Funding

Important Foreword:
Before you read this page, you should know something. There are dozens of funding opportunities for youth environmental projects. Below is a page which contains funding sources which members of this site have submitted. These are primarily aimed at high school students, but many are applicable to multiple applicant types. I feel that this guide is very useful, but there are also some other fantastic resources. In particular, you owe it to yourself to check out the Youth Funding page put together by Climate Change Connection. It contains funding opportunities aimed specifically at young environmentalists in Manitoba. For convenience, their funding information is available as a PDF file, in two layouts: as a calendar and as a 90-page document.

My best advice for you is simple: if you are seeking funding for a good idea that you care about, and that has genuine merit, you will get funding. You just need to be persistent and creative. With literally dozens of different grants and organizations out there, if you work hard on a good idea, at least one person will agree with you.


Funding Opportunities
1) Assiniboine Credit Union - Community Project Fund:
Eligible projects encourage action to address climate change concerns; promote access to clean air, safe drinking water, and food security for all; protect and restore biodiversity and threatened ecosystems; promote positive environmental action and leadership; and/or build the capacity of environmental leaders working for positive change.
Website: http://www.assiniboine.mb.ca/My-Community/Sponsorships---Grants/About-Sustainable-Community-Gr.aspx
Deadline: March 5 & September 10, 2010

2) Eco-Action, Environment Canada:
Eligible projects are action-focused and will protect, rehabilitate or enhance the natural environment; or projects that build the capacity of communities to increase knowledge and skills as well as change attitudes and behaviours so that these activities may be sustained into the future.
Website: www.pnr-rpn.ec.gc.ca/index.en.html
Deadline: November 1st (recurring each year)

3) Mountain Equipment Coop - Community Contributions:
Projects that protect outdoor environmental areas of significant recreation and wilderness value to MEC members are eligible. Grants are awarded for Land Acquisition; Capacity Building; Research, Advocacy and Education; Access & Activity; and Urban Sustainability. Product donations are also available for groups to raise funds or reward volunteers.
Website: http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=1408474396038943&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396038943
Deadline: March 10 and September 10 (Urban Sustainability and Grassroots Product Donations applications accepted anytime)

4) Shell Environmental Fund:
Eligible projects will yield a direct, positive environmental benefit and engage the local community through hands-on involvement.
Website: http://www.shell.ca/home/content/can-en/environment_society/shell_in_society/social_investment/social_investment_areas/environment/shell_environmental_fund/
Deadline: February 15th and September 13 (recurring each year)

5) Special Conservation Fund - Manitoba Conservation:
Eligible projects will enhance the natural resources of the province or be local projects that foster better understanding of natural resource issues and the environment.
Website: http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/susresmb/scfund/index.html
Deadline: Accepted on ongoing basis

6) Sustainable Development Innovations Fund - Manitoba Conservation:
Innovative projects are eligible if they address one or more of the Fund's priority areas: Environmental Technology Innovation and Demonstration; Northern Community Development and Environmental Issues; Sustainable Community Development; Sustainable Community Development; Sustainable Community Development: Sustainable Agricultural Practices; Ecosystem Conservation; Understanding Our Environment; Eco-tourism.
Website: http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/pollutionprevention/sdif/index.html
Deadline: April 15th, June 15th, August 15th, October 15th, December 1st (recurring each year)

7) TD Friends of the Environment:
Eligible projects will protect the Canadian Environment; assist young Canadians in understanding and participating in Environmental activities; support urban renewal such as environmental projects to rejuvenate smaller or at-risk neighbourhoods and "main streets"; enhancing cooperation among Environmental organizations.
Website: www.td.com/fef/overview.jsp.
Deadline: Accepted on ongoing basis

8) Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention (WRAPP) Fund:
Eligible projects must address on of the funds priority areas: Organic Waste Management & Composing; Construction & Demolition (C & D) Waste Management; Pollution Prevention; or Model Integrated Waste Management System Development & Planning.
Website: http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/pollutionprevention/wrapp/wrappfund.html
Deadline: May 15th, July 15th, November 15th, December 15th (recurring each year)

9) Evergreen Grants:
Evergreen offers several funding programs. The Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds School Ground Greening Grants is for schools wishing to create outdoor classrooms and food gardens to provide students with a healthy place to play, learn and develop a genuine respect for nature. The Walmart – Evergreen Green Grants is for community-based restoration and stewardship initiatives in urban and urbanizing areas, including naturalization, restoration and stewardship, and community food gardens. The Rebuilding Nature Grant Program (Supported by The Home Depot Canada Foundation and led by Evergreen) is for community groups to cover the costs of tools and building projects, native plants and trees, and other expenses in support of environmental stewardship projects.
Website: http://www.evergreen.ca/en/funding/overview.sn
Deadline: depends on fund

10) CGI U Outstanding Commitment Awards:
The Clinton Global Initiative is an action-oriented platform that seeks to catalyze new partnerships, practices, and initiatives by and among its members that address social and environmental problems. CGI U is a project of the Clinton Global Initiative that seeks to engage the next generation of leaders on college campuses around the world.

The CGI U Outstanding Commitment Awards will provide recognition and financial support for a select number of student-led initiatives and projects. Applicants do NOT need to be CGI U members, and the application is open to all students.
Website: http://www.cgiu.org/funding

11) Sierra Youth Coalition Sustainability Education Fund:
Are you getting involved in a big and exciting conference? You need a travel subsidy? You want to organize an awareness-raising event in your community? SYC can help you with your individual fundraising efforts. The SYC Sustainability Education Fund aims to support individual learning pursuits. Unfortunately, we cannot offer money or any kind of funding to people... yet, while the fund is young and new. For now, we can offer an online fundraising tool (credit card accessible) as well as charity receipts to those who donate to your project. Its simplicity and the tax incentive will help you raise more money than you had expected.
Website: http://www.syc-cjs.org/education-fund

12) The Run with Porter Seedling Foundation:
The annual Run with Porter raises money for this foundation which supports Manitoba charities that combine the elements of children/youth with nature and the environment.
Website: http://runwithporter.com

13) RBC Blue Water Leadership Grants:
The RBC Blue Water Project Leadership grants are directed to organizations that are leaders in providing programs in North America and other countries where RBC does business. The focus for these grants are: 1)Watershed protection. Programs and projects that focus on watershed awareness, community-based watershed stewardship, protection and restoration of sensitive natural areas, or sustainable water use and conservation. 2) Access to clean drinking water. Programs and projects that focus on making sure communities have access to clean, safe drinking water, when and where it is needed.
Website: http://bluewater.rbc.com/eligibilityRequirements.php

14) Manitoba Hydro - Environmental Partnership Fund:
Provides one-time or multi-year contributions toward environmental projects that relate to our activities and have a strong environmental/energy education focus.
Website: http://www.hydro.mb.ca/environment/programs/partnership_fund.shtml

15) CP Loewen Family Foundation:
The primary areas of interest are: Education; Tolerance and Respect; Faith; Environment; Alleviation of Poverty and Promotion of Economic Mobility; and Community-building in communities in which Loewen Window employees and shareholders live and work.
Website: http://www.loewenfoundation.com

16) Environmental Youth Corps:
The EYC program allows Manitoba youth the opportunity to become involved in a variety of environmental activities. Financial assistance is available to Project Sponsors planning to carry out activities such as community clean-ups or creating green space that provide youth with hands-on learning experiences leading to increased knowledge and awareness of environmental matters.
Website: http://www.manitoba.ca/conservation/pollutionprevention/eyc/index.html

17) The Thomas Sill Foundation:
The Thomas Sill Foundation exists to provide encouragement and financial assistance to qualifying organizations operating in Manitoba that are working to advance the quality of life in the province. The Foundation provides primarily capital grants. Secondarily, pilot or demonstration projects also receive consideration. Operating grants are rarely issued, and when awarded are usually for start-up purposes.
Website: http://www.thomassillfoundation.com/contact.html

18) WWF-Canada Green CommUnity School Grants Program:
Through the generous support of Loblaw Companies Ltd, WWF-Canada will grant $600,000 over the next three years, up to $200,000 a year, to Canadian elementary and secondary schools. The grants will help reduce a community’s impact on the environment, increase understanding of environmental issues and solutions, stimulate environmental leadership, and inspire students and communities to take action.
Website: http://www.studentawards.com/greencommunityprogram/




Submit Funding Opportunities
Please use the form below to submit Funding opportunities. Submissions do not need to be entirely environmental in nature; please feel free to submit funding opportunities which highlight other characteristics, such as community service or humanitarian achievements. Most such opportunities also value environmental work, and thus are useful resources.