Grants for Wildlife Projects

Some people love trees. Others love the birds in the trees. Projects for wildlife might include habitat restoration, water source development, species protection or recovery, adoption of wildlife friendly agricultural practices like shelter belts, and much more.

Much of the wildlife habitat in the United States is in private land ownerships. Promotion of Good Stewardship of the land and its wild inhabitants is a critical element in any project involving wildlife.

As the wildland urban interface increases both people and animals must learn to live together safely. Some of the biggest problems within the interface come not from longtime rural residents who understand both the landscape and the animal population, but from the movement of city dwellers into homes in wildland areas. City dwellers are often unprepared for bears on their porch, skunks under the house, mountain lions on the roof, foxes in the dog food, snakes in the woodpile, and other every day occurances.

Urban dwellers have backyard habitat. Many endangered species of birds and amphibians actually thrive in urban backyards without the home dwellers even being aware of their yards sheltering an endangered creatures. Wildlife is everywhere and much of it is not so wild anymore. Coyotes are common in foothill zones. Mountain lions are stalking prey onto golf courses. Animals are adapting. We need to adapt, too.

Hunting may not be something that interests you, but organizations devoted to game animals are significant funding sources for habitat work. Don't overlook the opportunities they provide as a funding source and as a project partner. If your project is small and localized, major organizations may be looking to partner with you. The same is true if you plan a region-wide project. You need partners.

There is quite a bit of overlap in funding opportunities programs relating to wildlife and watersheds. Check both categories for funding possibilities.

TIP: Projecting project budgets and costs can be difficult. Don't put it off. Remember, volunteer time and in-kind services often have value towards meeting match or cost-share requirements.

Sampling of Funding Sources:

National Fish & Wildlife Foundation

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation provides funding on a competitive basis to projects that sustain, restore and enhance the Nation’s fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats through our Keystone Initiative Grants and other Special Grant Programs.
 

Wildlife Forever Challenge Grant

Grants from Wildlife Forever are targeted for habitat restoration and acquisition, research and management, and educational projects. Special emphasis is placed upon grassroots programs that involve local conservation, sportsmen's or outdoor recreation groups. Wildlife Forever grants are challenge grants, and funds must be matched on at least a one-to-one basis from a third-party donor and sent through Wildlife Forever.
 

NRCS Backyard Conservation

Just as they do on the farm, conservation practices on nonagricultural land can help increase food and shelter for birds and other wildlife, control soil erosion, reduce sediment in waterways, conserve water and improve water quality, inspire a stewardship ethic, and beautify the landscape. NRCS does have grants for conservation through WHIP. NRCS has a huge amount of technical resources for nearly any project relating to agriculture, conservation, wildlife. Tap into it.
 

Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education

The Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Fund of the Milwaukee Foundation gives small monetary grants to schools, nature centers, or other educational organizations whose efforts best reflect the message of creating natural landscapes using native plants and appreciating humankind's proper place in the web of life. Established by Wild Ones in 1996, the fund honors their 'philosophical compass', Lorrie Otto. They award grants for child-centered projects that create native plant landscapes or develop outdoor classrooms.
 

Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies

Check out their program areas, multistate grant initiatives, and partnership possibilities.
 

Wilson Ornithological Society

Modest grants for ornithology research. Very specific rules, so read carefully. Several other cash awards are mentioned with similar deadlines.
 

National Wild Turkey Federation

Landowner programs, conservation easements, habitat improvement all interest NWTF.
 

Quail Unlimited

Quail Unlimited is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the wise use and management of America's wild quail, doves, upland game birds and other forms of wildlife.
 

North American Bat Conservation Fund

The North American Bat Conservation Fund provides grants of up to $5,000 to help support projects that most effectively aid bats in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
 

USDA-NRCS Conservation Programs

The Natural Resources Conservation Service manages numerous programs related to habitat, wildlife and wetlands. They also have extensive technical resources.
 

Grants in Ornithology

Interested in bird work? This is a good list of bird-specific funding sources with deadlines included. Here's another way to view the list sorted by organization.
 

Ducks Unlimited

Ducks Unlimited funds numerous projects each year geared toward saving duck habitat. Their method of doing this is outlined in 'How we conserve'. Find a local chapter and ask them to become a project partner.
 

Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation

Major focus: Conservation of natural resources in North America and the Caribbean Basin with emphasis on the United States and marine issues.
 

Fund for Wild Nature

Fund for Wild Nature funds action projects for wildlife, for rivers, for wilderness, for the places that support the interdependent life that sustains our planet.
 

Acorn Foundation

Acorn supports projects dedicated to building a sustainable future for the planet and to restoring a healthy global environment, including preserving and restoring habitats supporting biological diversity and wildlife.
 

Fundsnet List

A breakout of funding sources for animal and wildlife grants at Fundsnet Services.
 

Wildlife forever Challenge Grants

Grants from Wildlife Forever are targeted for habitat restoration and acquisition, research and management, and educational projects. Special emphasis is placed upon grassroots programs that involve local conservation, sportsmen's or outdoor recreation groups. Wildlife Forever grants are challenge grants.
 

Mule Deer Foundation

The Mule Deer Foundation funds a variety of conservation projects and programs including habitat enhancement, management, conservation education and hunting heritage. Project partners include state and federal agencies, local government, private industry and individuals and other conservation organizations.
 

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

Ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. They protect and enhance elk country, support conservation education and restore wild elk herds.
 

US Fish & Wildlife Service

The Fish and Wildlife Service administers a variety of natural resource assistance grants to governmental, public and private organizations, groups and individuals.
 

US F&W Tribal Grants

Funding for development and implementation of programs for the benefit of wildlife and their habitat, including species that are not hunted or fished.
 

Teaming with Wildlife

The State Wildlife Grants Program provides federal money to every state and territory for cost-effective conservation aimed at preventing wildlife from becoming endangered.
 

NAL Animal Welfare Center

Part of the National Agriculture Library system with extensive resources providing information for improved animal care and use in research, teaching, and testing.
 

Banfield Charitable Trust

The Trust offers grant to organizations that make life better for Pets and their families. Collaborative projects with Pet-related organizations and Banfield team members working together towards a shared goal are given special consideration.
 

Bernice Barbour Foundation

The Bernice Barbour Foundation is a private charity established by the late Bernice Wall Barbour. It is a trust to be used for preservation and care of animals, and prevention of cruelty to animals in the United States.
 

 

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