Funding Opportunities Early April

The North Face Explore Fund supports nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that are looking to increase participation in the outdoors and work in innovative ways to protect our environment. Grants are made in the following two categories. The Enabling New Explorers category focuses on programs that introduce underrepresented communities to outdoor adventures in potentially new and interesting ways. The Protecting Our Environment category focuses on programs that work to protect our ecosystems and our ability to continue to enjoy them. Across both categories, programs with strong outdoor engagement in activities such as skiing, kayaking, backpacking, etc. are preferred. Grants range from $5,000 to $25,000. Applications will be accepted through April 2, 2019.

The Wildlife Conservation Society: Climate Adaptation Fund supports projects that implement effective interventions for wildlife adaptation to climate change. Grants of $50,000 to $250,000 are provided to nonprofit conservation organizations for applied, on-the-ground projects focused on implementing priority conservation actions for climate adaptation at a landscape scale. In 2019, the Fund is also inviting applications for projects that provide additional co-benefits, in particular those that reduce greenhouse gas emissions through methods like carbon sequestration. The Fund prioritizes projects that manage dynamic ecological processes, landscape functionality, and species assemblages, rather than those aimed at maintaining historic conditions or individual species. Grants are provided to U.S.-based nonprofit conservation organizations for projects within the 50 states and six U.S. territories. Pre-proposal application forms are due April 5, 2019.

APRIL 10th, 2019: Writing a Powerful Case for Support Webinar
Choosing the right words is key if you want approval for your grant request, or to secure any financial contribution. Your case should define and describe WHY you do what you do, WHO you do it for, HOW your work is relevant, and WHAT IT TAKES financially to do it. A powerful, well-written case inspires action. Too often a case for support is dry, long-winded, written by committee, and rarely read after it is created. This high-energy, interactive webinar, presented by Lori Jacobwith, will shift how you craft a case for support. By the time this session is over, you will (1) understand what a case for support is and why it’s critical to craft before asking for money; (2) identify key words to include in your case for support; and (3) learn how to succinctly answer seven simple questions that must be answered in any case for support. This webinar is ideal for new and intermediate grantwriters. $69 per person. Sign-up HERE.

Accepting Scholarship Applications for the 2019 Western Slope Rural Philanthropy Days Conference! A limited number of scholarships will be made available for individuals with a demonstrated financial need. Priority deadline for application is April 12th. Click HERE to submit the online scholarship application form.

The Bureau of Reclamation has released a funding opportunity for small-scale water efficiency projects as part of the WaterSMART Program. The projects funded with these grants include installation of flow measurement devices and automation technology, canal lining or piping to address seepage, municipal meter upgrades, and other projects to conserve water. Funding of up to $75,000 is available per project and total project construction costs should be no more than $200,000. Recipients must also provide at least a 50-percent non-Federal cost share. Applications for this funding opportunity are due April 24, 2019. Access this opportunity HERE and search BOR-DO-19-F005.

The Town of Telluride is pleased to announce Telluride Green Grants, an exciting new grant program that supports local residents and businesses alike in reducing their carbon footprint. Funded by the Town of Telluride and administered by EcoAction Partners, Telluride Green Grants is available for non-profit, commercial, and residential capital projects that deliver measurable greenhouse gas reduction for the Town of Telluride. Suggested project application ideas include: net-zero building construction, existing building insulation and weatherization actions, boiler and furnace replacements, renewable energy installations, waste reduction projects, and transportation-related fuel reduction efforts.  Other creative projects are encouraged to apply! Grants of $500 to $40,000 are available and applications are due by May 17, 2019. Get more information HERE.

Water Conservation Services Program in the Lower Colorado Region offers funding of up to $100,000, available to projects that increase water supply reliability through investments in existing infrastructure and attention to local water conflicts. Proposals will be accepted, evaluated, and selected on a rolling-basis until the final application submission deadlines: April 26, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. MST and September 30, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. MST. Access this opportunity HERE and search BOR-LC-19-F002.

The Network for Landscape Conservation (NLC) is pleased to request proposals for the first annual funding cycle of the Landscape Conservation Catalyst Fund. Read the Program Description and General Request for Proposals HERE. A portion of the Fund is dedicated to Indigenous-led landscape conservation partnerships that primarily serve Indigenous communities. Read the Indigenous Community Request for Proposals HERE. Two informational webinars are scheduled for Friday, March 22nd and Thursday, March 28th at 12:00 p.m. MST. These webinars will offer a brief overview of the two Catalyst Fund RFPs, but will be primarily dedicated to responding to your questions. Pre-proposals are due by 7:00 p.m. MST on Friday, April 26th. Additional information and a link to the application portal can be found on the Catalyst Fund page of the Network's website HERE.

The Maki Foundation provides support to nonprofit organizations that promote environmental protection in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. In particular, the Foundation is concerned with the preservation of the Rocky Mountain West’s remaining wild lands, rivers, and wilderness, as well as the wildlife that depends on these lands. Grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 are generally provided to small local and regional grassroots organizations working to protect public lands and rivers from threats such as mineral development, unconstrained off-road vehicle use, and poorly planned water projects. The application deadline is May 1, 2019. (Organizations that have not previously received Foundation support should contact the Foundation by phone or email prior to applying.) Visit the Foundation’s website HERE to learn more about their priorities.

Apply for the Partners in the Outdoors Grant. The Partners in the Outdoors Conference is a platform for networking and collaboration to advance and balance outdoor recreation and conservation in Colorado. To support this goal, Colorado Parks and Wildlife provides grant funds to assist partner efforts that advance the priority areas identified in our Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). Grant applications can be submitted for funding requests between $1,000 and $5,000. The application deadline is May 3rd, 2019. Find the application HERE.

Great Outdoors Colorado offers Conservation Excellence Grants. Applications are due May 30th, 2019. Conservation Excellence grants foster exploration of pressing needs in today’s conservation community, including engaging local communities to support land conservation, the stewardship of orphaned conservation easements, collaboration among land trusts, and more. Find this funding opportunity HERE and see their full grant calendar HERE.

Get Your 2019 Project Funded Are you planning, designing, or implementing on-the-ground restoration projects that will restore river flows and/or recharge ground water? Would you like the opportunity to share your projects with businesses who may be interested in providing support for your projects? If the answer is “Yes!” be sure to check out the Business for Water Stewardship Project Bank, a new opportunity for paid members of River Network to use a national platform to attract funding.

US Department of Agriculture Rural Development Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program. This program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. Full details, including requirements and registration, can be found HERE. 

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Water Quality Planning Design and Engineering Grants. These grants provide money to small communities to help cover costs associated with the State Revolving Fund pre-application requirements. Grants require a 20 percent match from the applicant. Planning grant applicants must complete the prequalification form and attend a pre-application meeting. Design and engineering grant applicants will be considered by project needs assessment submissions by approved disadvantaged communities. For more information CLICK HERE.

Colorado's Water Plan Grant Opportunities: The purpose of the Water Plan Grant funding is to make progress on the critical actions identified in the Colorado’s Water Plan (CWP) and its Measurable Objectives. All applications will be assessed based on funds available for a particular CWP Measurable Objective category. The Board will select projects, programs and activities to fund from applications that have the best opportunity to make progress on the CWP’s Measurable Objectives or critical actions. The CWCB staff reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants to modify the scope and budget of their project to better meet the CWP objectives in light of fund availability. CWCB staff will evaluate applications and recommend projects to the CWCB Board for final approval at its regularly scheduled Board meetings. Learn more HERE.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), provided through the Natural Resource Conservation Service, is a voluntary conservation program that helps agricultural producers in a manner that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible goals. Through EQIP, agricultural producers receive financial and technical assistance to implement structural and management conservation practices that optimize environmental benefits on working agricultural land. EQIP applications are accepted on a continuous basis, however, NRCS establishes application "cut-off" or submission deadline dates for evaluation, ranking and approval of eligible applications. EQIP is open to all eligible agricultural producers and submitted applications may be considered or evaluated in multiple funding pool opportunities. To learn more CLICK HERE.

The Colorado Water Conservation Board Water Supply Reserve Account (WSRA) Program provides grants and loans to assist Colorado water users in addressing their critical water supply issues and interests. The funds help eligible entities complete water activities, which may include competitive grants for: Technical assistance regarding permitting, feasibility studies and environmental compliance; Studies or analysis of structural, nonstructural consumptive and nonconsumptive water needs, projects or activities; and structural and nonstructural water projects or activities.

What type of Water Supply Reserve Fund Grants are available?

Basin Account: Funds water activities from a basin roundtable. The CWCB evaluates applications for the Basin Account to ensure the Threshold Criteria are met.

Statewide Account: Funds water activities from a basin roundtable on a competitive basis. The CWCB evaluates applications for the Statewide Account to ensure each application meets the Threshold Criteria in addition to being evaluated using the Evaluation Criteria.

For more information click HERE.

Colorado Water Conservation Board Water Efficiency Grant Program. The Water Efficiency Grant Program provides financial assistance to communities, water providers, and eligible agencies for water conservation-related activities and projects. Eligible entities, as well as state and local governments and agencies, can receive funding to develop water conservation and drought plans, implement water conservation goals outlined in a water conservation plan and educate the public about water conservation.
Types of Water Efficiency Grants available - Click on programs below for more information about each and how to apply:

RiversEdge West has a list of riparian restoration funding opportunities maintained by the Tamarisk Coalition.  For list click  restoration funding opportunities.