Annual Environmental Grants

Annual Environmental Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The Rockfall Foundation
Amount: US $1,000 - US $5,000
Last Updated: September 22, 2025

Summary

The Rockfall Foundation is accepting applications for its 2026 Annual Environmental Grants Program, aimed at non-profit organizations, municipalities, and schools. This program supports projects focused on environmental conservation, restoration, and education in the Lower Connecticut River Valley. Eligible expenses include materials, transportation, and program fees. Projects must demonstrate a clear benefit to the environment and align with the foundation's priorities, including environmental justice and youth engagement.

Overview

Annual Environmental Grant Program The Rockfall Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2026 Annual Environmental Grants Program, available to non-profit organizations, municipalities, and schools. The Environmental Grants are for projects and programs that support the environment through conservation, preservation, restoration, or education in the Lower Connecticut River Valley, which includes Middlesex County as well as Lyme and Old Lyme. Funding for materials, transportation, program/presenter fees, intern stipends and similar items are eligible.  Funding must be applied to the items/activities described in the application form. Substitutions are not permitted unless prior approval has been obtained. Applications are rated on the following criteria: likelihood of proposal reaching fruition and its target audience;clear alignment and benefit to a priority area; innovation; engagement of youth;environmental justice/disadvantaged populations;Previous Rockfall support or existing project with proven progress;implications beyond the immediate purview of the proposal;Potential for broader application beyond the proposed activity;Clarity and confirmation of matching funds sources. likelihood on continuation without further funding from the Foundation; and a budget that is clear and reasonable. Types of programs, projects and initiatives that are funded include: environmental education, responsible environmental planning, preservation of the Connecticut River Watershed, innovative solutions to waste stream management and pollution, open space acquisition, environmental justice, or anything consistent with the priorities listed. Environmental Education is broadly defined, and not limited to school curricula; environmental education programs can target any age from preschool through adults. Activities that engage young people, provide hands-on experiences, offer internships, or creative approaches to learning are encouraged. Capital projects that facilitate learning are not prohibited but will be carefully scrutinized for their application to hands-on learning. Planning projects should be approached with consideration for the natural environment and those that support sustainable communities. Preservation of the Connecticut River Watershed includes projects designed to protect and benefit the water quality of the Connecticut River watershed and raise awareness of responsible living in the watershed. Priority Areas Preservation – work to protect ecosystems, species, and other irreplaceable elements of the region’s natural heritage. Conservation – work to minimize our use of finite natural resources and our negative impacts on ecosystems and communities. Restoration – work to re-establish the healthy functions of an ecosystem or parts of ecosystems. Education – work to foster a stronger awareness and understanding of environmental and sustainability issues.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible projects are those that support the environment through preservation, conservation, restoration or education.Organizations certified as 501(c)(3) nonprofits, towns, religious institutions and schools are eligible to apply. Prospective applicants may partner with a 501(c)(3) or a municipality, as co-applicants, to comply with this requirement. A letter of agreement of this partnership from the host entity must be included with the application, stating that they agree to be equally responsible for compliance with all grant requirements.Organizations or projects must be based in one of the focus towns: Chester, Clinton, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Lyme, Middlefield, Middletown, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland, or Westbrook. Proposals that focus on the Connecticut River corridor or Long Island Sound will be considered as long as there is a demonstrated impact in at least one of the focus towns.

Ineligibility

Items such as food, regular operating expenses (e.g. insurance, rent, and other overhead), indirect labor salaries and benefits are not generally funded, but may be considered for organizations under extreme financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic.