Free funder guide · Nevada · Last checked 16 October 2026
Which Nevada environmental funders actually accept applications
Most private foundations in Nevada 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 Nevada that do take applications, with what they fund, what they have given, and when they next open.
Of the 30 open Nevada foundations that made an environmental grant in their latest filing, most also gave to Catholic Charities, a rescue mission, a church or another faith-based group, so only one Nevada-based private foundation is on this list. It leans on state programs, national public funders, a Tahoe conservation fund and two community foundations.
From my own read of IRS filings, September 2026
In Nevada, 286 of the 365 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 78%.
That leaves 79 larger Nevada foundations that say they will read an application. It is a higher share of closed doors than in Arizona (77%, 358 of 463), the same share as in Utah (78%, 237 of 303), and a lower share than in California (83%, 3,396 of 4,113), counted the same way.
How I counted: every private non-operating foundation with a Nevada 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 Arizona, Utah and California. Counting them too gives 79% (309 of 392).
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 Nevada.
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 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
Nevada Division of Environmental Protection: Nonpoint Source 319(h) Grants
Carson City · statewide
Federal Clean Water Act money for watershed-based plans and projects that reduce polluted runoff from developed or disturbed land. Counties, conservation districts, colleges, regional agencies and nonprofits are eligible; a technical committee ranks proposals.
Typical grant
Grants on its federal fiscal 2025 project list include Western Rivers Conservancy $25,000 and Walker Basin Conservancy $50,000 (watershed plans) and River Wranglers $40,000 (Carson River environmental education).
Next deadline
The 2026 funding opportunity, issued August 5, 2026, has closed; awards are expected in early 2027. The next opportunity is not posted Check site.
How to apply
Proposal under the grant funding opportunity when it is posted. Program staff ask applicants to check eligibility with them first ([email protected]).
Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Conserve Nevada
Carson City · statewide
The state's conservation bond program, for recreation trails and facilities, protecting sensitive land, river corridors and watersheds, wildfire risk reduction and historic sites. 501(c)(3) nonprofits are eligible alongside local governments and agencies.
Typical grant
About $10 million in the 2026 round, with a 10 percent minimum match (2026 notice). Nonprofit awards announced June 10, 2026 include Southern Nevada Mountain Bike Association $841,021 (Red Rock Canyon trails), Walker Basin Conservancy $328,346 (East Walker River) and Tahoe Rim Trail Association $280,000 (Tahoe Meadows).
Next deadline
The 2026 round closed March 6, 2026. A meeting to review the program's regulations was set for October 2, 2026, and no new round is posted Check site.
How to apply
Online through the Nevada Infrastructure Finance System; create an account and tell the program you have done so.
Nevada Division of State Parks: Recreational Trails Program
Carson City · statewide
Federal trail money for building and maintaining motorized and non-motorized trails, trailheads and signs, plus outdoor education. Nonprofits are eligible alongside agencies, local governments and tribes.
Typical grant
About $1.25 million a year statewide; 20 percent match for non-motorized and education projects (applicant handbook). 2026 nonprofit awards include Friends of Nevada Wilderness $95,808 (Humboldt-Toiyabe trail maintenance), Biggest Little Trail Stewardship $83,479 and Friends of Red Rock Canyon $81,235.
Next deadline
The last cycle closed October 13, 2025. The next cycle is not posted yet Check site.
How to apply
Application through Nevada State Parks following the current RTP applicant handbook; the state trails administrator is the contact.
Bureau of Reclamation: WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program
Nevada 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 Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration
Washington, DC · Nevada priority: Clark County
Community partnerships that restore wetlands, streams and riparian habitat, build nature-based stormwater projects and involve local residents in the work. Each project needs several local partners. Clark County is Nevada'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.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Western Big Game Seasonal Habitat and Migration Corridors Fund
Washington, DC · state-identified big-game focal areas in Nevada 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). Nevada grants on its 2026 slate went to public bodies: Nevada Department of Wildlife $1,700,000 and Summit Lake Paiute Tribe $249,900.
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.
National Forest Foundation: Matching Awards Program
Missoula, MT · national forests, including Nevada's Humboldt-Toiyabe
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 Great Basin Institute $150,000, Friends of Nevada Wilderness $23,021 and Tahoe Rim Trail Association $15,868.
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 Nevada
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 2025 awards included Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership $40,000 for a Ruby Mountains protection campaign in Nevada.
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.
Tahoe City, CA · Lake Tahoe Basin (Nevada and California)
Grants for environmental improvement projects at Lake Tahoe in three areas: reducing wildfire risk, improving lake health, and making it easier to get around and care for the lake. It also takes early-stage proposals for its Environmental Venture Trust and Smartest Forest Fund.
Typical grant
Median $25,000 across 31 grants in its filing for the year to March 2025. Nevada examples: Tahoe Rim Trail Association $137,489, Nevada Tahoe Conservation District $100,000, SOS Outreach $60,000, Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition $20,000.
Community Foundation of Northern Nevada: Truckee River Fund
Reno · Truckee River and its watershed (Nevada and California)
Grants for projects that protect and improve water quality in the Truckee River and its watershed: aquatic invasive species, erosion and sediment, polluted runoff and local stormwater. Land and water rights purchases are not a priority. Nonprofits, schools and agencies can apply.
Typical grant
Typically $5,000 to $100,000, about $400,000 per cycle (its site). Grants in the foundation's 2024 filing marked for this fund: Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful $97,660, One Truckee River $81,295, Trout Unlimited $49,477 (lower Truckee trout habitat), Great Basin Outdoor School $9,280.
Next deadline
Twice a year; cycles open in January and June. The last deadline was July 24, 2026. Next cycle opens about January 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Proposal with the required budget template, submitted to the Community Foundation; grants are paid as reimbursement and projects must start within 180 days.
Community Foundation of Northern Nevada: Nevada Dream Tags Fund
Reno · statewide
Grants for on-the-ground projects that preserve, protect or restore habitat for Nevada's big game and other wildlife. Nonprofits, schools and agencies can apply, and the work must be in Nevada.
Typical grant
Grants in the foundation's 2024 filing marked for this fund: Nevada Department of Wildlife $555,000 (Granite Range mule deer habitat), Friends of Nevada Wilderness $30,767 (post-fire seedling planting), Utah State University $30,000.
Next deadline
Proposals are taken year-round and considered at the next advisory board meeting; the last non-emergency deadline was July 24, 2026, and cycles open in January and June. Next about January 2027 Expected. Emergency requests any time.
How to apply
Proposal to the Community Foundation; emergency requests use a separate form on the same page. Grants are usually paid as reimbursement.
Tahoe Community Foundation: Community Impact Grants, Environment area
Incline Village · Lake Tahoe Basin
An annual competitive cycle for organizations serving the Lake Tahoe Basin. Listed here only for its Environment area, which covers environmental sustainability, healthy ecosystems and wildlife.
Typical grant
Award size is not published on its page, and its filing does not separate this program from its other funds, so no examples are given.
Next deadline
Once a year; the cycle opens each spring (its site). The 2026 cycle has closed. Next about spring 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online through its grant portal; it announces the cycle in its nonprofit email newsletter.
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 Nevada grant went to a mining watchdog group.
Typical grant
Its 2024 filing shows 92 grants totaling $1,975,000. Nevada example: Great Basin Resource Watch $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.
No website; everything here comes from its filing for the year to November 2025. General grants to northern Nevada nonprofits, including conservation and outdoor education groups.
Typical grant
Median $10,000 across 23 grants. Conservation and outdoor examples: Sierra Nevada Journeys $82,715, Walker Basin Conservancy $10,000 (STEM education), The Nature Conservancy in Nevada $5,000 (habitat).
Next deadline
None Filing only.
How to apply
Send a summary of the need and the amount first; it then sends its form. Contact on the filing: Kenneth E. Stieha Jr., 100 W. Liberty Street, Suite 1100, Reno, NV 89501.
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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