Nebraska Environmental Trust Grants

Nebraska Environmental Trust Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Nebraska Environmental Trust
Last Updated: July 28, 2025

Summary

The Nebraska Environmental Trust offers annual grants to conserve and restore Nebraska's natural environments. Projects must align with specific funding categories and demonstrate clear environmental benefits. Eligible applicants include individuals, organizations, and public entities, provided they meet stated criteria. The Trust encourages collaboration and private investment in environmental projects, emphasizing the importance of public benefits. Funding is typically awarded as reimbursement, with a focus on projects that are both technically and financially feasible.

Overview

NOTE: The Nebraska Environmental Trust accepts grant applications annually, on or before the first Tuesday after Labor Day in September. Before submitting a proposal, applicants are encouraged to contact the Trust and discuss their concept with staff for assistance in meeting application requirements Our Mission The Nebraska Environmental Trust is established to conserve, enhance and restore the natural environments of Nebraska. A prosperous future requires a sound natural environment. We must act dynamically, progressively and systematically to ensure bountiful and thriving natural resources. The Trust is to complement existing activities, stimulate private investment and emphasize long term gain. The Trust is to lead in the development of a vision of Nebraska's future environment. The Trust is to collaborate with public and private efforts to achieve that vision. Nebraska Environmental Trust Grants The Trust will fund projects that fall under funding categories adopted by the board, and that meet eligibility criteria defined by the State Unicameral. The Trust sets funding category areas for five-year periods, in a process involving members of the Nebraska public and conservation communities. Funding Categories Any project or portion of a project funded by the Nebraska Environmental Trust must achieve one or more of the following Trust categories. These category areas are equally important. Habitat: actions to preserve or restore native habitats and areas critical to at-risk, rare or endangered species; other preservation actions for at-risk, rare or endangered species including actions to understand ecosystem relationships which inform sound management; community habitat enhancement emphasizing native and ecologically appropriate plantings which provide food and shelter for wildlife; actions to inform and educate which contribute to the attainment of this category.Surface and Ground Water: actions to preserve or restore lakes, waterways and ground water from degradation or depletion; actions to research, design or foster best management practices; actions to conserve water and/or efficiently and effectively manage water use; actions to inform and educate which contribute to the attainment of this category.Waste Management: actions promoting and implementing source reduction, waste management or toxicity reduction; actions promoting and implementing the development of recycling markets; actions promoting and implementing reuse and other disposal diversion actions; actions to inform and educate which contribute to the attainment of this category.Air Quality: actions promoting and implementing clean air strategies; including greenhouse gas reductions; actions to research, design or foster best management strategies; actions to inform and educate which contribute to the attainment of this category.Soil Management: actions and strategies to preserve, conserve and restore soil health; actions to research, design or foster the implementation and management of these strategies; actions to inform and educate which contribute to the attainment of this category.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. All projects must meet all of the following criteria to be considered for funding.The applicant must demonstrate that the project is environmentally acceptable.The project must have clear and direct environmental benefits.The project must make a real contribution to achieving the Trust Board’s environmental categories.The project must provide public benefits.The funds requested will provide assistance only to proposals which are deemed technically feasible.The funds requested will provide assistance only to proposals which are deemed financially feasible.Most grants are awarded as reimbursement for expenses as the project is implemented.A grant can be funded in up to three year increments.There are no restrictions on applicants or project sponsors as long as the project falls within the eligibility criteria. Individuals, private organizations, and public entities are all welcome to apply. Private, for-profit organizations must demonstrate that the project results in public benefit and does not pay for private benefitsIndividuals and private organizations will need to obtain at least two written bids for any material or service in excess of $1000 before funding will be issued. The estimates do not need to be obtained by the time the application is submitted.All equipment must be used for the purpose described in the grant application for the useful life of the equipment. The grantee is also responsible for insuring grant-funded equipment valued at $1000 or more. Equipment valued over $25,000 has additional requirements.Real estate purchased with Trust grants must be held in perpetuity for the purposes described in the grant application. This rule also applies to property where the Trust funds improvements or restorations. A grantee must continue to pay property taxes on all real estate acquired with a Trust grant, or must make arrangements for these taxes to be paid.

Ineligibility

The project shall not cause harm to the environment and results in a net gain for the environment.The funds requested shall not be used to provide direct assistance to regulatory programs. The funds requested shall not be used to implement actions mandated by regulations except remediation. The funds requested shall not pay for private benefits or provide assistance to projects whose benefits are primarily private in nature. (See “Guidance for Private, For-Profit Applicants” on page 6 of the grant application instructions for a discussion of this criterion.) The funds requested shall not be used to relieve private liability for environmental damage. The funds requested shall not pay for projects which have direct beneficiaries who could afford the costs of the benefits without experiencing serious financial hardship. The fund shall not pay for land or easements acquired without the full and express consent of the landowner.Grant-funded equipment may not be sold, traded or mortgaged without prior permission from the Trust.