The Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program assists with community-led natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation initiatives. RTCA staff provide guidance to communities so they can conserve waterways, preserve open space, and develop trails and greenways. Apply by August 1, 2012.

The American Honda Foundation awards grants of up to $75,000 to youth education programs focused on STEM and the environment. Apply by August 1, 2012.

The Expanding Capacity in Environmental Education (EECapacity) Project is announcing a call for applications for its second year of state consortia grants. Up to five new states can receive funding to develop capacity building and networking for environmental education and related practitioners. Applications due August 12, 2012.

These grants support nonprofit organizations, public schools and public service agencies that use volunteers to improve the physical health of their communities. Funds may be used for planting trees or community gardens, landscaping community facilities, or developing community parks or green spaces. Apply by August 13, 2012.

Patagonia seeks proposals from organizations working on the root causes of environmental problems and approaching issues with a commitment to long-term change. Most grants are in the range of $3,000 to $8,000. Applications are accepted year-round at Patagonia retail stores; otherwise, applications are due August 31, 2012.

The Gopher Turtle Council’s environmental education grant supports educators and organizations committed to developing educational projects about the gopher tortoise and the world in which it lives. Apply by August 31, 2012.

The Ocean Project works with zoos, aquariums and museums around the world to advance ocean conservation. Grants are available to members of the Project’s network to develop a demonstration project that best integrates and tests the Project’s research findings and to enhance meaningful participation in conservation action by youth and/or minorities. Apply by September 1, 2012.

Educators who are fluent in Spanish and have at least three years teaching experience are invited to apply for a two-week summer educational seminar in Uruguay focused on sharing best practices and professional development. Apply by September 15, 2012.

The Melinda Gray Ardia Environmental Foundation invites K-12 teachers to apply for grants up to $1,500 to develop or implement environmental curricula that integrate hands-on ecology exercises into the classroom. One-page pre-proposals are due September 23, 2012.

If you are a college student with an idea for a project to benefit your community, you could win up to $1,000 for your venture from mtvU. Applicants must be at least 16 and be a part- or full-time student at an mtvU school to be eligible for a grant. Apply by September 30, 2012.

Sponsored by North Carolina’s Touchstone Energy® cooperatives, Bright Ideas education grants provide funding for hands-on classroom projects that fall outside normal funding parameters. Each year, about $600,000 is given out to teachers across the state by our state’s electric cooperatives.

The Kids in Need Foundation provides grants toward the purchase of supplies for students to participate in special classroom learning experiences. Approximately 200 to 300 grants ranging from $100 to $500 are awarded each year. Apply by September 30, 2012.

Project Learning Tree (PLT) GreenWorks! Grants in amounts up to $1,000 are available. Applicants must have attended a PLT workshop. Apply by September 30, 2012.

The Green Education Foundation is calling on schools and youth groups nationwide to plant 10,000 classroom and outdoor gardens. All participants have the opportunity to be awarded $5,000 in recognition of their garden project. Enter by September 30, 2012.

Through its Field Trip Grants program, Target will award U.S. educators grants of up to $700 each to fund a field trip for their students. Apply by September 30, 2012.

The Herb Society of America is accepting applications for its Donald Samull Classroom Herb Garden Grant. Public and private school teachers of grades 3-6 with a minimum class size of 15 are eligible to apply. Apply by October 1, 2012.

The Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Grant program awards grants ranging from $100 to $500 to schools, nature centers and other non-profit educational organizations to establish outdoor learning centers. Grant funds may only be used to purchase native plants and seeds. Apply by October 15, 2012.

Subaru Healthy Sprouts recognizes and supports youth gardening programs focused on the teaching of environment, nutrition and hunger issues in the U.S. To be eligible, your school or organization must plan to garden with at least 15 children between the ages of 3 and 18. Apply by October 31, 2012.

The Southeast Environmental Education Alliance (SEEA) is partnering with the professional environmental education associations across the southeast to provide small grants in support of programs and projects that support and advance environmental education (EE) and environmental literacy in the region. Proposals must be submitted by 11:59 Eastern Standard Time (EST) on November 1, 2012.

This grant is awarded to schools that exhibit creativity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education of middle and high school students. Five schools (middle and high) will be awarded $1,000 each for creative projects dealing with STEM. Apply by November 16, 2012.

The National Gardening Association will award 100 grants valued at either $500 or $1,000 to schools and community organizations with child-centered gardening programs. Apply by December 3, 2012.

In partnership with Mantis, the National Gardening Association will select 25 gardens to receive a Mantis tiller/cultivator. Apply by March 7, 2013.

The Bank of America offers grants that support high-impact initiatives, organizations and the development of visionary leaders. Schools with farm-to-school programs may be eligible under the areas: (1) assisting with food access and/or (2) developing career leadership and skills. Requests for proposals are issued three times per year.

The LEGO Children’s Fund provides grants primarily in two focus areas: early childhood education and development that is directly related to creativity and technology and communication projects that advance learning opportunities. Typical awards are between $500 and $5,000. Applications accepted four times a year.

The Bush Fellowship is an opportunity for individuals to increase their capacity for and improve their practice of leadership, while working with others to solve tough problems in their communities. Applications accepted three times per year.

Westinghouse provides grants to nonprofit programs that support science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, environmental sustainability, and community vitality. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for programs located not more than 100 miles from a Westinghouse site. Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed four times per year.

Costco Wholesale grants support programs focusing on children, education and health and human services. They look to achieve the greatest impact where Costco’s employees and members live and work. Only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, which meet their giving guidelines and focus areas, are considered. Applications are accepted throughout the year on a rolling basis.

The current rate of funding for science proposals in the U.S. is about 20%. The #SciFund Challenge is an experiment – can scientists use crowdfunding to fund their research? It is also a way to get scientists to directly engage with the public. Crowdfunding forces scientists to build public interaction and outreach into their research from day one.

Campus Progress works with youth-led community and campus groups on various issues, including the environment. Young people can join an Action Alliance with Campus Progress by applying for an organizing grant of up to $1,500 a year to help with websites, fliers or anything else they might need. Organizing grant applications are accepted year round.

FundingFactory is a free program where schools, non-profits, and charities earn points that can be redeemed for cash or products by recycling their empty printer cartridges, cell phones, and other small electronics.

The Norcross Wildlife Foundation provides support to local grassroots organizations throughout the United States that work to protect wild land. Grants are available for public education and outreach materials. Grant applications are accepted throughout the year.

The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation (FTPF) and Dreyer’s Fruit Bars are planting orchards across the country in a collaborative program called “Communities Take Root,” and your town could be next! They invite your community to apply for this exciting opportunity to grow fresh fruit, beautify neighborhoods, strengthen relationships and build community food security—all through the simple act of planting fruit trees.

“Fruit Tree 101” is a program that creates outdoor edible orchard classrooms at public schools of all levels, across the country, to provide generations of students with environmental education opportunities and a source of organic fruit for improved school lunch nutrition.

The EarthEcho Water Planet Challenge Grants of $2,000 are available to middle and high school public educators to support service-learning programs that improve the health of the planet. Applications are accepted three times per year: February 1, June 1 and October 15.

The Simply Organic 1% fund supports and promotes the growth of organic and sustainable agriculture. One percent of sales on all Simply Organic spices, seasonings, flavors and mixes goes to support organic agriculture — through research, education and grower development.

The Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation supports grassroots organizations and movements in the U.S. working to change environmental, social, economic and political conditions to bring about a more just, equitable and sustainable world. Applications are accepted throughout the year.

If your school has a Do Something Club that is working on social action projects in your community, you’re eligible to apply for a $250 Do Something Clubs Grant. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on the last day of every month.

Awesome Food, a chapter of the worldwide Awesome Foundation, is accepting grant applications to further food awesomeness in the universe. Applications are reviewed as they are received. One grant is awarded each month.

Need some funding for your crazy brilliant idea? The Awesome Foundation awards $1,000 grants every month. It couldn’t be simpler. Deadlines are rolling.

Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools is a grassroots public health effort to engage stakeholders at the local, state and national level to support salad bars in schools. The program’s goal is to fund and award 6,000 salad bars over the next three years. Any K-12 school district participating in the National School Lunch Program is eligible. Applications accepted throughout the year.

The International Paper Foundation supports non-profit organizations in communities where its employees live and work. Environmental education is one of the primary areas the Foundation supports. An online application process routes applications to the appropriate local facility for consideration. Contact the local facility for submission deadlines.

Public school teachers who register their classroom at the Adopt-a-Classroom website can be adopted by an individual, business or foundation. Once adopted, teachers will receive credit to purchase items that enrich the learning environment, including classroom technology.

Get “seed” money for your school! Two different fundraising programs for schools from Renee’s Garden and the Seed Savers Exchange.

Mitsubishi Corporation Foundation for the Americas supports projects in biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, environmental justice and environmental education. While proposals are accepted all year, ideal timing is during the first quarter of the calendar year.

Your school will receive credit for any type of ink or toner cartridges that are not visibly damaged. You may also receive credit for qualifying small electronics, such as cell phones and MP3 players.

The Cedar Tree Foundation makes grants in the following areas of concern: environmental education, environmental health and sustainable agriculture. Particular consideration is given to proposals demonstrating strong elements of environmental justice and/or conservation within the program areas listed above. Letters of inquiry accepted year-round.

The Lawrence Foundation is a private, family foundation focused on making grants to support environmental, education, human services and other causes. Applications are open to any organization that meets the grant guidelines. Grants are awarded every June and December.

Through the Sip to Support a Garden program, schools and community gardens can earn year-round funding for their garden programs. Register your school or public community garden group with Jamba’s swipe card program and every time a supporter of your group uses the card at a participating Jamba Juice, your program gets 10% of the sales.

The RBC Blue Water Project is a 10-year, global commitment to help protect the world’s most precious natural resource: fresh water. The centerpiece of the project is a $50 million grant program that awards watershed protection grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Eligible schools may apply for up to $4,000 to help increase awareness of and access to nutrient-rich foods and physical activity opportunities for students. The grants can be used for a variety of activities, tools, materials, student and staff incentives, staff development, and overall Fuel Up to Play 60 program implementation. Applications accepted four times per year.

Youth Venture inspires and invests in teams of young people to design and launch their own lasting social ventures, enabling them to have a transformative experience of leading positive social change. When the team is ready to launch, Youth Venture offers seed funding up to $1,000, guidance, tools and support, and a supportive network of fellow Youth Venturers.

The Gannett Foundation supports local organizations in communities served by the Gannett Company (In NC, this includes Asheville and Greensboro). Priorities include education and neighborhood improvement, youth development, community problem-solving and environmental conservation. Applications considered twice a year: February 16 and August 17 (some areas may have earlier deadlines).

These grants support health, including food security and improved nutrition; environment, including water security, sustainable agriculture, and adaptive approaches to climate change; and education, including access to education and training for the underserved and women’s empowerment. Requests up to $100,000 are accepted year-round.

Young people age 25 and under who are working to start a community action project or program are eligible to apply for a $500 Do Something Seed Grant. One winner is chosen every week. No deadline.

The Office Depot Foundation awards grants to support activities that serve, teach and inspire children, youth and families, and to support civic organizations and activities that serve community needs. Grants range from $50 to $3,000. Applications are reviewed year-round.

Hi eenorthcarolina.org users! It’s our priviledge to provide this resource for you. Have you applied for, or even better, recieved a grant or contest that you learned about from this page? Please let us know about it. Just send a quick email toMarty.Wiggins@ncdenr.gov and let us know. This will help us better serve you!

The Verizon Foundation awards grants to K-12 schools to increase literacy and educational achievement levels. Proposals are considered from public and private elementary and secondary schools registered with the National Center for Education Statistics. Unsolicited proposals are reviewed on a continuous calendar year basis, from January 1 – October 31.

The ING Foundation awards grants of $2,500 to $100,000 and more to non-profit organizations. The Foundation focuses on financial literacy, children’s education, diversity and environmental sustainability. Grant requests are reviewed quarterly.

The Kinder Morgan Foundation supports nonprofit youth programs focused on education, the arts, and the environment. Grants range from $1,000-$5,000. Application deadlines are the 10th of every other month, beginning in January.

The MeadWestvaco Foundation seeks to provide leadership for advancing research, education and public dialogue on public policy issues of special interest, such as the economy, regulation and environmental stewardship. Proposals for grants are accepted throughout the year. Grants range from $250 to $10,000.

WaysToHelp.org invites teens in the U.S. to apply for grants to fund their community service ideas across any one of 16 issue areas, including the environment. Grant requests are reviewed and responded to on a monthly basis. Grants up to $500 are awarded.

The objective of the National Geographic Conservation Trust is to support conservation activities around the world as they fit within the mission of the National Geographic Society. The trust will fund projects that contribute significantly to the preservation and sustainable use of the Earth’s biological, cultural, and historical resources. While grant amounts vary greatly, most range from $15,000 to $20,000 each. Pre-applications accepted throughout the year, but should be submitted at least eight months prior to anticipated field dates.

Recognizing that healthy, thriving communities depend on involved citizens, organizations, and corporate partners for momentum, Waste Management lends its support and services to programs related to environmental education, the environment and the community. Applications accepted year-round.

Orchards are donated where the harvest will best serve communities for generations, such as community gardens, public schools and parks, low-income neighborhoods, Native American reservations, international hunger relief sites, and animal sanctuaries. Fruit Tree 101 grants for public schools only. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.

The USDA has programs throughout its operations that can assist farmers, help consumers access nutritious foods, and support rural community development. This page lists several programs and grants to assist those involved in local food systems, food and nutrition-related community development and farm to school programs.

The Norcross Wildlife Foundation supports grassroots organizations in the U.S. working to protect wild land. Grants averaging $5,000 are provided primarily for program-related office and field equipment and public education and outreach materials. The Foundation also provides no-interest loans to acquire land prioritized for conservation. Applications may be submitted at any time.

The Wal-mart State Giving Program seeks to support organizations with programs that align with its mission to create opportunities so people can live better. The Foundation has four areas of focus: Education, Workforce Development / Economic Opportunity, Health & Wellness, and Environmental Sustainability. Minimum grants are $25,000. The submission deadlines are April 17 and September 18 each year.

Toyota Motor Sales, USA Inc. and the Toyota USA Foundation support programs in education, environment and safety. Applicant organizations must be tax-exempt. Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Annie’s offers a limited number of small grants to community gardens, school gardens and other educational programs that connect children directly to gardening. Funds can be used to buy gardening tools, seeds or other supplies. Applications accepted throughout the year.

The Annenberg Foundation focuses its grantmaking on education and youth development; arts, culture, and humanities; civic and community; animal services and the environment; and health and human services. Letters of inquiry that address these interests are accepted throughout the year. The Foundation only considers organizations that are tax exempt.

Competitive grants are available to not-for-profit, grassroots organizations in the U.S. that facilitate progressive social change by addressing the underlying conditions of societal and environmental problems. Only proposals from grassroots, constituent-led organizations are considered. Letters of interest may be submitted at any time.

Project AWARE Foundation grants support conservation of marine and freshwater underwater environments, with a focus on coral reefs, shark protection, sustainable fisheries, ecotourism, shoreline cleanups, and aquatic education for children. Grants range up to $10,000. Application deadlines are March 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15.

K-12 teachers who develop or apply science, math and technology may qualify for a grant of up to $200. Grants may be used for demonstration kits, science supplies, math and science software and other materials to help make science, math and technology come alive in the classroom. Grants considered on a quarterly basis: January, March, June and September.

GCA offers several research fellowships and scholarships for undergrads, grads and people already in the field. Topics include: ecological restoration, urban forestry, environmental studies, wetland studies, botany, desert studies and more.

Each business day, 4imprint gives a worthy organization $500 in promotional products to spread the word, recruit volunteers, thank donors, offer comfort to someone in need or in some other way turns one thing into something much more.

The ESMM Community Grants Program provides funding to local communities to implement strategies that advance the goals and objectives of Eat Smart, Move More…NC’s Plan.

Funding is awarded yearly, based on availability of funds. The RFA is generally released in May, with funding distributed to grant recipients in September.

Progress Energy will fund $50,000 in creative energy education projects in the North Carolina communities it serves this school year. Counties served by Progress Energy are eligible.

Young people ages 18-25 are eligible to apply for grants to pursue research, exploration, and conservation-related projects consistent with National Geographic’s existing grant programs, including the Committee for Research and Exploration, the Expeditions Council, and the Conservation Trust. Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Environmental Education Centers may be eligible for a grant from The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). (Federal Agencies and for-profit institutions are not elegible.) The Institute’s mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development.

The Fund for Wild Nature provides “small grants to small groups who get things done.” The fund provides money for campaigns (including development of citizen science endeavors) to save and restore native species, biological diversity and wild ecosystems. Most grants awarded in the past ranged from $1,000-$3,000.

The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation has initiated a small grants program in North Carolina and Virginia as part of its strategic plan to identify and cultivate its constituency, to build value with the supporting public, to create community awareness of the Parkway as an economic and quality of life resource, and to assist the Blue Ridge Parkway with the accomplishment of its goals.

Grants in amounts up to $500 will be awarded upon successful application from private agencies, schools, arts councils, and other not-for-profit organizations whose programs and projects support the mission of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Campus Ecology program is helping transform the nation’s college campuses into living models of an ecologically sustainable society, while training a new generation of environmental leaders. The program awards fellowships to undergraduate and graduate students who desire to help reverse global warming on campus and beyond. The maximum grant request is $3,000.

Digital Wish offers 43 different grants for digital camera hardware and software. To apply, register your classroom at Digital Wish and enter a lesson plan. All teachers who submit a lesson plan will be automatically entered to win a mobile digital camera lab, plus as many as 43 technology grants. Grants are awarded the 28th of every month.

Grants from Toshiba America Foundation fund projects, ideas and materials math and science teachers need to innovate in their classrooms, specifically projects designed by one teacher or a small team of teachers to use in their own school. There are two applications (K-5 and 6-12), each with its own due date.

The Captain Planet Foundation provides grants of up to $2,500 to school and community groups to support hands-on environmental projects. Applications are due three times per year: May 31, September 30 and December 31.

The Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation supports public education, community improvement projects and home safety initiatives in the communities it serves. Primary philanthropic areas are community improvement projects and public education (priority is given to K-12 public schools). Grants generally range from $5,000 to $25,000.

The Pay it Forward Foundation offers minigrants (from $50 to $500) to fund service-oriented projects designed by youth to support their school, neighborhood, or greater community. Deadlines are January 15, April 15 and October 15.