NH Partnership for Schoolyard Action Grants

Are you an educator with a project in mind to involve students in enhancing the schoolyard for wildlife habitat, connect students with the outdoors, and integrate nature into student learning in line with the curricula? Grants from the New Hampshire Partnership for Schoolyard Action Grants are available for schools with students from pre-kindergarten through grade twelve to help fund nature-based projects.

Grant Award Amounts: Grant awards range from $500 – $2,000.

Deadline to Apply:  Applications are due by January  29, 2021.

Eligibility: New Hampshire schools that teach Preschool-12th grade may apply.

Read more and apply here.

Farm to School Mini-Grants

We are thrilled to offer our 2020 mini-grants of up to $500 to support farm to school projects in the Upper Valley. These grants will help your school, afterschool program, or school-related wellness program launch (or continue) projects related to farms, our agricultural heritage, farm products, food production, or local food consumption at the school.

Grant Amount: up to $500
Deadline to Apply: March 6, 2021
Geographic Region: Must be in Vital Communities Service Area

 Read more and apply here

Environmental Opportunity Grant 

The Environmental Opportunity Grant Program is a one-time program providing small grants to organizations in New Hampshire doing work at the intersection of community and the environment. Specifically, we are seeking proposals for work in three areas: 1) Renewable energy and energy efficiency, either policy or practice; 2) Community action and education on priority issues determined by the local community, such as pollution, solid waste disposal, and food access; 3) Strategic land and fresh water conservation that provides equitable public access and/or advances public health goals.

Grant Amount: up to $5,000 
Deadline to Apply: Wednesday, December 9 at 5:00 PM
Eligibility: Applicants must be nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) designation that operate within New Hampshire. Other community groups that do not have US tax-exempt status may apply for funding if a 501(c)(3) organization serves as their fiscal sponsor. 

Geographic Regions: Proposals must be focused on environmental work in New Hampshire within the Foundation’s eight regions: Capital, Lakes, Manchester, Monadnock, Nashua, North Country, Piscataqua and Upper Valley.

Learn more and apply here.

Youth Learning As Citizen Environmental Scientists (YLACES) Grants

YLACES seeks to develop citizens who can think scientifically, utilizing the environment as a learning laboratory where students conduct inquiry-based research and contribute to a better collective understanding of our changing world.

​YLACES is soliciting applications for grants for the 2020/2021 school year. Those working with youth to do research projects through environmental citizen science are invited to submit proposals for support to help acquire the scientific instruments or other necessary data collection tools or materials.

​To develop critical analysis and thinking skills, young minds need to experience the scientific approach of developing hypotheses, taking careful, reproducible measurements, and reasoning with data. Inquiries should begin early and grow in quality and sophistication as learners progress in literacy, numeracy, and understanding social interactions and society.

​While classroom learning will always be important, extending science education into the great outdoors offers unparalleled academic, physical, social, and emotional benefits for students. The environment provides a myriad of topics for research that are within the intellectual grasp of students across a wide range of grades and ability levels, from simple budburst observation to more complex soil composition analysis. Outdoor learning helps students hone their senses, instill a sense of personal responsibility, and acquire a greater appreciation for nature and the need to protect it. For cash-strapped school systems and informal education programs, providing students with opportunities to conduct meaningful scientific inquiry outdoors can occur with modest investments in equipment and technology.

​YLACES emphasis is on serving youth in the K – 12 grades.  We invite educators working with students both in formal education systems as well as informal education settings such as parks or nature centers, in the United States and globally.

​In general, equipment, supplies, or materials available commercially and included in grant awards will be purchased directly by YLACES and shipped to the grant recipient. All equipment, supplies, or materials should be clearly defined in the proposal; if specific models or brands are desired, this should be specified in the grant application along with sources of supply.

​Grants Amount: will be made in response to proposals up to $1,250 not including the costs for instrument delivery, bank charges, and currency conversions.  

Deadline to apply: January 31

Find More Information Here

2019 Mini Grant Awardees 

Audubon Vermont and the Vermont Adult Learning Program: All About Birds Program 

Recipient 

Audubon Vermont 

Project Overview

Vermont Adult Learning (VAL) provides adults 16 years and older with necessary skills to successfully transition to employment and post-secondary education. This spring, Audubon Vermont is collaborating with VAL and host a six-week program for these students, All About Birds. This program will allow these adults the opportunity to have hands-on outdoor experiences with science, conservation, and participate in a community science project that will benefit the community.  This program will be focused in the urban setting of Burlington, but also experience bird at two Important Bird Areas Green Mountain Audubon Center and Dead Creek for field trips.

Reducing Barriers for K-12 Groups to Visit Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area 

RECIPIENT 

Vermont Fish and Wildlife 

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Dead Creek visitor Center in Addison, VT is a new education resource featuring displays highlighting the history of Dead Creek and conservation, fish, wildlife management, conservation partnerships, habitat and more. The Dead Creek Visitor center hosts K-12 school groups year round. However, one of the largest barriers for school group participation is transportation costs. This grant sought to provide access and scholarships to schools that do not have the financial means to cover the bussing costs to Dead Creek. 

Check this page for updates on 2020 grants and opportunities!