Funding Amount

Up to $50,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Land & Water Defense Fund (LWDF)

Award Amount: Up to $50,000 per grant

Grant Duration: 6-12 month grants

Geographic Scope: North America (US, Canadian, and Mexican organizations)

Focus Areas:
The majority of awards focus on these categories:

  • Defending bedrock conservation laws (e.g., Wilderness Act, Antiquities Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act)

  • Defending landscapes, rules and regulations, and management plans that TCA previously supported

  • Opposing the proposed transfer of federal lands to states or private ownership
  • Priority Considerations:
    Priority will be given to efforts that:

  • Defend TCA Priority Campaigns

  • Include a parallel process for securing durable protection

  • Address an urgent threat to public lands

  • Elevate marginalized voices and leadership
  • Eligibility:

  • 501(c)(3) organizations

  • Tribal organizations

  • Canadian Registered Charities

  • Mexican Registered Charities

  • Other charitable organizations

  • Fiscally sponsored organizations (with fiscal sponsor listed)

  • Organization/group and project must be located in North America
  • Funding Process:

  • TCA reviews and funds proposals as they are received, given available resources

  • Due to the urgent nature of these efforts, all funding decisions are made by TCA staff

  • Organizations complete an online inquiry form for funding consideration
  • Background:
    Established to support organizations strategically confronting efforts that would diminish the public lands system. Part of The Conservation Alliance's broader grant portfolio, which has contributed over $25.3 million in total funding since 1989.

    How to Apply

    Application Process

    Step 1: Complete Online Inquiry Form
    Organizations interested in funding must complete The Conservation Alliance's online inquiry form.

    Required Information:

    Applicant Information:

  • Organization Name (Required)

  • Contact Name (Required)

  • Contact Title

  • Contact Email (Required)

  • Organization Website
  • Eligibility Information:

  • Type of Organization (501c3, Tribal, Canadian Registered Charity, Mexican Registered Charity, Other)

  • If other type, specify

  • Fiscal sponsor information (if fiscally sponsored)

  • Organization State/Territory (dropdown menu with all US states, Canadian provinces, and territories)

  • Project State/Territory (dropdown menu)
  • Project Information:

    1. Final Outcome (Required): In one sentence, detail the final outcome your group is seeking to achieve (e.g., "defend the conservation of 1,000 acres of forest land through public education and coalition building efforts")

    2. Strategy Description (Required): In 300 words or less, briefly describe:
    - The strategy your group will engage in
    - The particular role your organization will play

    Submission:

  • Form submission is online

  • All decisions made by TCA staff

  • Funding decisions made as proposals are received, given available resources
  • Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    nonprofitsenvironmental-conservationland-conservationwaternative-americans

    Categories

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