State Natural Resources Grants

The California Natural Resources Agency is accepting proposals for the California Museum Grant Program. Donor Name: California Natural Resources Agency State: California County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/22/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The intent of this program is to solicit proposals for program projects or capital projects that assist and enhance museums that are deeply rooted in, and reflective of, previously underserved communities. The Museum Grant Program has approximately 27.7 million available and may be awarded over multiple rounds depending on the competitive pool. Funding shall be prioritized for museums severely affected by COVID-19 and that serve historically underserved communities or students subject to Title I of the Federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Additionally, projects must meet one of the following priorities: serving pupils and teachers at schools eligible to be served under Part A of Title I of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act; serving children in low-income communities; supporting museums in engaging or collaborating with underserved communities; advancing preservation of at-risk cultural and natural collections and historic buildings; improving access; supporting the ethical stewardship of culturally sensitive art and artifacts, including, but not limited to, engaging in consultations with California Indian tribes or repatriation; or educating the public about critical issues affecting Californians. Funding Information Grant proposal requests must be between $50,000 and $500,000 for program projects; and $100,000 to 1 million for capital projects. Eligible Projects  All projects must support at least one of the following to be eligible: capital projects, exhibits, educational programs, outreach programs, public programs, curriculum, publications, marketing and collections care. Applicants must select one of the following project types: Capital project Program project. Eligible Applicants  Public agencies and nonprofit organizations that operate a museum, own a museum, or partner with a museum located in the State of California, may apply. Public agencies are defined as federal agencies, state agencies, cities, counties, districts, association of governments, joint powers agencies or tribal organizations. Federally recognized Native American Tribes, or non-federally recognized Native American Tribes within the State of California are eligible as public agencies. Nonprofit organizations are defined as any nonprofit public benefit corporation that is formed pursuant to the Nonprofit Corporation Law (commencing with Section 500 of the Corporations Code), qualified to do business in California, and qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, that has, among its principal charitable purposes, the preservation of historical or cultural resources for cultural, scientific, historic, educational, recreational, agricultural, or scenic opportunities; and must be registered with the California Secretary of State and California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General Registry of Charities and Fundraisers. Museums are defined as public or private nonprofit institutions that are organized on a permanent basis for essentially educational or aesthetic purposes and that own or use tangible objects, care for those objects, and exhibit them to the general public on a regular basis. Projects can be proposed for museums of any size and discipline. In general, museums fall within the following categories: art museums and art centers; children’s/youth museums; cultural museums and cultural centers; general museums; history and historical museums (including historical societies, historic preservation organizations, historic houses/sites, and history museums); living collections (such as arboretums, botanical gardens, nature centers, zoos, aquariums, and wildlife conservation centers); and science and technology museums (including planetariums, discovery centers, natural history/anthropology museums and natural science museums). Applicants must also: have the institutional and financial capacity to complete the project and produce the deliverable described in their proposal; be able to demonstrate adequate charter or enabling authority to carry out the type of project proposed; be free of any legal challenges that could undermine progress on the project; and be in compliance and good standing on all previously awarded State grants. For more information, visit CNRA.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) is seeking applications to deploy advanced decarbonization and/or grid support technologies at California industrial facilities to promote electrification and reduce GHG emissions produced from the industrial sector. Donor Name: California Energy Commission (CEC) State: California County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/03/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This solicitation will target technologies that have the potential to demonstrate cost-effectiveness and scalable to multiple industrial facilities with potential to increase confidence for adoption. The program’s goal is to deploy cutting-edge, emerging technologies at California industrial facilities to promote electrification and load flexibility, reduce fossil fuel and thermal energy usage, and reduce criteria air pollutants and carbon footprints. This program is open to existing industrial facilities, utilities, equipment manufacturers, energy service companies, project aggregators, and project developers who propose to implement projects in California’s industrial sector. Entities, facilities, and projects that are associated with the production or processing of oil and gas are ineligible. The CEC’s INDIGO Program will assist California’s industrial facilities in achieving the following: Emission Reductions: Adopt electrification and other eligible decarbonization technologies to reduce annual GHG emissions and other criteria air emissions at industrial processing facilities. Electrical Grid Support: Adopt commercially available and emerging technologies needed to support grid reliability, especially during net peak periods. Benefits to Priority Populations: Reduce criteria air pollutants and have direct community engagement and support, especially in low income or disadvantaged communities. Project Focus This solicitation focuses on deploying industrial decarbonization technologies that are cutting-edge emerging technologies. The proposed technology(ies) and project must achieve at least one of the following goals at the industrial demonstration site(s). Additional points could be awarded for meeting multiple goals. Electrify some or all industrial processes Maximize GHG emission reductions Drive scalability and application of project technology to other facilities/industries/processes Reduce electrical demand during net peak periods Provide air pollution benefits to priority populations. Funding Information There is up to $46,200,000 available for grants awarded under this solicitation. The minimum funding amount for each project is $4,000,000. The maximum funding amount is $10,000,0000. Eligibility Criteria  Applications to the INDIGO Program are open to existing industrial facilities located in California and to utilities, equipment manufacturers, energy service providers, aggregators, and developers who are implementing cutting-edge, emerging technologies in California industries. The applicant may include multiple industrial facilities located in California in one application. Food and beverage industries and related support facilities that are receiving funding for the same project, or portions of the same project, from the CEC’s Food Production Investment Program (FPIP) are ineligible for funding from the INDIGO Program or to use funds received from FPIP as match funds. For more information, visit CEC.

The District of Columbia (District), Department of Human Services (DHS), Family Services Administration (FSA), is seeking applications to provide Emergency Shelter and Supportive Services, Non-residential Counseling and Case Management, and Education and Outreach through funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. Donor Name: Family Services Administration State: District of Columbia Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/22/2024 Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: DHS administers the federal FVPSA state grant for the district in partnership with the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCCADV). FVPSA provides funding to support the establishment, maintenance, and expansion of programs and projects that prevent incidents of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence; provide immediate shelter, supportive services, and access to community-based programs for survivors of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents; and to provide specialized services for children exposed to family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, underserved populations, and victims who are members of racial and ethnic minority populations. Funding Information Total Estimated Program Award Funding $770,209.00.  Categories  Shelter and Supportive Services: $567,522.20.  Non-residential Counseling and Case Management: $101,343.25.  Education and Outreach: $101,343.25 The award period for the grant will be from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. Eligibility Criteria To be eligible to receive a subgrant from a State under 42 U.S.C. § 10408 (c), an entity shall be— a local public agency, or a nonprofit private organization (including faith-based and charitable organizations, community-based organizations, tribal organizations, and voluntary associations), that assists victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents, and has a documented history of effective work concerning family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence; or a partnership of 2 or more agencies or organizations that includes— (A) an agency or organization described in paragraph (1); and (B) an agency or organization that has a demonstrated history of serving populations in their communities, including providing culturally appropriate services. For more information, visit FSA.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is now accepting a second round of applications as part of the $3 million, 5-year Underserved Farmer to Farmer grant from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico division. Donor Name: Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) State: Iowa County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The DNR is looking to increase the ability of historically underserved farm communities to address nutrient pollution and frequent flooding through the grant. Underserved farmers are defined by the United States Department of Agriculture as those who are beginning, socially disadvantaged, veterans or with limited resources. Other classifications may be supported as negotiated. Funding Information Projects funded through the grant may receive up to $250,000. Currently, remaining funds for subawards totals $700,000. Eligibility Criteria  Grants will be distributed through subawards to entities including: Conservation districts Institutions of Higher Learning Local or state government entities, including 28E agreement entities such as Watershed Management Authorities NGOs and nonprofits Tribal nations Beginning farmer groups U.S. military veteran farmer groups. For more information, visit DNR.

This program provides funding to organizations and local governments in Texas to develop and implement strategies that reduce pollution from diffuse sources, helping to protect and restore water quality in various watersheds.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Alaska is inviting applications for its Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) grant program. This initiative aims to foster partnerships with state, county, and tribal governments to plan and execute projects for the restoration of forests, rangelands, and watersheds. The GNA program supports activities including the treatment of insect-and disease-infected trees, hazardous fuels reduction, and other efforts to enhance forest, rangeland, and watershed health, inclusive of fish and wildlife habitats. GNA is applicable to Federal and non-Federal lands, as well as lands owned by Indian tribes. Projects that directly benefit BLM-managed lands, even if executed on non-BLM lands, are eligible for funding. Examples of potential projects under this program in Alaska encompass noxious weeds and invasive species treatment, fuels management, community assistance, forest management, rangeland plant restoration, wildlife habitat connectivity, NEPA compliance support, riparian restoration, and targeted grazing. The program is designed to address a wide range of environmental quality and public benefit goals through collaborative, cross-boundary restoration services.

This funding opportunity supports non-governmental organizations and individuals in Montana with water-related projects that provide public benefits, such as septic upgrades and water conservation, requiring a cost-sharing commitment.

This grant provides funding to state and local governments in Montana for professional services to develop projects that conserve and manage the state's renewable resources.

The Oregon Forest Legacy Program under LWCF funding seeks to protect forestlands from non-forest use through acquisitions and conservation easements. This funding opportunity supports efforts to maintain Oregon's forest integrity against urbanization and development pressures, emphasizing sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation. Applications for this funding must propose projects that align with Oregon’s Forest Legacy Areas and demonstrate significant environmental, social, and economic benefits. Must be located within an Oregon Forest Legacy Area.

The Renewable Resource Grant and Loan Program (RRGL) is designed to support the conservation, management, development, and preservation of Montana's renewable resources. The program offers funding primarily for public facility projects like water, wastewater, and solid waste development, as well as projects related to irrigation rehabilitation, dam repair, and forest enhancement. Eligible applicants are divisions of state government, tribal governments, and other local political subdivisions, with funding available in the form of grants or loans for feasibility studies, construction plans, and implementation efforts.

The Renewable Resource Grant Program (RRGL) Planning Grant aims to support governmental entities by funding professional and technical services needed to produce high-quality RRGL grant applications. These grants are focused on projects that conserve, manage, develop, or protect Montana's renewable resources. Eligible projects include feasibility, design, research, resource assessment studies, and the preparation of plans for construction, rehabilitation, or production. Eligible applicants are divisions of state government, tribal governments, and other local political subdivisions like cities, towns, counties, and various districts. Applications for funding can be submitted through specific cycles with detailed review periods.

The Outdoor Recreation, Parks & Trails (ORPT) Program, formerly known as the Delaware Land and Water Conservation Trust Fund (DTF), is a matching grant program assisting with public park land acquisition and outdoor recreation facility development in Delaware. Donor Name: Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control State: Delaware County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant | Matching Grants Deadline: 05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Eligible Projects ORPT grant assistance is available for the following types of projects: Fee simple acquisition of parkland, open space, or conservation areas Purchase of development rights for public parkland, open space, or conservation areas Replacement of outdated and unsafe outdoor facilities Outdoor recreation facility engineering and design Outdoor recreation facility construction for example: Athletic fields and courts Playground equipment Swimming pools Picnic tables and pavilions Park maps for information boards or kiosks Park infrastructure such as entrance roads, parking, restrooms, and way finding Municipal or countywide park/open space comprehensive plans Universal accessibility upgrades to outdoor recreation facilities Professional services for park master planning Eligibility Criteria County and municipal governments and park districts may request and receive ORPT grant assistance. Projects sponsored by municipalities and counties may receive up to fifty percent (50%) in ORPT assistance of an approved project’s total costs; park districts, municipalities that have not received ORPT funds in the past, and projects located in or serving Census Tracts identified as highest vulnerability by the CDC Social Vulnerability Index (SVI score range 0.75 – 1.00) are eligible to receive up to seventy-five percent (75%) in ORPT assistance of an approved project’s total costs. The Sponsor may obtain its share through partnerships with other governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, and other non-traditional recreation providers. Partnerships with other agencies and organizations are encouraged however, only the municipalities and counties are eligible to apply for ORPT assistance. For more information, visit DNREC.

This program provides financial assistance to eligible governmental organizations, non-profits, and Indian Tribes in Arizona for repairing infrastructure damaged by wildfires or fire suppression activities since July 1, 2020, with a focus on those most significantly impacted and lacking other funding sources.

The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) offers Irrigation Modernization Funding to enhance water use efficiency in existing agricultural irrigation systems. This initiative focuses on improving the operational efficiency of irrigation methods and infrastructure on currently irrigated agricultural lands. Eligible projects include piping, lining, installing sprinkler or microirrigation systems, upgrading existing infrastructure such as flumes or pipes, and integrating technology like SCADA systems and irrigation scheduling software. Projects are required to meet public economic, environmental, and social/cultural benefits to be eligible for funding.

The FY25 LAND Grant Program, managed by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), offers financial assistance to Massachusetts municipal conservation and agriculture commissions. The program supports the acquisition of conservation land to enhance outdoor recreation, conserve natural resources, and address climate change impacts. Eligible projects include purchases of land or conservation restrictions, and all properties acquired under this program are required to be open to the public for passive recreation. Grant renwed every year

The FY25 Conservation Partnership Grant, overseen by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), supports qualified 501(c)(3) organizations and conservation districts in acquiring conservation or recreation land within Massachusetts. The grant encourages projects that conserve natural resources, offer recreational opportunities, and address climate resilience aligned with Executive Order 569. Funding is aimed at land purchases or conservation restrictions, with due diligence costs eligible for gifts of land. This reimbursement grant emphasizes protecting strategic open spaces that provide public access and maintain ecological value.

This funding opportunity supports landowners, watershed groups, and nonprofits in Montana to improve fish habitats and populations by restoring natural stream channels, enhancing fish passage, and protecting essential spawning areas.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks accepts applications twice annually from landowners, watershed groups, and other nonprofits for the Future Fisheries Improvement Program. This program aims to fund habitat projects that benefit Montana's wild fish, focusing on improving or maintaining fish passage, restoring or protecting natural stream channels, riparian areas, essential habitats for spawning, and enhancing stream flow. Applicants must demonstrate public benefits and alignment with specific goals to improve fishing and protect wild fish populations. Preference is given to projects restoring habitats for native fishes. Funding covers design/build, construction, and maintenance costs, excluding administration and other indirect costs. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual Summer deadline: May 15th

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is currently accepting grant applications for the Encouraging Tomorrow’s Hunters Program. This initiative aims to support wildlife, shooting, fraternal, and nonprofit civil organizations in recruiting the next generation of hunters and shooters. Priority will be given to hunting events over shooting-only events. Eligible expenses for reimbursement include advertising and promotion, event insurance premiums, rental of specific equipment and facilities, hunting and safety equipment, nonmonetary landowner appreciation gifts, and costs related to ammunition, targets, clay throwers, etc. The program has previously funded various youth pheasant and waterfowl hunts, along with trap and shooting events such as archery and rifle shooting. A 25% in-kind match, which can include volunteer time valued at $28/hr or other expenses, is required for all events. Grant renewed every grant. Grant Annual deadline: May 1st.

The solicitation is to fund a project that will evaluate the feasibility of using existing underground gas storage facilities to store clean renewable hydrogen in California. Donor Name: California Energy Commission (CEC) State: California County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/28/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: This project will develop technical and economic assessments of storing and retrieving hydrogen blends and/or pure hydrogen as well as California-specific decision-making tools, risk mitigation strategies, market and policy recommendations, and community engagement approaches related to those facilities. Project Focus  Research under this solicitation will support comprehensive technical and economic feasibility assessments of at least two existing underground gas storage facilities in California for their potential to store clean renewable hydrogen. The project is encouraged to assess a selection of geographically diverse sites (i.e., a Northern California site and Southern California site). The project must meet the following requirements: Engage with local communities and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) located around the selected sites for the study and assess the communities’ awareness of and support for underground hydrogen storage. Leverage feedback and learnings from this engagement to inform an experimental design responsive to community interests and concerns. Inform communities of project results and potential impacts of underground hydrogen storage. Study the characteristics of two selected sites representing existing underground gas storage facilities in California and conduct experiments to assess potential impacts of introducing hydrogen to the selected sites. Experiments should be inclusive of use cases involving storage as well as retrieval of hydrogen blends and sufficiently pure hydrogen for separation and end-use needs. Proposals for small-scale pilot testing or field experiments are eligible but must include a robust risk mitigation strategy. At a minimum, experiments should examine: Well integrity including the direct impacts to equipment and mechanical barriers from hydrogen exposure, and the impacts of subsurface environmental and microbial changes following hydrogen injection. Deliverability and reservoir dynamics such as permeability, viscosity, injection and withdrawal optimization, and potential hydrogen losses due to leakage, microbial activity, and time-dependent changes in the subsurface environment. Necessary mitigation measures (e.g., material selection, inspection tools, operational changes) to ensure safety and reliability. Conduct a quantitative risk assessment and techno-economic analysis for converting the selected underground gas storage facilities to store clean renewable hydrogen . This assessment will: Compare costs and risks of potential use cases, considering interactions with connected gas infrastructure (e.g., storage and delivery of hydrogen blends, storage of hydrogen blends with separation at the surface, storage and distribution of pure hydrogen). Estimate levelized cost of hydrogen storage, levelized total capital costs, and operations and maintenance costs for the selected sites, leveraging existing frameworks such as the Local-Scale Framework for Techno-Economic Analysis of Subsurface Hydrogen Storage,  considering California-specific characteristics. Develop recommendations for Gas IOUs, CBOs, policymakers, and relevant stakeholders to support decision making on next steps pertaining to the role of underground hydrogen storage in California, which may include additional R&D or demonstrations. Optional but desired project elements include: Compare the levelized cost of hydrogen storage and life-cycle emissions between underground hydrogen storage and alternative storage options like hydrogen carriers and conversion of hydrogen into synthetic methane. In addition to studying existing underground gas storage facilities, also examine potential of storing hydrogen in saline aquifers in preferable locations that allow for reuse of existing gas pipeline infrastructure. Funding Information There is up to $3,000,000 available for the grant awarded under this solicitation. The minimum funding amount for the project is $2,500,000. The maximum funding amount is $3,000,000. Grant Period November 1, 2024 – September 30, 2027. Eligibility Criteria  This solicitation is open to all public and private entities. Demonstration projects in this solicitation must be located in the service territory of a California gas Investor Owned Utility (Gas IOU), which includes Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Diego Gas & Electric Company, and Southern California Gas Company. All projects in this solicitation must benefit Gas IOU ratepayers. For more information, visit CEC.