Free funder guide · Oregon · Last checked 27 September 2026
Which Oregon environmental funders actually accept applications
Most private foundations in Oregon 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 Oregon that do take applications, with what they fund, what they have given, and when they next open.
Oregon has a lower share of open foundations than its neighbors, and several of the largest open ones fail my religious screen, so more of this list is public money than on other state pages. Most of the private foundations below are small or out of state.
From my own read of IRS filings, September 2026
In Oregon, 217 of the 337 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 64%.
That leaves 120 larger Oregon foundations that say they will read an application. It is a lower share of closed doors than in Washington (74%, 533 of 718) and Virginia (71%, 586 of 820), counted the same way.
How I counted: every private non-operating foundation with an Oregon 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). There are 339; 2 had no e-filed return I could find, so they are left out of the count. Operating foundations, which mostly run their own programs, are left out, as they were for Washington and Virginia. Counting them too gives 66% (239 of 364).
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 Oregon.
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
Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: Small Grants and Restoration Grants
Salem · statewide
The state's main funder of watershed restoration. Small Grants pay for on-the-ground work, mostly on private land (riparian planting, fish passage, weed control); Restoration Grants fund larger habitat, stream-flow and water-quality projects. Watershed councils, soil and water conservation districts, tribes and nonprofits can apply.
Typical grant
Small Grants up to $20,000; Restoration Grants have no maximum. Both need a 25% match (its site).
Next deadline
Small Grants: applications year-round until April 15, 2027, through your area's Small Grant Team Rolling. Restoration Grants are offered every summer and winter; the summer 2026 round closed August 3, 2026 and the winter date is not posted yet Expected.
How to apply
OWEB's online grant system (OGMS). For Small Grants, contact your local Small Grant Team first for its review dates.
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund
Salem · statewide
Grants for projects that carry out the State Wildlife Action Plan (research, monitoring, restoration, education, outdoor access and community engagement). It says it wants to keep supporting smaller, newer organizations. One proposal per organization.
Typical grant
Up to $25,000; about $400,000 in total this round (its site). Projects selected in its winter 2025 round include The Wetlands Conservancy $25,000, Tillamook Estuaries Partnership $25,000 and Friends of Tryon Creek $24,945 (its list of funded projects).
Next deadline
Winter round opens December 15, 2026 and closes February 9, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Verified.
How to apply
ODFW's online grant portal; the link goes up on December 15. Indirect costs are capped at 20% of the request.
Small reimbursable grants for fish and wildlife habitat restoration, public access, natural resource education, pollution reduction, invasive species control and related studies anywhere in Oregon. Projects that serve the Oregon Conservation Strategy get priority.
Typical grant
A typical award is $5,000 or less; for more, contact the foundation first (its site). Grants in its 2024 filing include Upper Nehalem Watershed Council $17,272 and Klamath Bird Observatory $10,000.
Next deadline
November 5, 2026, 5 p.m. Verified. The 2026 dates were January 22, April 23, August 20 and November 5; the 2027 dates are not posted yet.
How to apply
Online application at myowf.submit.com. Every dollar requested must be matched one to one, in cash or in kind, and habitat projects need a statement of support from an agency or tribal biologist.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Five Star Grant Program
Washington, DC · Portland (the program's Oregon priority area)
Community restoration with hands-on outreach and education: tree canopy, wetland and riparian habitat, pollinator and bird habitat, and litter prevention. Each project needs five or more partners.
Typical grant
$30,000 to $150,000, with a 1:0.75 match to be competitive (2026 request for proposals). Oregon grants in its filing for the year to September 2025, which does not name the program: Ecology in Classrooms and Outdoors $73,779, Clackamas Trout Unlimited $63,161, Lower Nehalem Watershed Council $50,426.
Next deadline
About June 2027 Expected. The 2026 round closed June 4, 2026; I found no 2027 request for proposals yet.
Grand Ronde · Benton, Clackamas, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington and Yamhill counties
The grantmaking arm of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Environmental Preservation is one of its program areas, and river health (water quality, habitat for salmon and lamprey, fish recovery, pollution and waste reduction) is a stated priority.
Typical grant
Small Grants up to $7,500; Large Grants up to $50,000 for programs, and a request can be no more than half the project budget (its site).
Next deadline
For the first 2027 quarter: Large Grant letter of inquiry October 2, 2026; Small Grant applications November 2, 2026; Large Grant applications December 1, 2026 Verified. Rounds run every quarter.
How to apply
Letter of inquiry, then a full application if invited, through its online grant portal. It runs free application workshops, currently online.
Metro: Nature in Neighborhoods Community Stewardship and Restoration Grants
Portland · greater Portland (Metro area)
Regional government grants for projects that improve water quality and fish and wildlife habitat, build community partnerships and address inequities in conservation. Watershed councils and nonprofits can apply.
Typical grant
Small grants up to $50,000, medium up to $75,000, large up to $100,000; $750,000 in the 2025-26 round. Its handbook's examples include Verde's rain garden and naturescape project $100,000 and Johnson Creek Watershed Council's Leach Botanical Garden restoration $56,619.
Next deadline
Offered every other year. The last round took pre-applications until February 10, 2026; next round about winter 2027-28 Expected.
How to apply
Pre-application, then a full application if invited. Metro suggests booking a meeting with the program manager first.
City of Portland: Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund, Community Grants
Portland · City of Portland
Large climate grants for community-based nonprofits, including green infrastructure (tree planting and similar), regenerative agriculture and other projects that cut emissions and benefit low-income Portlanders and communities of color. Planning grants are available too.
Typical grant
In the 2026 round, small implementation grants up to $200,000 for green infrastructure or regenerative agriculture, large grants up to $1 million; planning grants up to $100,000 or $200,000 (its 2026 handbook).
Next deadline
The 2026 round closed May 27, 2026 and the next round is not posted yet Check site.
How to apply
WebGrants online application, with an applicant handbook and templates on the program page.
Flexible grants for new or expanding programs, small capital projects and capacity building, from Oregon's statewide community foundation. Environmental groups are regular grantees. It does not fund religious activities.
Typical grant
Typically $15,000 to $20,000; requests up to $40,000 are considered (its FAQ). Environmental grants in its 2024 filing include Johnson Creek Watershed Council $39,920, Wallowa Land Trust $30,259, Harney County Watershed Council $15,000 and Illinois Valley Watershed Council $15,000 (the filing does not say which fund paid them).
Next deadline
Spring 2027 cycle: dates not posted yet; the spring cycle typically closes in January Expected.
How to apply
Online application through OCF's grant system. Grantees sit out the next two cycles.
Annual grants for programs that serve children, youth and families in Benton County, under arts and culture, human services, education and youth development, and community betterment (such as park improvements). Environmental education and access projects fit when they serve local families.
Typical grant
Not published. Environmental grants in its 2025 filing include Chintimini Wildlife Center $13,000 (wildlife science field trips) and Greenbelt Land Trust $11,000 (inclusive access and sensory trail at Owens Farm).
Next deadline
Applications for 2027 open in December 2026 Verified; the closing date is not posted yet.
A Portland family foundation whose stated interests include "conservation of the environment" alongside medical research, higher education and community welfare.
Typical grant
Median $10,000 across its 15 grants in 2025. Environmental examples: The Freshwater Trust $25,000, North Coast Land Conservancy $12,500, Friends of Tryon Creek $10,000, SOLVE $10,000.
Next deadline
November 30, 2026, 5 p.m., for the December 14 board meeting Verified. Its other standing deadlines are March 30, June 29 and September 29.
How to apply
A letter by post describing the request and how the funds will be used, to 610 SW Alder St., Suite 1221, Portland, OR 97205.
Portland · Columbia, Tillamook and Washington counties (also parts of Idaho and Spokane County, WA)
Civic, cultural, educational and human services grants where Stimson Lumber operates, including youth conservation and outdoor programs. It will not fund groups whose purpose includes opposing the forest products industry.
Typical grant
Median $15,000 across its 17 grants in 2025. Examples: Kaniksu Land Trust (Idaho) $26,009, Northwest Youth Corps $13,510, Sitka Center for Art and Ecology $7,500.
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. Decisions by mid-December.
How to apply
Online application (register, then an eligibility questionnaire) linked from its Application Process page; questions by email to [email protected].
Bethesda, MD · Oregon, California and the Chicago area
Project grants to enhance natural environments (conservation and restoration), preserve local history, and add green space and urban trails, especially for underserved residents.
Typical grant
Typically no more than $10,000 (its site). Oregon grants in its 2025 filing: Friends of the Owyhee $10,000, Depave $10,000, The Beaver Coalition (Project Beaver) $9,900, Blue Mountains Biodiversity Project $8,000.
Next deadline
Once a year, May 1 to June 30 (its standing timeline) Verified. The 2026 window has closed; next about May 1 to June 30, 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online application through its grant portal. Projects only, finished within a year; no operating support.
Seattle, WA · western North America, including Oregon
Science-based protection of wildlands, wildlife and habitat connections. Its Northwest/Southwest program covers Cascadia and the Great Basin, and Oregon grantees include desert, forest and wilderness groups. It asks to talk with you before any proposal.
Typical grant
Oregon grants in its 2024 filing: Oregon Natural Desert Association $100,000, Greater Hells Canyon Council $50,000, Soda Mountain Wilderness Council $35,000, High Desert Partnership $35,000.
Next deadline
No published deadline: it is set with a program officer, and grants go to one of three board meetings a year Rolling.
How to apply
Contact the program officer for your region first; a proposal follows only after that conversation. One active grant at a time.
Early-stage funding for scientifically grounded climate projects whose results will be public, including adaptation and science communication. A fit for climate groups with a ready-to-launch project.
Typical grant
$25,000 to $100,000 (its site). Oregon grants in its 2025 filing: Oregon Environmental Council $84,250, Conservation Biology Institute (Corvallis) $66,800.
Next deadline
Letters of inquiry any time, reviewed within 45 days Rolling. Full proposals by invitation.
How to apply
Letter of inquiry through the form on its grants page, with a PDF project overview.
No website; everything here comes from its 2024 tax filing. Small operating grants to environmental, health and relief groups, about a quarter of the dollars in Oregon.
Typical grant
Median $7,500 across its 23 grants in 2024. Environmental examples: Southwest Center for Biodiversity $25,000, Pacific Crest Trail Association $5,000, McKenzie River Trust $5,000, BRING Recycling $5,000.
Next deadline
Applications accepted throughout the year, per the filing Filing only.
How to apply
No particular form; send general information about your organization and the purpose of the request to 23985 Vaughn Road, Veneta, OR 97487.
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.