The Ocean Foundation directs funding for marine and ocean conservation. Program areas cover essentially all aspects of marine and ocean conservation. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited funding requests. However, it accepts brief letters of inquiry from grant seekers who wish to partner with the Foundation. Find out how the process works
community projects
Embassy of the Czech Republic — Small-Scale Development Projects 2026
The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Pretoria launches its annual call for proposals for Small Scale Development Projects. The call concerns all countries accredited to the Embassy: South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Lesotho, and Namibia. Projects and development activities providing materials or equipment, training, or capacity-building in the fields of sustainable management of natural resources, agriculture, and economic transformation (including renewable energy) are welcome. The Czech Republic will provide up to CZK 500 thousand per project. Non-profit organizations, educational institutions, or community groups are welcome to apply. The deadline for submission of the complete proposals is 15 September 2025. Details
National Geographic Society — Extreme Weather and Natural Hazards Solutions
The National Geographic Society seeks proposals for its Extreme Weather and Natural Hazards Solutions program, offering up to US$50 thousand in funding for science-based projects. Ideal projects engage vulnerable human communities and ecosystems through approaches such as field data collection, nature-based solutions, technological innovations (e.g., AI, autonomous systems), or localized preparedness strategies. Applicants must be 18 or older. Proposals must be submitted by 19 September 2025. Details here
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund — Biodiversity Conservation in the Tropical Andes
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) invites applications for small grants (from US$5 thousand to US$50 thousand) and large grants (from US$50 thousand to US$200 thousand) in support of biodiversity conservation in the Tropical Andes. CEPF provides an informational webinar (in Spanish) to help applicants develop a successful letter of inquiry. Eligibility for grants extends to NGOs, local communities, indigenous peoples groups, and other civil society organizations in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The deadline for letters of inquiry (English, Spanish) is 30 September 2025. CEPF Tropical Andes
Journalism Fund — Development Grants for Environmental Journalism
The Development Grants for Environmental Journalism supports enabling activities and supporting services for environmental investigative journalism as a whole. The program provides funding to project ideas from organizations and institutions for training and professional development programs. Eligible proposals entail enabling activities and supporting services for environmental investigative journalism in Europe. The total available amount to be distributed among all supported projects will be around €115 thousand. The program is open to legal entities with demonstrable expertise in investigative journalism. The next application deadline is 09 October 2025. Development Grants for Environmental Journalism
American Association of Zoo Veterinarians — Zoological Medicine and Wildlife Health Research Grant
The American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV) awards the Zoological Medicine and Wildlife Health Research Grant to professionals in zoological medicine for the care and conservation of captive and free-ranging wildlife. Two categories of funding are available: standard grants (maximum US$20 thousand) and small grants (maximum US$7,500). The application deadline is 15 December 2025. Click here for the Guidelines
Free Rivers Fund — Emergency Grant
The Free Rivers Fund collects donations from adventure sports companies and distributes funds to conservation groups. The idea is to give financial support to those who spend their free time protecting rivers from being dammed. The Free Rivers Fund offers emergency grants to help initiatives that have just formed in order to prevent a dam. Applications for emergency support can be submitted anytime. Free Rivers Emergency Grant
UN Women — Climate Entrepreneurship
The UN Women Care & Climate Entrepreneurship Accelerator is a 12-month program tailored for early- and growth-stage women-led or gender-diverse, for-profit enterprises in South and Southeast Asia focusing on solutions in the care economy, the green economy, or both. Selected participants receive grants ranging from US$5,000 to US$100 thousand, along with customized support. Eligible applicants must be legally registered, operational for at least two years. The application deadline is 31 August 2025. Care & Climate Entrepreneurship Accelerator
IUCN — Environmental Sustainability and Gender Equality
The RISE (Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Environments) Grants Challenge 2025 seeks proposals that embed gender‑based violence risk mitigation into existing or ongoing environmental and conservation projects—particularly those involving Indigenous-managed lands and protected areas. The total funding ranges from US$200 thousand to US$300 thousand for projects lasting 12 to 18 months. Eligible applicants include legally registered NGOs, community-based and civil society organizations, Indigenous peoples’ organizations, academic and research institutions, private sector companies (if non-profit), and consortiums. The call closes on 08 September 2025. Link to the RISE Grants Challenge
Embassy of the Czech Republic in Bangkok — Small-Scale Local Projects in Thailand and Laos
The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Bangkok invites applications for small-scale development projects from organizations in Thailand or Laos. Projects and development activities in the areas of environment, agriculture, health, education, and social services are welcome. The Czech Republic will provide between US$ 9,500 and US$ 23 thousand per project. Non-profit organizations, educational institutions, or community groups are welcome to apply. Interested entities should submit their proposals to the Embassy of the Czech Republic no later than 15 October 2025. Link