State Natural Resources Grants

The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry, offers the Community Challenge Grant program to fund projects that promote tree planting, care of trees, and education on tree issues, with the aim of enhancing the quality of Arizona’s urban and community forests, and requires applicants to contribute at least 10% of the total project cost.

This funding opportunity supports projects that engage youth and adults in California through education and stewardship related to the coast and its watersheds, particularly targeting underserved communities.

This program provides funding and resources to Minnesota residents for creating pollinator-friendly gardens in their outdoor spaces to support at-risk pollinators.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is requesting proposals for 2025 Tradition Grant Cycle. Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources State: Minnesota County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/17/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 4 Years Details: The CPL program is habitat-focused. Grant activities include the enhancement, restoration, or protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. All applications should identify the direct habitat benefits of the project including but not limited to specific species, ecosystems, habitat types, and natural heritage features.  Restoration and enhancement projects will only be funded on lands that are: Permanently protected by a conservation easement as defined in MN Statutes 84C.01;  in public ownership (ownership by a unit of government including tribal, federal, state, county, city, school district, special district, etc.); or in public waters as defined in MN Statutes, Section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Funding Information Traditional (Statewide): $4,400,000 Up to 2 funding cycles. All eligible projects (restorations, enhancements, or acquisitions) on all eligible lands. Grant requests between $5,000 and $500,000. Total project cost may not exceed $1,000,000. Grant Period The grant period starts when the grant contract is “executed,” meaning all required signatures have been obtained, and typically lasts 3 to 3 ½ years. Eligible Expenses Eligible expenses are expenses (contracts, supplies and materials, salaries, etc.) directly incurred through project activities that are direct to and necessary for the project described in the application. Eligibility Criteria Registered 501 c(3) nonprofit organizations and government entities are eligible for CPL funding. Private individuals and for-profit organizations may not apply. Partnerships are encouraged. Examples of eligible applicants include but are not limited to the following:  Non-Profit Organizations Land Trusts Lakes Associations Charitable Organizations Private Colleges and Universities Fishing and Hunting Organizations “Friends of” Groups Other Registered Non-Profits Government Entities Cities Counties Tribal Governments Federal Agencies Conservation Districts Public Universities School Districts Other Units of Government. For more information, visit DNR.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for its Metro Grant Cycle. Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources State: Minnesota County: Anoka County (MN), Carver County (MN), Dakota County (MN), Hennepin County (MN), Ramsey County (MN), Scott County (MN), Washington County (MN) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/17/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 4 Years Details: Grant activities include the enhancement, restoration, or protection of forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota. All applications should identify the direct habitat benefits of the project including but not limited to specific species, ecosystems, habitat types, and natural heritage features.  Restoration and enhancement projects will only be funded on lands that are: Permanently protected by a conservation easement as defined in MN Statutes 84C.01;  in public ownership (ownership by a unit of government including tribal, federal, state, county, city, school district, special district, etc.); or in public waters as defined in MN Statutes, Section 103G.005, subdivision 15. Funding Information Grant requests between $5,000 and $500,000. Grant Period The grant period starts when the grant contract is “executed,” meaning all required signatures have been obtained, and typically lasts 3 to 3 ½ years. Eligible Expenses Eligible expenses are expenses (contracts, supplies and materials, salaries, etc.) directly incurred through project activities that are direct to and necessary for the project described in the application. These expenses must be specified in the application and documented during the grant period as indicated in the Payment Manual. Geographic Areas Projects must occur within the 7 county metro area (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott or Washington counties) or within the city limits of Duluth, Rochester or St. Cloud counties) or within the city limits of Duluth, Rochester or St. Cloud. Eligibility Criteria Registered 501 c(3) nonprofit organizations and government entities are eligible for CPL funding. Private individuals and for-profit organizations may not apply. Partnerships are encouraged. Examples of eligible applicants include but are not limited to the following:  Non-Profit Organizations Land Trusts Lakes Associations Charitable Organizations Private Colleges and Universities Fishing and Hunting Organizations “Friends of” Groups Other Registered Non-Profits Government Entities Cities Counties Tribal Governments Federal Agencies Conservation Districts Public Universities School Districts Other Units of Government. For more information, visit Minnesota DNR.

The District of Columbia Child and Family Services Agency is seeking applications for its Home Visitation and Parent Education & Supports Program. Donor Name: District of Columbia Child and Family Services Agency State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 5 Years Details: Through the home visitation and parent education programs, CFSA aims to enhance family wellbeing and build protective factors through three avenues:  Offering service navigation by connecting families with District government agencies and other community-based organizations, including Collaborative case management services when needed; Offering wrap-around services to participating families, such as food, clothing, toiletries, or referring to another resource; Delivering high-fidelity, nationally recognized, evidence-based programs aimed at improving well-being and building protective factors. The evidence-based program shall aim to provide families with home visitation, parent education, and prevention services. The goal of the program is to assist parents/caregivers with the tools to strengthen the parent-child bond, promote healthy child development, and enhance family functioning. CFSA will fund an innovative and community-based child abuse and neglect prevention program that utilizes innovative approaches including but not limited to; video technology, motivational interviewing, tailored curriculum, and activities for ongoing engagement based on an evidence-based or evidence-informed model. This unique prevention strategy seeks to strengthen the attachment between parents and their children, thereby improving the mental and emotional health of children during the early years of their lives, increasing protective factors and reducing the risk of child abuse and neglect. Funding Information Each award has a funding availability of up to $260,000 per year for a maximum of five (5) years. Individual grant awards shall not be less than $75,000 or exceed $260,000. Eligibility Criteria Applications will be accepted only from non-profit, community-based organizations which have demonstrated abilities to meet the needs identified in this RFA, and who are able to commit to implementing the program measures over the grant period. Governmental organizations are not eligible to apply for funding. For more information, visit CFSA.

The Virginia Department of Energy invites proposals for energy innovation in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with grants to be awarded at its discretion. Donor Name: Virginia Department of Energy State: Virginia County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Virginia Power Innovation Fund and Program is for the purposes of research and development of innovative energy technologies, including nuclear, hydrogen, carbon capture and utilization, and energy storage; and to award grants on a competitive basis from the Fund to support energy innovation in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Virginia Power Innovation Program (the Program) is hereby established for the purpose of establishing a Virginia nuclear innovation hub from such funds as may be available from the Fund and awarding grants on a competitive basis from such funds as may be available from the Fund to support energy innovation. The Program shall be administered by the Department. In administering the Program, the Department shall, in collaboration with the Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium, establish and publish guidelines and criteria for disbursement of funds pursuant to clause, including providing grants to support higher education research on advanced nuclear technologies and advanced reactor technologies, to fund nuclear energy workforce development programming, and to assist with site selection for future small modular reactor projects in Virginia. In administering the Program, the Department shall, in collaboration with the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, establish and publish guidelines and criteria for disbursement of funds pursuant to clause. The Department shall oversee each grant awarded through the Program and ensure thorough reporting on each such grant. Funding Information Up to $3 million. $10,000-$1,000,000, pending available funds. Criteria Grant awards are made at the discretion of the Virginia Department of Energy and in determining grant amounts, the following criteria will be considered: return on investment impact on energy affordability, reliability, and clean energy goals in the Commonwealth capital investment utilization of research-based technologies For more information, visit Virginia Department of Energy.

The Regional Site Readiness Program’s Planning Grant, funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, offers $100,000 to $500,000 to local governments, economic development organizations, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, and private landowners for planning and due diligence activities aimed at preparing industrial and manufacturing sites for future development across all counties in Illinois.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to municipalities, schools, nonprofits, and volunteer groups in Michigan for projects that improve urban forestry, such as tree planting, management plans, and educational initiatives.

The Indiana Department of Health has a new funding opportunity open to local organizations in support of water safety programming. Donor Name: Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) State: Indiana County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 09/20/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Less than 1 year Details: This is an opportunity for organizations to get creative and expand efforts for protecting Hoosier families when they are around water.  IDOH is utilizing Title V funds to provide support for local agencies to develop or expand drowning prevention activities. Specifically, these drowning prevention initiatives should increase water safety among infants, children, and adolescents. Programming may include but is not limited to: providing education to families, resource development and dissemination, connecting families with swim lessons, and increasing safety (e.g., in bathtubs, pools, retention ponds, and open water). Prior to submission, local organizations should have identified the barriers families encounter that put children at higher risk of drowning. Proposed programs and initiatives should directly address the identified barriers and reduce fatalities among families. Project Period The budget must align with the project timeline of Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2025. Drowning Prevention Grant Requirements Grantee will partner with the local health department, but local health departments are not eligible to apply for this funding Grantee will follow all guidelines endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) Grantee will address water safety barriers among at-risk or vulnerable populations Grantee’s proposed activities will be evidence-based, data-informed, and/or utilize promising practices to ensure effective programming Grantee will collaborate with local community action teams and child fatality review teams, if present, for maximum impact Grantee must serve Indiana residents Grantee must comply with financial requirements listed in the budget template For more information, visit IDOH.

This grant provides funding for projects in California that utilize tire-derived aggregate for various applications, such as retaining walls, stormwater management, and landfill enhancements, aimed at promoting sustainable waste tire recycling.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2025 Soil Health Financial Assistance Program. Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) State: Minnesota 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: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Grant funds are available for purchasing and retrofitting equipment that will assist with implementing soil health farming practices. This grant program is funded through the 2023 and 2024 Legislative Sessions, which established the Soil Health Financial Assistance Program to support healthy soil management practices in Minnesota. This program is administered by the Pesticide and Fertilizer Management Division, Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). Funding Information The MDA anticipates awarding approximately $2.375 Million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 using a competitive process. Applicants may apply for up to 50% of their project’s total cost with a minimum grant award of $500 and a maximum grant award of $45,000. Eligible Expenses Grant applications must be for the purchase of equipment that will be used to establish, improve, or accelerate soil health. Equipment can be new or used. Parts and materials used to retrofit existing equipment (this does not include tools that can be used again on another project) may also be eligible. Eligibility Criteria Applicants must:  Be an owner or lessee of farmland in Minnesota or a LGU, including cities, towns, counties, soil and water conservation districts, Tribal Nations, and joint powers boards.  A LGU that receives a grant for equipment purchases must make those purchases available for use by the public.  Be in good standing with the State of Minnesota:  No back taxes owed  No defaults on Minnesota state-backed financing for the last seven years Acceptable performance on past MDA grants  Not be an employee or spouse of an employee of the MDA For more information, visit MDA.

This grant provides funding to farmers and ranchers for the cleanup and remediation of solid waste on their properties, helping to address illegal disposal issues and promote environmental sustainability.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to government entities and educational institutions in Georgia for implementing strategies outlined in the Regional Water Plans, requiring a matching contribution from applicants.

Funding and Duration: Grant amounts for the conventional program range from $100,000 to $500,000. The maximum grant duration is two (2) years, eight (8) months, and grant funds cannot be expended before November 1, 2025, or after June 30, 2028.   Projects submitted through the Additional Assistance for Historically Underrepresented Organizations (Additional Assistance) Program will range from $100,000 to $250,000. Program requirements and submission deadlines differ for Additional Assistance Program applicants. Please reference the 2025 Request for Concept Proposals - Additional Assistance Program or email [email protected] for more information.   CDFA reserves the right to offer an award amount different than the amount requested.    

This program provides funding to various organizations and individuals in Florida to support projects that protect and conserve the state's wildlife and natural habitats.

This program provides funding to Indiana communities and organizations to enhance recycling and waste reduction initiatives, requiring a 25% cash match from applicants.

This program provides funding to landowners of working forests and rangelands in California to protect and manage their properties while allowing them to retain ownership and certain rights, promoting conservation of important environmental and cultural values.

CalRecycle is seeking projects that implement new programs or enhance existing programs to provide convenient beverage container recycling opportunities in various locations statewide. Eligible projects include:• Multi-family residential dwellings (five units or more).• Public colleges/universities, non-profit colleges/universities, and public K-12 school districts.• Curbside Residential Program locations (excluding single stream).• Community events including, but not limited to, those sponsored by local jurisdictions.• Parks/recreational areas.• Purchase of water refill stations, including installation, replacement of current infrastructure, plumbing, maintenance, additional attachments or modifications, or related educational and outreach activities/materials promoting water refill stations.• Litter reduction and cleanup along the United States-Mexico border where the waste stream includes beverage containers that will be recycled. o Out of State beverage containers collected as part of the litter abatement and cleanup projects cannot be funded under this grant program. Ongoing collection programs may include the following activities as a component of the grant project:• Temporary Community events (i.e., recycling or collection events sponsored by local jurisdictions, Earth Day events).• Drop-off, Collection Program, or Community Service Program.• Education and Outreach related to beverage container recycling. Note: Education activities and/or materials (signage, flyers, curriculum, etc.) related to the beverage container recycling project are capped at 25 percent of the total grant award. • Funding must have a direct connection to the California Redemption Value (CRV) of beverage containers and the overall program. If non-CRV items are included in the grant, they are subject to proportional cost. For example: a three-bin system with composting, paper and CRV recycling, can only be funded at one third of the cost. A mixed recycling bin will be funded proportionately based on the CRV content of materials collected. Priority funding will be given to Tribal Entities and applicants with litter abatement projects along the United States-Mexico border. Applicants who meet the criteria will be given priority and will be considered for funding first.

The State Urban Forest Resilience (SUFR) Funding Grant seeks to restore and improve urban forests due to catastrophic losses from the Emerald Ash Borer while building resiliency through tree diversity and the protection of existing trees. Donor Name: Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) State: Indiana County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/04/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Funds from this grant are to be used for management and reforestation that includes tree planting, tree removals and treatments of threatened trees. Funding Information Your request for project funds must be for a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $50,000. The overall level of funds available is $148,066. Ash Tree Removal-Removal of EAB infested or dead Ash trees. If your project includes Ash tree removals, it must be paired with planting at least two trees for every one tree that is removed. All trees to be removed must be Ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) Any trees that will be removed must present a significant and present harm to the community. To receive reimbursement for tree removals, a report signed by an ISA Certified Arborist is REQUIRED. You may substitute a report with an up-to-date tree inventory. However, you must provide the name, qualifications, and certifications of the one who prepared the inventory. Your application must include the location and number of trees to be removed, cost estimates, a tree planting plan to replace the trees that were removed and an updated tree inventory or report from an ISA Certified Arborist. Ash Tree Treatment-Insecticidal treatments may be performed on Ash trees (Fraxinus spp.). To receive reimbursement for Ash tree treatments, a report signed by an ISA Certified Arborist is REQUIRED. You may substitute a report with an up-to-date tree inventory. However, you must provide the name, qualifications, and certifications of the one who prepared the inventory. Your application must include the location and number of trees to be treated, cost estimates and an updated tree inventory or report from an ISA Certified Arborist. Any tree to be treated for the EAB must at least be in good-fair overall condition or less than 30% canopy thinning as stated in the signed report or inventory. Tree Planting & Community Engagement: Any tree planting project MUST include community engagement. If you already have a community engagement plan/program, please include it in your application. All grant recipients will work closely with the CUF team to develop a community engagement strategy that is unique to your community and its needs. The specifics of this strategy will develop as your project does but keep this requirement in mind as you complete this application. Tree plantings may be used to restore urban forests due to losses from EAB and other pests and diseases and build resiliency through tree diversity. Note that 100% of the project trees must be species native to Indiana. Additionally, this grant cannot be used for the purchase of trees in the Acer genus (maples). Exceptions shall be made if a current inventory and management plan demonstrates your Acer population is less than 5% of the overall tree community. In that case, no more than 5% of the total grant project trees are to be of the genus Acer.  Eligibility Criteria  To be eligible for a grant, applicants must be a: Municipality: As defined under IC 369-1-2 a municipality is a city, town, township, county, school corporation, library district, local housing authority, fire protection district, public transportation corporation, local building authority, local hospital authority or corporation, local airport authority, special service district, or other separate local government entities that may sue or be sued. It does not include special taxing districts. Non-profit 501(c)3: Organization as defined under IC 23-7-1.1. Non-profit organizations must include documentation of their not-for-profit status. Things to consider before applying: Only applicants who can provide proof of a fully updated (5 years or less) tree inventory are eligible for this grant.  All project aspects must take place on public property. All project types must include tree planting. The Project Coordinator and the ISA Certified Arborist can be the same person. For more information, visit DNR.