Funding Opportunities

The American Academy of Dermatology's (AAD) Shade Structure Program awards funds to schools, day-cares, parks, and other non-profit organizations for installing permanent shade structures where children learn and play. Each shade structure award is a maximum of $8,000, which includes the cost for shade structure materials and installation. In addition to the grant, the AAD also provides a permanent sign to be placed near the shade structure featuring sun-safety tips. The AAD receives support for this program through donations from its members, outside organizations, and individuals.

The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management is currently accepting applications for the Urban Forestry Program's Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Grant Program. The IRA Grants are to be used to improve community forest conditions and access to disadvantaged communities, address the backlog of local community forestry work, and position Arizona’s community forests as a valuable piece of mitigating climate change impacts and urban heat.. Projects should be aimed at improving the long-term health and care of the urban forest, or at initiating new urban forestry projects in Arizona communities that would not otherwise be funded through existing budgets. This program is being made possible from funds allocated to Arizona from the USFS during the first round of funding distribution and not the public Notice of Funding Opportunity.

The IRA Project's theme is: Improving urban forest conditions in disadvantaged communities for climate resilience and heat mitigation. Project timelines for this grant should be 4 years. The projects must be in service to supporting disadvantaged communities as defined by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool: CJEST - https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/en/(link is external).

Purpose:
To protect critical agricultural lands, to support infill & compact development, and to avoid increases in the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural uses. Planning grants support the development of local and regional land use policies and economic development strategies to protect these agricultural lands.

Note: pre-proposals are required, deadline for submittal is January 31, 2025.

Description:
The Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program supports the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission goals by making strategic investments to protect agricultural lands. Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Planning Grants support the development and implementation of plans for the protection of agricultural land at risk of conversion to non-agricultural uses, maintaining the economic viability of the region’s agricultural lands, and developing the economic viability of regional food systems and infrastructure to support the production, aggregation, processing and distribution of agricultural products.

Purpose:
Permanently protect croplands, rangelands, and lands utilized for the cultivation of traditional resources from conversion to non-agricultural uses.​ Protecting these lands promotes smart growth within existing jurisdictions, ensures open space remains available, and supports healthy agricultural and tribal food systems, and resulting food security.

Please note: pre-proposals are required, deadline for submittal is January 31, 2025.

Description:
The Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC) supports the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission goals by making strategic investments to protect agricultural lands. Agricultural Conservation Acquisitions provide funding to leverage the protection of strategically located, highly productive, and critically threatened agricultural land, via the purchase of permanent agricultural conservation easements and fee title purchases.

Purpose:
Permanently protect croplands, rangelands, and lands utilized for the cultivation of traditional resources from conversion to non-agricultural uses.​ Protecting these lands promotes smart growth within existing jurisdictions, ensures open space remains available, and supports healthy agricultural and tribal food systems, and resulting food security.

Description:
The Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program supports the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission goals by making strategic investments to protect agricultural lands. Capacity and Project Development grants expand organizational capacity to develop agricultural conservation acquisition projects.​

We will consider three principal types of grants:

Project Support Grants support specific projects or programs aligned with our mission. These requests may include some funds earmarked for the overhead costs associated with running a project.

General Operating Support Grants provide limited general operating support for the core operations or organizations whose missions and activities are aligned with our mission. These grants will often help the grantee build organizational, programmatic, and fundraising capacity. Operating support is not intended to help organizations in fiscal crisis. Applicants must have a current strategic or business plan that clearly outlines the organization’s goals and presents a plan for achieving results. Operating support grants must not exceed 15% of an organization’s total agency budget.

Capital Support Grants provide limited support for capital campaigns to fund the acquisition and construction of facilities, existing property renovation, or the purchase of major equipment. The program has a comprehensive approach to funding capital initiatives, which also includes funding for increased program capacity. A feasibility study may be required for capital initiatives to be considered.

Summary of MAP Program Requirements

Geographic Scope: National, must take place on US National Forests and Grasslands or adjacent public lands, and demonstrate benefit to National Forest System lands

Funding Source: Federal funds via the US Forest Service

Eligible Applicants: Nonprofit organizations, Tribal governments and organizations, and universities

Match Requirements: 1:1 nonfederal cash match

Program Areas: All MAP applications must focus on in-person community engagement, and have a stewardship component

Project Timing: Eligible projects are no more than 18 months in duration, and start two months after the application deadline

Letters of Support: All applications must include a letter of support from the District Ranger of each National Forest or Grassland unit included in a proposal

Environmental Compliance: All permitting and environmental compliance work (including but not limited to NEPA) must be complete before submitting a MAP application

Administrative: Applicant must have or be able to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) if selected for funding

Recent Program Update
In 2023, the National Forest Foundation (NFF) announced changes to its flagship competitive grant program, the Matching Awards Program (MAP). The adjustments were a result of over two years of work to collect feedback to align the program with current National Forest System needs, and the NFF strategic plan.
The resulting program, MAP: Connecting People to Forests, focuses primarily on in-person community engagement and completion of appropriate stewardship activities. Program goals are to create lasting change that will allow all communities, especially underserved communities, opportunities to benefit from activities on National Forest System lands or adjacent public lands.
Refer to the summary and the Request for Proposals (RFP) linked below for full information.

Launching on April 22, 2022, the Nonprofit Solar Project was developed by the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona (CFSA) in partnership with local donors and Solar United Neighbors (SUN).

As part of CFSA’s Environmental Sustainability Impact Fund, the Nonprofit Solar Project offers local nonprofits the opportunity to meet a significant portion of their energy needs through solar power. Through the switch to solar, nonprofits will be able to reduce their carbon footprint and energy costs, freeing up resources for programming or other infrastructure needs.

The APS Foundation supports programs that enhance academic achievement in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Since 1981, the Foundation has invested more than $44 million in projects throughout Arizona that help prepare students to compete in a 21st century economy.

A workforce proficient in STEM skills is critical to attracting and retaining high-quality businesses and industries to the state. The APS Foundation targets projects that help educators increase content knowledge in STEM subjects as well as the ability to transfer this knowledge effectively to students.

How we evaluate potential programs:

Organizations must be registered as a 501(c)(3) public charity in good financial and public standing. Programs should demonstrate their ability to improve educational outcomes, increase access and/or offer an innovative approach to learning.

All grantees will have specific reporting requirements and must submit a final evaluation before they can be considered for additional funding. The APS Foundation accepts grant requests during two cycles each year

The Impact Fund awards recoverable grants to legal services nonprofits, private attorneys, and small law firms who seek to confront social, economic, and environmental injustice.