MBF Small Grants Program

MBF Small Grants Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Monarch Butterfly Fund
Amount: Up to US $3,500
Last Updated: November 21, 2025

Summary

The MBF Small Grants Program supports conservation projects for monarch butterflies and their habitats, primarily in Mexico. It aims to fund initiatives focusing on habitat conservation, scientific research, education, and sustainable development. Grants are primarily awarded to Mexican organizations and individuals, with a preference for those with relevant experience. Projects should enhance local livelihoods and promote environmental awareness within the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve.

Overview

The Monarch Butterfly Fund welcomes proposals from organizations or individuals for activities that support conservation of monarch butterflies or their habitat. Most of our funding supports activities focused on protecting the oyamel fir forests in which monarch butterflies overwinter in central Mexico, and grants are awarded to Mexican organizations and individuals. We may provide limited support to projects in the United States and Canada. Strategic Initiatives Projects must address one of the strategic initiatives of MBF: habitat conservation, scientific research and monitoring, education and outreach or sustainable development. Habitat Conservation Reforestation and restoration in the monarch’s Mexican overwintering sites and surrounding areas are important for the well-being of the local residents and for the monarch butterfly. MBF supports projects that: recover and restore critical monarch forest habitat; assess natural regeneration as an alternative to traditional reforestation;promote stewardship, management, and sustainable use of areas that have been reforested;build the skills and capacity of local communities to restore forests and provide stewardship; evaluate the risks and benefits of the removal of trees that have died by storms or disease;** evaluate water quality, quantity and availability within the MBBR;foster greater understanding, appreciation, and awareness of the need for and value of establishing and maintaining forested areas within the MBBR. Scientific Research and Monitoring MBF supports scientific research and the exchange and distribution of scientific information that has direct relevance to conservation in the overwintering sites. Collaborative projects are encouraged. Research funds will be available to graduate or advanced undergraduate students who are from Mexico or are studying at a Mexican university. Experience in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve increases the likelihood that a researcher’s proposal will be funded. Research may address a wide range of subjects related directly to forest or monarch conservation. Any proposed assessment or monitoring activities must have direct relevance to monarch conservation. MBF supports projects that: conduct forest inventories;study fire regimes in the forest;assess past reforestation efforts;examine conditions required for successful forest restoration;** investigate the effects of climate change on the MBBR;provide monitoring of monarchs (including the condition, movement, location, and timing of monarchs in the forests);develop methods to assess monarch habitat quality or monarch distribution and abundance; Outreach and Education MBF supports the engagement of local communities in education and other activities that encourage greater understanding, appreciation, and support of monarch conservation. We encourage proposals that address public awareness. In the past, MBF has supported environmental education in schools and communities near the monarch overwintering sites, workshops for local ejidatarios and Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve Guides, signage, and support for educational displays directed toward tourists in the Reserve. Sustainable Development MBF supports projects that address the improvement of the livelihood of residents of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, including those that involve local non-profit organizations, artisan projects, and activities that increase tourism-related income.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Grants are awarded to Mexican organizations and individuals.We encourage projects in and near the Monarch Biosphere Reserve in central Mexico.We may provide limited support to organizations & projects in the United States and Canada.Projects must address one of the strategic initiatives of MBF: habitat conservation, scientific research and monitoring, outreach and education, or sustainable development.We welcome applications by students and local community members as well as by university faculty members