Hello, fellow climate action champions and grant-seekers! Welcome to the first edition of ‘Isabelle’s Top Climate Grants in the USA .’ Every month, our grant guru, Isabelle, curates an exceptional list of US-based climate grants with upcoming deadlines.
At Written Progress, we recognize the importance of securing resources to fuel initiatives that shape our world’s future. With ‘Isabelle’s Top Climate Grants in the USA’. we are committed to helping you access the resources that empower progress and meaningful change. Whether you’re navigating the complexities of sustainable solutions for resilient communities or propelling innovative technological advancements, we’re here to be your compass.
Ready to make a mark in the climate sector? Connect with us to delve into this month’s top climate grants in the USA and learn how we can be instrumental in your funding journey.
Federal funding
Climate Smart Humanities Organizations
Funder: National Endowment for the Humanities
Application deadline: September 14, 2023
Award amount: $300,000 maximum
Overview: This program supports comprehensive assessment and strategic planning efforts by humanities organizations to mitigate physical and operational environmental impacts and adapt to a changing climate. Strategic planning projects might include, but are not limited to, reduction of the institution’s carbon footprint or greenhouse gas emissions, climate-related threats to physical facilities, continuity of operations, staff and visitor safety, financial sustainability, and the role of humanities organizations as community leaders before, during, and after climatic events.
Check it out here.
Neighborhood Access and Equity Program
Funder: U.S. Department of Transportation
Application deadline: September 28, 2023
Award amount: no maximum ($135 million available)
Overview: The program supports planning, capital construction, and regional partnership activities that aim to restore community connectivity through the removal, retrofit, mitigation, or replacement of highways, roadways, or other infrastructure facilities that create barriers to mobility, access, or economic development. The goals of the program include prioritizing disadvantaged communities; aiming to improve access to daily needs such as jobs, education, healthcare, food, and recreation; fostering equitable development and restoration; and reconnecting communities by removing, retrofitting, or mitigating highways or other transportation facilities that create barriers to community connectivity, including to mobility, access, or economic development.
Check it out here.
Powering Affordable Clean Energy Program
Funder: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Application deadline: September 29, 2023
Award amount: between $1,000,000 (minimum) and $100,000,000 (maximum)
Overview: The program helps make clean, affordable, and reliable energy accessible to the people of rural America. Eligible renewable energy projects include those that use wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, or biomass, as well as renewable energy storage projects.
Check it out here.
Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program
Funder: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Award amount: $750,000 maximum
Application deadline: September 30, 2023
Overview: The program provides direct technical and financial assistance to private landowners to restore and conserve fish and wildlife habitat for the benefit of federal trust resources. Priorities include complementing activities on National Wildlife Refuge System lands, improving habitat for species at risk and federally designated species, and supporting five-year strategic plans to identify focal species and focal areas in which to invest limited resources.
Check it out here.
Regional funding
California Resilience Challenge
Funder: Bay Area Council Foundation
Application deadline: September 29, 2023
Award amount: between $100,000 and $200,000
Overview: The initiative supports innovative climate adaptation planning projects that strengthen local resilience to wildfire, drought, flood, and extreme heat events in under-resourced communities in California. Support is provided for planning projects that are targeted at improving local or regional resilience to drought; flooding, including from sea level rise; extreme heat and increasing frequency of hot days; and wildfire. Preference is given to projects that will lead to the implementation of resilient infrastructure.
Check it out here.
National funding
Fund for Wild Nature Grant
Funder: Fund for Wild Nature
Application deadline: October 1st /May 1st (annual recurrence)
Award amount: Averages $5,000
Overview: The fund provides small grants for North American campaigns to save native species and wild ecosystems, with particular emphasis on actions designed to defend threatened wilderness and biological diversity. Examples of funded activities include advocacy, litigation, public policy work, and similar endeavors. Special attention is given to ecological issues not currently receiving sufficient public attention and funding.
Check it out here.
Nasdaq Foundation’s Quarterly Grant Program
Funder: Nasdaq Foundation
Application deadline: November 10, 2023
Award amount: Average $75,000
Overview: The program strives to accelerate progress in diversifying entrepreneurship and empowering a more diverse group of investors. Support is provided in two areas of focus: 1) programs designed to empower diverse investors with the financial knowledge and confidence they need to share in the wealth that markets can create, including programs that enhance financial literacy among women and under-represented communities or improve access to knowledge and tools among these two groups; and 2) programs designed to support women and under-represented minority communities with the resources needed to grow and sustain their businesses, including programs that equip women and diverse founders with mentoring and resources or improve their access to capital.
Check it out here.
Tikkun Olam Grant Program
Funder: Jewish Helping Hands
Application deadline: Initial inquiry forms must be submitted by September 13, 2023; invited full applications will be due December 5, 2023.
Award amount: Up to $10,000
Overview: The goal is to help vulnerable populations in the United States and abroad by supporting programs focused on economic development and social empowerment. For the 2023/2024 grant cycle, the focus is on projects that provide the basic necessities for a decent life, including women’s empowerment, education, food, shelter, clothing, water, health, internet connectivity, and gender equity. Projects in East Africa, Central America, North America, Israel, and impoverished Jewish communities worldwide are supported. All backgrounds and religious affiliations are encouraged.
Check it out here.
Wrapping up
As the climate crisis looms large, securing resources to enact change becomes ever more essential. Whether you’re a budding environmentalist or an organization geared towards sustainability, our curated list of top climate grants in the USA is designed to support your mission. Don’t let these opportunities pass you by – leverage them to foster a greener, brighter future for all. Ready to dive deeper? Contact us for a personalized consultation on your grant-seeking journey.