South Dakota Environment Grants

This program provides funding for farmers and ranchers in the North Central region to develop and share sustainable agricultural practices through research and educational projects.

This grant provides financial support and mentorship to early-stage cleantech entrepreneurs in the Midwest who are developing innovative solutions to promote economic growth and environmental sustainability.

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 funding opportunity provides financial support to U.S. state agencies for conservation projects that aid in the recovery of endangered and threatened species in the Rocky Mountain region.

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.

The First Nations’ Young Natural Resource Professionals Cohort is a 12-month enrichment opportunity designed to enhance the knowledge and networks of young natural resource professionals in the Northern Great Plains. This program directly aligns with the First Nations Development Institute's mission to support Native American communities, particularly in areas of natural resource management and tribal sovereignty. The grant, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, aims to foster professional development and community-led conservation efforts within tribal lands. The primary beneficiaries of this program are 15 early-career natural resource professionals, aged 18-30, who are tribally-affiliated and employed by tribal natural resource and/or environmental departments in Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The program's impact goals are to develop professional, leadership, and technical skills among these individuals, enabling them to effectively employ tribal and community conservation priorities. The cohort prioritizes a deeper understanding of traditional stewardship practices, specialized project management training, and the ability to communicate the importance of upholding tribal sovereignty, cultural grounding, and connection to ancestral lands in resource management. Participants will gain access to a $5,000 stipend for their hosting Tribe, travel support for professional development, a $50,000 tribal grant to lead a conservation-focused project, and a supportive network with mentorship opportunities. Expected outcomes include participants gaining a deeper understanding of traditional stewardship practices, receiving specialized training in project management, and becoming adept at communicating the importance of tribal sovereignty and cultural connection in resource management. Measurable results will be demonstrated through the completion of conservation-focused projects and the sustained professional growth of the cohort members within their tribal communities. The project period runs from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is offering the 2024 Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund (Pollinator Fund) to advance pollinator conservation. The core mission of this fund is to protect, conserve, and increase habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators. This aligns with NFWF’s broader Monarch Butterfly Business Plan, indicating a strategic, long-term commitment to these species. The fund aims to support both technical assistance for private working lands and direct habitat improvement projects. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include monarch butterflies and other at-risk native insect pollinator species, such as the rusty patched bumble bee, Franklin’s bumble bee, Karner blue butterfly, Dakota skipper, Poweshiek skipperling, and Mitchell’s satyr. The program also indirectly benefits private landowners, farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners, especially those in Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories, by providing resources and incentives for conservation practices on their lands. The overall impact goal is to significantly enhance the quality, quantity, and connectivity of pollinator habitat across eligible states. The Pollinator Fund has two main categories of focus. The first is Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands, which prioritizes increasing voluntary engagement of private landowners in conservation practices through staff resources and targeted outreach for Farm Bill programs like CSP and EQIP. The second category, Habitat Improvement, focuses on on-the-ground restoration and enhancement of pollinator habitat, emphasizing regionally appropriate milkweed and diverse native nectar plants, as well as increasing the supply of native seeds and seedlings. These priorities align with NFWF's strategic goal of fostering sustainable ecosystems through direct habitat restoration and incentivizing private land stewardship. Expected outcomes and measurable results are central to this program. All proposals must demonstrate how they will directly and measurably contribute to the Pollinator Fund's goals, specifically by providing the number of acres restored or enhanced. A minimum of 100 acres in California or 500 acres in all other eligible states must be restored or enhanced. Historically, successful projects have averaged 2,120 acres, indicating a substantial scale for expected impact. The program's theory of change posits that by providing financial assistance and technical support, and by focusing on key geographical areas and species, NFWF can effectively reverse declines in monarch and other native pollinator populations, thereby contributing to broader ecosystem health and biodiversity. The total funding of up to $5.1 million in 2024, contributed by a diverse group of partners, underscores the collaborative and impactful nature of this strategic initiative.

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 tribal governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions for solar energy projects that enhance energy independence and benefit low-to-moderate income communities.

The Ethanol Blender Pump Grant, offered by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, aims to assist South Dakota fuel retailers in promoting the state's ethanol production. The grant provides funding for the installation of ethanol blender pumps at gas stations, allowing motorists to choose their preferred gasoline-ethanol blends. A total of $500,000 has been allocated for this program, with businesses eligible to receive up to $25,000 for the first pump and $10,000 for each additional pump. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and must be submitted by August 31, 2024.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is inviting proposals for its ConocoPhillips SPIRIT of Conservation program, which is specifically designed to advance bird species and habitat conservation. This program directly aligns with NFWF's mission to address the alarming loss of 3 billion birds since 1970. The foundation's strategic priority is to support projects that conserve, restore, or enhance critical habitats and to gather essential bird population data, ultimately aiming to reverse population declines. The primary beneficiaries of this program are bird populations, both migratory and non-migratory, particularly those inhabiting grassland, wetland, sage-steppe, and coastal habitats. The program's impact goals include improving habitat quality and quantity, enhancing breeding and wintering grounds, and supporting stopover periods for birds along major migratory routes. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in bird populations, improved habitat conditions, and the collection of vital data to inform future conservation efforts. The program's priorities and focuses are centered on implementing science-driven and strategic conservation. This involves addressing habitat degradation, fragmentation, and loss. Geographic focal areas are critical, spanning major migratory routes from the northern slope of Alaska to the north-south axis of the central United States, including the Gulf Coast regions of Texas and Louisiana. The program emphasizes innovative methods for gathering lacking bird population data and conserving specific habitat types. Grant awards typically range from $100,000 to $275,000, with projects expected to be completed within two years. Eligible applicants include a broad range of non-profit organizations, government agencies (U.S. federal, state, local, municipal, tribal), and educational institutions. This inclusive eligibility criteria reflects NFWF's theory of change, which recognizes that collaborative efforts across various sectors are essential for achieving large-scale, sustainable conservation impacts for bird populations and their habitats.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to eligible nonprofits, schools, government entities, and religious organizations in the Black Hills region of South Dakota for programs that promote creativity, sustainability, and community collaboration.

The Stewarding Native Lands program, offered by First Nations Development Institute, is designed to bolster tribal co-stewardship agreements and related capacity building. This initiative aligns with the broader movement towards co-stewardship of public lands, as mandated by Joint Secretarial Order 3403 and other authorities, including new state policies. The core mission is to restore tribal stewardship, which is seen as crucial for advancing ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, and adaptation to climate change, particularly through the reintroduction of buffalo and fire to grasslands. The target beneficiaries are Tribes located near or bordering National Grasslands in the Northern Great Plains, specifically in Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Eligible applicants include Federal- and State-Recognized tribal Governments and Departments. The program's impact goals center on empowering these Tribes with the necessary resources and capacity to effectively negotiate, implement, and monitor co-stewardship agreements with the U.S. Forest Service. The program's priorities and focuses include providing technical assistance, trainings, and networking opportunities specifically tailored to co-stewardship. A key emphasis is placed on strengthening and increasing tribal co-stewardship on National Grasslands in the Great Plains region. This strategic approach positions Tribes as vital anchors in promoting greater ecological connectivity for grassland protection and health. The expected outcomes and measurable results include a demonstrable increase in the number and effectiveness of tribal co-stewardship agreements with the U.S. Forest Service. The ultimate goal is enhanced ecological connectivity and improved health of National Grasslands through tribal leadership and participation. While the description doesn't explicitly detail the First Nations Development Institute's overall strategic priorities or theory of change beyond this program, it clearly indicates a belief that empowering Indigenous communities in land stewardship leads to significant environmental and cultural benefits. The grant period is from October 15, 2024, to November 30, 2026, with individual project budgets not exceeding $125,000.

The 501vc® Investment Fund is seeking to invest $200,000 to $300,000 in early-stage climate tech startups in the Greater Midwest region, focusing on sectors like advanced materials, renewable energy, and agriculture technologies.

This initiative provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Tribal governments in coal-impacted communities to develop and scale innovative economic projects that create job opportunities and foster local economic transformation.

This program provides funding for graduate students in the North Central Region to conduct research that promotes sustainable agriculture practices.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to commercial property owners and tenants in downtown Yankton for improving the visible exterior of their buildings, with a focus on historic preservation and enhancing the area's architectural appeal.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and local government entities in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest to support community development, education, cultural enrichment, and environmental initiatives that enhance the quality of life in their areas.

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.