California Environment Grants

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.

This funding opportunity supports projects that promote sustainable pest management practices to protect human health and the environment, particularly in underserved communities and agricultural areas near schools.

This program provides funding to local governments, regional park districts, and eligible Tribal Entities in California to promote the use of recycled rubberized pavement in public roadways and pathways, helping to reduce tire waste and support sustainable practices.

The 2024 Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP) and Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) offer grants, funded by the California State Budget, to support projects that reduce methane emissions from dairy and livestock operations in California, with a focus on funding new projects and those that have successfully implemented AMMP projects in the past.

This grant cycle has been designed for smaller projects that complement existing and/or regional HHW programs in California. Grant applications must include one or more of the following types of projects: HHW public education and outreach for general audiences (may include extended producer responsibility [EPR] information).Implementation of sustainable EPR collection opportunities, to include but not limited to: (1) Promotion of an ongoing retail take-back program such as batteries or fluorescent lamps at local hardware stores, businesses, or government facilities.(2) Promotional collection events hosted at businesses or government facilities.(3) Promotional public education and outreach materials specifically for local retail take-back programs. (4) Project to: Determine and implement the most safe and cost effective methods for collecting propane gas cylinders and/or marine flares.Implement effective education programs and identify effective incentives that reduce the disposal of household hazardous waste. The incentives must be something reusable to replace HHW being disposed (does not include monetary or SWAG incentives, rechargeable batteries, adapters, valves, caps or other accessories for refilling propane canisters).(5) Set-up and operation of temporary or mobile collection program for one-day or multi-day collection events for the following except for those materials that are currently covered by another recycling/collection program (e.g. covered electronic waste, cell phones, thermostat, etc.): Common HHW materials and universal waste.Marine flaresPropane gas cylinders up to 5 gallonsSolar panels as a pilot project. Awardees are required to collect and report data on type/style of panels, manufacturer, volume, and the method of disposal.(6) New or expanded curbside and/or door-to-door collection programs to allow for the collection of new and eligible HHW materials. (7) Minor improvements to an existing HHW facility. (Examples include but are not limited to: storage bins, signage, painting, paving, shelving, etc.). Purchase of personal protection equipment. (8) 8-hour refresher Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standards (HAZWOPER) training. Projects that do not fall within one of these eight categories will not be eligible for grant funding. A Resolution is required by the secondary due date.  

This competitive grant offering is designed to fund construction projects that establish new or expand existing HHW programs in California. HHW construction projects do not qualify for CalRecycle grant funding unless they are past the design phase of the project and are prepared for construction (shovel ready). Applicants must have completed proper site analysis, conceptual design and most of the local approval processes. The permitting, licensing and siting approval process must be well underway. Applicants must provide documentation by providing a completed General Checklist of Business Permits, Licenses and Filings form (CalRecycle 669). The applicant must convincingly indicate that they are beyond the planning phase of the construction project and can successfully complete the HHW construction project before the Grant Term ends (date of Notice to Proceed email to September 30, 2026). Grant applications must indicate one of the following types of projects: (1) Construction of a new Permanent HHW Collection Facility or Recycle-Only HHW Collection Facility; or (2) A construction project that expands/upgrades an existing Permanent HHW Collection Facility or Recycle-Only Collection Facility. A Resolution is required by the secondary due date.  

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response (CDFW‐OSPR) is seeking grant applications to help fund projects that enhance, restore, or acquire habitat for wildlife, with available funding totaling $5,000,000. These grant funds come from CDFW-OSPR’s Environmental Enhancement Fund (EEF), which acquires funds from spill violations in accordance with California’s Lempert-Keene-Seastrand Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act. The EEF selection committee includes representatives from the California Coastal Conservancy, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and CDFW‐OSPR. The selection committee is seeking projects with a minimum requested grant award of $500,000. Projects must be completed by April 1, 2031. Multiple projects may be submitted for funding. Disbursement of money from the grant is contingent on the availability of funds in the EEF. To qualify, an environmental enhancement project must 1. Be located within or immediately adjacent to waters of the state, 2. Have measurable outcomes within a pre-determined timeframe 3. Be designed to acquire, restore, or improve habitat or restore ecosystem function, or both, to benefit fish and wildlife. Eligible Applicants include nonprofit organizations, cities, counties, cities and counties, districts, state agencies, and departments; and, to the extent permitted by federal law, to federal agencies. All eligible groups and projects are encouraged to apply. For more information, please go to www.wildlife.ca.gov/OSPR/Science/Environmental-Enhancement-Fund/About

The California Department of Food and Agriculture is offering a grant of over $1 million for the implementation of dairy digesters on California dairy farms, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by converting methane into renewable energy, with a focus on projects that use at least 80% dairy livestock manure as feedstock.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture is offering a grant of over $1 million through its Dairy Plus Program to California dairy farms for implementing advanced manure management practices that reduce methane emissions and manage nitrogen and salt surplus, with a focus on climate-smart practices and product markets.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture is offering a competitive grant of over $1 million for California dairy and livestock operations to implement non-digester manure management practices and technologies that reduce long-term methane emissions and maximize environmental benefits, with applications due by October 18, 2024.

The Budget Act of 2022 (Senate Bill 178, Skinner) and Government Code section 12100.140 et seq. established an Export Training program within GO-Biz. The program is one-time funding for competitive grants to service providers to develop or scale export training programs and curricula. Respondents to this Request for Proposal (“RFP”) must demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and ability to provide such training. The key purpose of this program is to fund export training programming that supports California small business owners, provides access to export services for underserved businesses, advances immigrant integration and supports immigrant entrepreneurs, and includes training programs in languages other than English wherever possible. Additionally, this program may consider funding export training programs that are aimed at developing an export-capable workforce should there be sufficient program funding. Organizations are strongly encouraged to collaborate on applications and to utilize each other's resources effectively. Program Objectives:• Equip new-to-export businesses with comprehensive knowledge of global markets and essential international trade knowledge.• Provide ongoing assistance to current exporters, aiding them in sustaining and broadening their presence in foreign markets.• Cultivate a fresh cohort of businesses eligible for the California State Trade Expansion Program, preparing for participation in export promotion activities, including trade shows.

The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) provides the Rubberized Pavement (Pavement) Grant Program, formerly called the Rubberized Asphalt Concrete (RAC) Grant Program, to promote markets for recycled-content surfacing products made from waste tires generated in California. Donor Name: California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) State: California County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) Details: The goal is to decrease the adverse environmental impacts created by unlawful disposal and stockpiling of waste tires. RAC is a proven road paving material used in California since the 1970s. RAC is made by: Blending ground tire rubber with asphalt binder Then, mixing the blended materials with conventional materials. Roads made with RAC last 50% longer than roads made only with conventional materials. Funding Information Maximum grant awards are: $250,000 for individual applications. $350,000 for regional applications. The Lead or a Non-Lead Participant is limited to no more than $250,000 of the grant award. $500,000 for qualifying Indian Tribes. Eligibility Criteria Eligible applicants include: Local Governments – cities, counties, and cities and counties Other local governmental agencies, including regional park districts, special districts, and Joint Powers Authorities where all JPA members are also otherwise eligible applicants. Qualifying Indian Tribes. A “Qualifying Indian Tribe” is defined as an Indian tribe, band, nation or other organized group or community, residing within the borders of California, which: is recognized for special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of the status of its members as Indians; or can establish that: It is a government entity and Meets the criteria of the grant program State agencies, including offices, departments, bureaus, and boards. State agencies are only eligible for projects for Class 1 bikeways, greenways, and disability access at parks – see Projects for specific limitations. For more information, visit CalRecycle.

The 2024 Dairy Plus Program is a $58 million grant initiative aimed at supporting advanced manure management practices in dairy farming, offering up to $1,250,000 per project that proposes innovative methods for reducing methane emissions and nitrogen and salt surplus, with the funding being provided on a reimbursement basis after project completion.

The 2024 AMMP and DDRDP grants, funded by the California State Budget and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, aim to provide financial support for projects that reduce methane emissions from dairy and livestock operations, with a focus on alternative manure management and dairy digester research and development.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response (CDFW‐OSPR) is seeking grant applications to help fund projects that enhance, restore, or acquire habitat for wildlife, with available funding totaling $5,000,000. Donor Name: California Department of Fish and Wildlife State: California County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/11/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: These grant funds come from CDFW-OSPR’s Environmental Enhancement Fund (EEF), which acquires funds from spill violations in accordance with California’s Lempert-Keene-Seastrand Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act. The EEF selection committee includes representatives from the California Coastal Conservancy, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and CDFW‐OSPR. To qualify, an environmental enhancement project must meet all of the following requirements: Is located within or immediately adjacent to waters of the state, as defined in California Government Code (of Section 8670.3); Has measurable outcomes within a predetermined timeframe. Is designed to acquire, restore, or improve habitat or restore ecosystem function, or both, to benefit fish and wildlife. Funding Information The selection committee is seeking projects with a minimum requested grant award of $500,000. Projects must be completed by April 1, 2031. Eligibility Criteria  Nonprofit organizations, cities, counties, cities and counties, districts, state agencies, and departments; and, to the extent permitted by federal law, to federal agencies. All eligible groups and projects are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit CDFW.

The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) is accepting applicants for its Household Hazardous Waste Grants. Donor Name: California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) State: California County: All Counties Grant is Closed Deadline: Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: CalRecycle’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Grant Program helps local governments implement safe HHW programs, which may include: Public education Source reduction Reuse Recycling Load check Collection components Funding Information $1.5 million is allocated annually, subject to the availability of funds. Eligibility Criteria These grants are available to: Local governments for cities, counties, and city and counties with direct responsibility for HHW management. Regional or local sanitation or waste agencies with direct responsibility for HHW management. Joint Powers Authorities (JPA) if the JPA agreement includes solid or hazardous waste management responsibilities. Qualifying Tribal Entities, meaning an Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community residing within the borders of California with direct responsibility for HHW management, which: Is recognized for special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of the status of its members as Indians; or Can show it is a government entity and meets the criteria of the grant program. For more information, visit CalRecycle.

Eligible applicants include: • Manufacturers that produce (or will produce) an eligible product.• Waste tire processors that also manufacture an eligible product.• Manufacturers of devulcanized rubber.• Rubber compounders.• Manufacturers of calendered rubber sheeting products.• Manufacturers that produce products on a contract basis for other companies provided they have that other company’s written permission to produce an eligible product and receive the incentive. Eligible products include: • A new or existing product that has not benefited from the Tire-Derived Product Grant Program.• An existing or new/improved product currently manufactured with virgin rubber, plastic or other material which will be produced with a minimum of five percent crumb rubber and may be co-extruded, injected, compounded, calendered or otherwise combined (also known as “feedstock conversion”). This includes compounded rubber and calendered sheet rubber as intermediate products.• An existing or new/improved product currently manufactured with virgin rubber, plastic or other material which will be produced with a minimum of five percent devulcanized crumb rubber and may be co-extruded, injected, calendered or otherwise combined. This includes devulcanized crumb rubber as an intermediate product.• An existing or new/improved product that will use fine (≤50) mesh crumb rubber. Particle size and particle size distribution are determined in accordance with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D5644 and D5603 and will be verified by CalRecycle or a CalRecycle contractor.

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.

Applications are now being accepted for the Possibility Grant Program. Donor Name: Walter and Elise Haas Fund State: California County: Alameda County (CA), Contra Costa County (CA), San Francisco County (CA), San Mateo County (CA), Santa Clara County (CA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/19/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The Possibility Grants are designed and decided by Bay Area Youth (BAY) Community Fellows, youth advisors to the Walter & Elise Haas Fund grantmaking team. Funding Priorities Grants will be made to organizations that are essential to building a more just and equitable society, are actively working to challenge systems of oppression through cultural education, Black liberation values, community-based care, healing, or art in response to current domestic and global political climate, and have an intergenerational lens that uplifts youth. The Fund prioritizes support of small organizations: Working to challenge and dismantle systems of oppression through cultural education, Black liberation values, community based care, healing, or art Fostering intergenerational connections to uplift youth Centering collaboration Seeking a strong intersectional impact in their work. Funding Information Possibility Grants are general operating grants of $100,000 per organization up to $100,000. Grant Period Grant awarded with flexible grant terms of either one or two years. Eligibility Criteria Applying organizations need to be a 501(c)3 entity, or fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)3 entity, to receive grant funds located in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, or Santa Clara County. For more information, visit Walter and Elise Haas Fund.

The Conservation, Environment and Public Trails Grant Program supports environmental sustainability, land conservation, habitat restoration, public trails, and ecosystem health across Santa Barbara County. Donor Name: Santa Barbara Foundation State: California County: Santa Barbara County (CA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Focus Funding can be used for new or existing projects that meet demonstrated need. In summary, funded organizations will: Carry out projects to address conservation, environment and public trails. Be well-managed, financially viable, and operate effective projects. Have developed short-term and long-term strategies for addressing identified organizational needs. Priorities Priority will be given to organizations that are engaged in one or more of the following: Preserving and ensuring equitable access to the region’s natural resources and trail systems; Community-based restoration projects in wetlands and streams, coastal areas, grasslands, woodlands and other natural areas; Early stage investigation such as appraisal fees, environmental due diligence, and title research, or closing costs for land conservation efforts; Piloting or expanding projects that demonstrate best practices in conservation. The strongest projects will: Create or expand partnerships, networks and collaborations for greater efficiencies, better delivery of programs, or fresh approaches to solve problems or address needs, gaps, or opportunities. Incorporate a community involvement, awareness or education element. Align with or be a part of a larger plan or strategy such as Santa Barbara County’s Conservation Blueprint, Food Action Plan, Santa Barbara Area Coastal Ecosystem Vulnerability Assessment (SBA CEVA), Coastal Trail Alignment Study, etc. Funding Information The maximum award for Conservation, Environment and Public Trails grants is $25,000.  Criteria by Type of Project Projects must have clearly defined goals and outcomes and a strategy and timeline in place for achieving the stated goals. If the project is part of a larger or longer-term effort, the applicant must demonstrate how the project relates to future work, including a financial sustainability concept or strategy for scaling up the project. The applicant and/or project partners demonstrate the capacity to manage the scale and scope of the project. Matching or leveraged funding is recommended, but not required. Trails Access Project Criteria Projects should provide ecological value, aesthetic improvements or appropriately placed public access (trails, pathways, etc.). This may include restoration of habitat for specific species or general habitat types, or for accommodation of passive recreation and education for people. Applications may include planning for new trails, new trail construction, trail restoration, trail head facilities, lease of heavy equipment, purchase of hand tools to construct/renovate trails, water trail facilities, and educational programs. Land acquisition for trail purposes must have (or be close to securing) all permits and landowner approvals/agreements, and be “shovel ready” within the one-year grant cycle beginning from date of award. Conservation Project Criteria Projects should align with a conservation plan or strategy and be recognized as a valuable component of a longer-term plan or vision. This may include providing permanent (or long-term) protection for lands with high ecological or agriculture value, fulfilling a critical link for species, habitats or ecosystem function, or providing passive and educational access for people. Allowable projects include: Planning, feasibility, and study phases for new projects or emerging opportunities for early phases of land acquisition or easements. This may include good-faith deposits to begin landowner negotiations, appraisals, or other land use investigations. Closing or completion costs for land acquisition or easement purchase projects. Efforts to preserve critical habitats or species. Educational projects related to climate resilience, habitats, or threatened species conservation. Environmental Project Criteria Project planning, implementation or investigation/research of best practices or innovative approaches must address a specific challenge or opportunity in achieving sustainable practices for land, forestry, or water management. Pilot implementation or facility improvement projects should serve as a model that can be replicated and/or scaled up in the future. Projects with collaborative partners will be most competitive for funding. Eligibility Criteria Grants are available to organizations providing programming in Santa Barbara County Organizations must be certified as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or use a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) tax status. Grant Limitations Grants in the Conservation, Environment and Public Trails Grant program areas are not intended for: Direct purchase of land or easements that have raised less than 90% of funds required Direct support to government agencies or private landowners (grantees must be a 501(c)(3) organization and serve as the primary project lead agency; public or private entities may be part of a collaboration) Endowment Advocacy and lobbying activities For more information, visit SBF.