Frontline communities have been historically underfunded and underserved, especially when it comes to advancing environmental and climate justice. Outside of our own grant cycles, FRI collects and shares a range of external grant and federal funding opportunities with our extensive network of frontline communities. FRI’s grant resource list will be updated frequently, so please check back often for up-to-date information.
Grants
External Grant Opportunities
Open Funding Opportunities
| DEADLINE | Grant Title | Organization | Brief Description | Eligibility | Amount (USD) | Location(s) of focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Oct-24 | Community Level Interventions to Improve Minority Health and Reduce Health Disparities | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services | Funds research to develop and test community-level interventions to improve minority health and reduce health disparities, with a focus on Community-Based Participatory Research led by or conducted in partnership with appropriate community partners. | Nonprofit organizations; Faith-based or Community-Based Organizations; Higher Education Institutions; For-profit organizations; Local, State, and Territorial governments; see NOFO for full list. | Up to $1 million | United States |
| 7-Oct-24 | WaterSMART Drought Response Program: Drought Resiliency Projects for FY2025 | U.S. Department of the Interior | Funds projects that to develop and update comprehensive drought plans and implement projects that will build long-term resilience to drought. Nonprofit conservation organizations must partner with either 1) states, 2) Tribes, 3) irrigation districts, 4) water districts, and/or others with water or power delivery authority to apply. | Category A: States, Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and/or others with water or power delivery authority; Category B: Nonprofit conservation organizations partnering with Category A applicant entities. | $750,000-$3,000,000 | Western United States and Territories: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. |
| 11-Oct-24 | Trees In Your Community Grant | GreenLatinos | Funds community-based organizations to implement urban forestry projects focused on tree planting, maintenance, community engagement, and/or forestry workforce development in disadvantaged communities. | Community-based non-profit organizations (CBO); OR Partnerships between multiple community-based non-profit organizations (CBOs); OR Partnerships between a CBO and the following: a Federally Recognized Tribe, OR a local government, OR an institution of higher education | $200,000-$1,500,000 | United States: Arizona, California, New Mexico, Illinois, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands. |
| 23-Oct-24 | Rooting Resilience Program | River Network | Funds the planning and implementation of small-scale, CBO-led forestry projects that support equitable climate resilience in disadvantaged communities. | Community-based nonprofit organizations that have 501(c)3 status or a fiscal sponsor | $75,000 - $200,000 | United States |
| 25-Oct-24 | Tree Equity Catalyst Fund | American Forests | Funds community-based organization-led urban forestry projects focused on protecting and expanding tree canopy to maximize social and physical benefits for disadvantaged communities. | Frontline environmental justice organizations and faith-based organizations. Organizations must be fiscally sponsored OR have 501(c)3 status. | $100,000 - $1,500,000 | United States |
| 31-Oct-24 | Lawrence Foundation Grants | The Lawrence Foundation | Provides unrestricted funding for U.S.-based organizations working in the following areas: environment, human services, disaster relief, and other related programs. | 501(c)3 non-profit organizations. | Up to $10,000 | United States |
| 4-Nov-24 | Critical Response Fund | Crossroads Fund | Funds Chicago-based organizations with rapid-response funding to protect, empower, and support communities in urgent, time-sensitive, and unanticipated projects and crises. | Chicago-based organizations with budgets under $500,000 | $5,000 – $10,000 | U.S. - Chicago, IL |
| 4-Nov-24 | FY2025 IRA NOAA Fisheries Citizen Science Funding Opportunity | U.S. NOAA - Fisheries Headquarters Program Office | Funds citizen science projects that inform fishery stock assessments, support climate-ready fisheries management, and increase understanding of current and future impacts of climate change on fishing communities. | Nonprofits; for-profit organizations; institutions of higher education; individuals; foreign organizations; state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments. | $75,000 to $200,000 | United States |
| 8-Nov-24 | Forested Community Schoolyards Pass-Through Program | Trust for Public Land | Funds Tribal and Indigenous community-led projects focused on reimagining how school grounds are designed, maintained, and stewarded for student learning, climate resilience, and community use. | Indigenous-led nonprofit organizations, federally recognized tribes, state-recognized tribes, tribally controlled schools, BIE-operated schools, a department or agency within a Tribal Nation. | $250,000 - $500,000 | United States |
| 13-Nov-24 | WaterSMART Grants: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants for FY2025 | U.S. Department of the Interior | Funds projects that result in quantifiable and sustained water savings, implement renewable energy components, and support broader sustainability benefits. Nonprofit conservation organizations must partner with either 1) states, 2) Tribes, 3) irrigation districts, 4) water districts, and/or others with water or power delivery authority to apply. | Category A: States, Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and/or others with water or power delivery authority; Category B: Nonprofit conservation organizations partnering with Category A applicant entities. | $500,000-$5,000,000 | Western United States and Territories: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. |
| 14-Nov-24 | FY25 Brownfield Cleanup Grants | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Funds cleanup activities at one or more brownfield sites owned by applicant entities. | 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations; Federally recognized Tribes; Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Alaska Native Village Corporations; Local, state, and county governments and government entities; see RFA for full list. | $500,000 - $4,000,000 | United States |
| 15-Nov-24 | Landscape Scale Restoration Grant Program 2025 - Northeast and Midwest | U.S. Department of Agriculture - Forest Service | Funds high-impact projects promoting on-the-ground collaborative, science-based restoration of rural forest landscapes in Northeastern and Midwestern U.S States, especially projects that socially, ecologically, or economically benefit and/or engage underserved communities. Note: project narrative must be submitted to State Forester by September 27 for sponsorship consideration. | 501(c)3 non-profit organizations; Federally recognized Indigenous Tribes; Alaska Native Corporations; State and territorial forestry agencies; Units of local government | $25,000 to $600,000 | U.S. Regional - Northeast and Midwest States |
| 15-Nov-24 | Landscape Scale Restoration Grant Program 2025 - West | U.S. Department of Agriculture - Forest Service | Funds high-impact projects promoting on-the-ground collaborative, science-based forest landscape restoration in Western U.S States, prioritizing projects that socially, ecologically, or economically benefit and/or engage underserved communities. | 501(c)3 non-profit organizations; Federally recognized Indigenous Tribes; Alaska Native Corporations; State and territorial forestry agencies; Units of local government | Up to $300,000 | U.S. States - Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Territory of American Samoa, Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Territory of Guam, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. |
| 21-Nov-24 | Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program | U.S. EPA | Funds partnerships led by community-based organizations to design and implement community-driven projects focused on pollution reduction/prevention, climate resilience, procedural justice, workforce dvelopment, and overall equitable investment. | Partnerships between community-based organizations (CBOs), or between a CBO and a Federally-Recognized Tribe, local government, or institution of higher education. | Up to $20 million, depending on track | United States |
| 16-Dec-24 | Landscape Scale Restoration Grant Program for Tribes | U.S. Department of Agriculture - Forest Service | Funds high-impact projects led by Federally Recognized Tribes promoting on-the-ground collaborative, science-based restoration of rural forest landscapes, especially projects that socially, ecologically, or economically benefit and/or engage underserved communities. | Federally-recognized Tribal Governments, Alaska Native Corporations/Villages, Tribal Organizations | Up to $300,000 | United States |
| 9-Jan-25 | Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions | National Endowment for the Humanities | Funds the preservation of humanities collections at small and mid-sized organizations; organizations or collections representing the contributions of under-represented communities are highly encouraged. | 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations; institutions of higher education; state and local governments and their agencies; federally recognized Tribes | $10,000 | United States |
| 14-Jan-25 | WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects | U.S. Department of the Interior | Funds small-scale, on-the-ground water management projects that conserve, better manage, or otherwise increase efficient use of water supplies. Nonprofit conservation organizations must partner with either 1) states, 2) Tribes, 3) irrigation districts, 4) water districts, and/or others with water or power delivery authority to apply as Category B applicants. | Category A: States, Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and/or others with water or power delivery authority; Category B: Nonprofit conservation organizations partnering with Category A applicant entities. | $125,000 | Western United States and Territories: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. |
| 31-May-25 | For Tribes: Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program | U.S. Department of Energy | Provides funding for eligible Tribes to meet energy efficiency goals, including: upgrading buildings, installing renewable energy equipment, and/or creating climate and clean energy plans. | Eligible Tribes (see list), including Alaska Native Regional and Village corporations. | Varied; specific allocations per eligible Tribe | United States |
| Rolling | De Colores Rapid Response Fund | Peace Development Fund | Provides rapid-response funds for grassroots organizing in communities of color, poor, and working-class. | 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, non-501(c) organizations, groups, and coalitions. | $500-$1000 | United States |
| Rolling | Evidence for Action: Innovative Research to Advance Racial Equity | Robert Wood Johnson Foundation | Funds research that evaluates specific upstream interventions with potential to combat structural and systemic racism to improve community health and well-being. | Priority for 501(c)3 nonprofits, institutes of higher education, and public entities. Other types of nonprofits can apply with additional documentation. | Varied | United States |
| Rolling | Communities First Fund Rapid Response Fund | Communities First Fund | Provides rapid-response funding to frontline and grassroots organizations to help them respond to infrastructure crises, federal rulemaking and funding notices, and other time sensitive issues. | 501(c)3 organizations and fiscally-sponsored projects. | $10,000 to $100,000 | United States, with focus on U.S. South and Midwest. |
| Rolling | National Grassroots Organizing Grant Program | Ben & Jerry's Foundation | Funds grassroots organizing strategies and activities for organizations with annual operating budgets under $350,000. | 501c3 non-profits and fiscally-sponsored projects | Two-year grants of up to $30,000 per year | United States |
| Rolling | Security and Well-Being Grants | Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights Asia & Pacific | Supports women and non-binary activists and organizations responding to urgent crises; funds are used to ensure safety from both physical and emotional harm. | Women/Non-binary led, human rights focus, and specifically for addressing urgent crises or threats. | Up to $5,000 | Asia and the Pacific |
| Rolling | Resourcing Resilience | Urgent Action Fund for Women's Rights Asia and Pacific | Funds women and non-binary human rights defenders who are seeking to implement an initiative that would support their activism. | Women or Non-binary Led | Up to $5,000 | Asia and the Pacific |
| Rolling | Environmental and Climate Justice Grants | Urgent Action Fund - Africa | Funds environmental women human rights defenders and woman-led grassroots environmental organizations to confront systemic environmental injustices in Africa. | Woman/trans-led organizations resopnding to urgent situations. | Up to $15,000 | Rainforest Zones Across Africa: Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville), Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Liberia, Ethiopia, Zambia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Angola, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Togo |
| Rolling | Opportunity Grants | Fondo de Acción Urgente -América Latina | Funds strategic actions to defend women's and LBTIQ+ rights, falling under a broad a range of topics from women's rights to gender, racial, or environmental justice. | Woman/trans-led organizations resopnding to urgent situations. | Up to $5,000 | Latin America and the Caribbean |
| Rolling | Protection and Security Grants | Fondo de Acción Urgente -América Latina | Funds actions focused on protection of women and trans activists (and their organizations) when at-risk due to their work defending human rights and/or land. | Woman/trans-led organizations resopnding to urgent situations. | Up to $5,000 | Latin America and the Caribbean |
| Rolling | Security Grants | Urgent Action Fund | Supports the safety and security of women/trans/non-binary activists in unanticipated, time-urgent situations. | Funds must support women/trans/nonbinary activists in response to unanticipated situations. | Up to $8,000 | Middle East, Europe, the Balkans, the Caucasus, Turkey, Central Asia, Russia, Canada and the United States |
| Rolling | Charity Pot Grant | LUSH | Supports small, grassroots organizations in North America and around the world that are working on the root cause of issues and creating long-term sustainable change. Funds organizations working in areas of animal protection, environmental justice, and human rights | Registered or unregistered organizations/charities, non-profits, or Indigenous and community groups with an annual revenue of $500,000 or less | Up to $25,000 | Worldwide |
| Rolling | EJII Capacity Building Grants | Wisconsin Environmenal Justice Infrastructure Initiative | Supports Wisconsin communities raising community awareness on environmental justice issues | Wisconsin grassroots organizations (501(c)(3) not required) | $200,000 | Wisconsin |
| Rolling | Federal Access Center Grants | Just Transition Fund | Provides financial and technical assistance to communities impacted by the coal economy to access government funding | 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations and local governments serving coal communities | Up to $100,000 | US |
| Rolling | Seed Grants | New England Grassroots Fund | Funds groups launching new projects or starting to significantly change the direction of an existing project | Groups doing local, grassroots work in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont (tax status and fiscal sponsor not required) | $500 - $1,000 | New England |
| Rolling | Grassroots Grants | Story of Stuff | Funds projects on water privatization, plastic pollution, and other environmental justice focus areas. | Groups must be led by and serving black, indigenous, and communities of color | Up to $5,000 | U.S. only |
| Rolling | The Catalyst Fund | Roddenberry Foundation | Supports groups anywhere in the world with early-stage idea or project that addresses pressing global challenges | Must be 18 years of age or older and submit an application in English | $2,500 - $15,000 | Worldwide |
| Rolling | Cornell Douglas Foundation Grants | Cornell Douglas Foundation | Funds proposal in the following areas of focus: environmental health and justice, land conservation, mountaintop removal mining, sustainability of resources, watershed protection | $15,000 - $50,000 | NA | |
| Rolling | EDLC Grants | Environmental Defender Law Center (EDLC) | Covers expenses of public interest litigation against those responsible for resource development projects that harm the human rights, health, and environment of communities in developing countries | NA | Worldwide | |
| Rolling | Norman Foundation Grants | The Norman Foundation | Promotes economic justice and development through community organizing, coalition building and policy reform efforts; work to prevent the disposal of toxics in communities, and to link environmental issues with economic and social justice; link community-based economic and environmental justice organizing to national and international reform efforts | Priority given to organizations with annual budgets of under $1 million | ~$30,000 | US |
| Rolling | Petchem Frontline Fund | Center for International Environmental Law | Supports groups and organizations fighting the petrochemical buildout and infrastructure in the United States | NA | US | |
| Rolling | Technical Assistance Grant Program | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Helps communities participate in Superfund cleanup decision-making by providing funding to community groups to contract their own technical advisor to interpret and explain technical reports, site conditions, and EPA’s proposed cleanup proposals and decisions | Group may apply if members’ health, economic well-being, or enjoyment of the environment is, or may be, hurt by a Superfund site. Group must must incorporate for the purpose of participating in decision-making at the site. Nonprofit and tax-exempt status not required. | Up to $50,000 | US |