Free funder guide · Idaho · Last checked 16 October 2026
Which Idaho environmental funders actually accept applications
Most private foundations in Idaho have already told the IRS they won't read your proposal. This page explains how to spot them, and lists 14 secular funders of environmental and conservation work in Idaho that do take applications, with what they fund, what they have given, and when they next open.
Of the 26 open Idaho foundations that made an environmental grant in their latest filing, 23 also gave to a church, a YMCA, a rescue mission or another faith-based group, so no Idaho-based private foundation is on this list. It leans on state programs, national and regional public funders, three community foundations and four out-of-state foundations that already fund Idaho conservation groups.
From my own read of IRS filings, September 2026
In Idaho, 121 of the 167 private foundations with $1 million or more in assets tick the box on their tax return saying they don't accept unsolicited requests. That is 72%.
That leaves 46 larger Idaho foundations that say they will read an application. It is a higher share of closed doors than in Montana (65%, 113 of 173), and a lower share than in Washington (74%, 533 of 718) and Utah (78%, 237 of 303), counted the same way.
How I counted: every private non-operating foundation with an Idaho 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 2023 to 2026, almost all 2024 or 2025). Operating foundations, which mostly run their own programs, are left out, as they were for Montana, Washington and Utah. Counting them too gives 73% (133 of 182).
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.
14 funders
Open to applications, and funding environmental work in Idaho.
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 16 Oct 2026Expected based on last cycle; next not yet postedCheck site next date not posted; open their page
Statewide and regional public grantmakers
01
Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Grants Program
Boise · statewide
Competitive grants to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and to other tax-exempt groups for projects that help Idaho's fish, wildlife and plants: habitat restoration, public access, conservation and education. Volunteer groups need a fiscal sponsor.
Typical grant
Up to $10,000; a one-to-one match is preferred but not required (2026 guidelines). Grants in its 2025 filing include Friends of the Teton River $10,000 (stream stabilization), Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust $10,000, Land Trust of the Treasure Valley $10,000 (migration corridor work) and Wood River Land Trust $10,000.
Next deadline
Once a year, January 31 to April 30 (its standing window). The 2026 window closed April 30, 2026. Next window about January 31 to April 30, 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Application form, narrative and its own budget form, by email or mail; nonprofits add an audit or their latest 990 with year-end financials. Awards are announced by the end of August.
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality: Nonpoint Source (Section 319) Subgrants
Boise · statewide
Federal Clean Water Act money for projects that reduce polluted runoff into lakes, streams, rivers and aquifers, from farms, forestry, urban stormwater and habitat changes. Projects ranked highest are ready to build, target pollutants named in a cleanup plan for the water body, and involve several partners.
Typical grant
Up to $250,000 per project, with a 40 percent match of total project cost; administrative costs capped at 15 percent (its fiscal 2027 notice). Projects run up to three years.
Next deadline
Once a year. The 2026 application period ran April 20 to July 17, 2026 and is closed; DEQ says 2027 details will be posted in winter 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online through DEQ's AmpliFund grant system, using its application materials guide and match calculator. Talk to your DEQ regional office first; Basin Advisory Groups rank the proposals.
Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation: Recreational Trails Program
Boise · statewide
Federal trail money for maintaining and restoring trails, building trailheads and new trails, and buying trail equipment. Nonprofit groups are eligible alongside agencies and tribes; planning-only grants and indirect costs are not.
Typical grant
About $1.5 million a year statewide, with a 20 percent match (fiscal 2027 guidance). Nonprofits on its fiscal 2027 application list include Teton Valley Trails and Pathways (request $117,480) and Wood River Trails Coalition (request $65,500).
Next deadline
Once a year, usually in late January. The last cycle closed January 30, 2026. Next deadline about late January 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online through IDPR's grant portal; it encourages a draft in December. Contact the regional grant specialist and the relevant trails committee member before applying.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Western Big Game Seasonal Habitat and Migration Corridors Fund
Washington, DC · state-identified big-game focal areas in Idaho and ten other western states
Restoring winter range, stopover areas and migration corridors for elk, deer and pronghorn: removing encroaching trees, treating invasive plants, wildlife-friendly fencing and conservation easements. Nonprofits can apply for the main track (Option A); a second track is for states and tribes only.
Typical grant
The most competitive grants are at least $100,000, with a 1:1 non-federal match (2026 request for proposals). Its 2026 slate includes The Mule Deer Foundation $589,100 to fight invasive annual grasses and fix fences in the Smoky-Boise priority area of south-central Idaho.
Next deadline
About April 2027 Expected. The 2026 round closed in April 2026; the 2027 request for proposals is not posted yet.
How to apply
Full proposal in NFWF's Easygrants system; the fund offers an applicant tip sheet and a contact for match problems.
Bureau of Reclamation: WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program
Idaho and 18 other western states
Funding for watershed groups to organize, write a watershed restoration plan and design projects. An existing watershed group incorporated as a nonprofit can apply, and a nonprofit can apply to sponsor a new group.
Typical grant
Up to $100,000 a year for up to three years, with no cost share (its site).
Next deadline
Four closing dates under the current notice: October 7, 2026 (passed), February 24, 2027, September 1, 2027 and February 15, 2028. Next: February 24, 2027 Verified.
How to apply
Apply to funding opportunity R26AS00349 through Grants.gov; the program page links a recorded July 2026 applicant webinar.
National Forest Foundation: Matching Awards Program
Missoula, MT · national forests and grasslands, including Idaho's
Stewardship and community engagement projects on national forests and grasslands, or adjacent public land that benefits them: trail and restoration work, youth and volunteer crews, watershed and habitat projects. Nonprofits, tribes and universities are eligible.
Typical grant
Requires a 1:1 non-federal cash or in-kind match (its site). Grants in its filing for the year to September 2025, which does not name the program, include Selway-Bitterroot Foundation $40,711 and Sawtooth Interpretive and Historical Association $8,000.
Next deadline
Twice a year. The second 2026 round ran May 27 to July 9, 2026 and has closed; dates for the next round are not posted yet Check site.
How to apply
Online application during an open window, following the round's request for proposals.
The Conservation Alliance: Member Collective Grants
North America, including Idaho
Outdoor-industry companies pool money for grassroots groups working on long-term protection of land and water, landscape-scale restoration, and management planning for protected places. It says it is unlikely to fund general stewardship, outdoor or environmental education, research or events.
Typical grant
Invited applications of up to $50,000 (its site). Its August 2026 awards included The Vital Ground Foundation $20,000 for the Enchanted Forest project in Idaho.
Next deadline
Once a year. The 2026 inquiry window ran March 2 to April 10, 2026, with invited applications April 27 to May 15. Next inquiry window about March 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Submit the inquiry form during the open call; the grant director contacts eligible groups and invites some to apply through the online portal. Member companies then vote.
Unrestricted grants to nonprofits serving Idaho communities. Applicants pick one impact area, and Environment and Animal Welfare is one of six. Regional councils decide.
Typical grant
Most awards $3,000 to $8,000, with a maximum of $25,000 (its site). Environmental grants in the foundation's 2024 filing, which mixes donor funds with open grants: Friends of Weiser River Trail $59,584, Idaho Conservation League $48,098, Land Trust of the Treasure Valley $20,138, Wood River Land Trust $15,300.
Next deadline
Once a year by region: June 15 for North and East, August 15 for Southwest and South Central (its standing schedule). Both 2026 deadlines have passed. Next: June 15 and August 15, 2027 Expected.
How to apply
ICF grant portal; choose Forever Idaho under your region's cycle. You can apply where your office is or where you serve residents.
Spur Community Foundation: Community and Impact Grants
Ketchum · Blaine County and the Wood River Valley
Two competitive grants a year for tax-exempt groups serving Blaine County: Community Grants for quality-of-life projects, and larger Impact Grants for projects that could drive substantial change. Program, capacity and general operating support are all possible.
Typical grant
Community Grants up to $10,000; Impact Grants up to $50,000 (its site). Environmental grants in its 2024 filing, which mixes donor funds with open grants: The Nature Conservancy in Idaho $55,000, Wood River Trails Coalition $26,500, Silver Creek Alliance $25,000, Wood River Land Trust $14,000.
Next deadline
Impact Grants letter of inquiry about February 1, 2027 Expected (the 2026 deadline was February 1). Community Grants: the 2026 deadline was October 1, 2026; next about October 1, 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Through its online nonprofit portal. It says applications go better with an existing contact at Spur, so write to its staff first.
Innovia Foundation: Equinox Foundation Grant Program
Spokane, WA · Bonner and Boundary counties
A family foundation founded on environmental stewardship runs this annual program through Innovia for nonprofits serving Bonner and Boundary counties. Its stated mission includes protecting the region's natural assets and supporting ecologically sustainable growth.
Typical grant
Typically $5,000 to $30,000 for one year (2026 guidelines). Grants to North Idaho conservation groups in Innovia's filing for the year to June 2025, which does not name the program: Kaniksu Land Trust $54,694, Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness $11,000, Selkirk Conservation Alliance $9,500.
Next deadline
Once a year. The 2026 application period ran February 16 to April 10, 2026. Next about February to April 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online application through Innovia; its page links the guidelines and a sample of the application questions.
Carbondale, CO · Idaho and five other Rocky Mountain states
Small grants to grassroots groups protecting wild lands, rivers, wetlands, biodiversity and public lands in the western states. It rarely funds groups with budgets over $1 million. It does not fund buildings, recreation facilities or parks, tree planting, recycling or wildlife rehabilitation.
Typical grant
Most awards $1,000 to $5,000 (its site). Idaho grants in its 2025 filing: Advocates for the West, Friends of the Clearwater, Idaho Wildlife Federation and Snake River Waterkeeper, $5,000 each, and Winter Wildlands Alliance $4,000.
Next deadline
Once a year; the 2026 deadline was April 30. Next deadline about April 30, 2027 Expected.
How to apply
New applicants email a brief letter of inquiry first; past grantees send the application form and narrative as two PDFs by email.
San Francisco, CA · national, with several Idaho grants
Funds the environment, peace and arms control, reproductive rights and civil rights. It warns that its budget for new applicants is very limited, because it often makes repeat grants. Its Idaho grants go to public-lands, river and wildlife advocacy groups.
Typical grant
Its 2024 filing shows 92 grants totaling $1,975,000. Idaho examples: Western Watersheds Project $25,000, Yellowstone to Uintas Connection $25,000, Friends of the Clearwater $20,000, Advocates for the West $15,000, Snake River Waterkeeper $15,000.
Next deadline
Twice a year, by March 1 and September 1 (its standing schedule) Verified. Next: March 1, 2027.
How to apply
Application form, a short narrative, board list, budgets, tax exemption letter and latest annual report or audit, by email.
Portland, OR · Benewah, Bonner and Kootenai counties (also parts of Oregon and Washington)
Civic, cultural, educational and human services grants where Stimson Lumber operates, including land trust and outdoor education work. Priority goes to initiatives from the company's owners, and it will not fund groups whose purpose includes opposing the forest products industry.
Typical grant
Median $15,000 across its 17 grants in 2025. Idaho examples: Kaniksu Land Trust $26,009 (capital improvements), Selkirk Outdoor Leadership and Education $15,000.
Next deadline
Application window April 1 (8 a.m.) to May 15 (9 p.m.) each year, per its site; next window about April 1 to May 15, 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online application (register, then an eligibility questionnaire) linked from its Application Process page; questions by email to [email protected].
Funds two things: guide and assistance dogs, and conservation of wildlife and habitat. It prefers direct conservation and science-based projects, gives priority to threatened and endangered species, and does not fund groups whose main work is advocacy or litigation.
Typical grant
Its 2025 filing shows 31 grants totaling $1,486,807, most for nature conservation. Idaho example: The Peregrine Fund $23,000.
Next deadline
The 2026 cycle closed July 1, 2026 (portal opened April 1; first-time or lapsed applicants had to send an initial inquiry by June 1). The 2027 cycle should follow the same pattern Expected.
How to apply
Online only, through its SmApply portal. Groups not funded in the past three years start with an initial inquiry, which takes up to two weeks to review.
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.
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