After working with various organizations on environmental engagement projects, we’ve learned a thing or two about grants. We know how critical funding is and that your work in the community has never been more important than now.
At Temboo, we want to support your mission and dedication to improving the quality of lives for the folks in your community. Below are grants that your organization can apply to if you’re working towards education, community development, environmental engagement, or environmental justice causes. These grants are broken down into globally accessible grants, grants for organizations based in the United States, and grants available to organizations based in New York.
We’re also here to help make any grant application stronger by being a co-applicant should a project of yours involve community development, education, and the environment. Just shoot us a message at hey@temboo and we’d be happy to chat with you.
Globally Accessible Environmental Grants
1. Google: Global Impact Awards
- Who is eligible: Global Impact Awards go to entrepreneurial teams who think on a global scale and have a healthy disregard for the impossible – including medium and large scale nonprofits. The grant was designed by the Silicon Valley tech giant to support pioneering technologies because by blending the natural world with tech, we can understand an issue and prescribe a remedy in real-time.
- Core focus areas: Their core programs focus on the environment, education, development and women/girls.
- How Much: Varies – in the millions
- Application: Periodic
- Grant Information
2. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, $40B
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the largest private foundation in the world. They give a generous amount of funds to organizations working to help people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, their grants focus on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life.
- Who is eligible: U.S. 501c3 nonprofits and other tax-exempt organizations identified by their staff (Tax status definitions).
- Core focus areas: Programs that align with their global development, growth/opportunity, health, or policy and advocacy goals. They also have a small charitable sector support initiative.
- How Much: Varies
- Application: Rolling open application
- Grant Information
3. Bloomberg Philanthropies, $4.2B
Bloomberg Philanthropies is the 12th largest private foundation in the world, and they fund projects whose purpose is to create a healthier, cleaner, and safer environment. They are at the forefront of funding projects around smart and resilience cities, and champion data as a key mechanism towards sustainability.
“If you can’t measure it, then you can’t manage it”.
Michael Bloomberg
- Who is eligible: Existing partners
- Core focus areas: Programs in the arts, education, environment, government innovation, and public health space
- Application? Grant proposals are by invitation only and with their partners
- Grant Information
4. The Rockefeller Foundation, $3.7B
The Rockefeller Foundation is one of the largest private foundations, and their Data.org platform advocates the use of data for social impact. In January, 2020, they renewed their commitment to this goal by investing $10M into an impact challenge to crowdsource scalable and sustainable data science solutions.
Data.org is a platform for partnerships to build the field of data science for social impact.
The Rockefeller Foundation
They also funded 100 Resilient Cities & the upgraded version, Resilience Cities Catalyst (RCC). Overall, the Rockefeller Foundation has launched more than 80 resilience strategies, 4,000 actions and initiatives, and leveraged $25 billion in external funding for resilient cities.
- Who is eligible: 501c3 nonprofits, civic, and government organizations
- Core focus areas: Programs around health, power, education, environment, climate/resilience, innovation, and co-impact
- How Much: Varies
- Application: Periodic open rolling applications, however, they are not taking open applications at the moment
- Grant Information
5. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, $6B
The John.D and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is a powerhouse private foundation. They fund various programs and though their environmental grants are competitive, there may be an open application that matches your project.
- Who is eligible: Their 100&Change grant, which awards $100 million, is an open application to nonprofits and for-profit organization that has a solution to one of their critical problems. In general, their grants are awarded to existing strategies with specific program goals, and as such, do not accept unsolicited proposals.
- Core focus areas: The MacArthur Foundation awards grants to organization who are finding solutions around climate, criminal justice, impact investments, journalism, nuclear non-proliferation, and reducing corruption in Nigeria.
- How Much: Varies
- Application: Rolling open application
- Grant Information
6. The Nature Conservancy, $1.1B
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) funded my citizen-science, water quality-based project and if I can get funding, so can you. TNC’s global operations have a commitment to conservation – be it around tackling climate change, protecting land and water, providing food and water sustainability, or building healthy cities.
They have sustained more than 117 million acres, kept 5,000 miles of rivers clean, and led hundreds of marine conservation projects. They use a science-based approach for conservation efforts globally, putting to work the 700 scientists that they have in staff.
- Who is eligible: TNC awards grants to schools under their Nature Works Everywhere grant. They also award grants to environmentally based 501c3 nonprofits under their Natural Climate Solutions Accelerator Grant.
- Core focus areas: TNC awards environmental grants to green infrastructure projects to protect the local environment.
- Amount: Varies
- Application: Rolling open application
- Grant Information
7. The David and Lucille Packard Foundation, $6.3B
The David and Lucille Packard Foundation is one of the largest private foundations, and their core focus is on conservation, ocean science, community education.
- Who is eligible: Grants are made only for charitable, educational, or scientific purposes, primarily from tax-exempt charitable organizations.
- Core focus areas: Projects around fighting climate change, education, protecting the oceans, women healthcare, science, local communities, engineers, and agriculture.
- Amount: Varies
- Application: Rolling open application
- Grant Information
8. Patagonia, $17M
True to the identity of the environmentally conscious clothing line is their commitment to protecting the environment. From their “do not buy campaign” to fixing clothes, they’re the epitome of sustainability. It should be no surprise that their grant giving also aligns with projects around protecting the environment.
- Who is eligible: Patagonia’s grants support environmental organizations, but they are typically for hyperlocal organizations. So if you’re a smaller 501c3 nonprofits, there is a good chance you may be applicable for some funding. They also have corporate, retail, media, native fish, and international grants.
- Core focus areas: Grants are available for projects around environmental conservation and social responsibility.
- Application: Open application. They accept one proposal per group in a given fiscal year (May- April) with deadline varying from program to program.
- Amount: Typical grant sizes range between $5,000 – $ $20,000
- Grant Information
9. Environmental Resource Management (ERM) Foundation
The ERM Foundation provides small environmental grants to nonprofit organizations and social enterprises that share their commitment to sustainable and equitable world.
- Who is eligible: 501c3 nonprofits around the world
- Core focus areas: Initiatives related to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), environmental education, conservation, biodiversity, low carbon development, and empowering women and girls
- How much: Range from $10,000 to $150,000
- Application: Open rolling application
- Grant Information
10. Coca-Cola Foundation, $325M
The Coca-Cola Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the The Coca-Cola Company, and it strives to improve the quality of life in the communities where they do business. The Coca-Cola Foundation offers the opportunity to make a unique and sustainable difference in the following areas: women, water and community well-being.
- Who is eligible: 501c3 nonprofits or charitable organizations anywhere in the world
- Core focus areas: Water stewardship initiatives that involve access to clean water and sanitation, watershed protection in water-stressed regions, the utilization of water in production, and water conservation education and awareness
- How Much: Varies
- Application: Rolling open application
- Grant Information
USA Accessible Grants
11. Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ)
- Who is eligible: Grassroots community groups
- Core focus areas: Small Grants Program for grassroots groups working on environmental health and justice issues. Grassroots communities of color, low wealth, rural and urban groups are encouraged to apply
- How Much: $1,000 – $20,000
- Application: Annual
- Grant Information
12. Tree Fund, $5.1M
Is your organization into forest management – be it urban forest or rural forest management? Then this grant may be for you.
- Who is eligible: Nonprofit organizations, researchers, etc.
- Core focus areas: The Tree Fund provides start-up or seed funding to support innovative research and technology transfer projects that have the potential of benefiting the everyday work of arborists.
- How Much: Maximum grant award of $25,000
- Application: Periodic
- Grant Information
13. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, $11B
- Who is eligible: Any organization in the United States. If your nonprofit organization has an official 501c3 title – you’re set. If your organization does not yet have an official nonprofit organization title, you can still apply. You will have to identify a fiscal sponsor that will submit the application; oversee the grant; receive and administer grant payments; monitor the use of grant funds; and submit annual and final reports to the Foundation.
- Core focus areas: The Robert Wood Foundation priorities the well-being and health of a community. Any organizations working to combat health challenges and inequities – including working in the built environment – may be a good match.
- How Much: Varies
- Application: Rolling
- Grant Information
14. Mosaic Momentum
- Who is eligible: Mosaic’s mission is to amplify the power of the environmental field—the people and organizations who devote their efforts in pursuit of environmental protection and healthy & just communities—by bolstering the critical infrastructure all movements need to succeed. The Mosaic grant is unique due to its technology and environmental justice priorities making it an excellent grant to apply for with Temboo.
- Core focus areas: Organizations working towards environmental protection and justice regarding emergent infrastructure needs and technology.
- How Much: Varies
- Application: Rolling application
- Grant Information
15. Surdna Foundation Environments Program, $81M
Surdna Foundation is one of the largest private foundations, and they fund various environmental justice alliances and nonprofits. Their strategic principals encompass social justice reform, healthy environments, and inclusive economies.
- Who is eligible: 501c3 nonprofits
- Core focus areas: Environmental grants are available for projects around inclusive economies, sustainable environments, and thriving cultures.
- How Much: Varies
- Application: Open application, however, please review their application status
- Grants Information
16. Woodard & Curran Foundation, $619K
The Woodard & Curran Foundation focuses on environmental quality, stewardship, and preservation, particularly for those projects that directly improve public health and/or educate the public regarding the sustainability of environmental resources.
Their core focus is “clean water” and they have awarded $100K over the past 3 years to projects that promote a clean and sustainable environment.
- Who is eligible: 501c3 nonprofits in the United States
- Core focus areas: Applications that advance technology to advance water issues (water, wastewater & stormwater)
- How Much: Varies
- Application: Open application
- Grant Information
17. River Network, $1.9M
- Who is eligible: Any 501(c)(3) organization working or planning community watershed science on NPS, administered WSRs, Partnership WSRs and state-administered rivers that partner with NPS
- Core focus areas: This grant is to provide staff and volunteers of local nonprofit organizations support to become involved in science that supports river management and to strengthen partnerships between these groups and the National Park Service.
- How Much: $3,000-$10,000
- Application: Periodic
- Grant Information
18. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, $317M
- Who is eligible: Federal, state, and local governments, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations
- Core focus areas? Research or restoration/conservation projects that address threats to native freshwater fish species
- How Much: Range from $20,000 to $100,000
- Application: Rolling open application
- Grant Information
19. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Education & Environmental Justice Grants
- Who is eligible: Any local education agency, college or university, state education or environmental agency, nonprofit organization as described in Section 501(C )(3)
- Core focus areas: This grant program provides financial support for projects that design, demonstrate, and/or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques. Since 1992, EPA has distributed between $2 and $3.5 million in grant funding per year, supporting more than 3,700 grants.
- How Much: Varies – depends on the project budget
- Application? Annual
- Environmental Education & Environmental Justice
20. Green Mountain Energy Sun Club Grant, $1M
The Green Mountain Energy Sun Club Grant is committed to sustainability projects that make a positive environmental impact in a community.
- Who is eligible: 501c3 nonprofits in the United States
- Core focus areas: Projects involving water conservation and protection
- How Much: Up to $140,000
- Application: Open rolling application
- Grant Information
21. Service Objects
Service Objects In-Kind Grants support organizations that encourage environmental leadership through the reduction of waste, and caring for our resources. They provide donations to organizations that are working to encourage environmental conservation, as well as providing education for both personal and environmental health
- Who is eligible: Organizations promoting environmental stewardship
- Core focus areas: Programs that aim to reduce waste or assist in the aftermath of natural disasters, to name a few
- How much: $2,500
- Application: Open rolling application
- Grant Information
New York City and New York State Grants
22. West Harlem Environmental Action, Inc. / WE ACT for Environmental Justice, $1.8M
We Act has been awarded a $1,000,000 grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to help build the administrative, technical, and programmatic capacity of grassroots and community-based organizations working to achieve environmental justice and sustainability in low-income communities, communities of color, or underserved communities across the state. This will be done through a capacity-building grant program, in which WE ACT will award 18 grants – $50,000 each, for a total of $900,000 – to eligible groups throughout New York State’s nine DEC regions.
- Who is eligible: Organizations located in New York State in environmental justice or underserved communities that experience disproportionate adverse environmental impacts. Staff and boards must be representative of the communities in which they support community engagement.
- Core focus areas: New York State organizations working to achieve environmental justice for their communities
- Amount: Varies
- Application: Periodic open rolling application
- Grant Information for an application open until April 30, 2020
23. Citizens Committee for New York City, $3.2M
The Citizens Committee for NYC works to help New Yorkers, especially those in low-income communities, come together to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods. They provide micro-grants for community building projects.
In 2019, they awarded $2.3 million in grants and support for neighborhood initiatives & children’s art programs. Their environmental/beautification grantees are community gardens, street tree programs, and many more.
- Who is eligible: Neighborhood community organizations
- Core focus areas: Awards grants of up to $3,000 for community and school improvement projects carried out by resident-led groups and $6,000 to $10,000 to groups aiming to expand their impact and grow into a staffed organization over the next few years.
- Amount: Varies
- Application: Rolling open application
- Grant Information
24. New York State Pollution Prevention Institute
- Who is eligible: Organizations that seek to improve the health, environmental quality, and economic vitality of communities across New York State. Funding allocation through NYSP2I is made possible through New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) as administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
- Core focus areas: Community Grants are a funding opportunity for community organizations and local government agencies based and operating in New York State. Community organizations do not need to be 501(c)(3) organizations.
- How Much: Varies
- Application: Annual
- Grant Information
25. City Parks Foundation, $37M
- Who is eligible: Nonprofits and community groups
- Core focus areas: The NYC Green Relief & Recovery Fund will provide support to nonprofits and community groups that provide essential maintenance, stewardship, public programming, and management of parks and open spaces across the five boroughs of New York City.
- How Much: $500 – $1,500
- Application: Periodic
- Grant Information
26. New York State Environmental Justice Grant
- Who is eligible: Applicants must be must be 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations
- Core focus areas: Grants to support and empower communities as they develop and implement solutions that significantly address environmental issues, harms, and health hazards, build community consensus, set priorities, and improve public outreach and education.
- How Much: Varies
- Application: Periodic
- Grant Information
27. Doris Duke Foundation, $1.8M
The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation’s Environmental Stewardship program is based in the Tri-State Area and uses a small portion of its funds to connect people living in urban areas with their environment.
Their stewardship program supports green projects that “improve the built and natural environment of NYC”. Their urban greening efforts focus on protecting natural areas in the five boroughs, as well as promoting green infrastructure that can help the city achieve its ecological goals and build resiliency.
- Who is eligible: 501c3 tax-exempt entities based in the United States and individuals
- Core focus areas: Grants are available to an individual or a nonprofit working in the environment, child well-being, medical research, building bridges, and African health initiative.
- Amount: Varies
- Application: Open rolling application
- Grant Information
28. Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, $102M
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation champions research and education in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and economics. They also work to enhance the quality of life in New York City, and have given several grants to community-based organizations.
- Who is eligible: Community-based organizations in New York
- Core focus areas: Grant proposals to the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation differ depending upon whether the project is or is not for scholarly research.
- Amount: Varies
- Application: Depends on the grant
- Grant Information Spring Environmental app deadline is April 15, 2020 at 5:00pm EST.
Environmental Grants for the Next Generation of Environmental Stewardship
If you are applying for one of these environmental grants and are interested in engaging your community in environmental awareness, we have a successful framework already in place.
We are working with community-based organizations across the country to help them meet their environmental goals. For example, we worked with the Gowanus Canal Conservancy and their volunteers to reduce combined sewer overflows (CSO). How? By leveraging our no-code platform to enable community members to accurately measure the benefits of green infrastructure. Take a look at our case-study, and send us a message if you have an environmental engagement project in mind.