Current Funding Opportunities
Last Updated: May 3, 2012
Note: The next update will be in June.
We are now compiling information on funding opportunities, workshops, and resources that are applicable to the Sierra, and we are sharing it in case it is helpful to you. We are providing this information solely as a service to Sierra stakeholders; we are not affiliated with nor do we endorse any specific funding sources that may be listed here. If you would like to receive notification when this page has been updated, you may wish to sign up for our Current Funding Opportunities email list.
We update this list regularly and would like to know if you find the information useful. We would especially like to know if you use it to apply for and receive a grant. We encourage you to submit information to mfeliz@sierranevada.ca.gov about your experience with any of these sources and/or about any upcoming funding opportunities that should be included in this list.
New funding opportunities are shown first, then previously-listed opportunities that are still current. Both sets of listings are organized according to application due date. Criteria for listing opportunities are that they address the SNC’s mission and/or at least one program area. Opportunities are removed from the list with the first update after their deadlines have passed.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
New Listings!
- Farmers Market Promotion Program Grants
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering funds for marketing operations such as farmers markets, community-supported agriculture, and roadside stands. The grants aim to increase the availability of local agricultural products in communities and to support the economic health of farms and businesses. Additional consideration will be given to projects in low-income areas. Eligible entities: agricultural cooperatives, producer networks, producer associations, local governments, nonprofit corporations, public benefit corporations, economic development corporations, regional farmers market authorities, and tribal governments. Deadline: May 21, 2012. Grants will range from $5k to $100k. Up to $10m is available for total funding, and up to 150 awards are anticipated. Matching funds are not required. - Native Plant Conservation Initiative
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is offering funding to support multi-stakeholder projects that focus on the conservation of native plants and their communities. Projects must focus on any of the following six areas: conservation, education, restoration, research, sustainability, and data linkages. Projects which include a pollinator conservation component are highly encouraged. Eligible entities: state, local, and federal government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Deadline for pre-proposal: May 25, 2012. Awards typically range from $15k to $65k, and approximately $380k is available in total funding. There is a 1:1 nonfederal cash or in-kind matching funds requirement. - 2012 School Garden Grant
The Western Growers Foundation is offering financial assistance through its School Garden Grant Program. The purpose of the program is to help children understand where their food comes from and the importance of good nutrition through edible gardening. Eligible entities: K-12 California schools. Deadline: May 31, 2012. Grants will range up to $1.5k to be used for supplies needed to grow and harvest a fruit and vegetable garden. No information is provided regarding total available funding, and matching funds do not appear to be required. - USDA Farm to School Grants
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering two types of financial assistance through its Farm to School grant program. The planning grants are intended for K-12 school food authorities who participate in the National School Lunch or Breakfast Program and are in the beginning phases of their farm to school efforts. The implementation grants are geared towards advancing existing farm to school initiatives. Priority consideration will be given to school districts and schools that have a high free and reduced price meal enrollment. Eligible entities: state and local agencies, agricultural producers or groups of agricultural producers, tribal organizations, and nonprofit organizations. Other eligibility requirements apply. Deadline: June 15, 2012. Planning grants are expected to range from $20k to $45k, and implementation grants from $65k to $100k. Up to $3.5m will be available for funding, and there is a 25 percent nonfederal cash or in-kind matching funds requirement. Note: There will be two webinars on May 15 and May 17 for more information. - 2012 Environmental Stewardship Grant Guidelines
New Belgium Brewing Company is offering funding for its Climate Change Prevention and Adaptation program. Grants for this program are focused on mitigating human impacts on the planet and offer funding both for program support and general operating needs. Eligible entities: nonprofit organizations. Deadline: June 30, 2012. Grants range from $500 to $5k; larger grants are offered by invitation only. No information is provided regarding total available funding, and matching funds do not appear to be required. - Community Impact Grants Program
The Home Depot Foundation is offering grants to help improve the physical health of communities. The following activities will be considered: repairs, refurbishments, and modifications to low-income and/or transitional veterans housing, or community facilities (schools, community centers, senior centers, etc.); weatherizing or increasing energy efficiency of low-income and/or transitional veterans' housing, or community facilities; and planting trees or community gardens and/or landscaping community facilities that serve veterans. Grants must support work completed by community volunteers in the U.S. Eligible entities: public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and public schools. Deadline: August 13, 2012. Grants of up to $5k will be made in the form of Home Depot gift cards for the purchase of tools, materials, or services. No information is provided regarding total available funding, and matching funds are not required. - Water in the West
The Kenney Brothers Foundation is providing grants through the Wick Fund, which protects and restores watersheds in the western U.S. Projects must provide a real opportunity to change western water policy on a local, state, or national level; defend environmental laws critical for the protection of all western rivers; focus on a specific strategy for protection of a biologically important western watershed; or research and analyze issues that affect western water. Research topics might include alternatives for managing water demand, mechanisms for transferring water to environmental and recreational use, or commentary on federal and state actions that affect water policy. Preference will be given to projects that will be disseminated to reach advocates for the West’s rivers. Eligible entities: nonprofit organizations. Deadline: ongoing; grants are made in June and December. No information is provided regarding the range of funding or total available funding, and matching funds do not appear to be required.
Previously-Listed Current Opportunities
- Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program
The U.S. Forest Service is offering financial assistance through its Community Forest Program. The purpose of the program is to establish community forests by protecting forest land from conversion to non-forest uses and provide continuing and accessible community benefits. Benefits must be environmental, economic, and/or recreational in nature, and eligible projects must permit public access to the community forest. Eligible lands are private forests that are at least five acres in size, and at least 75 percent forested. Eligible entities: local governments, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations that are consistent with Section 170(h)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and operate in accordance with one or more of the conservation purposes above. Deadline: May 15, 2012. Maximum grant award will be $400k. Approximately $3.15m is available in total funding, and there is a 1:1 nonfederal matching funds requirement. - Preservation and Access Research and Development Grants
The National Endowment for the Humanities is offering funding to support projects that address major challenges in preserving or providing access to humanities collections and resources. These challenges include the need to find better ways to preserve materials of critical importance to the nation’s cultural heritage -- from fragile artifacts and manuscripts to analog recordings and digital assets subject to technological obsolescence -- and to develop advanced modes of searching, discovering, and using such materials. Eligible entities: state and local government agencies, federally-recognized Native American tribal governments, colleges and universities, and nonprofit organizations. Deadline: May 16, 2012. Awards will be up to $350k. No information is provided regarding total available funding. Matching funds are not required; however, they will be viewed favorably. - Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG)
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is offering grants to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG funds projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations. CIG project proposals should focus on nutrient management, energy conservation, soil health, wildlife, and CIG projects assessment. Eligible entities: state and local government agencies, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, public institutions of higher education, small businesses, and individuals. Deadline: May 18, 2012. Grants will range from $25k to $75k, and up to 10 awards are anticipated. Approximately $375k is available in total funding for California, and there is a 1:1 nonfederal matching funds requirement. - Acres for America
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, in partnership with Walmart Stores, is accepting pre-proposals for projects that conserve important habitat for fish, wildlife, and plants through acquisition of an interest in real property. The goal of the Acres for America program is to offset the footprint of Walmart's domestic facilities on at least an acre-by-acre basis through acquisitions. Eligible entities: nonprofit organizations and public agencies. Deadline for pre-proposal: June 1, 2012. No information is provided on the range of individual funding awards; however, approximately $2.5m is available in total funding. There is a 1:1 matching fund requirement. - Foundation for Youth Investment 2012 Impact Fund
The Foundation for Youth Investment is offering Impact Fund grants to connect underserved youth ages 13-18 to the outdoors. These grants may be used for, but are not limited to, dedicated programming or operations, program staff, program development, and capacity building. The Foundation anticipates that these funds will have the potential for improving access to high-quality outdoor experiences, enhancing the cultural relevancy of the programming offered by the grant-seeking organization, or creating an innovative approach to reaching this population. Eligible entities: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, public agencies, school districts, federally-recognized tribal entities, or fiscally-sponsored projects of a tax-exempt organization. Organizations must have an annual operating budget greater than $250k, and serve youth in Northern or Central California. Deadline: June 7, 2012. Grants will range up to $50k. No information is provided regarding total available funding, and matching funds do not appear to be required. - Foundation for Youth Investment 2012 Catalyst Fund
The Foundation for Youth Investment is offering funding to connect underserved youth ages 13-18 to the outdoors. Organizations must identify a significant need related to access to outdoor experiences, describe why that need is a priority for the community, develop a clear plan for translating that need into action, and demonstrate an ability to account for the expenditure of funds. Eligible entities: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, public agencies, school districts, federally-recognized tribal entities, or fiscally-sponsored projects of a tax-exempt organization. Organizations must have an annual operating budget less than $250k, and serve youth in Northern or Central California. Deadline: June 21, 2012. Awards will be up to $15k. No information is provided regarding total available funding, and matching funds do not appear to be required. - Farm and Ranch Solid Waste Cleanup and Abatement
The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery is providing funding for its Farm and Ranch Solid Waste Cleanup and Abatement Grant Program, which supports the cleanup of illegal solid waste sites on farm or ranch property. A site may be eligible for funding if zoned for agricultural use, unauthorized solid waste disposal has occurred, and the site is in need of cleanup in order to abate a nuisance or public health and safety threat and/or a threat to the environment. Sites are not eligible for funding if located on a property where the owner or local agency is responsible for the illegal disposal of solid waste. Eligible entities: local government agencies, resource conservation districts, and Native American tribes. Private property owners that desire grant funding to clean up their property will need to coordinate with an eligible applicant for funding. Deadline: July 1, 2012. Maximum grant size for individual projects is $50k; there is a limit of $200k per year for each eligible applicant. Up to $1m is available in total funding. Matching funds are not required. - Tony Hawk Foundation Skatepark Grants
The Tony Hawk Foundation is offering assistance to encourage and facilitate the design, development, construction, and operation of new, quality skateboard parks and facilities that are located in low-income communities. The foundation primarily considers skatepark projects that will be designed and built from concrete by qualified and experienced skatepark contractors. Eligible entities: nonprofit organizations, state and local agencies, and public schools. Deadline: July 2, 2012. Minimum grant award is $1k and maximum grant award is $25k. Matching funds requirements are not listed, and no information is provided regarding total available funding. - Matching Awards Program (MAP)
The National Forest Foundation is currently soliciting proposals for its MAP, a grant program that provides matching funds for direct on-the-ground and citizen-based monitoring projects benefitting America’s National Forests and Grasslands. MAP funds can be used to support conservation and restoration projects benefiting wildlife habitat, recreation, watershed health, and community-based forestry. Eligible entities: non-federal partners, community-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, and Native American tribes working on or adjacent to National Forests and Grasslands throughout the United States. Deadline: July 2, 2012. Past awards have ranged from $500 to over $100k, with a mean of $30k. No information is provided on total available funding. MAP awards require at least a 1:1 cash match of non-federal funds. - FM Global Fire Prevention Grant Program
The FM Global organization is offering financial support to organizations working to combat fire. Funding will support pre-fire planning for commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities; fire and arson prevention and investigation; and fire prevention education and training programs. Eligible entities: nonprofit organizations; fire departments; and local, state, and federal community organizations. Deadline: ongoing, however applications are reviewed quarterly. No information is provided on total available funding, and there is no minimum or maximum award amount. Matching funds are not required, but they are encouraged. - ShadeFund
Established by The Conservation Fund with a lead grant from the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, ShadeFund pools contributions from individuals, companies, and foundations across the U.S. to fund green entrepreneurs so they can grow their businesses and create jobs. The loans can be used for working capital, as well as for acquisition of materials, supplies, equipment, and certification. As entrepreneurs repay their loans, these funds are recycled to provide new loans to green entrepreneurs. Eligible entities: green entrepreneurs who work with sustainable forestry and forest products, small farms, eco-tourism, natural food and medicines, and small-scale renewable energy production. Deadline: ongoing. The loans range from $5k to $50k, and matching funds requirements are not listed. No information is provided regarding total available funding. - Loans for Energy Efficiency and Energy Generation Projects
The California Energy Commission is providing loans with a low interest rate of 3 percent that can help local jurisdictions invest in energy efficiency, save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and build new jobs and industries for their communities. Projects with proven energy and/or capacity savings are generally eligible. Loans may have a term of up to 15 years. Eligible entities: cities, counties, special districts, public schools and colleges, public care institutions, and public hospitals. Deadline: none given. Loan applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The maximum loan amount is $3m; there is no minimum. $3.6m is available.
WORKSHOPS
- NEW! Supersize My Online Savvy: Surefire Steps to Fundraising and Social Success
Guidestar is providing a free webinar with information for organizations on how to use resources such as online fundraising and social media. Participants will learn ten ways to achieve fundraising success. The webinar will be held on May 16. - Keys to Securing Brownfields Funding: Learn How to Access Funding for Brownfields and Environmentally Impacted Properties in Your Community
The US Environmental Protection Agency, California Department of Toxic Substances Control, and State Water Resources Control Board will be conducting free funding workshops about their current grant guidelines. Topics include: applicant and site eligibility criteria, application steps, success stories, and a special presentation on case studies of successful applicants and grantees that have used funding from multiple sources. Additionally, agency representatives will make themselves available for appointment-only one-on-one sessions for those with specific questions about their particular sites and situation. There will be a web-based workshop on July 10. Note: early registration is highly recommended. - 2012 CFCC Funding Fairs
The California Financing Coordinating Committee (CFCC) is offering free funding fairs where attendees can obtain information about currently available infrastructure grant, loan, and bond financing programs and options. Attendees also will have an opportunity to speak directly with program staff about specific projects and issues affecting their community. Although the funding opportunities presented at the funding fairs will be most pertinent to local government entities, some of them will also be suitable for non-profit organizations. Follow the link to view the upcoming May dates for the Redding and Sacramento locations. - REVISED! Foundation Center Webinars
To help you master the world of foundation fundraising, proposal writing, and all that goes into getting the grants you need, the Foundation Center offers short web-based training courses (called webinars) that are free of charge. All you need to participate is a computer with an Internet connection for the visuals and a phone to call in for the audio portion.
Grantseeking Basics – May 9
Introduction to Finding Funders – May 10
Proposal Writing Basics – May 15
Proposal Budgeting Basics – May 15
Introduction to Corporate Giving – May 22
You Got the Grant! Now What? – May 24
Your Board and Fundraising – May 30 - REVISED! Nonprofit Resource Center Workshops
The Nonprofit Resource Center in Sacramento offers funding-related workshops for a fee:
Craft a Powerful and Bullet-Proof 990 – May 15
Social Media and Fundraising for the Arts: Part 1 – May 18
Starting a Nonprofit: What’s It Take? – May 24
RESOURCES
- NEW! Want to Raise More Funds? Go Out and Tell Your Story--to Everyone!
This article from Guidestar encourages organizations to develop their narrative by researching and answering the following questions: Who are we? What do we do? How do we do it? And why should anyone care enough to support us? It includes information on how you should share your organization’s story and become more involved in your community in order to gain advocates and raise funds. (Posted 5/1/12) - Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released an online multi-media resource: the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass. The Compass is part of the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative and aims to strengthen the connection between farmers and consumers regarding food and agriculture. Among other information, the Compass offers technical assistance for beginning and experienced producers; an interactive map which shows USDA-supported local and regional food projects; and case studies, including videos, outlining projects from around the country. (Posted 3/29/12) - USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Office of Advocacy and Outreach has a new website that highlights programs and resources available throughout USDA to the communities it serves. The site includes targeted information such as: financial resources available to individuals and organizations, listings of USDA local offices, and learning resources that include links to helpful sites such as www.start2farm.gov which helps people plan for farming careers. In addition, USDA news releases are available to provide information affecting small and beginning farmers and ranchers, as well as historically underserved communities. There will also be information about higher education programs highlighting scholarship, fellowship, and internship opportunities for students. (Posted 2/29/12) - California Natural Resources Agency
The California Natural Resources Agency has compiled a list of grant and loan programs available within the agency. The sources could be useful for anyone interested in funding from the following departments, to name a few: Department of Conservation, CALFIRE, Department of Fish and Game, and the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery. (Posted 1/23/12) - Partnership Resource Center
The Partnership Resource Center is a joint project of the National Forest Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service. Among other resources, the Center offers information about project funding, collaboration and partnership training, and references to aid in understanding policies and legislation. (Posted 12/21/11) - Red Lodge Clearinghouse
Red Lodge Clearinghouse is a funding database that allows you to search by state, funder, or interest area. The database allows you to search for grant seminars and the site offers a grant writing guide. (Posted 7/22/11) - Tech Soup: Affordable Technology Solutions for Nonprofits
TechSoup is a nonprofit organization that partners with technology companies to give other nonprofits and libraries deep discounts on a wide variety of technological products. Eligible organizations can save on software, hardware, and other tech products. They also provide webinars and informative “KnowHow” articles on topics like website optimization, social media use, and volunteer tracking software options. (Posted 7/22/11)
