Funding Opportunities Newsletter
October & November 2026

Upcoming Grants

• The US Forest Service Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (due October 13) supports the establishment of community forests; protecting forestland from conversion to non-forest uses and providing community benefits, including public recreation, environmental and economic benefits; and forest-based educational programs.
• The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Walmart: Acres for America Program (pre-proposals due October 19) supports the permanent conservation of large-scale habitats for fish, wildlife, and plants through voluntary land acquisitions and perpetual conservation easements.
• The US Endowment for Forests and Communities: Roots and Reach Program (due October 22) provides modest support for undergraduate forestry and natural resources clubs to fund student-led forestry projects, career awareness, and creative storytelling.
• The US Fish and Wildlife Service Implementation of the Quagga and Zebra Mussel Action Plan (QZAP) in the Western United States Grant Program (due October 24) provides funding for projects that help reduce or minimize the threat of quagga and zebra mussels to Western U.S. waters.
• The US Fish and Wildlife Service Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (Part C): Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) Land Acquisition Grants (due October 30) support land acquisition projects that will conserve species habitat in perpetuity through fee simple acquisitions or acquisitions of permanent conservation easements.
• The CA State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways Aquatic Center Grant Program (due October 30) funds organizations that teach on-the-water boating safety education to the public.
• The Hydro Flask Product Donations Program (due October 31) provides products to be used as participant rewards for programs, including outdoor recreation, environment, or climate action education.
• The CA Natural Resources Agency Youth Community Access Grant Program (concept proposals due November 4) provides youth from low income and disadvantaged communities with field trips to national, state, and regional parks; cultural sites; events, and practices; and provides educational programming and workforce development opportunities in natural and cultural resource fields.
• The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation (due November 10) provides support to community-based nonprofit organizations for which a relatively small amount of funding might make a large difference, including in the areas of environment and wildlife-protection activities.
• The US Institute for Museum and Library Services Native American Library Services Enhancement Program (due November 13) supports federally recognized Indian tribes in providing learning and cultural activities to their communities, including collections stewardship and language and culture preservation.
• The California Fire Foundation Proposition 4 Wildfire Prevention and Firefighter Safety Grant Program (due November 16) supports local agencies and community-based organizations by funding firefighter health and safety, specialized firefighting equipment, vegetation and fuel management, and public education and outreach projects.
• The US Department of Transportation Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program (due November 16) supports construction and non-construction projects that will reduce the number of wildlife vehicle collisions (WVC) and improve habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species.
• The US Department of Commerce Native Entities Grant Program (due November 17) promotes the adoption of broadband within tribal and Native American communities by complementing broadband deployment efforts and expanding broadband access to unserved communities.
• The US Fish and Wildlife Service-CA Department of Fish and Wildlife Endangered Species Recovery Land Acquisition Grant Program (due November 20) funds the acquisition of specific parcels of land through fee simple or conservation easement in support of recovery plans for species where habitat loss is identified as a threat and habitat protection is identified as a priority recovery action in the species’ most recently approved recovery planning document.
• Western National Parks (WNP): James E. Cook Nature’s Classroom Grant (due December 11) enhances access to national parks for under-represented K-12 youth through the provision of support for K-12 educators aiming to bring the wonders of national parks into classrooms and offer transformative park experiences.
• The CA State Water Resources Control Board Nonpoint Source: Clean Water Act 319 (h) Grant (due December 18) funds projects that reduce runoff of pollution to waters of the state, such as agricultural projects that reduce pesticide and nutrient runoff, improvement or decommissioning of dirt roads to reduce erosion and sediment runoff, streambank stabilization to reduce erosion, and infrastructure improvements for ranching and livestock operations to reduce erosion and runoff of nutrients and pathogens.
• The National Park Service and California State Parks Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant (due January 14, 2027) provides funding for the acquisition or development of land to create new outdoor recreation opportunities for the health and wellness of Californians.
• The American Kennel Club Reunite: AKC Pet Disaster Relief Program (rolling) provides nonprofit organizations and government units with a trailer and supplies (a pet disaster relief unit) for the protection and support of displaced pets and service animals in the event of an emergency or disaster.
• The Pedigree Foundation Disaster Relief Grants (rolling) provide up to $5,000 in funding to animal welfare organizations whose communities have suffered a natural disaster.
• The GMR Foundation for Research and Education Lifeline Grant – Community First Responder Recertification Grant (rolling) supports volunteer and under-resourced community-based first responder organizations in maintaining life-saving certifications by establishing or strengthening sustainable recertification programs.
• The Brothers Helping Brothers Equipment Grant (rolling) provides funding, tools, and equipment to small and rural fire departments and emergency medical services organizations.
• The Reinvestment Fund: Healthy Food Financing Initiative Food Access and Retail Expansion Fund (rolling) improves access to healthy foods in underserved areas by providing financing to create or expand qualified retail outlets.
• The Trek Foundation Grant Program (rolling) seeks to protect land, develop mountain bike trail systems for public use, and provide more riders access to great places to ride.
• The Gary Sinise Foundation: First Responders Outreach Grant (rolling) provides support to first responder departments for equipment and training needs.
• The First Nations Development Institute – Community Navigator Project (rolling until funds are expended) provides up to $50,000 to eligible tribes and Native-led organizations to cover costs associated with building capacity, such as strategic planning, feasibility assessments, grant writing, project and grant management training, development of conservation strategies, etc.
• The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP): Caring for Our Relatives Technical Assistance Program (rolling) provides free comprehensive technical assistance to tribes that may be facing barriers to starting or completing ecological-resilience projects, which, for the purposes of this program, are defined as projects that will help non-human relatives survive and thrive in a changing climate.
• The Hind Foundation Standard Grants Program (rolling) supports community-based projects proposed by nonprofit organizations that are at least three years old and have visible impacts in California. Areas of funding include ecosystem conservation, historical landmark restoration, plant and wildlife protection, and land conservation.
• The CA Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways: Boat Launching Facilities Grant (rolling) funds facilities, such as boat launching ramps, boarding floats, associated parking areas, restrooms, and lighting for motorized and non-motorized boaters.
• The CA Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways Clean Vessel Act: Pumpout/Dump Station Installation Grant (rolling) helps fund the construction, renovation, operation, and maintenance of pumpout and dump stations to service pleasure craft.
• The CA Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways Clean Vessel Act: Sewage Management Operations and Maintenance Grant (rolling) supports the operation and maintenance of pumpout and dump stations for recreational vessels by providing parts and labor to maintain stations.
• The CA Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Wildlife Conservation Board California Riparian Habitat Conservation Program (rolling) supports riparian-restoration projects that further biodiversity, promote climate resilience, or help achieve other state priorities.
• The CDFW Cannabis Restoration Grant Program: Cleanup, Remediation, and Watershed Enhancement (rolling) supports the cleanup, remediation, and enhancement of watersheds and wildlife habitat on public and private lands impacted by cannabis cultivation.
• The CA Wildlife Conservation Board Proposition 1 Streamflow Enhancement Program (rolling) supports projects that enhance stream flows with the focus on streams that support anadromous fish; support special-status, threatened, endangered, or at-risk species; or provide resilience to climate change.
• The CA Department of Water Resources Urban Streams Restoration Program (rolling) funds local, community-based projects that improve the health, safety, and resilience of urban stream corridors.
• The CA Wildlife Conservation Board Forest Conservation Program (rolling) advances the protection, restoration, and improvement of upper watershed lands in the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountains, including forest lands, meadows, wetlands, chaparral, and riparian habitat, in order to protect and improve water supply and water quality, improve forest health, reduce wildfire danger, mitigate the effects of wildfires on water quality and supply, increase flood protection, or protect or restore riparian or aquatic resources.
• The CA Wildlife Conservation Board California Riparian Habitat Conservation Program (rolling) supports coordinated conservation efforts aimed at protecting and restoring California’s riparian ecosystems.
• The CA Wildlife Conservation Board Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Program (rolling) supports a wide variety of habitat enhancement and restoration projects, including habitat restoration, wildlife corridors, and fisheries enhancements.
• The CA Wildlife Conservation Board Oak Woodlands Conservation Program (rolling) helps local efforts to achieve oak woodland protection by supporting projects designed to conserve and restore California’s oak woodlands.
• The CA Wildlife Conservation Board Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program (rolling) funds projects that protect and restore ecosystems to provide climate change adaptation and resilience for wildlife; assist natural and working lands managers in implementing practices that provide climate adaptation and resilience; increase carbon sequestration in natural and working lands; and provide additional social, economic, and environmental benefits.
• The CA Wildlife Conservation Board Land Acquisition Program (rolling) supports the acquisition of real property or property rights, which will protect biodiversity, advance climate change action, or expand public access to nature.
• The CA Wildlife Conservation Board Inland Wetlands Conservation Program (rolling) assists the Central Valley Joint Venture (CVJV) in its mission to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands and associated habitats in the Central Valley by providing funds for planning, implementation, acquisition, science, and technical assistance.
• The CA Wildlife Conservation Board Rangeland, Grazing Land, and Grassland Protection Program (rolling) supports projects that will protect the integrity of rangeland, grazing lands, and grasslands, and involve innovative compatible use activities that will address the external and internal components of sustainability.
• The CA Wildlife Conservation Board Public Access Program (rolling) supports the protection and development of public access areas and the promotion of hunting and fishing opportunities. Priority areas are wildlife-oriented recreation, hunting and fishing access, and Outdoors for All.
• The US Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 Targeted Brownfields Assessment Program (rolling) provides no-cost phase I and II environmental site assessments, which give applicants a better understanding of potential contamination issues at brownfields in their communities and assist them in redevelopment planning.
• The US Department of Agriculture Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program (rolling until funds are depleted) provides loan guarantees to establish, reopen, expand, or improve sawmills and other wood-processing facilities.
• The US Fish and Wildlife Service National Fish Passage Program (rolling) provides technical and financial assistance to remove instream barriers and restore aquatic connectivity, improve community safety, and support local economies.