GRANTS FOR STATES: M

Here are some good 'start points' to assist you in finding grants for conservation and environmental projects within your geographic area. Check with your state's Natural Resources agencies, Department of the Environment or whatever it may be called in your state for state-wide funding opportunities or regional grants. Ask if a grants database is being built for your state.

Be aware that each state gets federal funding for conservation programs on an annual basis. By discussing your project with those who set the funding priorities, you may be able to line out future funding. Don't forget to check out foundation grants, too!

Also, state agencies seem to reinvent themselves fairly often and change URLs. If a link is broken, try just entering the primary url. If that fails, try a good search engine using the old grant terminology. The links below is a sampling of the funds available for any particular state.

TIP: Be sure to check any lists or descriptions of previously funded grants. By studying what has been funded, you can get an idea of what attracts the interest of a grantor. do they like partnerships? Do they like community-led projects? Are they interested in agriculture projects or a specific species of wildlife? Do your research!

Grants by State: [A-C]   [D-H]   [I-L]   [M]   [N]   [O-S]   [T-U]   [V-W]

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Sampling of Funding Sources:

Maine

Maine Philanthropy Center

This is a general list of grantmakers who either focus their funding in Maine or are located in Maine. They may or may not have a focus on environment or conservation.
 

Maine Department of Conservation Grants

The Department of Conservation administers state and federal grants to provide services, resources and personnel to nonprofit groups, municipalities and other agencies. Grants totaling more than 2 million are available through the Department's bureaus to improve and enhance programs offered in Maine.
 

Maine Community Foundation

This fund supports Maine land trusts to address issues of organizational capacity. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that include all of their financial needs; however, they do not have the resources to aid in the actual purchase of land or easements.
 

Maine Land Trust Network

Land trusts may be able to obtain support for their work from a variety of public and private funding sources. Several resources and programs may assist you.
 

Maine Forest Service

Loan programs, forestry assistance programs and a wealth of information.
 

Maine DEpt of inland Fisheries and Wildlife

ATV grants and Maine Outdoor heritage funding.
 

Maine Agricultural Center

Scroll down the current list of funding availability.
 

Gulf of Maine Council

Habitat Restoration Grants Program.
 

New England Grassroots Environment Fund

The New England Grassroots Environment Fund (NEGEF) is designed to foster and give voice to grassroots environmental initiatives in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The Fund provides grants to fuel civic engagement, local activism, and social change.
 

John Merk Fund

Focus areas are on climate change, environmental Health, genetically modified foods, and agricultural land preservation.
 

Fields Pond Foundation

The primary mission of Fields Pond Foundation is to provide financial assistance to nature and land conservation organizations that are community-based and that serve to increase environmental awareness by involving local residents in conservation issues. Not limited to Maine.
 

Maryland

Maryland Dept. of the Environment

Financial assistance offerred and/or facilitated by the Maryland Department of the Environment. Funding may be in the form of grants, loans, or direct payments for specified uses.
 

Maryland Forest Service

Forest stewardship programs, landowner incentives, land use and watershed management, urban and community forests, plus wildlland fire management are covered.
 

Maryland Forest Association

A variety of assistance for forest landowners.
 

Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service

Natural Heritiage Program, landowner incentives, wildlife management, and habitat improvement are covered.
 

Maryland Environmental Trust

The Maryland Environmental Trust (MET) is a statewide land trust governed by a citizen Board of Trustees. MET also endeavors to promote the protection of open land through the Local Land Trust Assistance Program. In addition, MET gives grants to environmental education projects through the Keep Maryland Beautiful Program.
 

Keep Maryland Beautiful

Funded in part by the State Highway Administration, presents the Margaret Rosch Jones Award and the Bill James Environmental Grants to volunteer or non-profit groups who do environmental education projects.
 

Orchard Foundation

Foundation makes grants to non-profit organizations concerned with the environment and children, youth and families in New York and New England.
 

Waterfowl Festival

Listing of current grantees, find applications in pdf format under 'Conservation Grants'.
 

Maryland Department of Agriculture

Maryland Department of Agriculture's OFFICE OF RESOURCE CONSERVATION (RC) works closely with Maryland farmers and soil conservation districts to plan and implement conservation practices and programs that balance crop and livestock production with the need to protect natural resources.Educational, financial, technical assistance available.
 

FishAmerica Foundation

Provides funding for hands on-projects at the local level. These projects enhance fish populations, restore fish habitat, improve water quality, and advance fisheries research.
 

Maryland Grants Clearinghouse

While this is not specific for conservation funding, it would be worth a closer look.
 

Massachusetts

Northeast Utilities Environmental Community Grants

WMECO Grants between $250 and $1000 area awarded twice a year – in April and October – in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. You may download an application or contact NU’s Environmental Regulatory Affairs Department at 860-665-5296
 

Prospect Hill Foundation

The Foundation’s grants primarily support activities in the United States. While many of these activities are national in scope, there is particular regional focus in New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
 

Massachusetts Environmental Trust

Download the information for their grants program.
 

Defenders of Wildlife

Defenders promotes progressive land-use strategies on federal state and private lands that safeguard key habitats such as wetlands, deserts, forests and grasslands from development and degradation.
 

Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Grants

Massachusetts Urban and Community Forestry Program now offers an Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Grant. These are 50-50 matching grants offered to municipalities and non-profit groups in Massachusetts communities of all sizes for the purpose of building local capacity for excellent urban and community forestry at the local and regional level.
 

Division of Conservation Services

There are several land preservation programs which the Division of Conservation Services provides to landowners, municipalities and land trusts.
 

Division of Fisheries & Wildlife

You will find information about grants and other technical assistance available to both private and public landowners with an interest in managing their properties for the benefit of wildlife.
 

Department of Conservation & Recreation

Numerous grant programs targeting sea, trails, flood, pond, recreation, fire and more.
 

Coastal Zone Management

The Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP) was established for the purpose of protecting important coastal and estuarine areas giving priority to lands that can be effectively managed and protected and that have significant ecological value.
 

New England Grassroots Environment Fund

The New England Grassroots Environment Fund (NEGEF) is designed to foster and give voice to grassroots environmental initiatives in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The Fund provides grants to fuel civic engagement, local activism, and social change.
 

Michigan

Department of Natural Resources

Lots of help on how to manage, conserve both game species and nongame wildlife, native plants, and more.
 

Michigan Natural Resources Grants

Short list of natural resource grants found in Michigan.
 

Great Lakes Information Network

Funding and Grant Sources in the Great Lakes Region.
 

Michigan Bird Conservation Initiative

While it doesn't appear that they fund projects directly, it would be a terrific partnership resource to connect to birders at a local level.
 

Michigan Wildlife and Habitat

Habitat management, conservation and restoration programs.
 

Michigan Forest Pathways

Forest Landowner Information, Education, and Resources, including cost-share programs and incentive programs.
 

Michigan Tree Farms

The mission of the Michigan Tree Farm System is to promote the growing of renewable forest resources on private lands, while protecting environmental benefits and increasing public understanding of all benefits of productive forestry. Links to forestry assistance programs.
 

Michigan Forest Stewardship Program

To promote the wise use and stewardship of privately owned forestlands is the goal of the Forest Stewardship Program.
 

Great Lakes Commission

The Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control is all about making a difference—in water quality, land use, and agricultural productivity. The Basin Program is coordinated by the Great Lakes Commission in partnership with the US Department of Agriculture (National Resources Conservation Service), US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Army Corps of Engineers.
 

DTE Energy Foundation

The DTE Energy Foundation supports programs and initiatives in the following focus areas: Leadership, Environment, Education, Achievement, Development and Diversity under the LEAD Program.
 

Minnesota

Great Lakes Commission

The Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control is all about making a difference—in water quality, land use, and agricultural productivity.
 

Minnesota Cooperative Extension

Information about 53 programs for private landowners covering Cost-share, Loan, Grant, Easement/Land Retirement, and Land Donation Programs to Acquire, Manage, Conserve, and Protect Natural Resources in Minnesota.
 

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

The Financial Assistance Directory provides summary level information on all of the Department of Natural Resources' financial assistance programs.
 

Minnesota Forestry Association

The Minnesota Forestry Association (MFA) serves Minnesota's woodland owners by promoting stewardship of all forest resources.
 

Resource Directory for Woodland Owners

Extensive list of possible funding sources and potantial project partners.
 

Extension Natural Resources and Environment Programs

Issues include environmental protection and management, forestry and wood products, water quality, urban and rural development, shoreland protection, waste management, and expanding populations.
 

Minnesota Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund

Minnesota State Lottery finance a variety of projects that preserve, restore and enhance our state's natural resources.
 

Minnesota Resources Directory

This 22-page is organized by topic, with a brief description of assistance available from various agencies and organizations. Topics range from cultural resource inventories, and non-point source pollution, to water crossings, and pesticide use. Downloadable PDF.
 

Minnesota Environmental Partnership

Protecting Minnesota’s land, air and water helps keep us all healthy, it teaches our children valuable lessons about using our environment responsibly, and it helps ensure that future generations will have the same opportunities as we do to enjoy Minnesota’s Great Outdoors.
 

Minnesota Next Step

A lengthy list of grant and loan resources for Minnesota.
 

Washington Conservation District

Washington Conservation District (WCD) serves as a central distribution point for cost share, grant, and loan programs for conservation and water quality projects in Washington County.
 

Mississippi

Riley Foundation

Its purpose is to make grants, distributions and/or loans to charitable and governmental organizations for charitable purposes and to provide financial resources and assistance for community-wide projects and programs in healthcare, education, the betterment of cultural, environmental and economic conditions for the people of Meridian and Lauderdale County, Mississippi.
 

Mississippi NRCS

Priority Areas: Conservation, watersheds, water quality, grazing lands, wetlands, wildlife and more.
 

J. Larry Landers Student Research Award

Gopher Tortoise Council competitive grant program for undergraduate and graduate college students. Proposals can address research concerning gopher tortoise biology or any other relevant aspect of upland habitat conservation and management. The amount of the award is variable, but has averaged $1,000.00 over the last few years.
 

Wildlife Forever 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.
 

NANFA Conservation Research Grant

North American Native Fishes Association awards up to $1000 for research to aid the conservation of North America's native fishes, particularly those that are threatened or endangered.
 

Mississippi Watershed Management Organization

The MWMO Stewardship Fund Grant Program provides financial assistance to promote community-led projects and education efforts to improve and conserve water and natural resources in the watershed.
 

Mississippi River Fund

The MRF grants funds in support of the Park’s education and stewardship programs, increasing awareness of our National Park and the Mississippi River, and making strategic grants to support innovative partnerships.
 

Missouri

Conservation Field Trip Grants:

Conservation Field Trip Grants: This grant program distributes up to $700 to public, private, parochial or home-school educators interested in taking students on field trips related to fish, wildlife and natural habitats.
 

Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources

The Community Assistance Office is designed to assist the department with its outreach and collaborative efforts to provide the most effective and efficient resources to the public. The primary focus of the Community Assistance Office will be to provide a one-stop shop for anyone who needs grant or loan assistance. This includes numerous grant and cost share programs related to environmental concerns.
 

Environmental Education Programs

Calls for proposals and guidelines.
 

Dept. of Conservation

Using the department headings, you'll be able to find technical assistance and funding related to Fishing, Hunting, Forestry, Nature, Private Land, and Education.
 

Outdoor Recreation Grants

The Department of Natural Resources' Division of State Parks offers two grant programs for outdoor recreation.
 

Conservation Federation of Missouri

The mission of the Conservation Federation of Missouri is to educate, inspire, and empower individuals and organizations to take action to conserve and to support the sustainable harvest and wise use of fish, wildlife, forest and other natural resources, to help protect our planet's environment, and to nourish an ethic of stewardship and enjoyment of our natural world.
 

Monsanto Fund

Priority Areas: Improving Nutritional Well Being through Agriculture, The Environment, Science Education and Our Communities. They have funded projects in Misourri in the past.
 

Missouri NRCS

Priority Areas: Conservation, watersheds, water quality, grazing lands, wetlands, wildlife and more.
 

Montana

Boone and Crockett Club

Conservation Grants program involves widlife research and leans towards projects in Montana and other mountain states but is not restricted to such areas.
 

A Territory Resource Foundation

A Territory Resource (ATR) is a public foundation that supports activist, community-based organizations working for social, economic, and environmental justice in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.
 

Brainerd Foundation

The Brainerd Foundation's mission is to protect the environmental quality of the Pacific Northwest and to build broad citizen support for environmental protection. We accomplish this by making grants, providing value-added guidance and leveraging additional funds or encouraging collaborations within the philanthropic community. Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, British Columbia, and the Yukon Territory comprise our geographic funding region.
 

Bullitt Foundation

The mission of The Bullitt Foundation is to protect, restore, and maintain the natural physical environment of the Pacific Northwest for present and future generations. The Foundation invites proposals from nonprofit organizations that serve Washington, Oregon, Idaho, British Columbia, western Montana (including the Rocky Mountain range), and coastal Alaska from Cook Inlet to the Canadian border. Proposals are reviewed two times a year and must be received by May 1 and November 1. We do not use a Letter of Inquiry pre-screening process.
 

Montana Dept. of Natural Resources & Conservation

Grants for agriculture, conservation watersheds, and urban forestry.
 

Montana Conservation

Conservation districts, grants and loans.
 

Montana Forestry Division

Forestry assistance, technical information and grants.
 

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Grants by State: [A-C]   [D-H]   [I-L]   [M]   [N]   [O-S]   [T-U]   [V-W]

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