Environmental Conservation Grants in Illinois
Last updated September 29, 2026
There are 48 active environmental conservation grants tagged to Illinois, part of 1,958 active environmental conservation grants listed nationwide. Updated daily.
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| ★ | Grant |
|---|---|
| State ANS Comprehensive Management Plan (FY25) Natural Resources · State Rolling · Varies To provide technical and financial assistance to implement the highest priority actions in order to protect and restore the Great Lakes. | |
| C-SWG - Competitive State Wildlife Grants (FY26) Natural Resources · State Rolling · Varies Development and implementation of projects for the benefit of fish and wildlife and their habitats, including species that are not hunted or fished. Priority is placed on projects that benefit species of greatest conservation concern. | |
| Invasive Carp Management Control in IL Waterway GLRI (FY25) (CAFWS-176 170, and 164) Natural Resources · State Rolling · Varies To provide technical and financial assistance to implement the highest priority actions in order to protect and restore the Great Lakes. | |
| CMP - Coastal Management Program - BIL Programmatic Projects (FY26) Natural Resources · State Rolling · Varies Support for projects focused on coastal planning, coordination, coastal hazards, habitat protection and management, education and outreach materials and programs. | |
| CMP - Coastal Management Program - NOAA 25 Programmatic Natural Resources · State Rolling · Varies Support for projects focused on coastal planning, coordination, coastal hazards, habitat protection and management, education and outreach materials and programs. | |
| Inflation Reduction Act Urban & Community Forestry Program 23-DG-11094200-327 Natural Resources · State Rolling · Varies To plan for, establish, manage and protect trees, forests, green spaces and related natural resources in and adjacent to cities and towns. The urban and community forestry program provides ecosystem services, social and economic benefits. | |
| PR - Wildlife Restoration (FY26) Department of Natural Resources · State Rolling · Varies Notices of award will be sent to the Principal Investigator for the award. | |
| AIS Grants to Great Lakes States (FY24) Natural Resources · State Rolling · Varies To provide technical and financial assistance to implement the highest priority actions in order to protect and restore the Great Lakes. | |
| SWG - State Wildlife Grants (FY24) Natural Resources · State Rolling · Varies Development and implementation of projects for the benefit of fish and wildlife and their habitats, including species that are not hunted or fished. | |
| Line Item - Operational Grant (FY26) Natural Resources · State Rolling · Varies Grant programs as defined within the annual appropriation bill (Public Act) including Member Initiatives. | |
| Recreational Corridor greenways and trails planning Natural Resources · State Rolling · Varies State funding for intergovernmental agreements and grant agreements that support specific projects identified as high priority a Recreational Corridor for repurposing the abandoned railroads. | |
| C-SWG - Competitive State Wildlife Grants (FY25) Natural Resources · State Rolling · Varies Development and implementation of projects for the benefit of fish and wildlife and their habitats, including species that are not hunted or fished. Priority is placed on projects that benefit species of greatest conservation concern. | |
| DJ - Sport Fish Restoration - Fisheries, Boat Access (FY24) Natural Resources · State Rolling · Varies Activities designed to restore, conserve, manage, or enhance sport fish populations; the public use and benefits from these resources; and activities that provide boat access to public waters. | |
| CMP - Coastal Management Program - Programmatic Projects (FY25) Natural Resources · State Rolling · Varies Support for projects focused on coastal planning, coordination, coastal hazards, habitat protection and management, education and outreach materials and programs. | |
| SWG - State Wildlife Grants (FY25) Natural Resources · State Rolling · Varies Development and implementation of projects for the benefit of fish and wildlife and their habitats, including species that are not hunted or fished. | |
| Illinois Recreational Access Program (Federal: Voluntary Public Access & Habitat Incentive Program) Natural Resources · State Rolling · Varies Provide public access and habitat improvement on privately leased property throughout the state. | |
| WNS - Endangered Species- White Nose Syndrome (FY26) Natural Resources · State Rolling · Varies White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a disease of hibernating bats caused by the invasive fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). | |
| Invasive Carp Management Control in IL Waterway GLRI (FY26) Natural Resources · State Rolling · Varies To provide technical and financial assistance to implement the highest priority actions in order to protect and restore the Great Lakes. | |
| Forest Health Management Natural Resources · State Rolling · Varies Collection of data that is utilized to analyze and report on the condition and disease problems that affect Illinois trees and forests. | |
| CMP - Coastal Management Program - USEPA 22-11 Natural Resources · State Rolling · Varies Support for projects focused on coastal planning, coordination, coastal hazards, habitat protection and management, education and outreach materials and programs. | |
| Illinois support of Ohio River Basin Asian Carp control and management (FY26) Natural Resources · State Rolling · Varies Conduct fish and wildlife management activities that align with the conservation, restoration, and management goals and priorities of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices. | |
| Invasive Carp removal and monitoring in the Upper Mississippi River (CAFWS-181) Natural Resources · State Rolling · Varies Conduct fish and wildlife management activities that align with the conservation, restoration, and management goals and priorities of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices. | |
| AIS Grants to Great Lakes States (FY25) Natural Resources · State Rolling · Varies To provide technical and financial assistance to implement the highest priority actions in order to protect and restore the Great Lakes. | |
| Section 604(b) - Water Quality Management Program for Qualified Areawide Planning Agencies (FY 22) Illinois Environmental Protection Agency · State Rolling · Varies Illinois EPA’s Section 604(b) Water Quality Management program grant (a.k.a. |
Showing 1–24 of 48
About environmental conservation grants in Illinois
Environmental conservation grants support protecting and restoring natural resources, including habitat, forests, wetlands, and working lands. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is among the largest conservation grantmakers, and federal programs through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service fund restoration and easement work. Nonprofits, land trusts, tribes, and government agencies are common applicants.
Environmental Conservation Grants in other states
Other grant categories in Illinois
Frequently Asked Questions
What grants are available for conservation work?
Conservation funding covers habitat restoration, species recovery, land and easement acquisition, watershed protection, and stewardship of working lands. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation runs numerous competitive programs, and USDA/NRCS offers tools like Conservation Innovation Grants. Many programs require matching funds and prioritize measurable ecological outcomes.
Who funds conservation nonprofits?
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, created by Congress in 1984, pairs public dollars with private match and is the country's largest private conservation grantmaker. Federal partners include USDA/NRCS, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and NOAA, alongside private and community foundations focused on land and wildlife.
Do conservation grants require matching funds?
Many do. Programs such as those run by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and several USDA easement programs expect grantees to contribute matching cash or in-kind resources, sometimes a substantial share of project cost. Lining up partners and committed match early strengthens an application and is often a formal eligibility requirement.
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