GrantExec

Tennessee Natural Resources Grants

Explore 20 grant opportunities

Reptile and Amphibian Conservation Grant Program
$2,500
The Orianne Society
Private

Application Deadline

Nov 21, 2025

Date Added

Oct 25, 2024

This funding initiative provides financial support to graduate students conducting herpetological research focused on the conservation and management of reptiles and amphibians in the southeastern United States.

Natural Resources
Individuals
F25AS00283 2025 State and Interstate Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan Grant Program
$150,000
U.S. Department of the Interior (Fish and Wildlife Service)
Federal

Application Deadline

Dec 15, 2025

Date Added

Aug 5, 2025

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.

Environment
State governments
Tennessee Agriculture Enterprise Fund
$100,000
Tennessee Department of Agriculture
State

Application Deadline

Oct 10, 2025

Date Added

Dec 22, 2023

This program provides competitive funding to businesses, nonprofits, and local governments in Tennessee to support agricultural growth and innovation, particularly in value-added processing initiatives that benefit farmers and rural economies.

Agriculture
For profit organizations other than small businesses
FY25 Bureau of Land Management Invasive and Noxious Plant Management- Bureau wide
$500,000
U.S. Department of the Interior (Bureau of Land Management)
Federal

Application Deadline

Jul 23, 2025

Date Added

Jun 24, 2025

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.

Natural Resources
State governments
Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund
$1,000,000
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)
Private

Application Deadline

Aug 1, 2024

Date Added

Jun 4, 2024

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals within the Cumberland Plateau region that will help accelerate the restoration and enhancement of critical forest, grassland, and freshwater habitats. Donor Name: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) State: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million Grant Duration: 4 Years Details: NFWF seeks to increase the voluntary adoption of conservation practices on working agricultural lands in the region to benefit wildlife and improve soil health, water quantity and quality, and carbon sequestration. Funding is provided by the USDA’s Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Altria Group, Cargill and NestlΓ© and International Paper’s Forestland Stewards Partnership. Approximately $2.8 million is expected to be available for grants this funding cycle. Program Strategies Restoring Previously Mined Lands Increasing Adoption of Conservation Practices on Grazing Lands Increasing Adoption of Conservation Practices on Cropland Establishing, Enhancing and Maintaining Forest Habitats Restoring Instream Habitats to Support Aquatic Species Helping Landowners – Expanding and Coordinating Technical Assistance and Outreach Funding Information The Cumberland Plateau Stewardship Fund anticipates awarding approximately $2.8 million in grants in 2024. Grant awards are expected to range from $250,000 to $750,000.Β  Project Period Anticipated completion time for funded projects typically will be 24-48 months. Geographic Focus Projects within the Cumberland Plateau in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia are eligible with preference given to projects located within the identified focal areas.Β  Eligibility Criteria Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, Tribal Governments and Organizations, and educational institutions. Ineligible applicants include U.S. Federal government agencies, businesses, unincorporated individuals, and international organizations. U.S. Federal agencies are encouraged to partner with applicants but are not eligible to submit an application. For more information, visit NFWF.

Environment
County governments
2025 Southern Education Grant
$50,000
Southern SU.S.tainable Agriculture Research & Education
Private

Application Deadline

Aug 2, 2024

Date Added

Jun 10, 2024

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 RequirementsΒ  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.

Education
County governments
FY25 Bureau of Land Management Youth Conservation Corps- Bureau wide
$210,000
U.S. Department of the Interior (Bureau of Land Management)
Federal

Application Deadline

Jul 11, 2025

Date Added

Jun 11, 2025

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.

Natural Resources
State governments
Federal Historic Preservation Grant
Contact for amount
U.S. Department of the Interior
Federal

Application Deadline

Feb 1, 2025

Date Added

Nov 27, 2024

This funding opportunity supports projects that preserve historic resources, such as surveys and restorations, benefiting the public and requiring matching funds from the grantee.

Community Development
Nonprofits
Rooted in Justice 2024-2025
$25,000
Cedar Tree Foundation
Private

Application Deadline

Oct 31, 2024

Date Added

Sep 27, 2024

This funding program provides financial support to community-based organizations that empower youth aged 12 to 20 through established, youth-led urban greening initiatives focused on social and environmental justice in select states.

Law Justice and Legal Services
Nonprofits
Aquatic Stream Clean-Up Grant Program
$1,000
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
State

Application Deadline

Jun 30, 2024

Date Added

May 12, 2024

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has grants available for aquatic stream clean-up projects across the state. The program assists cities, schools, community organizations, civic groups, watershed organizations, and conservation groups with stream clean-up projects. Five grants, at a maximum of $1,000 each, are available for each of TWRA’s four regional Aquatic Habitat Protection regions (a total of $5,000 per region). The grant money could be used to buy supplies such as rakes, work gloves, and garbage bags. Also, it could be used to pay disposal fees for solid waste and tire removal or to provide promotional items like project advertisements or T‑shirts and refreshments for volunteer support. The funds will be obligated as grants, so the grantee must have a nonprofit tax number. Grant proposals should include the applicant organization’s name, tax ID number, address, phone, and name of a contact person authorized to enter into a contractual agreement on behalf of the organization. The proposal should also include the name of the stream, the county or counties involved, and the project area and description.

Environment
Nonprofits
RAFI Infrastructure Grant Program
$10,000
Rural Advancement Foundation International
Private

Application Deadline

Aug 9, 2024

Date Added

Jul 26, 2024

The Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI) is currently applications for the 2024 Infrastructure Grant Program. Donor Name: Rural Advancement Foundation International State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/09/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: RAFI provides support to Historically Underserved farmers and ranchers Β for projects that demonstrate an ability to increase farm viability; establish new markets for local products and services; develop new uses for existing structures and equipment; add value to existing farm products through processing, packaging or marketing; make optimal use of on-farm and natural resources; and Cultural/Heritage projects which are focused on preserving and continuing a specific agrarian tradition.Β  Funding priority will be given to proposals with: High expected impact on farm viability and sustainability Strong project feasibility and planning: a clear plan, detailed budget and timeline, and all supporting documentation included.Β  Farmers who earn a significant amount of their household income from the farm operation.Β  Individual financial need, or location in an economically disadvantaged area Project tangibly benefits the surrounding community Farm uses agroecological and/or or ancestral farming practicesΒ  Funding Information Applicants may request up to $10,000 in funding.Β  Eligibility Criteria You are a historically underserved farmer or rancher, as defined by NRCS.Β  You are applying as either an individual farmer owner/co-owner or as a farm cooperative If applying as a cooperative or collaborative, at least 50% of the cooperative or collaborative must meet eligibility criteria.Β  You are in at least your fourth full growing season of farming and have worked at least two years in your current farming operation and location.Β  You are a β€œlivelihood” farmer/rancher or are seeking a long term career that financially supports you through agricultureΒ  You complete and submit an application by the deadline. You submit only one application (as an individual or a collective). If you submit more than one application, neither will be considered. You have NOT received a RAFI infrastructure grant before (2020-2023).Β  Your farm is located in one of the following states AL, AR, DC, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, or VA. For more information, visit RAFI.

Infrastructure
Individuals
Tennessee NRCS Small-scale and Urban-focused Agricultural Grants
$40,000
U.S.DA-NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service)
Federal

Application Deadline

Jun 21, 2024

Date Added

May 24, 2024

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing the potential availability of funding for the development of small-scale and urban-focused agriculture production activities. The Tennessee NRCS Small-Scale Urban-Focused Agriculture Project is an effort to challenge local Conservation Districts, non-profit organizations, non-government organizations, institutions of higher learning and other community partners to work toward the development of demonstration urban, community, and pollinator gardens across Tennessee. Awarded projects will demonstrate the process of planning and applying natural resource conservation practices, systems, and treatment in urban agricultural environments. Awarded structural practices will promote agricultural production and optimize environmental benefits in urban agricultural environments. Proposals will be accepted from eligible entities for projects located in Tennessee. NRCS anticipates the total amount awarded under this announcement in Federal fiscal year 2024 will be approximately $320,000.00. Proposals are requested from eligible entities for projects with a one (1) to three (3)-year duration. Entity types that may be eligible under these criteria include the following: a. City or township governments b. County governments c. Independent school districts d. Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education) e. Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education) f. Private institutions of higher education g. Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education h. Special district governments i. State governments For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov. Key Dates Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on June 21st, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or [email protected]. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed. The agency anticipates making selections by July 1st, 2024, and expects to execute awards by September 15, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

Agriculture
State governments
TNECD Site Development Grant
$5,000,000
Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD)
State

Application Deadline

Sep 19, 2025

Date Added

Jun 6, 2025

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Tennessee local governments for improving and certifying industrial sites to boost economic development and job creation in their communities.

Community Development
City or township governments
Southeast Aquatics Fund
$500,000
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

May 8, 2025

This funding opportunity supports nonprofits, government agencies, and educational institutions in the southeastern U.S. to improve aquatic habitats and water quality, particularly for endangered species and key river basins.

Environment
Nonprofits
Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley Restoration Fund
$1,000,000
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Mar 20, 2025

This funding opportunity supports projects that restore and enhance forests, wetlands, and aquatic habitats in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley, benefiting wildlife and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Environment
Nonprofits
Truist Foundation Inspire Awards
$75,000
Truist Foundation
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Oct 3, 2024

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that develop innovative resources and services to help adults in the middle or late stages of their careers with reskilling, upskilling, and career navigation, particularly those who are unemployed or underemployed.

Education
Nonprofits
Cumberland Plateau-Southern Appalachians Stewardship Fund
$750,000
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

May 15, 2025

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and educational institutions in the Cumberland Plateau and Southern Appalachians to restore ecosystems, improve habitats, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Environment
Nonprofits
Community Tree Planting Grant
$20,000
Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDA-DoF)
State

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Aug 27, 2025

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments, nonprofit organizations, and public schools in Tennessee for planting trees on public lands to improve community wellbeing and environmental health.

Environment
City or township governments
319 NPS Grant Program
Contact for amount
Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA)
State

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Nov 12, 2024

This funding opportunity supports local governments, universities, nonprofits, and state agencies in Tennessee to implement projects that reduce nonpoint source pollution and improve water quality in impaired watersheds.

Agriculture
City or township governments
Wild East Action Fund –
$75,000
Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC)
Private

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Jun 23, 2025

This grant provides funding to government entities and nonprofit organizations for projects that protect land, enhance community resilience, and support conservation planning in the Appalachian Trail region.

Natural Resources
Nonprofits