Green Partners Grants: Environmental Action Program

The Green Partners Grant by Hennepin County aims to empower organizations to foster environmental stewardship among residents. This program provides funding for initiatives that engage both youth and adults in sustainable practices. Key focus areas include waste reduction, composting, and enhancing biodiversity through habitat creation. Three grant types are available: Environmental Action, Youth Environmental Leadership, and Youth Environmental Education. Eligible applicants include schools, nonprofits, and park districts, with funding amounts varying based on previous awards.

Note:
Hennepin County has three Green Partners programs: Environmental Action Program; Youth Environmental Leadership Program; and Youth Environmental Education Program.
The closing date for all questions is indicated above as the due date for Letter of Inquiry.
Engage, educate, act and collaborate for the environment
Hennepin County provides funding and support to organizations to actively educate, engage and motivate residents to become environmental stewards and make positive behavior changes.
Through the Green Partners program, Hennepin County contracts with organizations to implement projects that engage youth and adults in becoming environmental stewards. Projects engage youth in learning about environmental topics and taking leadership on environmental issues as they get older. Green Partners also supports projects to engage our adult residents in helping the county reach it’s zero waste and climate goals by preventing waste, composting organic waste, reducing, reusing, recycling, and repairing and caring for our natural resources by improving water quality, caring for trees, and creating habitat to protect birds, bats, and pollinators.
Types of Grants
Hennepin County has three Green Partners programs.
Environmental Action ProgramYouth Environmental Leadership Program
Environmental action projects must primarily engage adults. These projects focus on motivating adults to make environmental changes at home and on-the-go, focusing on one or two environmentally friendly actions. Proposers must incorporate research-based behavior change strategies into project plans to motivate people to take specific environmental actions and incorporate environmental changes into their lifestyle.
Levels of Funding
If you have received a Green Partners award before, you can apply for up to $25,000 for a one-year project or, if you meet the criteria, up to $50,000 for a two-year project.
If you have never received a Green Partners award before, you can apply for up to $12,000 for a one-year project.

Eligibility

Schools and school districts, including community educations programs like early childhood family education
Registered nonprofit organizations such as community groups, youth programs and congregations