Grants and Funding Opportunities

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is accepting applications for the Community Wildfire Defense Grant program to assist at-risk communities, including Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations, with planning for and mitigating wildfire risks. Individual grants of up to $250,000 can be used to develop and update community wildfire protection plans, while individual grants of up to $10 million can be used for wildfire resilience projects that implement community wildfire protection plans. The program prioritizes communities that:

• Are in an area identified as having high or very high wildfire hazard potential,
• Are low income or,
• Have been impacted by a severe disaster within the previous 10 years which increased wildfire risk and/or hazard.

Funds can be used to:

• Develop and revise Community Wildfire Protection Plans
• Implement projects described in a Community Wildfire Protection Plan that are less than ten years old.

Learn more on the Community Wildfire Defense Grants webpage. 

EPA will have outreach in the coming months with additional info on these grant programs:

o EJ in Communities – https://www.epa.gov/p2/pollution-prevention-grant-environmentaljustice-

communities

o EJ through Safer & More Sustainable Products: https://www.epa.gov/p2/pollutionprevention-

grant-environmental-justice-through-safer-and-more-sustainable-products

o Next iteration of these grant programs will be in Spring 2026 – stay tuned

• Sign up for P2 news including grant information at this link:

https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USAEPAOPPT/subscribers/qualify

The new Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center, funded by EPA Region 10, has set up an up-to-date library of funding opportunities for communities across Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The table of funding opportunities, which can be sorted by funding type and state, is available at: https://nwejc.org/find-funding

Communities are now able to apply to a Grantmaker for a subgrant to fund a range of different environmental project activities, including (but not limited to,) some relevant to our program:

• Monitoring of effluent discharges from industrial facilities.
• Water quality & sampling.
• Small cleanup projects.
• Stormwater issues and green infrastructure.
• Pesticides and other toxic substances.

The Grantmakers will issue subgrants to community-based nonprofit organizations and other eligible organizations representing disadvantaged communities. (Note State Governments are not eligible for these subgrants, but Tribal Organizations, local governments, and nonprofits are eligible to apply.) The subgrants are expected to become available by Fall of 2024.

In Regions 8 and 10, Grantmakers are NOW OPEN and accepting applications!

• JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc., Colorado (EPA Region 8)
• Philanthropy Northwest, Washington (EPA Region 10)
• Climate Justice Alliance, California (National Grantmaker for EPA Regions 8-10)

Grantmakers will work in collaboration with the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers  to create a robust support network to assist eligible entities when applying. Learn more about the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmakers.

EPA has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity: EPA-R10-WD-TWG-2025-01 for entities interested in conducting planning, coordination, and monitoring activities in transboundary watersheds with existing or proposed mines in the Province of British Columbia that impact (or could impact) U.S. waters. The funds for this action are authorized under Public Law 118 HR 4366 which will be issued from the Office of International and Tribal Affairs. Through PL-118 HR 4366, Congress specifically directs EPA to “continue and expand its work coordinating with Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies to monitor and reduce transboundary mining pollution in the Kootenai watershed and other U.S.- British Columbia transboundary watersheds”. The EPA will host a virtual informational webinar for prospective applicants on December 3^rd from 10:00-11:30 AM Pacific. EPA staff will provide an overview of the NOFO and answer frequently asked questions. All applicationsmust be received by electronic submission through Grants.gov by 11:59 PM Eastern on January 17, 2025. More information, including how to join the webinar, can be found on the website at Transboundary Watershed Grant Program I EPA.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Threatened and Endangered Species Program works to conserve and recover over sensitive animal and plant species and their habitat on public lands. This grant will fund projects in Oregon and Washington that protect biodiversity, slow species extinction rates, increase resilience to climate change, support meeting wildlife population objectives, engage rural and indigenous communities to enhance economic opportunities related to wildlife, and use the best science. The award ceiling is $1,500,000. 

• Apply
• Learn about BLM in Oregon and Washington.

The Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI) aims to help communities accelerate their climate resilience plans and projects. The grants offer up to $100,000 per award, along with training and technical support. These funds can be used over 12 months for activities such as risk assessments, community engagement, project prioritization, and initial implementation. The application requires collaboration with a community-based organization, a government partner (local, regional, or Tribal), and a climate adaptation professional. (CSCI’s Registry of Climate Adaptation and Resilience Professionals can connect communities with expert practitioners.)

• Communities interested in applying must register via the community sign-up form.
• Learn more.

The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration grant program seeks to develop community capacity to sustain local natural resources for future generations by providing modest financial assistance to diverse local partnerships focused on improving water quality, watersheds and the species and habitats they support. Projects include a variety of ecological improvements along with targeted community outreach, education and stewardship. Ecological improvements may include one or more of the following: wetland, riparian, forest and coastal habitat restoration; wildlife conservation, community tree canopy enhancement, wildlife habitat, urban agriculture and community gardens, wildlife and water quality monitoring and green infrastructure best management practices for managing run-off.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation expects that applicants will represent a mixture of urban and rural communities and that more than half of projects awarded will engage underserved communities. Grants for this program are available nationwide, but additional funding is available in the Seattle area, as well as Lewis and Thurston counties in Washington. Awards range from $30,000 to $60,000.

• Apply

Climate United NEXT is a pre-development grant program to help recipients accelerate early-stage clean energy projects through planning to project financing for projects including solar, green buildings, and electric transportation.

• Register for the Informational Webinar on December 6.
• Apply

The EPA has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity: EPA-R10-WD-TWG-2025-01 for entities interested in conducting planning, coordination, and monitoring activities in transboundary watersheds with existing or proposed mines in the Province of British Columbia that impact (or could impact) U.S. waters. Under this announcement, EPA will have three separate applicant tracks for eligible applicants to choose from.

• Track One is for development of transboundary watershed programs that address potential impacts from existing or proposed mining activities in B.C. in the Kootenai watershed in the state and/or Tribal territories within Idaho and Montana.
• Track Two is for development of transboundary watershed programs that address potential impacts from existing or proposed mining activities in B.C. in transboundary watersheds in the state of and/or Tribal territories within Washington.
• Track Three is for development of transboundary watershed programs that address potential impacts from existing or proposed mining activities in B.C. in transboundary watersheds in the state of and/or Tribal territories within Alaska.

The funds for this action are authorized under Public Law 118 HR 4366 which will be issued from the Office of International and Tribal Affairs. Through PL-118 HR 4366, Congress specifically directs EPA to “continue and expand its work coordinating with Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies to monitor and reduce transboundary mining pollution in the Kootenai watershed and other U.S.- British Columbia transboundary watersheds”.

Eligible Applicants: State, Tribal, and local government entities

Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-R10-WD-TWG-2025-01

Assistance Listing Number: 66.436

Total Available Funds: $1,800,000

Minimum Application Amount: $50,000

Maximum Application Amount: $600,000

Project Length: 1 to 6 years

Number of Awards Anticipated: 2 to 3 Awards per Track. Up to 10 Awards Total

The EPA will host a virtual informational webinar for prospective applicants on December 3^rd from 10:00-11:30 AM Pacific. EPA staff will provide an overview of the NOFO and answer frequently asked questions. The webinar will be recorded and made available upon request.

All applicationsmust be received by electronic submission through Grants.gov by 11:59 PM Eastern on January 17, 2025.

More information, including how to join the webinar, can be found on our website at Transboundary Watershed Grant Program I EPA.

Please help us get the word out by sharing this announcement with your networks!

Transboundary Watershed Program

Environmental Protection Agency

Point of Contact: Tyler Chatriand. Email: chatriand.tyler@epa.gov

This funding opportunity will help accelerate biodiversity conservation, fueled with NASA information about the Earth as a system. The NASA Earth Science Division seeks proposals for projects that apply Earth observations to improve or develop decision-making activities in ecological conservation and management. Any area of ecological conservation is welcome (e.g., invasive species, protected area management, fisheries or wildlife management, habitat restoration, ecosystem services, rewilding, biodiversity protection). The awards will support feasibility activities to support new collaboration and engagement, and decisional activities to help scale efforts that show promise.

Notices of intent may be submitted by February 14, 2025. Applications are due by March 14. See page 16 of the solicitation for information on funding amounts and project periods.

• Apply

On January 13, NASA will host an informational webinar: Register

EPA’s Climate Resilience and Adaptation Funding Toolbox (CRAFT) contains resources to help EPA’s funding applicants and recipients make climate-informed investments. CRAFT includes overviews of EPA funding programs where climate resilience considerations might be incorporated, climate risk tools and resources to evaluate and consider climate change risks, and communication materials to facilitate meaningful discussions about adaptation, resilience and environmental justice.  

• A presentation about the toolbox is attached. 

The Washington Department of Ecology’s new Climate Resilient Riparian Systems grant program will support riparian restoration programs that work with communities and landowners to improve the overall function of river and stream riparian systems in the Puget Sound. The maximum grant award is $2.75 million. The minimum award is $500,000. There is no recipient match or requirement. The PNW Tribal Climate Change Network Meeting will discuss this grant on November 20. (See above.) 

• Apply

Funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Program will support federally recognized Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and Tribal organizations in implementing fish passage work and building Tribal organizational capacity.  NOAA will accept proposals between $300,000 and $6 million. Funds can be used to implement removals of dams and other in-stream barriers. Selected projects will assist in sustaining fisheries and contributing to the recovery of endangered species.

• Apply

NOAA will host a webinar on December 12 to discuss this funding opportunity for Tribes.

• Register for the webinar.        

EPA has released the GAP Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for work beginning on or after October 1, 2025. The NOFA is comprised of the national notice and the Region 10 supplement. Submit proposals by email to your EPA Tribal Coordinator.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Community Power Accelerator connects community-benefiting solar projects and developers (including community-based organizations) with philanthropists, lenders, and investors to drive a more equitable clean energy transition. The Accelerator offers five free services to connect developers and projects with capital providers, training opportunities, technical assistance, a credit-ready checklist, and the DOE Community Power Accelerator Prize.

The Columbia River Restoration Fund, a program within Seeding Justice, is a non-competitive funding program for Tribal Nations of the Columbia River Basin. Funding priorities include: 

• Upholding Columbia River Basin Tribes’ sovereignty and leadership in watershed restoration, protection and conservation efforts in the Basin.
• Strengthening advocacy, organizing, and coalition building efforts that empower and support all Basin communities to access, protect, and restore the Columbia River and its watershed.
• Expanding culturally rooted ways of caring for and engaging with the Basin through hands-on programs and experiences. 

Apply

The Puget Sound National Estuary Program  has issued three Requests for Proposals to advance Puget Sound recovery: 

1. Developing Regional Facilities and Stormwater Parks: Support stormwater infrastructure analysis, retrofit planning, program development, resiliency policy, and updated levels of service to address climate resiliency.
2. Increasing Stormwater Parks and Climate Resiliency in Puget Sound: Enable master planning and implementation of regional stormwater facilities, including stormwater parks, as a key strategy for addressing development-related water quality challenges across jurisdictional, watershed or property boundaries.
3. Toxics in Fish Combined RFP: Address the sources and loads of contaminants from wastewater and stormwater runoff in known areas with toxic loads affecting juvenile Chinook salmon productivity; support the implementation of Chemical Action Plans (CAPs) for priority toxic chemicals; address knowledge gaps through field and laboratory research and analytical methods development. 

• Apply 

The program will host information sessions and office hours to discuss these funding opportunities: 

• Climate Resiliency in Stormwater Management and Developing Regional Facilities and Stormwater Parks
  • Applicant Information Session: November 13, 1:00-2:30
  • Applicant Office Hours: December 10, 10:00-11:30
• Toxics in Fish Combined RFP
  • Applicant Information Session: October 28, 1:00-3:00
  • Applicant Office Hours: December 4, 1:00-3:00 

The Puget Sound Partnership is the state agency leading the region’s collective effort to restore and protect Puget Sound. The Partnership’s Puget Sound Recovery Acceleration Funding Tool (PS RAFT) collects information about national, state, and regional funding opportunities. 

Developed in partnership with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and community allies, this program is a direct response to the need for equitable, community-centered transportation solutions. Applicants must serve overburdened communities, vulnerable populations, and people disproportionately impacted by transportation inequities, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate change. Grant funds must be used for low-carbon transportation improvements that benefit environmental justice communities in Washington State.

• Apply

This outreach of interest from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) aims to cultivate relationships and connect with potential partners. USFS is interested in USDA Forest Service is interested in potential partnerships to help collect, map, develop, monitor, and restore native plants on national forest lands. Your submission signals an opportunity for USDA Forest Service to explore with you your ideas/projects/programs and federal funding opportunities. USFS is also interested in engaging and educating community members, youth, veterans, tribes, students, underserved communities, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs. Both partners would benefit through the sharing of knowledge, input to revegetation programs and priorities on national forest lands, and hands-on knowledge identifying, handling, and processing native plant materials, and/or monitoring and documenting native plant revegetation success.

• Apply

The USGS Cooperative Landslide Hazard Mapping and Assessment Program is accepting applications from state, local, and Tribal governments to research, map, assess, and collect data on landslide hazards.

• Apply

The Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim Sustainable Salmon Initiative (AYK SSI) has up to $2M available for funding research projects up to three years in duration addressing the region’s declined chum and Chinook salmon populations. Funding is provided through NOAA’s Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund.

• Apply