Rainforest Trust Grants- Protected or Conserved Area Creation Awards

Rainforest Trust Grants- Protected or Conserved Area Creation Awards

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Rainforest Trust
Last Updated: June 18, 2025

Summary

Rainforest Trust grants support the creation and expansion of protected or conserved areas vital for biodiversity, climate mitigation, and community needs. With over $361 million awarded since 1988, the trust encourages applications for projects under $250,000 throughout the year. Eligible projects must focus on unprotected areas benefiting endangered species and ecosystems, with a strong emphasis on community involvement and sustainable management practices. For larger grants, a four-month review is recommended before the March, July, or October deadlines.

Overview

NOTE:  If you are submitting a Concept Note for a Protected or Conserved Area Creation or Expansion Award of over $250,000, we recommend submitting your Concept Note for review four months in advance of our application deadlines of March 1 • July 1 • October 1. Protected or Conserved Area Creation Awards of less than $250,000 are accepted on a rolling basis and may be funded anytime throughout the year. Partner with Rainforest Trust to Create Protected or Conserved Areas Rainforest Trust supports non-profit organizations, Indigenous Peoples, and communities to protect ecosystems in the tropics and subtropics critical to endangered species and climate mitigation. We do this by providing funding and other support to create or expand protected and conserved areas that benefit Species, Climate, and People. Since 1988, we have awarded over $361M to approximately 315 partners toward the creation and management of over 400 new and expanded areas. Over 55M acres have been protected thus far, and our partners are now working on securing an additional 75.8M acres. Rainforest Trust always welcomes new applications for protected and conserved area creation or expansion, with the following criteria and guidance designed to help streamline the process. Protected or Conserved Area Creation Awards Rainforest Trust’s primary awards support the creation and expansion of protected or conserved areas, on land or sea, be it through designation, land titling, purchase or any other recognized methodology (e.g. Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs)). The goal is to empower Project Implementers to facilitate new, lasting and sustainable protected or conserved areas that are in line with community and government needs and desires. There is no set maximum grant amount for these Awards, with applications assessed and awarded on an individual basis. Please see Additional Required Criteria for Specific Project Types

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The primary objective must be the creation/expansion of a protected or conserved areai.The proposed area(s) must be currently unprotected. Please use the World Database of Protected Areas to help determine if formal protection is already afforded (IUCN category 1-6)The proposed protected or conserved area serves to:Protect globally significant populations of Critically Endangered and Endangered species (e.g. Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) and Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) sites); AND/ORiii, ivProtect large areas of Tropical and Sub-tropical High Integrity Forests; AND/OR Protect Tropical and Sub-tropical habitat critical for mitigating global climate change (e.g. peat swamps, mangroves, páramo).The Project Implementer must be a legally registered non-government organization and authorized to conduct work in the country of the project.The project demonstrates support from relevant governments (including Indigenous governments) and Indigenous Peoples and/or Local Communities, and that relevant Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) has been or will be properly conducted.The protection mechanism, resulting in a change in legal status of the area during the course of the project, will mitigate critical threats to biodiversity and, where applicable, to carbon storage.A management system (management plan and committee) is, or will be, in place that ensures positive and sustained outcomes for the in situ conservation of biodiversity.Resource extraction limits are, or will be, established to prevent unsustainable use.

Ineligibility

Please note that Rainforest Trust support focuses on direct conservation action, centered around the creation and expansion of sustainably managed protected or conserved areas. As such, we are unable to fund the following:Fixed rate overhead costs, although please note that itemized expenditures will be considered.Long-term ecological monitoring or research.Large scale habitat restoration (e.g., tree planting).