Conservation Funding Program
Supports research, land protection, and ecosystem restoration projects across the U.S. to conserve habitats and foster healthy, sustainable communities.
Funder: Richard King Mellon Foundation
Due Dates: Rolling
Funding Amounts: Typical awards are $100,000–$7 million+; most grants are for 12–18 months; both grants and program-related investments (PRIs) available.
Summary: Supports land protection, ecosystem restoration, sustainable development, and environmental innovation to conserve habitats and foster healthy communities across the U.S.
Key Information: Open to U.S.-based nonprofits and for-profits; proposals accepted year-round; national scope.
Description
The Conservation Funding Program of the Richard King Mellon Foundation is dedicated to conserving and restoring critical habitats across the United States, with a historic focus on Pennsylvania but a national reach. The program supports strategic land protection, stewardship, and sustainable economic development to foster thriving wildlife and healthy communities. It invests in four main areas: habitat conservation, stewardship, activation (outdoor participation and rural economic development), and sustainable communities (environmental quality, renewable energy, and livability). The Foundation employs both grants and innovative financial tools such as program-related investments (PRIs) to maximize conservation impact, supporting projects ranging from large-scale land acquisition to research, ecosystem restoration, and community engagement.
