Free funder guide · Michigan · Last checked 27 September 2026
Which Michigan environmental funders actually accept applications
Most private foundations in Michigan have already told the IRS they won't read your proposal. This page explains how to spot them, and lists 15 secular funders of environmental and conservation work in Michigan that do take applications, with what they fund, what they have given, and when they next open.
No private foundation made this list. Every large Michigan foundation that takes applications and funds conservation (Erb, Kresge, Wilson, Carls, Frey, Oleson, Towsley, DTE, Consumers Energy) also gave to a church, a YMCA or another faith-based charity in its latest filing, and the few that did not either limit grants to groups the donors already know or made few or no conservation grants to Michigan groups. So this page leans on state habitat programs, Great Lakes funders and community foundations.
From my own read of IRS filings, September 2026
In Michigan, 690 of the 964 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 274 larger Michigan foundations that say they will read an application. It is a higher share of closed doors than in Virginia (71%, 586 of 820), Wisconsin (67%, 572 of 859) and Ohio (63%, 925 of 1,470), counted the same way.
How I counted: every private non-operating foundation with a Michigan 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 Virginia, Wisconsin and Ohio. Counting them too gives 73% (742 of 1,023).
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.
15 funders
Open to applications, and funding environmental work in Michigan.
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
Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program
Lansing · statewide
Run jointly by the Departments of Natural Resources; Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; and Agriculture and Rural Development. Funds prevention, early detection, eradication and control of aquatic and terrestrial invasive species. Nonprofits can apply directly.
Typical grant
$25,000 to $250,000 per request, up to $2.4 million a year in total, no match required (its site).
Next deadline
The 2027 request for proposals was issued September 1, 2026; full proposals are due November 1, 2026 Verified. Awards expected March 2027.
How to apply
Online through the state's MiGrants system; the 2026 handbook and a recorded applicant webinar are linked from the program page.
Fish habitat conservation, dam removal and dam repair, and research to guide habitat work. Projects on the DNR's published priority habitat list may get preference. Nonprofits are eligible.
Typical grant
Minimum $25,000; the maximum is whatever is available in the theme, up to $1.5 million; 10% match required (its site).
Next deadline
The last round asked for pre-proposals from October 22 to November 19, 2025, with invited full applications due January 23, 2026. Next pre-proposal window about late October to November 2026 Expected; the page has not posted new dates yet.
How to apply
Talk to DNR fisheries staff first, then a pre-proposal in MiGrants; full applications by invitation.
Habitat work tied to the Wildlife Division's strategic plan: large grassland and savanna complexes, wetland-associated grasslands and habitat connectivity. Paid for by hunting and fishing license sales. Nonprofits are eligible.
Typical grant
$50,000 to $500,000, with a 10% minimum match (its site).
Next deadline
The 2026 round ran from May 4 to June 25, 2026. Next round about May to June 2027 Expected; 2027 dates are not posted.
How to apply
Online through MiGrants, following the program handbook.
Federal coastal money passed through the state for coastal planning, feasibility and design work, low-cost construction and land acquisition. Nonprofits can apply for planning and design; for construction and land purchase they can only play a supporting role to a public applicant.
Typical grant
Planning $10,000 to $100,000; feasibility, design and engineering $10,000 to $150,000; about $1 million available; 1:1 match required (its site). The 2026 round awarded $855,497 across 10 projects.
Next deadline
Applications for the current funding opportunity (projects starting in fiscal 2028) are due December 18, 2026 Verified. An applicant webinar is on October 1, 2026.
How to apply
Application by email to the Coastal Program address given on the page. Reimbursement basis, with quarterly reporting.
Lansing · statewide, in watersheds with an approved management plan
Clean Water Act Section 319 and state money to carry out an approved watershed management plan (implementation grants) or to write or update one (planning grants). Nonprofits are eligible for both, and implementation applicants must show a successful audit.
Typical grant
Grant sizes are not given on the program page. The 2026 implementation round drew 24 proposals asking for over $8.9 million in total (its site).
Next deadline
The 2026 implementation round closed June 30, 2026 (notice of intent in April, full proposals in June); next round about March to June 2027 Expected. For watershed planning grants EGLE holds an applicant webinar on October 13, 2026; the planning deadline is not posted Check site.
How to apply
A notice of intent first; full proposals by invitation. Contact your district nonpoint source staff person before applying.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Sustain Our Great Lakes
Washington, DC · U.S. Great Lakes basin, most of Michigan
Stream and riparian restoration for brook trout and lake sturgeon, water quality, nature-based infrastructure in Great Lakes communities, invasive species control on restored habitat, and projects that open restored natural areas to the public. Funded largely by the federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative with corporate and foundation partners.
Typical grant
$200,000 to $1,000,000 per award; about $11 million available in 2026, and about 23% of applications were funded over the last three years (2026 request for proposals). Michigan grants in its latest filing, which does not name the program: Superior Watershed Partnership $1,482,012 (native plants to filter runoff at Lake Superior), Conservation Resource Alliance $647,625 (Jordan River brook trout passage), Huron Pines $434,447 (brook trout habitat, Pigeon River).
Next deadline
About May 2027 for pre-proposals Expected. The 2026 round had pre-proposals due May 28 and invited full proposals due August 6, 2026; the 2027 request for proposals is not posted yet.
How to apply
Online pre-proposal, then a full proposal if invited. Match is not required but a 1:1 non-federal match scores better.
Grants for access to the Great Lakes fishery, ecological and fisheries research, habitat protection and restoration, and Great Lakes stewardship education. Its new Small Grants program takes smaller projects, workshops and conferences in any of those areas through a shorter application.
Typical grant
Small Grants up to $20,000 (its site). Grants in its 2024 filing include Conservation Resource Alliance $315,000 (three bridges and habitat structures), Trout Unlimited $200,000 (removing a failing dam) and Huron River Watershed Council $43,723 (youth education).
Next deadline
Special Projects proposals due October 2, 2026; Small Grants proposal deadline October 9, 2026 Verified. Small Grants reopen at the start of each year and are reviewed on a rolling basis.
How to apply
Online grant portal (create an account on its site). Staff encourage a conversation about fit before you submit.
Traverse City · Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties
Seed Grants for planning, convening and early design work (including environmental impact exploration), and Assets for Thriving Communities grants for shared community assets, which name land preservation and energy conservation among the areas it funds.
Typical grant
Seed Grants up to $15,000; Assets for Thriving Communities up to $50,000 (its site). Grants listed in its filing for the year to June 2025 include Benzie Conservation District $150,000 (Systems Change Accelerator), Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology $50,000 and Leelanau Conservancy $10,000 (Seed Grant).
Next deadline
Seed Grants: the 1st of each month Rolling. Assets for Thriving Communities: the fall 2026 deadline was September 15; the next is in March 2027 Expected, and meetings for spring 2027 applicants are open now.
How to apply
A proposal exploration meeting with staff is required before you apply; then an online application.
Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan: Community Grants
Detroit · southeast Michigan
Twice-yearly competitive grants in several focus areas, one of which is Public Space and Environment: parks, trails and climate-smart infrastructure.
Typical grant
Not published. Environmental grants in its 2024 filing include The Nature Conservancy in Michigan $450,648, Friends of Rouge Park $165,000, Chandler Park Conservancy $80,000 and Huron-Clinton Metroparks Foundation $77,320 (the filing does not separate these from donor-advised gifts).
Next deadline
The fall 2026 cycle closed (proposal requests July 15, invited applications August 26). The spring 2026 cycle took proposal requests January 9 to 28. Next cycle about January 2027 Expected; 2027 dates are not posted.
How to apply
Two stages on its MyCF portal: a short proposal request, then a full application if invited. Invitations to the full application go out about three weeks after the proposal deadline.
Competitive grants across several priorities, including an environment priority for "efforts led by those most affected by environmental injustice" that "ensure equitable environmental benefit". Racial equity weighs heavily in every priority.
Typical grant
Not published. Environmental grants in its filing for the year to June 2025 include Mid-West Michigan Trail Authority $90,000, Blandford Nature Center $36,000, The Nature Conservancy Michigan chapter $22,250 and Land Conservancy of West Michigan $15,350 (the filing does not separate these from donor-advised gifts).
Next deadline
Pre-applications any time; feedback within 30 days, usually within 14 Rolling. Allow at least 90 days to a final decision.
How to apply
Online pre-application; strong fits are invited to a full proposal and a site visit.
Community and Youth Grants twice a year across issue areas that include the environment, plus the Little Traverse Bay Protection and Restoration Fund for projects that meet objectives in the Little Traverse Bay watershed management plan.
Typical grant
Community and Youth Grants average about $7,800 (its site). Environmental grants in its filing for the year to March 2026 include Freshwater Future $312,750, Little Traverse Conservancy $169,705, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council $81,341 (Bear River habitat) and Conservation Resource Alliance $30,000 (Maple River).
Next deadline
Fall 2026 Community and Youth Grants: the inquiry window closed September 24, and applications from groups that inquired are due October 1, 2026 Verified. A group that has not inquired yet should aim at the spring cycle. The spring cycle deadline is early March. Little Traverse Bay fund: the 2026 deadline was February 2; next about early February 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Email the grants team first to talk through the project; then an online application in its grant portal.
Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation: Fall Grants
Traverse City · Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties
One fall round that pays out of 19 endowment funds, covering education, the environment, youth, seniors, health and human services.
Typical grant
Varies by endowment (its site). Environmental grants in its 2025 filing include Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy $72,560, Grass River Natural Area $32,758, Leelanau Conservancy $30,925 and Grand Traverse Conservation District $18,835.
Next deadline
Opened August 15; applications due October 1, 2026 Verified. Awards November 30. Next round about August to October 2027 Expected.
Charlevoix County Community Foundation: Environment & Land Use
East Jordan · Charlevoix County and the Lake Charlevoix watershed
A yearly cycle for environmental education, protection, restoration and sustainability in Charlevoix County and the Lake Charlevoix watershed.
Typical grant
Not published. Environmental grants in its 2024 filing include Little Traverse Conservancy $142,895 (land purchase and operations), Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council $80,950, Conservation Resource Alliance $50,000 and Friends of the Jordan River Watershed $20,000.
Next deadline
Application available January 5, deadline March 1, decisions the first week of April (its standing schedule, no year given). Next deadline about March 1, 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Every request starts with a phone call with the cycle's contact person, who then gives a code for the online application.
Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area: Responsive Grants
Holland · greater Holland and Zeeland
An annual open cycle across issue areas that include the environment. It funds capital projects and new or expanding programs, not general operations.
Typical grant
Capital up to $40,000; new or expanding programs up to $60,000 over up to two years (its site). Its 2024 filing includes a $1,294,307 grant to ODC Network, the Holland-area nature and outdoor education group (the filing does not say which fund paid it).
Next deadline
The 2026 deadline was August 24. Next deadline about late August 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Contact the Community Impact Program Officer, who talks through the request and sends the application.
Midland Area Community Foundation: Community Investment Grants
Midland · Midland County
Its broadest grant program, open to nonprofits serving Midland County; the environment sits under its "Enriching our Community" focus area.
Typical grant
Up to $60,000 per request (its site). Environmental grants in its 2025 filing include The Nature Conservancy $596,500, Little Forks Conservancy $160,450, Chippewa Nature Center $105,216 and Michigan Audubon Society $15,616.
Next deadline
2026 deadlines were January 15, April 15 and July 15; the October 15 cycle is cancelled because funds are used up. Next about January 15, 2027 Expected; 2027 dates are not posted.
How to apply
GOapply online portal, with its budget template. Staff hold a monthly open Q&A on Zoom.
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.