Texas Environment Grants

The City of Dallas Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability’s (OEQS) Urban Agriculture Division, in partnership with Dallas County Health and Human Services, is implementing an Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Support Program (UAISP). This grant program is designed to strengthen the capabilities of urban growers and farmers within the city of Dallas. The overarching mission alignment is to advance food security, foster healthier communities, and mitigate disparities within the local food system, directly addressing critical community needs through sustainable agricultural practices. The primary beneficiaries of this program are urban growers and farmers in Dallas. The program aims to assist them with the planning, design, and installation of eligible infrastructure, while also simplifying the permitting process. The key impact goals are to enhance the capacity of these growers, ultimately leading to a more robust and equitable local food system, improved access to healthy and safe foods, and a reduction in food-related disparities. The UAISP prioritizes projects focused on power and water infrastructure. Allowable expenditures include project plans/designs, counseling, utility connections (on or off-grid for water, off-grid for energy), contracted labor/installations, greenhouses/hoop houses, versatile high tunnels, cold storage equipment, grow light systems, and bee hives. Projects that directly support the production, aggregation, and/or processing of food through power or water infrastructure will receive preferential consideration during the application evaluation. Expected outcomes include a significant improvement in the infrastructure supporting urban agriculture, leading to increased food production and processing capabilities. Measurable results will likely involve the number of grants awarded, the types of infrastructure implemented (e.g., number of new irrigation systems, cold storage units, greenhouses), and the resulting impact on food security and community health within Dallas. The program's strategic priority is to build resilience in the local food system, with a theory of change that posits that by providing financial and technical support for essential infrastructure, urban growers will be empowered to expand their operations, thereby creating a more accessible, sustainable, and equitable food supply for the community.

The Edwards Aquifer Authority's 2024 Groundwater Conservation Grant Program supports agricultural irrigation efficiency improvements within its jurisdiction, encompassing over 8,000 square miles across eight Texas counties. This initiative aims to incentivize the adoption of water-saving practices among Edwards Aquifer permit holders, enhancing groundwater conservation efforts. Qualified projects that demonstrate potential groundwater savings are eligible for funding. Applicants are required to provide detailed project proposals, including descriptions of current and proposed irrigation methods, equipment to be used, and comprehensive cost estimates.

This funding opportunity is designed for research institutions affiliated with the Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit to study vegetation health and water use in the Lower Colorado River's riparian areas using remote sensing technologies.

This grant provides funding for research institutions to study the endangered Everglade snail kite's demographics, movement, and habitat in relation to water management practices in Florida's Everglades ecosystem.

The Gene Conley Foundation provides grants primarily within north central Texas for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes and for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals. The foundation supports programs that deliver public benefit across a broad set of community needs. Program areas include arts and culture, education, environment and animals, health, human services, public and society benefit, and religion. Average grants range from 5,000 to 20,000 dollars, with total annual giving of about 340,000 dollars. Funds may support programs or operations consistent with charitable purposes and demonstrated community impact. Eligible applicants are organizations that qualify as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3). Applications are submitted through the online grant application form or an accessible alternative. Proposals should clearly describe impact, outcomes, and alignment with the foundations mission. Applications are due May 1, 2024. Grant duration is not stated. Additional information is available through the trustee portal referenced by Wells Fargo.

This grant provides financial support to female visual artists in the Houston area to help fund their creative projects in contemporary art.

This funding initiative provides financial support to nonprofit organizations led by local residents in the Texas Gulf Coast region, focusing on pollution reduction and the equitable transition to clean energy.

This grant provides funding to local nonprofit organizations in Georgetown, Texas, to address health needs and promote health equity for residents facing economic and social challenges.

The Department of the Interiors (DOI) Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is responsible for managing energy and mineral resources on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). BOEMs mission is to promote economic development and energy independence while ensuring protection of the environment. The Marine Minerals Program (MMP) within BOEM provides negotiated agreements for OCS sediment resources used in coastal restoration efforts. The MMP continues to look for better ways to serve the American people and to ensure that the nation receives the best value for its resources now and into the future. The Program provides information to support decision-making not only within the Department of the Interior, but also to coastal states and local governments to ensure the responsible use of OCS resources for coastal restoration activities.The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) Section 1346 mandates environmental and socioeconomic studies be conducted that are needed for the assessment and management of environmental impacts on the human, marine, and coastal environments which may be affected by offshore energy or other mineral development. The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), Section 1331 encourages state participation in policy and planning decisions related to OCS resources, including sand and gravel. OCSLA Section 1345 authorizes the use of cooperative agreements with affected States to meet the requirements of OCSLA, including sharing of information, joint utilization of available expertise, formation of joint monitoring arrangements to carry out applicable Federal and State laws, regulations, and stipulations relevant to outer continental shelf operations both onshore and offshore.Cooperative partnerships with states, through either a state agency or institution of higher learning, to conduct marine minerals investigations have successfully been completed since 1994

Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act ("IIJA"), the Department of Energy (DOE) provides formula grants to states and Indian Tribes for projects aimed at improving the resilience of the electric grid against disruptions caused by extreme weather, wildfires, or natural disasters. The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) manages the application process, expense reviews, and reimbursements for eligible entities, with funding provided on a reimbursement basis. The program partners with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to establish program objectives and metrics for resilience investments. The DOE will allocate $459 million annually over five years, with Texas expecting approximately $150 million. Eligible entities include electric grid operators, electricity storage operators, electricity generators, transmission owners or operators, distribution providers, and fuel suppliers. Preferred resilience measures include weatherization technologies, fire-resistant technologies, monitoring and control technologies, vegetation management, and adaptive protection technologies. The application period is open until July 31, 2024, at 5:00 PM CST.

This grant provides financial support to tax-exempt organizations to engage under-served populations in outdoor recreation, conservation, and environmental education across Texas.

This program provides funding to Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to replace or retrofit older diesel school buses, reducing children's exposure to harmful diesel exhaust.

The Community Impact Fund is the competitive grantmaking process of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, dedicated to supporting local nonprofit organizations. This fund aligns with the foundation's mission to strengthen the Texas Hill Country by investing in critical areas. It offers both general operating support for administrative and organizational needs, and program support for specific initiatives, with requests not exceeding $15,000. The fund targets residents within ten specific Texas Hill Country counties: Bandera, Blanco, Edwards, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Mason, Real, and Uvalde. The primary impact goal is to address key community needs and foster development across four focus areas: Arts & Culture, Basic Needs, Environment, and Youth Development, ultimately improving the quality of life for the region's diverse population. The Community Impact Fund's priorities are clearly defined within its four focus areas. In Arts & Culture, it supports organizations that present, produce, or provide arts programming, as well as those preserving the Hill Country's history and culture. Basic Needs addresses hunger, poverty, literacy, neglect, family violence, lack of medical care, homelessness, and the needs of seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities or chronic illness, and animal welfare. The Environment focus supports stewardship and education, with priorities including nature education, conservation, land stewardship, wildlife protection, recycling, and maintaining dark skies. Youth Development aims to support children and youth from birth through age 21, fostering their growth and well-being. Expected outcomes and measurable results are integral to the fund's theory of change. For Arts & Culture, grantees will report on audience participation and demonstrate efforts to reach diverse audiences. Basic Needs grantees will track the number of unduplicated residents served and document collaborative efforts. Environment grantees will measure unduplicated residents served, acres or geographical areas affected, and economic and environmental impact where appropriate. Youth Development grantees will report on the number of unduplicated children and youth served, the quality of safe environments, and levels of youth interaction and engagement. These metrics ensure accountability and demonstrate the tangible impact of the grants, reinforcing the foundation's strategic priorities for community improvement.

The MetLife Foundation is offering the Community Impact Grant Program, designed to bolster local grassroots organizations actively addressing the urgent needs of low-income individuals and communities heavily affected by the widening income and wealth gap. This grant program is deeply aligned with the Foundation’s overarching mission to drive inclusive economic mobility. By supporting organizations on the front lines, the program directly contributes to the Foundation's strategic priority of fostering equitable opportunities and outcomes for those most vulnerable to economic disparities. The primary beneficiaries of this program are people with low incomes and communities significantly impacted by the growing income and wealth divide. The program's core impact goal is to provide essential support and resources to these populations, helping to alleviate immediate emergencies and build long-term resilience. Through programmatic support, the Foundation aims to empower grassroots organizations to create tangible improvements in the lives of individuals and the well-being of their communities. The Community Impact Grant Program focuses on several key areas: Hunger Relief and Nutrition, Physical and Mental Well-Being, Environmental Sustainability, and Quality of Life. These focus areas reflect the Foundation's comprehensive approach to promoting holistic community health and stability. Organizations are encouraged to submit proposals that align with these areas, ensuring that the grant funding addresses critical needs and contributes to the overall theory of change, which posits that by investing in these fundamental aspects, communities can achieve greater economic mobility and improved quality of life. Expected outcomes include improved access to vital resources for low-income individuals, enhanced community well-being across the specified focus areas, and a strengthening of local non-profit infrastructures. While specific measurable results are not detailed, the grants, ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, are intended to facilitate impactful programming that addresses emergency needs and contributes to sustainable community development. The program encourages applications from organizations with authentic relationships with low-income populations, suggesting a commitment to community-led solutions and a desire for meaningful, localized impact.

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.

The Water Resources Preservation Grant Program, funded by the Upper Guadalupe River Authority (UGRA), provides cost-share funding to support the design and construction of stormwater management practices. These practices, referred to as Best Management Practices (BMPs), include Low Impact Development (LID), nature-based solutions, and Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI). The goal is to reduce, infiltrate, filter, and delay stormwater runoff, thus protecting the health of waterways in Kerr County. Eligible projects can apply for rebates that cover a portion of the costs associated with these practices, with the aim of reducing pollutants like Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Bacteria by significant percentages. The program supports new constructions or retrofits, emphasizes distributed and centralized treatment methods, and requires adherence to specific design guidelines.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program (GRP) is inviting proposals for its "Building the Next Generation of STEMM Leaders in the Field of Environmental Justice" initiative. This grant opportunity is designed to support projects that develop and implement programs cultivating future STEMM leaders in Environmental Justice (EJ). The GRP's mission, as evident in this program, aligns with fostering scientific literacy and addressing critical environmental challenges through education and mentorship. The grant aims to raise awareness, expand understanding, and empower young people to apply STEMM disciplines to explore the relationship between environmental hazards and their effects on community health and resilience. The primary beneficiaries of this program are young people in grades 9-12, particularly those from communities affected by environmental inequalities in the United States Gulf of Mexico region. The impact goal is to increase the number of young people in this region who pursue studies and careers in STEMM disciplines within the field of Environmental Justice. The program specifically encourages collaborations with nonprofit or community-based organizations that have a history of working with children and youth, especially underrepresented or underserved populations such as racial/ethnic minorities, tribal youth, LGBTQ+ youth, students with low socio-economic status, children with disabilities, first-generation immigrants, and students from rural or remote areas. The core focus of this funding opportunity is on education and mentorship. Projects should provide youth with opportunities to learn about and apply STEMM principles in examining environmental hazards and their impact on communities. Activities can take place in both formal and informal educational settings, but must target 9th-12th graders and complement formal education standards. The GRP prioritizes proposals that foster the development of scientific and environmental literacy, skills, and competencies crucial for cultivating the next generation of EJ leaders. Expected outcomes include increased awareness and understanding among youth regarding environmental hazards and their effects on communities, as well as enhanced capacity for youth to pursue STEMM studies and/or careers in Environmental Justice. The GRP anticipates a measurable increase in the number of young people in the Gulf of Mexico region engaging with STEMM disciplines related to EJ. This grant operates with a strategic priority of building human capacity and fostering a more equitable and resilient future by empowering youth to address environmental challenges. The theory of change behind this initiative is that by investing in early education and mentorship in STEMM and EJ, the GRP can create a pipeline of informed and capable leaders who will contribute to solving complex environmental issues in vulnerable communities.

The Louis K. Snipes Foundation for Animal Care makes grants to organizations located in Tarrant County, Texas that prevent cruelty to animals through the delivery of animal care services within the State of Texas. The foundation supports humane programs that improve the welfare of animals and protect them from neglect and abuse. Funding priorities include capital improvements such as construction of shelter facilities and the purchase of equipment, including vehicles needed for animal rescue work and cruelty investigations. Program support may also be considered, including spay and neuter services and educational initiatives. The average grant size is approximately 38,000 dollars, with total annual giving of a similar amount. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) organizations located in Tarrant County that provide animal care services within Texas. Applications must be submitted through the online form or an accessible version for assistive technology users. Grants may support capital improvements, equipment purchases, and program activities consistent with the foundations purpose. Applications are due May 1, 2024. Grant duration is not stated. Further information is available through the trustee materials referenced by Wells Fargo.

This program provides $40 million in funding over three years to support projects that improve environmental health and resilience in historically marginalized communities across EPA Region 6.

Greenspace Enhancement Grant Program Our Greenspace Enhancement Grant Program extends our mission by providing financial support to nonprofit organizations that actively work towards improving and preserving outdoor environments. The grants focus on: Community Gardens: Creating, rehabilitating, and enhancing community gardens that provide educational opportunities and serve community needs. Neighborhood and School Beautification: Beautifying and enriching outdoor environments in economically disadvantaged areas, particularly around neighborhoods and schools. Parks and Greenspaces: Revitalizing parks and public greenspaces through planting and the addition or upgrading of efficient irrigation systems. Sustainable Impact: Projects that align with Toro's purpose of enriching the beauty, productivity, and sustainability of the land, impacting beautification, and increasing the utilization of public greenspaces. Community Engagement: Encouraging broad community involvement in project design and implementation, ensuring tangible and sustainable results. Eligibility Location: The benefiting organization must be located within 40 miles of a Toro Company location in the following cities: Arkansas: Batesville California: El Cajon, Riverside Florida: Sanford Michigan: Iron Mountain Nebraska: Beatrice Texas: El Paso, Abilene Wisconsin: Lake Mills The grant program seeks to empower communities to create and maintain beautiful, sustainable, and functional outdoor spaces, emphasizing those in need. Through these grants, The Toro Company continues to build on its long-standing tradition of giving back to the communities where our employees live and work.