Free funder guide · Louisiana · Last checked 16 October 2026
Which Louisiana environmental funders actually accept applications
Most private foundations in Louisiana have already told the IRS they won't read your proposal. This page explains how to spot them, and lists 12 secular funders of environmental and conservation work in Louisiana that do take applications, with what they fund, what they have given, and when they next open.
58 of the 84 open Louisiana foundations gave to a church, a Catholic school, Catholic Charities or another faith-based group in their latest filing, so they are not on this list. Most of what is left is public money: NFWF coastal and longleaf programs, the state's land conservation fund, the Barataria-Terrebonne estuary program, and three community foundations. Two private foundations pass.
From my own read of IRS filings, September 2026
In Louisiana, 182 of the 266 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 68%.
That leaves 84 larger Louisiana foundations that say they will read an application. It is a lower share of closed doors than in Texas (71%, 2,519 of 3,568) and Virginia (71%, 586 of 820), counted the same way.
How I counted: every private non-operating foundation with a Louisiana 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). Operating foundations, which mostly run their own programs, are left out, as they were for Texas and Virginia. Counting them too gives 69% (202 of 291).
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.
12 funders
Open to applications, and funding environmental work in Louisiana.
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 postedFiling 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: National Coastal Resilience Fund
Washington, DC · coastal Louisiana
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). Louisiana nonprofit grants in its filing for the year to September 2025, which does not name the program: Pontchartrain Conservancy $249,485 (capacity for a coastal resilience plan), Sankofa Community Development Corporation $223,332 (wetlands for flood resilience), Common Ground Relief $30,612 (marsh restoration).
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: Longleaf Landscape Stewardship Fund
Washington, DC · historical longleaf pine range, including central and southeast Louisiana
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). Louisiana grants in NFWF's latest filing, which does not name the program: Land Trust for Louisiana $202,332 (longleaf restoration in southeast Louisiana), Louisiana Tech University $37,892, A.J. and Nona Trigg Hodges Foundation $27,981.
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: Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration
Washington, DC · Louisiana priority: New Orleans
Community partnerships that restore wetlands, streams and riparian and coastal habitat, build nature-based stormwater projects and involve local residents in the work. Each project needs several local partners. New Orleans is Louisiana's priority area 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).
Next deadline
About June 2027 Expected. The 2026 full proposals were due June 4, 2026; the 2027 request is not posted yet.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries: Louisiana Outdoors Forever
Baton Rouge · statewide
The state's conservation fund for land protection of important natural areas and wildlife habitat, water quality work tied to land, working farms and forests, and recreation land with public access. Nonprofits can apply if they work in coordination with a public agency.
Typical grant
The 2027 cycle has $2 million. 2026 awards: Land Trust for Louisiana $351,050 (longleaf wildlife corridor), Ducks Unlimited $300,000, American Battlefield Trust $427,600. No formal match is required, but match counts toward the score (program manual).
Next deadline
2027 cycle: pre-applications closed September 4, 2026; invited full applications are due January 7, 2027 Verified. The next pre-application window is not announced; the last one opened in July Expected.
How to apply
Two phases: a pre-application through LDWF's submission portal, then a full application if invited. Nonprofits attach the agency partnership template.
Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program: Solicitation for Project Ideas
Thibodaux · Barataria-Terrebonne estuary (16 parishes between the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers)
Federal Clean Water Act estuary money for projects that carry out the program's conservation plan: water quality, habitat restoration, invasive species, birds, education and volunteer work. It does not fund basic research.
Typical grant
Up to $99,999 per project, completed within two years (fiscal 2028 instructions).
Next deadline
Fiscal 2028 project ideas due November 30, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Central Verified.
How to apply
Email the project submission form and the fillable budget template to [email protected]; the instructions list this year's priorities.
Keep Louisiana Beautiful: Healthy Communities Grant
Mandeville · statewide
Grants for projects that change behavior to improve how communities look: litter removal and prevention, waste reduction, recycling, litter enforcement and education. Nonprofits, parishes, towns, schools and agencies can apply. Gardening, tree planting, salaries and food are not eligible.
Typical grant
Award size is not published on its page.
Next deadline
The 2026 deadline was June 21, 2026. Its page says the grant will reopen in March 2027 Verified.
How to apply
Online application linked from the program page; it posts a sample application. Grantees must be state certified vendors and attend an informational webinar before signing.
National Forest Foundation: Matching Awards Program
Missoula, MT · national forests, including Kisatchie National Forest
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). Its latest filing shows no Louisiana grantee.
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.
Greater New Orleans Foundation: Community-Led Green Infrastructure
New Orleans · 13 southeast Louisiana parishes
Federally funded grants, issued through the New Orleans Community Support Foundation, for community-led green stormwater projects that cut flooding and improve water quality in vulnerable neighborhoods, and for evaluation of existing projects. Applicants need a SAM.gov registration; the foundation offers help getting one.
Typical grant
Round 2: four implementation grants of $150,000 and two evaluation grants of $62,500 (its site). Environmental grants in the support foundation's 2024 filing: Groundwork New Orleans $34,700, NOLA Tree Project $27,000, Water Wise Gulf South $25,635.
Next deadline
Round 2 expressions of interest were due September 30, 2026; invited full applications follow from November 2026 to January 2027 Verified. No later round is announced Check site.
How to apply
Expression of interest through the foundation's online portal, then a full application by invitation. Applicants must attend one technical assistance session.
Community Foundation of North Louisiana: Competitive Grants
Shreveport · Caddo and Bossier parishes
One competitive cycle a year for programs serving Caddo and Bossier parishes, in three categories: Primary Grants for groups with revenue of $250,000 or more, Small Organization Grants for smaller groups, and Arts Grants. It does not fund sectarian projects.
Typical grant
Small Organization Grants up to $15,000; Primary Grants up to $500,000 (its site). Environmental awards on its April 2026 list: Shreveport Green $60,000 (ShreveCorps program), Friends of the Coates Bluff Nature Trail $10,000.
Next deadline
Small Organization Grants and invited Primary Grants: October 15 to November 15, 2026, 4 p.m. Central Verified. Primary Grant letters of intent closed August 21, 2026. Awards are announced in April.
How to apply
Through its grant portal. Groups not funded in the last three years must first contact its grants department; ask to do that in writing.
Community Foundation of Acadiana: The Fund for Acadiana and Affiliate Grants
Lafayette · Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary and Vermilion parishes
The Fund for Acadiana makes project grants across eight parishes, and its guidelines name the environment among its interests. Smaller affiliate grants serve five parishes; the St. Mary and Vermilion affiliates list natural resources and environment as a focus area.
Typical grant
Fund for Acadiana up to $15,000; affiliate grants up to $5,000 (its site). Its filing does not separate competitive grants from donor-advised gifts, so no examples are given.
Next deadline
Once a year. The 2026 first-round deadline was May 14, 2026, with second-round applications June 22 to July 23. Next opens about March 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Eligibility quiz and letter of interest through its grants portal; selected groups are invited to a second-round application. It does not fund ongoing operating costs.
Chicago, IL (J.P. Morgan trustee) · national, about half its dollars in Louisiana
A trust that funds conservation, wildlife, coastal and environmental science groups. Just over half of its 2025 grant dollars went to Louisiana organizations.
Typical grant
22 grants totaling $933,593 in 2025, median $46,840. Louisiana examples: LSU Foundation $98,500, Water Institute of the Gulf $70,000, Nicholls State University $64,837, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana $61,425, Audubon Nature Institute $50,000, Pontchartrain Conservancy $45,000, Common Ground Relief $44,925.
Next deadline
Once a year, July 31 (its filing). The 2026 deadline has passed. Next: July 31, 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online only, through J.P. Morgan's foundation finder: search for Coypu.
No website; everything here comes from its 2025 tax filing. A small Lafayette foundation whose grants include a public park, native iris conservation and a master gardener program, alongside the arts.
Typical grant
Five grants totaling $357,000 in 2025. Examples: Moncus Park $32,000, Society for Louisiana Irises $15,000 (iris preservation and study), Master Gardeners of Lafayette $10,000.
Next deadline
None; the filing says there is no set deadline and "a formal process is being established" Filing only.
How to apply
Write to the contact named on the filing: Mariusz Smolij, 412 Travis Street, Lafayette, LA 70503.
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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