The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is a private nonprofit organization established by the U.S. government for the conservation of birds, freshwater fish, wildlife and habitat, and marine and coastal conservation.
The focus of NFWF is conservation in the USA, but it also administers a few programs of grant making internationally.
Grant Programs for Agriculture, Energy, Environment, Natural Resources
1 — Sea Turtle Conservation Fund. The Fund makes grants for conservation, research, and monitoring of seas turtles — with emphasis on sea turtles in the Western Hemisphere. Each call for proposals defines specific themes and regions.
About grants for Sea Turtles
2 — Coral Reef Conservation Fund. The Fund supports the restoration of damaged reef systems and prevents further negative impacts. There is one sub-program for coral reef protection in U.S. waters, and another sub-program for coral reefs in international waters. Each call for proposals defines the themes, regions, and activity priorities for grants.
About grants for Coral Reefs
3 — ConocoPhillips SPIRIT of Conservation Migratory Bird Program. This is a partnership among the company ConocoPhillips, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The program makes grants for conservation of birds and their habitats in areas of the USA and internationally where ConocoPhillips has an operating presence.
About ConocoPhillips SPIRIT of Conservation Migratory Bird Program
4 — Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative. The initiative supports the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats through strategic investments to secure populations of three species – American oystercatcher (short distance migrant), whimbrel (mid-distance migrant). and threatened red knot (long distance migrant).
About the Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative
5 — Seabird Conservation Program. The program aims to increase survival and reproduction of seabirds by mitigating threats. The program also supports actions that build long-term resilience for threatened seabirds, including investments in biosecurity planning and projects that establish new seabird colonies through social attraction and translocation.
About the Seabird Conservation Program
Eligibility criteria are defined in each call for proposals. Most international grants are open to all persons, organizations, and agencies in the USA and other countries – but usually excluding the U.S. federal government.
APPLICATION (for 1-2-3-4-5 preceding): Grant opportunities are announced through calls for proposals, posted on NFWF’s website.
Each call for proposals includes priorities, guidelines, application forms, matching requirements, funding restrictions, and calendar deadlines. The information usually identifies a contact person and email address.
Most grant-making programs link with program summaries, lists of current projects, and other supporting information.
The Foundation uses an online grants application system. Grant seekers need to register to be able to use it.
About how to apply
Geographical Distribution of Grant Activities in Developing Countries
Worldwide
Grant seekers should consult the Foundation’s complete list of programs for additional conservation initiatives that may operate internationally, e.g., in international waters or air space.
NFWF provides a searchable grants database.
January 2021