Conservation, Environment and Public Trails Grant Program

The Santa Barbara Foundation's Conservation, Environment, and Public Trails Grant Program aims to support vital conservation and environmental projects within Santa Barbara County. With a maximum award of $25,000, the program prioritizes initiatives that enhance ecological sustainability, habitat restoration, and public trail access. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) certified and demonstrate a clear strategy and capacity for project management. This initiative fosters community engagement and contributes to the preservation of the region's rich natural resources.

The Santa Barbara Foundation is excited to announce the second year of the Conservation, Environment, and Public Trails Grant Program. This grant program will support conservation, environment, and public trails projects across Santa Barbara County, with a preference given to those on the South Coast of Santa Barbara County from Point Conception to the Ventura County line and the Santa Ynez Valley.
The South Coast of Santa Barbara County has a long history of improving the environment, and cherishing and preserving the scenic beauty of the area for future generations. Beginning with one of the most formative events in the modern environmental movement, the blowout at Union Oil’s Platform A in the Santa Barbara Channel on January 28, 1969, and the fouling of the ocean and coastline that occurred as a result, the community and its nonprofits have been at the forefront of conservation and environment protection.
In recent years, the Santa Barbara Foundation’s investments in the environment have included development of a countywide Food Action Plan and Network, Conservation Blueprint, funding to preserve places such as the Point Sal Reserve and North Campus Open Space, and capacity building for nonprofit organizations. With our funding partners, the Foundation is offering grants to increase environmental sustainability, land conservation, habitat restoration, public trails, and ecosystem health.
Focus
Funding can be used for new or existing projects that meet demonstrated need.
In summary, funded organizations will:
carry out projects to address conservation, environment and public trails.be well-managed, financially viable, and operate effective projects.have developed short-term and long-term strategies for addressing identified organizational needs.
Funding Amounts and Duration
The maximum award for Conservation, Environment and Public Trails grants is $25,000. The grant review panel may reduce or increase award amounts at its discretion. The grant period is up to one year from the award date.

Eligibility

Grants are available to organizations providing programming in Santa Barbara CountyOrganizations must be certified as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or use a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) tax status. Organizations using a fiscal sponsor must review the Eligibility Criteria & FAQs found here for additional information and instructions.Projects must have clearly defined goals and outcomes and a strategy and timeline in place for achieving the stated goals. If the project is part of a larger or longer-term effort, the applicant must demonstrate how the project relates to future work, including a financial sustainability concept or strategy for scaling up the project. The applicant and/or project partners demonstrate the capacity to manage the scale and scope of the project. Matching or leveraged funding is recommended, but not required.Trails Access Project Criteria:Projects should provide ecological value, aesthetic improvements or appropriately placed public access (trails, pathways, etc.). This may include restoration of habitat for specific species or general habitat types, or for accommodation of passive recreation and education for people.Applications may include planning for new trails, new trail construction, trail restoration, trail head facilities, lease of heavy equipment, purchase of hand tools to construct/renovate trails, water trail facilities, and educational programs.Land acquisition for trail purposes must have (or be close to securing) all permits and landowner approvals/agreements, and be “shovel ready” within the one-year grant cycle beginning from date of award.Conservation Project Criteria:Projects should align with a conservation plan or strategy and be recognized as a valuable component of a longer-term plan or vision. This may include providing permanent (or long-term) protection for lands with high ecological or agriculture value, fulfilling a critical link for species, habitats or ecosystem function, or providing passive and educational access for people. Allowable projects include:Planning, feasibility, and study phases for new projects or emerging opportunities for early phases of land acquisition or easements. This may include good-faith deposits to begin landowner negotiations, appraisals, or other land use investigations.Educational projects related to climate resilience, habitats, or threatened species conservation.Efforts to preserve critical habitats or species.Closing or completion costs for land acquisition or easement purchase projects.Environmental Project Criteria:Project planning, implementation or investigation/research of best practices or innovative approaches must address a specific challenge or opportunity in achieving sustainable practices for land, forestry, or water management.Pilot implementation or facility improvement projects should serve as a model that can be replicated and/or scaled up in the future.Projects with collaborative partners will be most competitive for funding.

Ineligibility

Applications that do not contain a valid EIN (tax ID) number will not be considered.Grants in the Conservation, Environment, and Public Trails Grant program areas are not intended for:Direct purchase of land or easements that have raised less than 90% of funds requiredDirect support to government agencies or private landowners (grantees must be a 501(c)(3) organization and serve as the primary project lead agency; public or private entities may be part of a collaboration)EndowmentAdvocacy and lobbying activitiesCommunity grants are not awarded for the following purposes or activities:DebtEndowmentFundraising events or SponsorshipsOne-time events, including recurring annual eventsIndividualsReimbursement for activities that occurred prior to the grant award dateInfluencing legislation and/or elections (within the meaning of section 4945(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code); except as that activity may be related to the purpose of the grant, and permitted for 501(c)(3) organizations by applicable law or Internal Revenue Service regulations.