Free funder guide · Alabama · Last checked 27 September 2026
Which Alabama environmental funders actually accept applications
Most private foundations in Alabama have already told the IRS they won't read your proposal. This page explains how to spot them, and lists 13 secular funders of environmental and conservation work in Alabama that do take applications, with what they fund, what they have given, and when they next open.
Almost every Alabama private foundation that takes applications and made an environmental grant also gave to a church, a ministry, a YMCA or another religious charity in its latest filing, so this list leans on NFWF programs, state programs and community foundations. One private foundation passed that screen.
From my own read of IRS filings, September 2026
In Alabama, 307 of the 443 private foundations with $1 million or more in assets that I could check tick the box on their tax return saying they don't accept unsolicited requests. That is 69%.
That leaves 136 larger Alabama foundations that say they will read an application. It is a lower share of closed doors than in Virginia (71%, 586 of 820) and Georgia (76%, 615 of 812), counted the same way.
How I counted: every private non-operating foundation with an Alabama address on the IRS Exempt Organizations Master File (September 2026 release) reporting assets of $1 million or more, checked against its most recent e-filed Form 990-PF (tax years 2022 to 2026, almost all 2024 or 2025). There are 444; 1 had no e-filed return I could find, so it is left out of the count. Operating foundations, which mostly run their own programs, are left out, as they were for Virginia and Georgia. Counting them too gives 70% (337 of 479).
What the checkbox means
One small box on the tax return tells you whether to bother.
Every private foundation files Form 990-PF with the IRS each year. Part XIV, line 2 of that return has a checkbox. A foundation that ticks it is telling the IRS, in writing, that it chooses its grantees itself. A proposal sent to it is usually wasted work.
"Check here if the foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."Form 990-PF, Part XIV, line 2
A foundation that leaves the box empty has to fill in lines 2a to 2d instead: who receives applications, what form they should take, any deadlines, and any limits on who or what it funds. For many small family foundations, those four lines are the only published guidelines they have.
The box does not tell you whether a foundation funds your kind of work. For that, read line 3a, the list of grants it actually paid. Check both before you write a letter of inquiry. Any foundation's return can be read free on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
13 funders
Open to applications, and funding environmental work in Alabama.
Every funder below is secular, says it accepts applications (on its website or its tax return), and has paid grants to environmental or conservation groups in its most recent filing. Government programs are the exception: they file no tax return. Community foundations are listed by the program that fits environmental groups. Grant examples come from each funder's latest IRS filing unless the funder's own site is named.
Verified date on the funder's own site on 27 Sept 2026Expected based on last cycle; next not yet postedRolling applications any timeFiling only no website; from the tax return, confirm firstCheck site next date not posted; open their page
Statewide and regional public grantmakers
01
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration
Washington, DC · Alabama priority: Huntsville and every county except Lauderdale, Colbert, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, Jackson and DeKalb
Community partnerships that restore wetlands, streams, riparian and coastal habitat, build nature-based stormwater projects and involve local residents in the work. Alabama is a named priority location in the 2026 request for proposals.
Typical grant
$30,000 to $150,000, 30 to 40 grants a year, with at least a 1:0.75 match to be competitive (2026 request for proposals). Alabama grants on its 2025 grant slate: Freshwater Land Trust $60,000 (Cahaba River tributary restoration), Cahaba River Coalition $49,000 (shoals spider lily at the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge).
Next deadline
About early June 2027 Expected. The 2026 full proposals were due June 4, 2026; the 2027 request is not posted yet.
How to apply
Full proposal in NFWF's Easygrants system. Partnerships with several local partners are expected.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Longleaf Landscape Stewardship Fund
Washington, DC · historical longleaf pine range, most of south and central Alabama
Restoration, enhancement and conservation of longleaf pine forests with private and public landowners, including capacity for local longleaf partnerships. Nonprofits are eligible.
Typical grant
$250,000 to $2,000,000, about 15 to 20 grants a year; match encouraged but not required (2026 request for proposals). Alabama grants in NFWF's latest filing, which does not name the program: Georgia-Alabama Land Trust $103,119 (longleaf outreach), Alabama Wildlife Federation $93,619 (longleaf pine restoration on private lands).
Next deadline
About late January 2027 Expected. The 2026 full proposals were due January 29, 2026; the 2027 request is not posted yet.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: National Coastal Resilience Fund
Washington, DC · coastal watersheds of Mobile and Baldwin counties
Nature-based projects that protect coastal communities from flooding and storms while improving habitat, from community capacity building and planning through design and restoration.
Typical grant
Average awards $100,000 to $1,500,000 for planning and design, and $1,000,000 to $7,000,000 for restoration (2026 request for proposals). Alabama grant on its 2025 grant slate: Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium (Dauphin Island Sea Lab) $595,500 to advance the Mobile County Shoreline Management Plan.
Next deadline
About late March 2027 for pre-proposals Expected. The 2026 pre-proposals were due March 31, 2026; the 2027 request is not posted yet.
How to apply
Pre-proposal in NFWF's Easygrants system; full proposals by invitation.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Cumberland Plateau and Southern Appalachian Stewardship Fund
Washington, DC · Cumberland Plateau and Southern Appalachians of northeast Alabama
Restoration of shortleaf pine and oak woodlands, riparian forests and freshwater habitat, and outreach to private landowners, on the Cumberland Plateau in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee, with limited funds for the Southern Appalachians.
Typical grant
$250,000 to $750,000 (2025 request for proposals). Alabama grant in NFWF's latest filing, which does not name the program: Paint Rock Forest Research Center $117,860 (shortleaf pine restoration in the southern Cumberlands).
Next deadline
No current round posted Check site. The last request for proposals (2025) had full proposals due July 16, 2025.
How to apply
Proposal in NFWF's Easygrants system when a request for proposals is open. NFWF encourages applicants to talk to its staff about ideas first.
Alabama Department of Environmental Management: Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source Grants
Montgomery · statewide
Watershed management plans, education and outreach, and on-the-ground practices that cut nonpoint source pollution in impaired or high-quality waters. Nonprofits are eligible; implementation projects must follow a watershed plan that meets EPA's nine key elements.
Typical grant
No published range. At least 40% of the total project cost must be non-federal match (cash or in-kind); paid by reimbursement over up to 36 months; at least 70% of the federal funds must go to on-the-ground practices (FY2027 request for proposals).
Next deadline
The FY2027 request for proposals had a priority deadline of July 1, 2026. Next about July 1, 2027 Expected; the FY2028 request is not posted yet.
How to apply
A pre-application consultation with ADEM's Nonpoint Source Unit, then the Section 319(h) application and workplan form. Applicants need an active registration in the state's STAARS vendor system and SAM.
Legacy, Partners in Environmental Education: Legacy Grants
Montgomery · statewide
Small environmental education grants for public and private nonprofits in Alabama, paid for by the state's "Protect Our Environment" license tag. Projects run January to September.
Typical grant
Up to $2,500; requests above that are not considered (its site). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $28,701 (its 2025 annual report).
Next deadline
2027 grant cycle: applications September 1 to October 1, 2026, 6 p.m. Verified; projects run January to September 2027. The following cycle is not posted yet Check site.
How to apply
Online grant application; attach only the IRS determination letter. Funds are paid as reimbursement in March, June and September.
Mobile Bay National Estuary Program: Community Grant Program
Mobile · Mobile and Baldwin counties
Small grants for educational events, outreach, volunteer activities and other community projects that build stewardship of Alabama's estuaries and coast and support its management plan.
Typical grant
$500 to $2,500 (its site).
Next deadline
Closed: all funding for the current cycle has been awarded, and no next cycle is posted Check site. When open, it reviews applications first come, first served until funds run out.
How to apply
Online application form linked from the program page when a cycle is open.
Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham: Competitive Grants
Birmingham · Blount, Jefferson, Shelby and St. Clair counties
Two competitive cycles a year for nonprofits in the four counties. Its priority areas (such as Thriving Communities and Regional Cooperation) do not name the environment, but recent rounds funded river, greenway and park projects.
Typical grant
No maximum; recent awards $5,000 to $75,000, and project requests should not exceed 25% of the project budget (its guidelines). Its fall 2025 round funded Jefferson County Greenways Foundation $50,000 (East Side Park nature space), Cahaba River Society $40,000 (the merged Cahaba River Coalition) and Friends of the Locust Fork River $15,000 (river access and stormwater at Swann River Park).
Next deadline
Spring 2027 cycle about late January 2027 Expected. The spring 2026 cycle closed January 30, 2026 and the fall 2026 brief proposals closed August 14, 2026; 2027 dates are not posted yet.
How to apply
Two stages in its online Grant Application Center: a brief proposal, then a full proposal and site visit by invitation. Groups funded in the last cycle, or with an open grant, must wait.
Huntsville · Greater Huntsville: Jackson, Limestone, Madison, Marshall and Morgan counties
Many small funds with their own yearly windows. Two fit environmental groups: the Think Outside Grant Fund, powered by Polaris, for projects that expand access to outdoor experiences in its five-county area, and the Stronger Together Fund, whose focus areas include the environment.
Typical grant
Stronger Together grants in 2025 ranged from $5,000 to $38,600 (its site). Environmental grants in its 2024 filing include Land Trust of North Alabama $139,800 (Tollgate Greenway campaign) and Huntsville-Madison County Botanical Garden Society $30,749 (the filing does not separate open-fund grants from donor-advised gifts).
Next deadline
Both 2026 windows have closed: Stronger Together ran April 15 to June 1, 2026 and Think Outside June 15 to September 15, 2026. Next windows about spring and summer 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online application for each fund through its grant portal, linked from the grant opportunities page.
Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama: Longleaf Fund
Anniston · Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, DeKalb, Etowah, Randolph, St. Clair and Talladega counties
An unrestricted fund that takes requests for any charitable purpose from nonprofits in its nine counties, awarded in the fall cycle. Applicants need a board-approved strategic plan covering at least 24 months, and groups with revenue over $200,000 must submit an audit.
Typical grant
Up to $8,000 (its guidelines). Its filing for the year to September 2025 includes Wild Alabama $12,724 (forest therapy and outdoor experiences) and Windy Van Hooten Teaching Garden $19,453 (the filing does not say which fund paid them).
Next deadline
The 2026 fall cycle closed (pre-applications August 17, applications September 17, 2026). Next fall cycle about July to September 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online pre-application; if approved, a full grant application. Workshops are virtual.
Community Foundation of South Alabama: Competitive Grants
Mobile · southwest Alabama
Competitive grant opportunities that change through the year, including its priority initiative for community resilience. It files environment among its grant focus areas.
Typical grant
Not published. Its filing for the year to September 2025 reports $234,602 in grants in its environment and animals focus group, without naming recipients.
Next deadline
Submissions are closed and no next opportunity is posted Check site. It announces new opportunities by email sign-up on the grant page.
How to apply
Online grant portal (Foundant) when an opportunity is open.
Community Foundation of West Alabama: Community Grants
Northport · West Alabama, based in Tuscaloosa County
Two deadlines a year for projects in its listed purposes, which include the environment. It prefers pilot projects, collaboration and partial funding, and does not usually fund ongoing operating costs. Its published list of past grants shows no environmental grantee so far.
Typical grant
Not published, and no environmental grants appear in its 2024 filing or its list of grants to date.
Next deadline
Every April 1 and November 1 (its standing deadlines) Verified.
How to apply
Three copies of a cover letter, its application form and a project budget, mailed to PO Box 3033, Tuscaloosa, AL 35403 or delivered to its Northport office. Funded groups should wait a year before applying again.
No website; everything here comes from its 2025 tax filing. General support grants, mostly to Birmingham groups, plus a few in Iowa, where the family company has plants.
Typical grant
Median $14,000 across its 21 grants in 2025. Examples: Freshwater Land Trust $40,000, Mahaska County Conservation (Iowa) $80,000, Vulcan Park Foundation $14,000.
Next deadline
Requests are reviewed quarterly; the filing names March 15 as the first deadline and the rest of the list is cut off in the filing Filing only.
How to apply
A letter to C. Phillip McWane, PO Box 43327, Birmingham, AL 35243, covering the organization, how the funds will be used, the timing, how success will be measured, proof of tax-exempt status, a list of directors and staff, and the project budget with other funders.
It is not exhaustive and it is not a ranking. Deadlines and guidelines change, so open each funder's own page before you start. Grants are competitive, and past grant sizes describe what a funder gave, not what it will give you. I list secular funders only.
The full version
Want this done for your own organization?
A Funding Roadmap ($1,200, flat fee) gives you ten to fifteen funders matched to your mission, place and size, the grants each one paid to groups like yours, how to apply, and a 12-month grant calendar. Every deadline is labeled the same way as on this page.
Email me your organization's name, rough budget and what you'd like funded. You'll get a written reply within two business days.
You fill in a short intake questionnaire, then answer one round of written follow-up questions.
About three weeks later you get the roadmap, a two-page note on how to use it, and 14 days of email questions.
Everything happens in writing. There are no calls or meetings.