5 Upcoming Environmental Grants to Add to Your Fall Rotation
Funding justice-driven climate, land, and community resilience work
For frontline nonprofits and grassroots collectives, fall is a strategic season to secure environmental funding. Many funders align their grant cycles with year-end budgeting and planning, making September through November 2025 an essential window for justice-oriented organizations to pitch bold ideas and lock in resources for the year ahead.
Whether organizing against polluters, stewarding ancestral land, building food sovereignty programs, or running climate resilience workshops in communities long denied access, these five upcoming grants are built for impact-driven work.
1. ConnCF Health & Environmental Justice Grants
Deadline: September 8, 2025
Award Size: $5,000–$25,000
Who It’s For: Connecticut-based nonprofits addressing environmental stressors in marginalized communities
More Info: https://conncf.org/supporting-nonprofits/health_environment
The Connecticut Community Foundation’s fall cycle includes a focus on health and environmental justice. Projects addressing toxic exposure, clean water access, air quality, or green job creation in low-income and BIPOC communities are prioritized. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or use a fiscal sponsor. Applications open August 1 and close September 8.
2. MA Decarbonization Grants for Environmental Justice Communities
Deadline: Statement of Interest due October 15, 2025; Full Proposal due November 3, 2025
Award Size: Tiered grants with a 10 percent bonus for projects in Environmental Justice areas
Who It’s For: Massachusetts-based nonprofits and community groups implementing clean energy or decarbonization projects
More Info: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/leading-by-example-decarbonization-implementation-grant
Offered through the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, this program supports municipal and nonprofit efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Eligible expenses include HVAC electrification, energy storage, EV infrastructure, and facility upgrades. Projects located in Environmental Justice communities receive additional funding.
3. Climate Ride Justice & Access Grants
Deadline: Nominations open now; recipients announced November 2025
Award Size: $5,000
Who It’s For: BIPOC-led grassroots groups expanding outdoor access and advancing environmental justice
More Info: https://www.climateride.org/environmental-justice-action-grants
Climate Ride’s Justice and Access Grants support groups working to make outdoor spaces more inclusive while addressing environmental injustice. Past grantees have led projects involving trail access, transportation equity, Indigenous land reclamation, and youth climate programming. The nomination process is live now and awards will be announced in November.
4. CHEJ Small Grants Program
Deadline: Next cycle expected July 2026; ideal for fall preparation
Award Size: $1,000–$20,000
Who It’s For: U.S.-based grassroots groups addressing toxic exposure or environmental health issues
More Info: https://chej.org/small-grants-program
The Center for Health, Environment, and Justice provides funding to support grassroots campaigns tackling chemical pollution, land contamination, and related public health risks. This program is well-suited for emerging environmental justice organizations and community coalitions. Although the next deadline will be in 2026, fall is the right time to begin preparing materials.
5. Manistee County Community Foundation Fall Grants
Deadline: September 15, 2025
Award Size: Up to $5,000
Who It’s For: Community-led projects in Manistee County, Michigan with an environmental or social justice focus
More Info: https://www.manisteefoundation.org
This Michigan-based fund supports small, community-rooted efforts that enhance environmental stewardship, youth engagement, and public space access. Application support and workshops are provided in August. Though geographically specific, this program is a strong example of how local philanthropy can prioritize grassroots environmental justice work.
Final Note
These funders prioritize collaboration, clarity of vision, and leadership rooted in the communities most impacted by environmental harm. The most competitive proposals will center that leadership and clearly articulate both the systemic challenges and the local solutions being pursued.
Harvey & Smith Impact offers support for grassroots organizations preparing applications this fall, including grant writing, narrative development, and funding strategy. Strong, justice-driven work deserves strong, justice-driven resources.
Let’s fund the future.