports. These outcomes collectively contribute to the PGC's strategic priority of preserving and promoting the state's outdoor heritage through accessible and well-maintained facilities.