Grants

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation provides funding on a competitive basis to projects that sustain, restore and enhance the Nation’s fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats through our Keystone Initiative Grants and other Special Grant Programs.

Grant Types

Keystone Initiative Grants

Under our new strategic plan the Foundation seeks to achieve measurable outcomes on a select set of conservation issues through our Keystone Initiatives. Within each of the initial Keystone Initiatives (i.e., Birds, Freshwater Fish, Wildlife & Habitat, Marine & Coastal), the Foundation has established specific funding priorities.  Federal, state, and local governments, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations are welcome to apply for matching grants twice annually, in accordance with the Keystone Initative Grant guidelines.

Learn more about and apply for Keystone Initiative Grants.

Special Grant Programs

In addition to the Keystone Initiative Grants, the Foundation administers Special Grant Programs that have specific guidelines and timelines. Prospective applicants should review the list of Special Grant Programs to determine which may be appropriate for your needs. If your project is not appropriate under the grant program for which it was submitted, Foundation staff may move it to another grant program for funding consideration; applicants will be notified if this occurs. Deadlines for applying to Special Grant Programs are listed for the most recent grant cycle and are updated when a new call for proposals is released. Browse our Special Grant Programs.

Learn more about and apply for Special Grant Programs.

Evaluation

The Foundation has made major reforms in its grant-making policies to further focus in learning together with our grantees and our partners about the conservation results associated with our investments.  To help applicants learn more about the new tools (including logic frameworks) and terminology, view Applicant Assistance.