Environmental Conservation Grants in Illinois
Last updated July 1, 2026
There are 44 active environmental conservation grants tagged to Illinois. Updated daily.
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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.
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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