Free funder guide · Pennsylvania · Last checked 27 September 2026
Which Pennsylvania environmental funders actually accept applications
Most private foundations in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania that do take applications, with what they fund, what they have given, and when they next open.
Most Pennsylvania foundations that take applications and fund conservation also gave to a church, a Catholic or church-affiliated college, a YMCA or another religious charity in their latest filing, so they are not on this list. I list secular funders only, which is why state programs, public funders and community foundations make up most of it.
From my own read of IRS filings, September 2026
In Pennsylvania, 1,675 of the 2,336 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 72%.
That leaves 661 larger Pennsylvania foundations that say they will read an application. It is a higher share of closed doors than in Virginia (71%, 586 of 820), and a lower share than in Maryland (76%, 559 of 739), counted the same way.
How I counted: every private non-operating foundation with a Pennsylvania 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). There are 2,337; 1 had no e-filed return I could find, so it is left out of the count. Operating foundations, which mostly run their own programs, are left out, as they were for Virginia and Maryland. Counting them too gives 74% (2,071 of 2,787).
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 Pennsylvania.
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
Pennsylvania DCNR: Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2)
Harrisburg · statewide
The state's main conservation and recreation grant program, about $50 million a year. Nonprofits can apply for Rivers Conservation (stream and wetland restoration, small dam removal, river access, watershed plans) and Community and Watershed Forestry (riparian buffers, lawn-to-meadow, community trees); pre-qualified land trusts can apply for Land Acquisition and Conservation.
Typical grant
Rivers Conservation $30,000 to $250,000, usually with a dollar-for-dollar match; Community and Watershed Forestry at least $50,000 with a 20% match; Land Acquisition $150,000 to $500,000, usually matched dollar for dollar (its site).
Next deadline
Once a year: opens the second Monday of January and closes the last business day of April (its standing schedule) Verified. That puts the 2027 round at January 11 to April 30, 2027.
How to apply
DCNR's online grants system. It suggests talking to the regional advisor of its Bureau of Recreation and Conservation first.
Pennsylvania DEP: Growing Greener Plus (Watershed Restoration and Protection)
Harrisburg · statewide
Watershed restoration and protection projects that reduce nonpoint source pollution: stream and streambank restoration, riparian buffers, farm conservation practices and stormwater work. Watershed associations and land trusts are regular grantees.
Typical grant
No range published on the program page. Examples from its 2025 award list: Wildlands Conservancy $310,315, Allegheny Land Trust $144,336, Washington County Watershed Alliance $139,759, Wissahickon Trails $125,105.
Next deadline
2026 round: April 22 to June 22, 2026 (closed). Next round about spring 2027 Expected; the 2027 dates are not posted yet.
How to apply
Online through the state eGrants system (Keystone Login), with a workplan, task budget worksheets and landowner letters of commitment.
Hands-on environmental education for youth and adults on land use, air quality, water and climate change, funded from 5% of the state's pollution fines. Incorporated nonprofits and conservation and education organizations are eligible.
Typical grant
Seed grants up to $5,000; Grow grants $5,001 to $30,000; Impact grants $30,001 to $65,000 (its site). Paid on a reimbursement basis. The 2026 round funded 46 projects with $1,019,523 in total.
Next deadline
2027 program round: opens October 5, 2026 and closes November 13, 2026 Verified. Projects run July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2028.
How to apply
Online through the Keystone Login system, following the 2027 program manual. A public webinar is set for October 13, 2026.
Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds: Conservation Grants
Johnstown · statewide
Grants for watershed and land conservation projects anywhere in Pennsylvania, open to nonprofits and to public bodies such as conservation districts. Some cycles limit funds to certain regions.
Typical grant
About $20,000 on average, with 15 to 30 grants a cycle (its site). Pennsylvania grants in its filing for the year to June 2025: Western Pennsylvania Conservancy $58,773, Mountain Watershed Association $48,000, Wildlands Conservancy $40,000, ClearWater Conservancy $31,500, Berks Nature $19,800.
Next deadline
The fall 2026 cycle's letters of intent were due September 18, 2026. The next cycle is not posted yet Check site.
How to apply
Letter of intent, then an invited full proposal, through its grants portal (apply.fpwgrants.org).
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund
Washington, DC · Delaware River watershed in eastern Pennsylvania
Habitat restoration and conservation, water quality, flood reduction and public access to nature anywhere in the Delaware River watershed, which covers much of eastern Pennsylvania from the Poconos to Philadelphia.
Typical grant
$75,000 to $1,500,000 for projects in 2026; planning grants $75,000 to $500,000 and capacity-building grants $75,000 to $250,000 (2026 request for proposals). Pennsylvania grants in its latest filing, which does not name the program: Stroud Water Research Center $1,570,251 (farms and buffers in the Delaware watershed), Lower Merion Conservancy $153,059 (road salt in Delaware River streams), Clean Air Council $148,771 (Cobbs Creek watershed coalition).
Next deadline
About March 2027 Expected. The 2026 round closed March 26, 2026; the 2027 request for proposals is not posted yet.
How to apply
Online proposal in NFWF's Easygrants system. A 1:1 non-federal match is strongly encouraged but not required.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants
Washington, DC · Susquehanna and Potomac basins (the Bay watershed in Pennsylvania)
Community-based restoration, planning and technical assistance anywhere in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which covers roughly half of Pennsylvania through the Susquehanna and Potomac basins. Priorities include farm runoff, riparian buffers, stream restoration and brook trout habitat.
Typical grant
$150,000 to $750,000 for on-the-ground projects; up to $150,000 for planning and technical assistance; match encouraged but not required (2026 request for proposals). Pennsylvania grants in its latest filing, which does not name the program: Conservation Foundation of Lancaster County $1,025,880 (stream restoration in the Bay watershed), Lancaster Farmland Trust $823,636, The Little Conestoga Creek Foundation $240,000.
Next deadline
About April 2027 Expected. The 2026 round closed April 2, 2026; the 2027 request for proposals is not posted yet.
How to apply
Online proposal in NFWF's Easygrants system. NFWF encourages a proposal consultation with its staff or field liaisons first.
Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR): Statewide Waterway Access Grants
Pittston · statewide
Small grants, funded by the Fish and Boat Commission and DCNR, for non-motorized public access to Pennsylvania rivers and streams: land acquisition, planning and design, and building or fixing canoe and kayak launches. Nonprofits, municipalities and schools can apply.
Typical grant
Up to $30,000 with a 1:1 match in cash, in-kind or both (its site). Grants in its 2025 filing: Perkiomen Watershed $20,000 (Marlborough access project), Lackawanna Heritage Valley $19,750 (Mayfield river ramp repair), Friends of Historic Heishman's Mill $10,472 (launch stairs and portage slide).
Next deadline
No deadline posted on its page Check site.
How to apply
Online application linked from its SWAG page. Nonprofits must supply a BCO (charitable registration) certificate.
Lancaster County Community Foundation: Lancaster Environmental Fund and Clean Water Fund
Lancaster · Lancaster County
Two open programs: the Lancaster Environmental Fund, one of its annual Passion Grants, for "environmental protection, conservation, and education", and the Lancaster Clean Water Fund, run with Lancaster Clean Water Partners, for water-quality education, monitoring and restoration projects.
Typical grant
Lancaster Environmental Fund $10,000 to $33,000; Clean Water Fund $1,000 to $20,000, no match required (its site). Environmental grants in its 2024 filing include Lancaster County Conservancy $542,402, Lancaster Farmland Trust $102,347 and Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association $25,896 (the filing does not separate these from donor-advised gifts).
Next deadline
Both 2026 cycles are closed: Passion Grants opened March 3, 2026, and Clean Water Fund applications were due July 1, 2026. Both next open about March 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Its online grant portal (Passion Grants); for the Clean Water Fund, application access comes from Lancaster Clean Water Partners.
Pittsburgh · Allegheny County (other nearby projects case by case)
Community-centered conservation and stewardship of land, air and water, and work on the harms of chronic pollution. Applicants must have an operating budget under $2 million and mainly serve high-need communities in Allegheny County.
Typical grant
One-year grants generally $10,000 to $75,000; two-year grants up to about $150,000 (its site). Environmental grants in its 2024 filing include UpstreamPGH $209,513, Three Rivers Waterkeeper $138,418, Allegheny Land Trust $94,000 and Hollow Oak Land Trust $75,250 (the filing does not separate these from donor-advised gifts).
Next deadline
Two cycles a year; the 2026 deadlines were February 3 and July 15. Next deadline about February 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online application portal; guidelines and eligibility are on its grants pages.
Grants for Erie County nonprofits on the foundation's priorities, which include regional vitality: "arts, culture, history, and natural assets". Projects are typically capacity building, capital purchases, facility improvements and program work.
Typical grant
Up to $50,000 (its site). Environmental grants in its 2024 filing include French Creek Valley Conservancy $87,905, Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier $37,307 and Presque Isle Audubon Society $14,473 (the filing does not separate these from donor-advised gifts).
Next deadline
Four deadlines a year: January 29, May 1, July 30 and October 15 (its standing schedule) Verified. The next is October 15, 2026.
How to apply
Online application from its grant opportunities page.
York County Community Foundation: Environmental Fund
York · York County
Environmental Fund grants for projects with a positive environmental impact in York County, including its Codorus Watershed Endowment Fund for water quality and recreation on Codorus Creek.
Typical grant
Not published. Environmental grants in its 2024 filing include York City Parks Conservancy $93,256, Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association $17,950 (Greener Codorus Initiative) and Watershed Alliance of York $9,000.
Next deadline
Letters of inquiry twice a year; the 2026 dates were December 10, 2025 and June 10, 2026. Next letter of inquiry about December 2026, for projects starting in spring 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Letter of inquiry through its online grant portal; staff match the request to the best fund and may invite a full application.
No website; everything here comes from its 2025 tax filing. Mainly animal welfare and "land conservation to preserve animal habitat", limited to groups located in or doing substantial work in Philadelphia or its suburbs.
Typical grant
Median $25,000 across its 27 grants in the year to June 2025. Conservation examples: Natural Lands $1,000,000, The Nature Conservancy (Pennsylvania) $100,000, Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education $50,000, French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust $25,000.
Next deadline
None; a short letter at any time, decided at board meetings in the fall (November or December) and spring (April or May), per the filing Filing only.
How to apply
A short letter with your mission, the amount and purpose, the total project cost, last year's revenue and expenses, your EIN and your IRS determination letter, to The Allerton Foundation, c/o Pathstone, 6022 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073.
No website; everything here comes from its 2024 tax filing. Mostly Philadelphia arts groups, with some large park and garden grants; the filing states no limits on field or area.
Typical grant
Median $10,000 across its 24 grants in 2024. Environmental examples: Friends of the Wissahickon $55,000 (bridge construction and natural lands work), Morris Arboretum $30,000 (outreach coordinator).
Next deadline
None; "there are no submission deadlines", per the filing Filing only.
How to apply
No application form; send details of the grant's purpose and proof of 501(c)(3) public-charity status to Linda S. Glickstein, 504 West Mermaid Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19118.
No website; everything here comes from its tax filing for the year to May 2026. A small family foundation giving to Lehigh Valley and New York arts, science and conservation groups; the filing sets no form, deadline or limits.
Typical grant
Median $10,000 across its 11 grants in the year to May 2026. Conservation examples: Wildlands Conservancy (Emmaus) $10,000, Trout Unlimited $2,500.
Next deadline
None stated Filing only.
How to apply
No required form (the filing answers "N/A"); write to Joseph J. Kaminski, 3451 Orchid Circle, Emmaus, PA 18049.
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.