A practical guide to grants for environmental education in schools and communities, federal EPA Environmental Education grants, NOAA, foundations, and best practices.
Environmental education sits at the intersection of environmental funding and education. The EPA Environmental Education Grants Program is the federal anchor, with growing NOAA, USDA, and foundation support.
TL;DR
- Who funds environmental education? EPA Environmental Education, NOAA, USDA, foundations, community foundations.
- Who can apply? Schools, nonprofits, environmental education centers, parks, museums, universities.
- What gets funded? Curriculum, professional development, place-based education, outdoor learning, environmental literacy.
Federal Funding
EPA Environmental Education Grants Program. The federal anchor, see EPA grants guide for context.
NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) regional programs.
USDA Forest Service conservation education.
Department of the Interior for parks-based environmental education.
Foundation Funders
- Pisces Foundation.
- Walton Family Foundation (waters and conservation education).
- REI Co-op (outdoor and conservation education).
- NoVo Foundation historically.
- Local community foundations.
What Gets Funded
- Environmental curriculum.
- Teacher professional development.
- Place-based and outdoor education.
- Environmental literacy in schools.
- Student stewardship projects.
- Environmental careers pipeline.
How Grantboost Helps
Grantboost surfaces environmental education funding across EPA, NOAA, USDA, and foundations, with drafts in your organization’s voice (see training AI on your past proposals).
Read next:
- EPA Grants: A Guide to Environmental Protection Agency Funding
- Grants for Environmental Nonprofits
- Grants for STEM Education
Further Reading
- EPA Environmental Education Grants
- NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET)
- North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE)
- Grants.gov (federal funding portal)
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.