Natural Resource Grants

Bureau of Reclamation · $25K–$1.5M

The Bureau of Reclamation's WaterSMART Drought Response Program funds drought-resilience projects (water storage and distribution improvements, source diversification, decision tools, and drought contingency planning), with awards from about $25,000 up to $1,500,000. Category A applicants are states, tribes, irrigation and water districts, and similar entities with water or power delivery authority located in the 17 Western states and listed U.S. territories; Category B is nonprofit conservation organizations partnering with a Category A entity. Federal entities, individuals, and institutions of higher education are not eligible, and applicants are limited to the Western U.S. and named territories. Some restrictions apply by location for drought contingency plans.

National Park Service · $1–$32.3K

This National Park Service grant is open only to 501(c)(3) nonprofits that are not institutions of higher education, to provide research, technical assistance, and educational support to national parks in the National Capital Region. Awards are small, ranging from $1 to $32,270, under the CESU cooperative agreement framework; no deadline is listed.

Natural Resources · $20K–$6M

Government agencies, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit businesses can apply for this Illinois Natural Resources grant funding invasive carp management and control in Illinois waterways, supporting Great Lakes restoration priorities. Awards range from $20,000 to $6,000,000.

Department of Natural Resources · $10K–$10M

Government agencies, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations can apply for this Illinois Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Restoration grant (FY24), which funds projects to restore and manage wild bird and mammal habitat, expand public access to wildlife resources, hunter education and safety, and shooting range development. Awards range from $10,000 to $10,000,000.

Natural Resources · $1K–$300K

This Illinois Forest Action Plan (Urban) grant funds data collection and reporting on the condition and disease problems affecting Illinois trees and forests, with awards ranging from $1,000 to $300,000. Eligibility is listed as N/A, so applicants should contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources directly to confirm who may apply. No deadline is listed.

Natural Resources · $1K–$30K

Government agencies, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations can apply for this Illinois Natural Resources grant, which funds work to combat white-nose syndrome in bats and conserve affected species. Awards range from $1,000 to $30,000.

Natural Resources · $50K–$500K

This Illinois Department of Natural Resources program funds government agencies, educational institutions, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations to protect and restore habitat and species within the Great Lakes Basin, with awards from $50,000 to $500,000. Eligibility is broad, covering most organization types with a Great Lakes conservation project. No application deadline is listed.

Natural Resources · $1K–$120K

Nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status) can apply for this Illinois Natural Resources Forest Health Management grant, though institutions of higher education are excluded. It funds data collection to analyze disease and health conditions in Illinois trees and forests. Awards range from $1,000 to $120,000.

Natural Resources · Amount varies

This is an exploratory pilot program from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, in collaboration with the US Climate Alliance and a University of Illinois research lab, to develop a data-driven ecosystem service assessment model for climate response planning. Eligibility is limited to government organizations and the scope/funding details are still being determined ("Pilot Program/TBD"), so this is not yet a well-defined open opportunity for outside applicants. No award amount or deadline is listed.

Natural Resources · $10K–$1M

Open to government agencies, schools, and nonprofits for sport fish restoration work such as fisheries improvement and boat access projects. No project description is provided beyond the funding category, so applicants should confirm specific eligible activities with the funder. Awards range from $10,000 to $1 million; no deadline listed.

Department of Natural Resources · $10K–$10M

This Illinois Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Restoration grant (FY27) is currently not open to Forest Preserve Districts or local units of government; the listing doesn't specify who else may apply. Awards range from $10,000 to $10,000,000. A program description was not provided — confirm eligible activities and applicant eligibility with IDNR.

Natural Resources · $200K–$5M

This USDA Forest Service Inflation Reduction Act grant funds urban and community forestry work — planning, establishing, managing, and protecting trees, forests, and green spaces in and around cities and towns — to deliver ecosystem, social, and economic benefits, often through partnerships with government, private, and grassroots groups. Only government organizations and nonprofit organizations are eligible; for-profits and individuals are not. Awards are large, ranging from $200,000 to $5,000,000. No application deadline is listed in this record, so confirm timing directly with the program.

Natural Resources · $1K–$75K

Government agencies, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations can apply for this Illinois Natural Resources grant, which funds work to combat white-nose syndrome in bats and conserve affected species. Awards range from $1,000 to $75,000.

Natural Resources · Up to $100K

This 2025 NOAA-funded Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act research program supports research, surveys, and monitoring of fish activity in waterways spanning multiple jurisdictions, with awards up to $100,000. Eligibility is limited to government organizations only. No application deadline is listed.

Natural Resources · $1K–$200K

This Illinois Forest Action Plan (Forest Health) grant funds data collection on tree and forest disease conditions, open to 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, but explicitly excludes institutions of higher education. Awards range from $1,000 to $200,000. No application deadline is listed.