Funding Opportunities
Open Funding Opportunities:
NIHHIS Heat Tabletop Exercise Design Challenge 2026
The challenge, hosted by the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) in the NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research’s Climate Program Office, invites community leaders to design situation manuals for heat tabletop exercises (TTXs), which test local heat response efforts through simulated scenarios. The exercises bring state, local, and Tribal governments and community organizations together to assess how they currently respond to heat and determine how they can better collaborate on short-term and long-term heat resilience. The challenge also prompts communities to plan for heat in the context of another compounding or cascading hazard relevant to the local area.
Up to 40 communities will win a $25,000 prize.
Informational webinar on June 30 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. ET.
Deadline: August 12, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
The Leary Firefighters Foundation considers grant requests for training, equipment, and technology for fire departments in the US. Grant sizes vary but typically range from $5,000 to $25,000; occasionally the Foundation makes larger grants.
Deadline: August 15, 2026
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) administers the Stan Mayfield Working Waterfronts Capital Outlay (SMWWCO) Grant Program to support Florida's commercial fishing and marine aquaculture industries by providing funding for projects that strengthen working waterfront infrastructure, including facilities used for receiving, unloading, processing, and supporting seafood operations.The SMWWCO Grant Program provides financial assistance to eligible commercial saltwater products businesses, commercial saltwater wholesale dealers, retail seafood license holders, seafood houses, and marine aquaculture operations to help maintain and enhance their operations while supporting Florida's seafood economy. Applicants must demonstrate that their proposed project provides a benefit to the local economy.
Deadline: August 17, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EDT
Thriving Earth Exchange Project, AGU
The Thriving Earth Exchange Project is accepting proposals for projects that utilize earth and space scientific knowledge or methods to collect data, apply scientific knowledge or processes, or make results of scientific research accessible.The program is free of charge for communities, and projects do not need to join the program with external funding. Projects are designed to make an impact through creative problem-solving and in-kind support. Projects are supported by volunteer Community Science Fellows – project managers we train and match with you. These project managers will work with you to define the priorities of your project and to secure volunteer scientists or technical experts to achieve your community-led solutions. Typical project outputs can include developing reports, webinars, podcasts, data, maps, exhibits, grant proposals, applications of technology, or interviews.
Deadline: August 20, 2026
The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation makes community investments on the basis of two primary criteria:
Projects should be implemented in the communities where Cleveland-Cliffs has operations. (Southeast: Piedmont, NC)
Proposed projects should support education, improve the environment, and/or support healthy and vibrant communities.
Letter of Inquiry Deadline: August 31, 2026
The Resilient Florida Program includes a selection of grants that are available to counties, municipalities, special districts with specific responsibilities and regional resilience entities. To effectively address the impacts of flooding and sea level rise that the state faces, eligible applicants may receive funding assistance to analyze and plan for vulnerabilities, as well as implement projects for adaptation and mitigation.
Deadline: September 1, 2026
Helene Debris Recovery Disposal Grant | NC DEQ
NCDEQ received grant funding from EPA to provide grants to local governments and NGOs in Western North Carolina to help communities shorten timeframes and/or fund remaining Hurricane Helene solid waste disaster debris clean-up and removal projects that are not covered by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or other funding sources. Applicants may request any amount of grant funding up to a maximum of $3,000,000 per project.
Deadline: September 14, 2026
2026 CAFE Health and Extreme Weather Actionable Solutions Grants Program
CAFE is the Research Coordinating Center of the NIH Health and Extreme Weather (HEW) Program with the overarching goals of convening, accelerating, fostering, and expanding the Community of Practice in this space.The CAFE Health and Extreme Weather Actionable Solutions Grants Program offers grants of up to $20,000 to support innovative projects that can deliver material value within 6 months of funding. This funding opportunity prioritizes projects focused on accelerating discovery, translation into practice, or deployment of solutions to challenges relevant to health and extreme weather.
We are currently only accepting applications from academic institutions in the US.
Deadline: September 15, 2026
Coastal Collaboration Pitch Competition
Join the pitch competition to win one of three $10,000 awards from UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant for collaborative projects addressing coastal Georgia’s sustainability, resilience, and blue economy challenges. Eligible non-profits, educational institutions, and government agencies are invited to submit an abstract and pitch their innovative solutions live on the final day of the State of the Georgia Coast conference.
Competition: September 23, 2026
FY2027 Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership Funding Cycle
The Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (ACFHP) is requesting project applications to restore and conserve habitat necessary to support coastal, estuarine-dependent, and diadromous fish species along the U.S. Atlantic Coast. Federal funding available through the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP) program will be used to support the top ranked proposals.
We anticipate funding to support 2-3 projects ranging from $35,000 – $100,000.
Deadline: September 25, 2026
North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) U.S. Standard Grants | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) U.S. Standard Grants Program provides competitive grants to support public-private partnerships that conserve wetlands and associated upland habitats across the United States. Funding supports projects focused on the long-term protection, restoration, enhancement, and management of wetlands and adjacent uplands that benefit migratory birds and other wetland-dependent wildlife. Eligible projects typically involve collaboration among nonprofit organizations, government agencies, tribes, landowners, and other partners to implement habitat conservation at a meaningful scale. Applicants are required to provide a 1:1 non-federal matching contribution.
Deadline: September 25, 2026
Adventure Forever Grants, Onx USA
This is an opportunity for conservation nonprofits, land trusts, tribal nations, and other outdoor recreation organizations to apply for funding for projects that fall into one or more of the project types described below.
Types of Projects We Support:
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Acquire & Conserve: Land acquisition (fee-simple purchase) with dual goals of securing public access and conserving ecosystems.
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Expand Access Routes: Right-of-way easements and other legal agreements to secure long-term access to public land or water across private land.
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Transformative Trail Solutions: Trail building and restoration projects that employ sustainable design and pursue novel, innovative strategies to goals such as: balancing different user groups and community needs, designing for mixed abilities, working with a mix of land ownership, supporting local economic development, or planning for natural hazard risks such as fires and floods.
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Voluntary Private Land Access: Programs and legal agreements that allow the public to access and recreate on private land in a way that benefits landowners, recreational access, and wildlife habitat.
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Grow the Community of Stewards: Programs that engage the community to instill the ethos of stewardship through education and inspiration.
Tier 1: $50,000-$100,000
Tier 2: $5,000-$20,000
Deadline for the fall application cycle: October 2, 2026 at 11:59 pm MT.
Ferris Olson Family Foundation for Ocean Stewardship
The Ferris Olson Family Foundation for Ocean Stewardship (FOFFOS), a 501(c)(3) charitable giving foundation, awards grants for projects that promote conservation, ecosystem restoration and protection, and advocacy of and community stewardship for ocean and coastal areas as well as marine animal rescue and rehabilitation. Grants are made only to entities recognized as a 501(c)(3) by the IRS.
Deadline: October 12, 2026
Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund | NFWF
The Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund is a partnership between NFWF and the NOAA Marine Debris Program that awards grants to assess, remove and dispose of marine debris caused by severe storms. Grants are awarded based on the targeted debris’ existing or potential impact to coastal communities and resources, and to prevent further harm to sensitive marine habitats and species listed under the Endangered Species Act. Eligible projects will reduce marine debris from coastal habitats and nearshore waters of coastal counties as depicted in the maps below in Guam, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina impacted by the 2023-2024 hurricanes Idalia, Helene, and Milton, and Typhoon Mawar.
Closing October 21, 2026
Applications accepted on a rolling basis:
Grants Relating to Safety At Sea: Supporting projects which complement the safe operation of boats, both sail and power.
Grants Relating to the Environment of the Sea: Supporting projects intended to increase our understanding of the factors affecting the marine environment both natural and man-made and the best ways to minimize adverse impacts associated with small boat operations.
Grants are generally limited to approximately to $10,000 or less.
The Civic Foundation awards grants to small, local nonprofits committed to North Carolinians with the goal of making a deeper impact on community-based charities that meet specific needs of their neighbors. They focus on areas of health care, housing, human services and hunger. Up to $25,000 may be awarded each quarter.
Community Navigator Project | First Nations Development Institute
First Nations is partnering with the Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (Forest Service) to serve as a Community Navigator. In this role, First Nations supports Tribes and Native-led organizations engaging in federal funding opportunities. As a Community Navigator, First Nations is providing:
Technical Assistance: First Nations provides technical assistance to support Tribal-led forestry. Through this support, Tribes may access one-on-one guidance and consultation related to capacity support and Forest Service funding opportunities, including but not limited to the Community Wildlife Defense Grant, Wood Innovations, and Good Neighbor Authority programs.
Capacity Support Grants (up to $50,000) : These grants support capacity building to engage in Forest Service funding opportunities. Tribes can apply for up to $50,000 to support activities such as strategic planning, grant writing, feasibility assessment, conservation planning, and more.
Community Disaster Resilience Fund (Spin Global)
The Community Disaster Resilience Fund exists to mobilize private capital towards public benefit projects that significantly reduce exposure to threats and hazards while increasing economic opportunities, especially for underserved and historically marginalized populations.
Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation
This foundation funds early-stage projects that focus on social impact and environmental problems.
The Foundation seeks to dramatically improve the lives of underserved communities across the globe by supporting scalable, innovative, and impact-first solutions that leverage existing systems and stakeholders. DRK provides up to $300,000 USD in either unrestricted grant funding or investment capital over a three-year period.
The Duke Energy Foundation is focused on strengthening and uplifting communities with grant funding. The foundation accepts grant applications for $20,000 and less throughout the year on a rolling basis for the following focus areas: Vibrant Economies, Climate Resiliency, Opportunity and Inclusion.
Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants, USDA (Rolling Applications)
This program helps eligible communities prepare for, or recover from, an emergency that threatens the availability of safe, reliable drinking water. Rural areas and towns with populations of 10,000 or less, including Tribal lands and colonias in eligible areas may apply. The area must have a median household income less than the state’s median household income for non-metropolitan areas.
Water source grants can be used to construct a water source, intake or treatment facility. The maximum amount for water source grants is $1 million.
Water distribution systems grants can be used to construct waterline extensions, repair breaks or leaks in existing water distribution lines, perform water line maintenance necessary to replenish the water supply, or purchase or maintain water storage tanks.
The maximum amount for the distribution systems grant is $150,000.
The Pulitzer Center is now accepting applications for its initiative focused on climate change and its effects on workers and work. We encourage freelance and staff journalists with ambitious enterprise and strong in-depth reporting ideas to apply for Pulitzer Center support to cover the intersection of labor and climate in their communities.
Glenn W. Bailey Foundation: Grant funding for projects that support educational opportunities for STEM learning (including college/university programs) and “innovative environmental projects.”
Accepts Letters of Intent on a monthly basis.
Harris and Frances Block Foundation Grants
The Block Foundation supports small grassroots not-for-profit organizations with grants that work to foster just and sustainable communities. We focus our grantmaking in the geographical locations of our Board of Trustees: Vermont, North Carolina, Virginia, and New York City. We make grants that are large and small, not exceeding $35,000.
Topics:
Environmental Issues (Environmental Education and Environmental Justice)
Food and farm initiatives
Indigenous Power & Light Fund
The Indigenous Power & Light Fund was created to help Tribal leaders address one of the most critical challenges facing Native communities: reliable, affordable, and sovereign energy. If your Tribe is facing exorbitant energy costs, unreliable power, or critical infrastructure gaps — or needs immediate capital to complete a clean energy project —the fund provides rapid-response grants and loans, with a streamlined process designed to deliver timely support, strengthen Tribal control, and position your Nation for long-term energy sovereignty and resilience.
Justice Fund for Disaster Relief and Renewal, Southern Partners Fund
SPF’s Justice Fund for Disaster Relief and Renewal helps rural communities use redevelopment as an opportunity to convert a disaster into a launchpad for racial and economic equity. COVID-19 and all of the recent natural disasters that have plagued the rural South have presented continued opportunities for this type of renewal, and SPF urges organizations in need of disaster relief that meet the foundation’s general eligibility criteria to apply for a JFDRR grant.
The foundation makes grants to US based qualified charitable organizations that address the following areas of interest:
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Environment (US headquartered organizations operating programs in the US or elsewhere in the world),
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Human Services
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Disaster relief (US headquartered organizations responding to disasters in the US or elsewhere in the world on an occasional basis),
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Other (US headquartered organizations operating programs in the US or elsewhere in the world).
Grants typically range between $5,000 - $10,000. The foundation has two grant cycles: June and December. A completed application must be submitted online, using the Common Grant Application, by midnight (23:59:59) Central Time (CT) on either April 30 or October 31.
Making the Shade Program, Georgia Forestry Commission
The Making the Shade program provides grant funding to create healthier, shaded playground areas on elementary school campuses in Georgia. This funding (up to $10,000) is available to elementary schools, PTAs, neighborhood associations, and community groups. In addition, GFC’s Community Foresters help with species selection, location, planting, and maintenance education.
Nathan Cummings Foundation (NCF) is now welcoming proposals for partnerships via our Letters of Inquiry (LOI) portals year-round. We want to learn from, work with, and support organizations that share our commitment to advancing racial, economic, and environmental justice (REEJ). NCF offers two types of funding opportunities: grants and program-related investments (PRIs). Successful grant and PRI proposals will align with NCF’s interconnected goals of REEJ, with a particular interest in work taking place in the U.S. South. Most of our grants range from about $50,000 – $250,000. We anticipate most PRIs will range from $250,000 to $750,000, typically to be repaid within three to seven years.
Applications for Community Disaster Relief grants are available periodically at the discretion of the NS Community Impact team following severe weather events impacting communities within our network. The application period typically remains open for 3-6 weeks but will vary depending on ongoing recovery efforts and the nature of the disaster. The In-Kind Donation grant program does not have a deadline to apply and is open year-round.
Quick Response Research Award Program
Richard King Mellon Foundation
The Foundation’s Conservation program has four investment areas: habitat conservation; stewardship; activation; and sustainable communities. The Foundation uses innovative financial approaches across all four investment areas, including program-related investments (PRIs) and other mechanisms to maximize the impact of its funding.
Rapid Response to Extreme Weather Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems funding by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Applications must be submitted within 45 days of an extreme weather event and disaster. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a continuous basis.
The Rural Water Loan Fund (RWLF) is a funding program specifically designed to meet the unique needs of small water and wastewater utilities. The RWLF provides low-cost loans for short-term repair costs, small capital projects, or pre-development costs associated with larger projects. The RWLF was established through a grant from the USDA/RUS, and repaid funds used to replenish the fund and make new loans. Disaster recovery or other emergency loans are available. Loan amounts may not exceed $200,000 or 75% of the total project cost, whichever is less.
This grant program is designed to provide critical funding and resources to grantees that are taking practical, community-focused and innovative actions to implement equitable climate solutions in rural America. The Partnership offers general operating and project support grants to bolster the work of rural-led and rural-serving organizations. Funding typically ranges from $20,000 to $100,000 for projects and from $75,000 to $150,000 for general operating support.
Some SC Johnson contributions are the result of grant requests, which also include U.S. requests for product contributions. Others are designed to meet needs identified by the company directly.
SC Johnson priorities are:
A Healthier World: Help society thrive by addressing vector-borne disease, strengthening healthcare systems with increased access, addressing food insecurity and enabling healthier outcomes.
A More Sustainable World: Promote sustainability, with a focus on reducing, reusing and recycling plastic waste and supporting environmental conservation with a focus on healthy oceans and forests and carbon reduction initiatives
A World with More Opportunity: Open doors for those in need by strengthening communities while advancing economic and social mobility through equal access to education and housing.
Spark Good Local Grants, Walmart Foundation
Walmart believes that investing in local communities strengthens our business as well as the communities we serve. Local grants are designed to support local organizations that meet the unique needs of the communities where we operate, build pride among all associates, and deepen relationships with our customers and members. Each year, Walmart U.S. stores, Sam’s Clubs and Distribution Centers award local cash grants ranging from $250 to $5,000.
Cycle 1: Feb. 1 – April 15
Cycle 2: May 1– July 15
Cycle 3: Aug. 1 – Nov. 30
Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program | NC Commerce
Local governments in North Carolina located in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene can apply for grants from the new Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program (SmBIZ), a $55 million dollar fund designed to rebuild the damaged infrastructure that small businesses rely on to operate and thrive.
Timeline: there will be a continuously open grant window, with first awards announced June 30, 2025.
Funding Databases:
Flood Funding Finder from the American Flood Coalition: An interactive website to simplify the complex federal grants system and to help communities identify and prioritize opportunities to fund flood resilience.
Georgia Department Of Natural Resources Division: Grant Opportunities
Stay up to date on current and future grant opportunities available through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Local Infrastructure Hub Funding Pathfinder Tool and Grant Search
Nature-Based Solutions Funding Database
National Wildlife Federation’s interactive database for communities interested in pursuing federal funding and/or technical assistance for nature-based solutions.
Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability (SERPPAS) Funding Opportunities
The EPA’s Water Finance Clearinghouse has two searchable databases: Funds and Resources. The Funds database contains potential funding sources for water infrastructure. The Resources database contains resources such as reports, case studies, and webinars about financing mechanisms and approaches that can help communities access capital to meet their water infrastructure needs. The Clearinghouse also hosts Water Finance learning modules which provide information on different financing sources and funding topics related to water infrastructure investments.
NC Resilience Exchange Funding Database
Grant Writing Assistance and Funding Resources:
Pro Bono Help for Southeast Disaster Recovery Grants, Southern Economic Advancement Project (SEAP)
From SEAP: Disasters disrupt lives, communities, and local budgets. Accessing recovery funds shouldn’t be an added burden. That’s why we’re excited to launch a new initiative offering pro bono grant writing and strategy advice for public and nonprofit sector entities across the Southeast. Whether you’re facing a tight deadline for a FEMA or HUD application or just starting to plan your recovery strategy, we’re here to help.
Western NC Recovery Grants Program | NC DEQ
DEQ established the Western NC Recovery Grants Program to direct federal and state funding into rural communities impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Helene.
We provide direct, free-of-charge grant writing support to rural towns, counties and regions to increase federal and state funding for projects within Western North Carolina, offering a comprehensive approach to long-term financial planning through grant strategies that leverage state funds.
If you're interested in partnering with us on a grant proposal, please reach out to Ashley Traynum-Carson, Grants Director, at ashley.carson@deq.nc.gov.
SEAP Language Reframing Guide: This guide offers tips on adjusting proposals under the new rules. If your organization is considering applying for federal dollars to keep serving your community, we encourage you to take a look.
Climate Philanthropy Catalyst Coalition Resource Library
Funding and Financing Coastal Resilience (NOAA Office for Coastal Management)
Funding for Climate Justice: This site was created to help the climate justice movement in the U.S. better understand federal funding opportunities and relevant movement resources. This website also serves as a hub for information on legal, technical, financial, and other resources to protect climate funding from clawbacks and communities from harm. Among the publicly available resources we have collected and summarized, you will find comprehensive overviews of what funding is at risk, trackers on federal orders and actions as well as trackers for movement litigation initiatives, hubs for locating retracted federal data, and recommendations for how to protect your organization and your funding legally.
Grant Proposal Development Resources (NOAA Office for Coastal Management )
Hometown Strong Rural Grants Program
The Hometown Strong Rural Grants team focuses on getting federal dollars into rural communities and providing the capacity, training, and finance planning support these communities need in order to be successful in federal funding. We provide direct, free-of-charge grantwriting support to rural towns, counties, and regions to increase federal funding for projects within North Carolina, offering a comprehensive approach to long-term financial planning through grant strategies that leverage federal, state, and private funds.
Student Opportunities (Scholarships, Fellowships, Awards)
North Carolina Team Competition for Resilience Research, Sea Grant North Carolina
This funding opportunity, supported by North Carolina Sea Grant, provides awards to teams of North Carolina-based graduate and undergraduate students led by a PhD student. Winning teams will conduct hypothesis-based research projects that contribute to more resilient habitats and communities across North Carolina. Proposals must address at least one core aspect of resilience in North Carolina: Ecosystem Resilience, Community Resilience, or Economic Resilience.
Proposals Due: September 28, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET