The Waitt Foundation makes Rapid Ocean Conservation (ROC) grants to strengthen and expand marine protected areas, and to promote sustainable fisheries. Grants support scientific research, policy, management, and public awareness. There are no geographical restrictions. Grants are up to US$10 thousand, and occasionally up to US$15 thousand. Applications are reviewed with a quick turnaround time to address urgent needs. Preliminary grant requests are accepted all year. About ROC grants
community projects
Canada Fund for Local Initiatives — Community Projects in Cuba
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives invites proposals that meet the needs of local communities in Cuba. The priorities under this call include environment, climate action focusing on adaptation and mitigation, and water management. The average contribution is C$35 thousand per project. Eligibility extends to local community organizations, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions. The deadline for submission is 24 March 2025. CFLI Cuba
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund — Biodiversity Conservation in the Mediterranean Basin
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) invites Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) for large grants (up to US$180 thousand) for projects that support the sustainable management of water catchments through integrated approaches for the conservation of threatened freshwater biodiversity in the Mediterranean Basin. Eligibility extends to non-governmental organizations, community groups, universities and private enterprises. The ecosystem profile technical summary is available in English, French, and Arabic. LOIs must be submitted by 11 April 2025. Click here
Canada Fund for Local Initiatives — Community Projects in Asia-Pacific Islands
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) invites proposals that meet the needs of local communities in the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. The priorities under this call include women’s economic rights, decent jobs and entrepreneurship, and investing in the poorest and most vulnerable (which may include agriculture or aquaculture projects), as well as environment, climate action focusing on adaptation and mitigation, and water management. The average contribution is C$40 thousand per project. Eligibility extends to not-for-profit local, national, or community-based organizations. The deadline for submission is 30 April 2025. CFLI Asia-Pacific Islands
Together Women Rise — Empowering Women and Girls living in Extreme Poverty
Together Women Rise (formerly Dining for Women) makes grants to non-profit organizations that support women and girls living in extreme poverty in developing countries. Thematic areas include access to clean water and sanitation, food security, and education, among other themes. Together Women Rise accepts applications in the range of US$35 thousand to $50 thousand. Eligibility extends to US 5.01(c)3 corporations or international organizations with a fiscal sponsor. The grant cycle to submit letters of intent is open from 06 May to 06 June 2025. Find the program
People’s Trust for Endangered Species — Conservation Insight Grants
The PTES makes grants to scientific researchers and conservationists worldwide for work that helps preserve endangered species, either through research or applied field work. (Note: PTES no longer accepts grant applications for research and conservation of bird species.) The program offers small grants between £3 thousand and £10 thousand per year for up to two years. Funds will be awarded for work that aims to generate the scientific evidence that will facilitate the conservation of a species. PTES only accepts grant requests from applicants already working and established in either the UK, UK overseas territories or any country not classified by the World Bank as high-income. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full project proposal. Info on worldwide grant criteria
Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation — Start-up Support for Social Enterprises
The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation supports early-stage, high-impact social enterprises and seeks projects and innovations that dramatically improve the lives of people and the world. Eligibility extends to non-profit, for-profit, and hybrid organizations in the early stages of their development that have scaling potential. The DRK investments are distributed twice a year over a three-year term, totaling $300 thousand. The Foundation has a rolling online application process throughout the year; there is no deadline. Click here
Canada Fund for Local Initiatives — Community Projects in Colombia
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) invites proposals that meet the needs of local communities in Colombia. CFLI provides funding to projects that implement environment and climate action projects focusing on adaptation and mitigation, as well as water management and other thematic areas. The average contribution is C$25 thousand to C$50 thousand per project. Eligibility extends to not-for-profit local, national, or community-based organizations. The deadline for submission is 19 March 2025. CFLI Colombia
Youth4Climate — Solutions and Climate Action
Youth4Climate aims to support the work of young people and youth-led organizations in five thematic areas: Climate and Environment Literacy, Sustainable Energy, Food and Agriculture, Nature Assets, and Sustainable Consumption & Production. Successful applicants will be awarded up to US$ 30 thousand to implement or scale their innovations. Proposals can be submitted in English, French, or Spanish. The application deadline is 26 May 2025. Link to Youth4Climate
Global EbA Fund — Global Ecosystem-based Adaptation
The Global Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Fund supports scaling up innovative approaches to ecosystem-based adaptation to increase the resilience of communities against the impacts of climate change. The goal is to build awareness and understanding of the critical role of natural assets in underpinning resilience and expand the knowledge base to help make the case for working with people and nature. The fund is open for contributions of US$50 thousand to US$250 thousand, with no specified country focus. The maximum project duration is 36 months. Projects may have a global, thematic, regional and/or country-specific focus. The Fund accepts and reviews applications year-round and makes biannual funding decisions. Global EbA Fund