North Carolina Environment Grants

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations focused on environmental conservation efforts in Western North Carolina, supporting initiatives that protect natural resources and promote a healthier lifestyle for future generations.

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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to community organizations and local governments working to address environmental justice issues and improve public health in underserved communities across the U.S.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Buncombe County, North Carolina, to support animal welfare initiatives and prevent cruelty to animals.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in specific North Carolina counties to address various community needs, including arts, education, health, and human services.

This funding opportunity provides financial assistance to eligible organizations in specific North Carolina counties for repairing stream damage caused by Hurricane Helene.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations in specific North Carolina counties to repair stream damage caused by Hurricane Helene.

This funding opportunity supports projects that boost the competitiveness of specialty crops in North Carolina, targeting state and local governments, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations to enhance production, sustainability, and consumer awareness.

This grant provides funding to state, Tribal, and local governments in the southeastern U.S. to develop and improve programs for wetland conservation and management.

This program provides funding to North Carolina municipalities, counties, and universities to develop comprehensive plans that improve bicycle and pedestrian transportation, enhancing community walkability and connectivity with public transit.

This grant provides funding to small grassroots nonprofit organizations in Vermont, North Carolina, Southwest Virginia, and New York City that are focused on creating equitable solutions to social and environmental challenges.

This grant provides funding to states, territories, and Tribes to monitor beach water quality and inform the public about safety during recreational activities in coastal waters.

This funding initiative provides financial support to community-based organizations, local and tribal governments in eight southeastern states to address environmental justice issues and promote healthier environments.

This program provides matching funds to local governments in North Carolina for the acquisition, renovation, or development of public parks and recreational facilities.

This grant provides funding to 501(c)(3) organizations in the Northeast and East Coast regions of the U.S. for projects focused on environmental sustainability, education, and cultural initiatives that enhance community well-being, particularly those related to bird habitats and open space preservation.

This grant provides funding for innovative research projects that improve sustainable solid waste management practices, focusing on climate change, emerging contaminants, and materials recycling.

The Morris County Office of Planning and Preservation is offering a 2024 Grant for open space projects through the Morris County Preservation Trust. This program aligns with the foundation's mission to preserve land and water for recreation and conservation, protect ecologically sensitive areas, safeguard exceptional flora and fauna, and maintain areas of scenic, historic, and cultural value. The grant also supports passive and active outdoor recreational opportunities, as well as the protection of critical water supplies and the acquisition of historic sites. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include the thirty-nine municipalities within Morris County and charitable conservancies. The impact goals are to enhance and protect Morris County's natural resources, provide recreational opportunities for residents, and preserve the county's unique historical and cultural heritage. The program aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of these valuable assets for future generations. The program prioritizes projects that involve land or water areas for recreation and conservation, including parkland, natural areas, and greenways. It also focuses on the protection of ecologically sensitive areas such as freshwater wetlands, steep slopes, and stream corridors, as well as the preservation of lands with exceptional flora or fauna. Furthermore, the grant supports the preservation of areas with scenic, historic, and cultural value, and the protection of critical water supplies. Expected outcomes include an increase in protected open space, improved access to recreational facilities, and the safeguarding of vital ecosystems and historical sites. Measurable results will include the number of acres preserved, the number of historic sites acquired, and the extent of critical water supplies protected. The program's strategic priorities are rooted in a theory of change that posits by investing in land and water preservation, the county will foster a healthier environment, stronger communities, and a richer cultural landscape for its residents.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to community-based nonprofit projects that promote civic pride, historical education, environmental stewardship, and veteran assistance in areas served by Duke Energy, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments, recycling businesses, nonprofits, multifamily property owners, public housing authorities, and colleges for developing or improving recycling programs in multifamily residences across North Carolina.

The Pigeon River Fund (PRF), managed by The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC), aims to enhance the streams and rivers within Haywood, Buncombe, and Madison counties. This mission directly aligns with CFWNC's strategic priority of improving regional environmental health and quality of life. The fund primarily targets projects that provide direct benefits in areas such as improved surface water quality, enhanced fish and wildlife management and habitats, expanded public access to waterways, and increased citizen awareness regarding their roles in protecting these vital resources. This aligns with a theory of change that by investing in direct improvements and community engagement, the overall health and sustainability of local aquatic ecosystems will be uplifted. The PRF supports a range of projects with specific focuses and priorities. Higher priority is given to efforts that address water quality issues in streams or watersheds identified as priorities in county action plans, especially those promoting collaborative or coordinated projects with long-term benefits. Education and awareness initiatives, particularly those helping individuals understand their impact on the river basin's health, are also highly valued. Furthermore, the installation of water quality Best Management Practices (BMPs) or other stream improvements that are part of a coordinated, multi-faceted effort and result in significant water quality improvement are considered high priority. Conversely, scattered projects, government agency operating support (especially staffing), and projects related to regulation enforcement are generally lower priority. The grant program seeks to achieve measurable results and expected outcomes. Projects are anticipated to lead to tangible improvements in surface water quality, as well as an increase in the health and diversity of fish and wildlife populations. Expanded public access to rivers and streams is another key outcome, fostering greater community engagement with these natural resources. Additionally, the program aims to increase citizens' awareness and understanding of water quality issues, empowering them to take more active roles in environmental protection. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $35,000 for one year, with some exceptions, and are contingent on the leveraging of other funds or in-kind resources to maximize impact. Eligible applicants include tax-exempt organizations described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and governmental entities serving Buncombe, Haywood, or Madison counties. The grant requests are expected to demonstrate how they will address at least one of the four focus areas, contributing to the fund's overall impact goals. The emphasis on coordinated, long-term, and educational projects reflects CFWNC's strategic approach to fostering sustainable environmental improvements and building a more engaged and knowledgeable community in Western North Carolina.