Oklahoma Natural Resources Grants

This funding opportunity provides financial support to federally recognized Indian Tribes in the western U.S. to address immediate drought challenges and improve water resource management.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to federally recognized Tribes in the western United States to enhance their water management and security through various projects and initiatives.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, ranchers, and community-led groups in the Southern Great Plains to restore grassland habitats and support sustainable ranching practices.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to U.S. states, territories, and eligible Indian tribes for implementing approved plans to prevent and manage invasive aquatic species.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state and local water authorities, Indian tribes, and other eligible entities for small-scale water storage projects that improve water management and resilience in the Western United States, Alaska, and Hawaii.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state and local governments, tribal organizations, and nonprofits for projects aimed at managing and controlling invasive and noxious plant species on public lands across the U.S.

This funding opportunity provides up to $40,000 for community groups and local agencies in the Oklahoma City Metro area to enhance public spaces through projects like tree planting and landscaping that promote public engagement and accessibility.

This funding opportunity provides $100,000 to established nonprofits in Central Oklahoma for impactful projects in community development, family support, health and wellness, education, and arts and culture.

This program provides funding to organizations for purchasing solid waste management equipment, promoting sustainability and improved waste practices in Oklahoma.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is seeking proposals for the 2024 Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund to advance pollinator conservation. Donor Name: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/24/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: The goal of the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund (Pollinator Fund) is to protect, conserve, and increase habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators.  The most competitive projects will demonstrate clear benefits to both monarch butterfly and additional at-risk native insect pollinator species (i.e., federally listed, candidate, or proposed native insect pollinator species). Special consideration will be given to projects benefiting rusty patched bumble bee, Franklin’s bumble bee, Karner blue butterfly, Dakota skipper, Poweshiek skipperling, and Mitchell’s satyr. Categories Grants will be awarded in two categories:  Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands Funding in this category will support implementation of technical assistance to increase the number of private landowners voluntarily engaged in monarch butterfly and pollinator conservation practices on private working lands. Up to $2 million is expected to be available for grants ranging from $150,000 to $500,000. Funding will be awarded for projects up to three years in length following finalization of the grant agreement. This category aims to support conservation planning and practice design with private landowners to advance voluntary conservation efforts on working lands that align with NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife frameworks or initiatives, and especially increase Working Lands for Wildlife participation among farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in the Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories. The 2024 Pollinator Fund RFP will support projects that: Direct staff resources to help agricultural producers design and implement conservation practices. Increase Farm Bill program participation and conservation practice implementation among agricultural producers, especially farmers and ranchers in the Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories. Funding in this category will support the following two strategies: Hiring additional staff or contractors, based on demonstrated need, including staff to assist private landowners and NRCS with developing pollinator habitat management plans and implementation of new and existing NRCS financial assistance contracts. Targeting outreach to landowners and other partners to prioritize, plan, and deliver financial assistance available through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and other Farm Bill programs to improve pollinator habitat and support at-risk pollinator species. Habitat Improvement Funding in this category will support on-the-ground work to increase the quality, quantity, and connectivity of habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators. Up to $3.1 million is expected to be available for grants ranging from $200,000 to $300,000. Funding will be awarded for projects up to two years in length following finalization of the grant agreement. Applicants in this category should define a step-by-step restoration plan including site preparation, equipment used, planting techniques, size of the project area, description of target native plant community, and maintenance plan (e.g., prescribed burning, mowing, grazing schedules). Projects proposed to benefit other at-risk native insect pollinators should specify habitat needs for those species and how the proposed work will support their breeding, nectaring, nesting, or other habitat needs. Funding in this category will support the following two strategies: Restore and enhance pollinator habitat, with an emphasis on regionally appropriate milkweed and a diversity of native nectar plants. Increase native seed and seedling supply, with an emphasis on improving the sustainability and affordability of regionally appropriate, local ecotypes. Program Priorities  All proposals must specifically address how the proposed project will directly and measurably contribute to the accomplishment of the Pollinator Fund’s goals as outlined in NFWF’s Monarch Butterfly Business Plan. As such, all proposals must provide the number of acres restored or enhanced as a result of the project. Proposals must include plans to restore or enhance a minimum of 100 acres in California or 500 acres in all other eligible states. Acres may be counted from multiple sites; the sites do not need to be contiguous. Since 2015, successful proposals have included a median of 960 acres and an average of 2,120 acres restored or enhanced.  Funding Information The Pollinator Fund will award up to $5.1 million in grants in 2024: up to $2 million for Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands and up to $3.1 million for Habitat Improvement. Funding is provided by Bayer Crop Science, Danone North America, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS).  Geographical Areas  Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands  Grant funding will be awarded in the following eligible states: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. Within eligible states, priority will be given to projects located in the North Core, South Core, West Core, and Overwintering Monarch Conservation Units. Projects are restricted to private working lands. Habitat Improvement Grant funding will be awarded in the following eligible states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Within eligible states, priority will be given to projects located in the North Core, South Core, West Core, and Overwintering Monarch Conservation Units. West of the Rocky Mountains, priority will be given to projects on or adjacent to the following: monarch butterfly overwintering sites, BLM lands, and USFS lands. Eligibility Criteria  Eligible and Ineligible Entities: Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c) organizations, U.S. federal government agencies, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, tribal governments and organizations, and educational institutions. Ineligible applicants include businesses, unincorporated individuals, and international organizations. For more information, visit NFWF.

This funding opportunity provides local law enforcement agencies with financial support to establish programs for investigating and cleaning up illegal dump sites, promoting environmental sustainability and community health.

Education Grants allow applicants to conduct education and outreach activities for the benefit of the greater sustainable ag community, and promote efforts in farmer innovations, community resilience, business success, ag diversification, and best management practices. Donor Name: Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement Deadline: 08/02/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: Education Grants are open to academic institutions and organizations, such as non-profits and non-governmental organizations, who are interested in conducting education and outreach activities for the benefit of the greater sustainable ag community, and promote efforts in farmer innovations, community resilience, business success, agricultural diversification, and best management practices. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and 1890 land-grant university faculty/extension cooperators are especially encouraged to apply for this grant for their education and outreach activities. SSARE also considers proposals from organizations/institutions whose projects involve farmers from indigenous agriculture that produces products for community food systems. These enterprises may be eligible where the production activity has an annual value of less than $1,000, even if products are not sold due to cultural factors. Education Grants should focus on a topic area of sustainable agriculture relevance that meets SARE’s program goals. In addition, the proposed project should comprise education/outreach efforts/activities that support the research/education foundation of the institution/organization, and must clearly articulate how those education/outreach efforts/activities will be implemented and evaluated. Examples of Education Grant projects can include one or more of the following, but are not limited to: Experiential (Demonstrations, on-farm tours, field days, workshops, trainings, case studies); Integrative (Conferences, seminars, course curriculum) Reinforcement (Fact sheets, bulletins, books, manuals, videos, online technologies, guidebooks) SARE encourages proposals on quality of life topics that focus on the social health of a farming system. These can include, but are not limited to: Heirs property; Farmers’ markets; food hubs; locavores; CSAs; Local/regional processing/slaughter; Food sheds and food circles; Direct marketing and value-added; Beyond organics value chains; Farm to School/Institution; Civic agriculture, agritourism; Denominations of origin/geographic indications; Non-GMO movement, Slow Food, chef collaboratives; Urban ag systems; Food policy councils, governance structures; and Local/regional certification/branding. Funding Information Education Grant project maximums are $50,000, limited to two (2) years. Education Grants are paid by reimbursement of allowable project expenses. Who can apply? Researchers from public and private institutions, such as 1862 and 1890 land-grant universities or other colleges and universities; government agencies, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service or USDA-ARS; non-governmental organizations; and community-based organizations. Education Grants strictly fund education and outreach activities related to sustainable agriculture whose outcomes are intended to benefit farmers and farming communities. There is no research involved in these grant projects. Southern SARE accepts proposals from applicants in the Southern region: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Grant Requirements  Education Grant proposals must meet the following basic requirements in order to be considered for funding: Project outcomes must focus on developing sustainable agriculture systems or moving existing systems toward sustainable agriculture. The project must clearly articulate what is being taught, to whom and how the project will accomplish those goals. The results must be realistic, acceptable to farmers, logical, and capable of leading to the actions and benefits described in the proposal. For farmers involved in your project, the primary occupation is farming/ranching or part-time farming. Producers run their farm alone or with family or partners and have a least $1,000 of documented annual income from the operation, as defined by USDA. SSARE also considers proposals with farmers from indigenous agriculture that produces products for community food systems. These enterprises may be eligible where the production activity has an annual value of less than $1,000, but products are not sold due to cultural factors. For more information, visit Southern SARE.

This funding opportunity supports conservation projects that provide employment and training for young adults and veterans, helping them gain experience in environmental stewardship and resource management on public lands.

The Parks & Public Space Initiative supports the beautification, development and activation of neighborhood/community parks, school parks, trails and other public lands. Donor Name: Oklahoma City Community Foundation State: Oklahoma City: Oklahoma City Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/14/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This initiative grew out of the Margaret Annis Boys Trust, which was established through a gift from Miss Boys’ estate in 1991 to support and encourage landscaping and beautification projects in parks, medians and other public lands in Oklahoma City. Grant awards will vary depending on the size and complexity of the project. In addition to funding, Oklahoma City Community Foundation staff will provide project expertise. Goals and Objectives  To increase utilization of neighborhood parks, neighborhood school parks, trails and other spaces open to the public for recreation, cultural and health improvement. To engage community groups, neighborhoods, corporations, municipalities and other nonprofit organizations in improving the neighborhood parks, school parks and trails and the programs that are in them. To increase community stewardship of parks, school parks, trails and public spaces. Grant Funding Goals Encourage landscaping and beautification projects in public community spaces including neighborhood/community parks, school parks, trails, public medians and other public lands in central Oklahoma. Items eligible for funding include plant material such as trees, shrubs and perennials, soil amendments, mulch and irrigation. Landscape amenities such as shade structures, benches and information signage may be eligible. Master plans and tree canopy studies for public spaces with collaborative partners will be considered. Increase utilization of public spaces that are open and accessible to citizens for recreation, cultural and health improvement. Engage community groups, neighborhoods, businesses, and other nonprofit organizations to improve the public community spaces. Increase community awareness, involvement, and stewardship of the public community spaces. Priorities and Requirements for Considering Funding Existing neighborhood/community parks, school parks, trails, public medians and other open and accessible public properties will be the primary focus area for implementation of approved projects. The majority of Parks and Public Space Initiative grants are infrastructure and support activities or programs. Projects must be completed within a year after funding notification. All proposed projects must be open and accessible to the public during reasonable usage hours. All proposed projects must be located within the Greater Oklahoma City area. The proposed project must provide documentation of approval by the government entity directly responsible for the management and oversight of the project. Neighborhood streetscapes are a low priority for grant funding. A comprehensive site plan of the proposed project must be included with the grant application. The application must include current and future phases of the project if multi-phased. It can be professionally prepared or presented as a graphic over a Google Earth image. A significant volunteer component is required for each grant proposal. The volunteer group must share an active role in the planning, implementation and ongoing maintenance of the project. A realistic location, installation and maintenance plan with identified responsibilities and budget must be submitted to ensure the project’s sustainability. Tree plantings typically require a three-year maintenance plan to ensure establishment. Proposed grant requests supporting bond issue and other publicly funded projects will be considered on a case-by-case basis. There must be strong evidence that the project is ready to move forward immediately and that the Parks Initiative grant portion will play a significant role in the overall success and impact of the project. Who may apply? Neighborhood/community groups connected to parks, school parks, trails and other public spaces in Oklahoma County. Any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing direct services and that has a governing board based in Oklahoma County. Local government agencies or state and city-connected agencies. For more information, visit OCCF.

The Oklahoma City Community Foundation is requesting applications for Classroom Enhancement Grants. Donor Name: Oklahoma City Community Foundation State: Oklahoma County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Designed to improve the quality of life in rural Oklahoma, classroom grants provide an opportunity for Pre-K through 12th-grade educators to go beyond traditional curriculum and enrich the teaching environment for their students and provide students with resources they would not otherwise have access to in their everyday classroom activities. Program Goals  Provide educators with opportunities to implement innovative and engaging activities and projects that go beyond traditional curricula. Offer students access to unique resources and learning opportunities not normally available in their everyday classroom environments. Focus Areas Grants will support projects in the following subject areas: Arts & Culture English Language Arts  Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Social Studies Priorities Priority will be given to projects that feature the following characteristics:  Creative and Innovative Approaches: Projects that demonstrate originality and feature unique learning methods. Experiential Learning: Projects that engage students in practical activities and real-world experiences. Beyond the Classroom Learning Opportunities: Projects that broaden educational horizons by extending learning beyond traditional classroom settings. Funding Information Up to $5,000 per classroom. Eligibility Criteria Teachers and school administrators in Oklahoma public schools, grades Pre-K through 12, are eligible to apply if their schools meet the following criteria: Located within one of the 23 designated Oklahoma counties: Adair, Atoka, Bryan, Caddo, Cherokee, Choctaw, Coal, Greer, Harmon, Haskell, Hughes, Jackson, Johnston, Kiowa, Latimer, Le Flore, Mccurtain, Mcintosh, Okfuskee, Pushmataha, Sequoyah, Tillman Or Washita. Designated with a locale code of 41, 42, or 43 by the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES).  Have a total average daily attendance (ADA) of fewer than 600 students. For more information, visit Oklahoma City Community Foundation.

Oklahoma visual artists are invited to submit an application for a THRIVE Grant from the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC). Donor Name: Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition State: Oklahoma County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This opportunity supports artist-led, collaborative projects, across the state of Oklahoma that are open to the public and engage community. They collaborate with the The Andy Warhol Foundation to further support artists’ innovation throughout Oklahoma with project grants of up to $10,000. THRIVE Grants build upon our existing dedication to support artist-led initiatives and our belief in the power of artists to create a positive impact in our communities. THRIVE Grants will provide funding for collaborative artist-led projects across the state of Oklahoma that are open and accessible to the public. The funded projects are ambitious, impactful, innovative, and community driven visual arts projects. The grants will prioritize artist projects that create new collaborations, connections, and partnerships. Eligibility Criteria  The proposed project must have a central focus on the visual arts. Artistic practices firmly rooted in dance, theatre, music, or industry/feature filmmaking are not eligible to apply. The proposed project must be publicly accessible and push the boundaries of the traditional exhibition experience. Be sure to think outside the box and put an emphasis on how to interact with your audience. All events associated with your project must take place in Oklahoma and before the presentation at the end of the funding period. For collaborative projects, the individual who submits the project proposal will serve as the Lead Applicant and a detailed timeline and budget must be included. Artists currently enrolled as a student in an MFA/BFA or are seeking enrollment in the arts during the award year are not eligible to apply as a Lead Applicant but are allowed to be a collaborator. The Lead Applicant and the majority of the collaborators must reside in Oklahoma. Successful applicants may apply after one calendar year of funding receipt but must propose a new project or an expansion of previous work. You will not be disqualified for continuing to grow and develop the visual arts of Oklahoma but please note that preference will be shown to creative projects that have not received funding in the past. 501c3 organizations or for-profit corporations are not eligible to apply. Artists with an LLC are eligible to apply. Awarded applicants must participate in the Thrive reception in June 2024, the following year, to present their project to the public. For more information, visit Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Oklahoma public entities, such as schools and municipalities, to develop projects that reduce food waste and improve food access for those in need.

The U.S. Department of the Interior's WaterSMART Title XVI Program offers financial and technical assistance for the planning, design, and construction of water reclamation and reuse projects, aiming to secure future water supplies, improve efficiency, support underserved communities, and address climate change.

This funding initiative provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, local and state governments, tribal entities, and educational institutions to promote conservation practices and technical assistance for farmers and ranchers on private working lands.

This grant provides funding for conservation projects that restore and enhance habitats for monarch butterflies and other native pollinators, targeting nonprofit organizations, government entities, tribal groups, and educational institutions.