FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

UPCOMING:

Stipend Opportunity for Educators: Keep California Beautiful is offering a $150 stipend for up to 700 educators that incorporate a litter reduction activity into their education plans e.g., litter-related lesson, cleanup, or data collection. The Educator Incentive is available to formal and informal educators, including classroom teachers, youth leaders, scout troop leaders, after-school programs, clubs, or other organizations. A report is required separately from the mini-grant. Click here more information and to complete the incentive application. 

National Park Service Challenge Cost Share Award (Deadline: January 10, 2025)

The Challenge Cost Share Program is a funding opportunity intended to build collaborations between the National Park Service and community project partners. For FY25, the program will provide a total of $361,000 in funding, which we anticipate will support approximately 20 projects. Each project funded must have a 1-to-1 match contribution from a non-federal source that can be financial and/or in-kind support.  The Challenge Cost Share MUST be applied for by a National Park Service representative from an NPS-administered area along with a non-profit partner. If approved, the non-profit partner identified in the proposal will receive the funding for the project, will sign the award agreement, and be responsible for reporting. Click here to learn more. 

After School Education and Safety Grant (Deadline: January 15, 2025)

The purpose of the After School Education and Safety Program is to create incentives for establishing locally-driven Expanded Learning programs, including after school programs that partner with public schools and communities to provide academic and literacy support, and safe, constructive alternatives for youth. Learn more here. 

Kids to Parks Day School Grants Program (Deadline: February 7, 2025)

Applications are now being accepted from Title I schools for the 2025 Kids to Parks Day School Grants Program! Please note - nonprofit organizations are not eligible to apply for this grant, but may help schools with their application process. In honor of the 15th annual Kids to Parks Day, celebrated on May 17, 2025 – National Park Trust is pleased to offer our Kids to Parks Day School Grants Program. For 2025, the KTP School Grant will fund up to $1,000 per classroom for an in-park field trip. This program is designed to be student-driven, and student-teacher collaboration is necessary. All applications must include a stewardship element and a park-themed educational component that focuses on either outdoor recreation and healthy lifestyles, environmental education/science, or history. Click here to learn more. 

Rooting Justice Grants (Priority deadlines: March 1 and August 15, 2025)

Justice Outside is excited to announce Rooting Justice, a new grant opportunity offering $50,000-$100,000 in funding for two-year urban forestry projects. This program, supported by the USDA Forest Service, aims to advance racial justice and equity in environmental initiatives. Priority is given to organizations that: Work in disadvantaged communities (must be verified via EPA's Environmental Justice Screening Tool); have annual budgets under $1 million; haven't previously received IRA funding; are led by/serve Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Click here to learn more. 

Other grants to track that are available statewide:

• Adventure Pass Grant, Parks California and California State Parks
• Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Grant, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• California Grant Portal - subscribe to receive notifications
• California Marine Protected Areas Outreach and Education Small Grants Program, Coastal Quest/Ocean Protection Council
• CAL FIRE IRA Grants, CAL FIRE's Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program
• Career Pathways, Parks California
• Environmental Education Grant, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Environmental Justice Small Grant, California Environmental Protection Agency
• Explore the Coast Grant, State Coastal Conservancy
• Liberated Paths, Justice Outside
• Outdoor Equity Grant, California State Parks
• Routes to Parks, Parks California
• Youth Access to Nature Fund, Justice Outside
• Youth Community Access Grant, California Natural Resources Agency
• Whale Tail Grant, California Coastal Commission

Please contact info@aeoe.org if you are aware of additional funding opportunities to share with our community.