Grants for Conservation Organizations and Land Trusts

A practical guide to grants for conservation organizations and land trusts, federal USDA NRCS, USFWS, foundations, and how conservation funding works.

Conservation, land trusts, biodiversity, watershed, working lands, public lands, has a substantial federal funding base, plus a robust foundation funder ecosystem and corporate support.

TL;DR

• Who funds conservation? USDA NRCS, DOI USFWS and NPS, EPA, NOAA, foundations.
• Who can apply? Land trusts, conservation nonprofits, watershed councils, state and tribal entities, agricultural producers.
• What gets funded? Conservation easements, restoration, working lands conservation, species recovery, watershed protection.

Federal Funding

USDA NRCS. EQIP, CSP, ACEP (Agricultural Conservation Easement Program), RCPP (Regional Conservation Partnership Program).

USFWS. Endangered species, National Wildlife Refuge programs, North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), State and Tribal Wildlife Grants.

NPS and Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

EPA. Watershed, water-quality, wetlands programs.

NOAA. Coastal and marine conservation.

Foundation Funders

• Walton Family Foundation (rivers, oceans).
• Pisces Foundation.
• Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) (intermediary).
• Wyss Foundation.
• The Nature Conservancy (sometimes regrants).
• Local conservation foundations.

Corporate Funders

• Outdoor and apparel companies (Patagonia, REI, North Face).
• Resource companies in their operating regions.

What Gets Funded

• Land acquisition and conservation easements.
• Ecological restoration.
• Working lands conservation.
• Species recovery.
• Watershed and riparian restoration.
• Wetland conservation.
• Coastal and marine conservation.
• Conservation planning and capacity.

Tips for a Competitive Application

• Use ecological priority-setting (Conservation Opportunity Areas, watershed plans).
• Coordinate with state wildlife and conservation agencies.
• Address climate resilience alongside biodiversity.
• Show partnerships across landowner, agency, and community.
• Plan for stewardship and long-term management.

How Grantboost Helps

Grantboost surfaces conservation funding across USDA, DOI, EPA, NOAA, and foundations, with drafts in your organization’s voice (see training AI on your past proposals).

Try Grantboost free.

Read next:

• USDA Grants: A Guide to Department of Agriculture Funding
• EPA Grants: A Guide to Environmental Protection Agency Funding
• Grants for Climate Organizations

Further Reading

• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
• USDA NRCS
• USDA Forest Service Grants
• Wikipedia: Conservation movement

Disclaimer: Grant programs, eligibility rules, deadlines, and policies vary by region and change frequently. The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current rules in your area. Always consult a local grant writer or qualified expert in your region for advice specific to your organization, project, and jurisdiction.