The Environmental Fund of Texas: Tier 3 - Scaling Up Impact Grant

The Environmental Fund of Texas: Tier 3 - Scaling Up Impact Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The Environmental Fund of Texas
Amount: Up to US $25,000
Last Updated: February 14, 2026

Summary

The Environmental Fund of Texas: Tier 3 - Scaling Up Impact invites organizations to collaborate with multiple stakeholders for impactful projects that protect natural resources. This funding initiative emphasizes teamwork to achieve greater outcomes than individual efforts. Priority areas include water conservation, natural area restoration, and native wildlife protection. Eligible applicants must have completed a Tier 2 grant and aim to preserve the natural environment in Texas. Grants support innovative projects, engaging classrooms in conservation efforts and fostering community involvement.

Overview

NOTE: You must inform us of your interest by completing our eligibility quiz. If you initially qualify we will request a Letter of Interest (LOI) from you. For Tier 3 we look for organizations partnering with multiple stakeholders to accomplish something larger than an individual organization could do on its own. Each organization will need to submit a separate application and budget, referencing the collaboration. It is possible that we may request an in person meeting, site visit, or teleconference during our review process for Tier 3 grants and that will be determined on a case by case basis. Our Vision We envision healthy lands, waters, native plants and animals supported with vibrant, thriving ecosystems throughout our beautiful state. We believe great things happen when organizations and funders work together for the highest good. We are a donor-advised fund comprised of a fund director, advisory committee, and fund administrator. Established in 2017 by G.P. “Buzz” Avery, in partnership with the Austin Community Foundation, we support nonprofit organizations whose primary mission is preserving natural habitats, especially those that are critically threatened. The Environmental Fund of Texas: Tier 3 - Collaborative Initiatives For Tier 3 we look for organizations partnering with multiple stakeholders to accomplish something larger than an individual organization could do on its own. Funding priorities​: Water: We support projects aimed at protecting natural water sources—including rivers, aquifers, springs, estuaries, and wetlands—as well as their supporting watersheds. Natural Areas: We support the protection, restoration, and stewardship of ecologically functional natural areas.Native Wildlife: We support projects that focus on protecting and sustaining native, at-risk wildlife.Classrooms Taking Action: We support projects that engage local classrooms, teachers, and students in conservation action. Examples of previously approved projects: Teacher/classroom-led efforts to create a school pocket prairie/native pollinator garden used in hands-on learning. Field trip to a local natural area to learn about native wildlife and ecology, and participate in a civic project (e.g., planting native wildflower seeds or native trees)

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. To apply for a Tier 3 grant, you must have successfully completed a Tier 2 grant.The Environmental Fund of Texas provides grants to 501c3 organizations whose primary mission is preserving the natural environment in Texas and doing critical work relating to EFT’s funding priorities.We only make grants to 501c3 organizations in good standing with the IRS and with EFT.We do not fund the same project unless it evolves or expands significantly.Multi-year grants are offered only through our Tier 4 level of funding

Ineligibility

EFT generally does not fund requests for the following:Ongoing programming & organizational operating expenses/overheadStaff salaries that are not connected to implementation of a specific projectLobbying and political campaignsEndowment fundsProjects with arts as the focusFundraising eventsConferencesAnimal welfare/rehab programsPrivate foundationsCapital projectsEducational websites/resources that are not linked to on-the-ground conservation