The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation partners to foster sustainable and impactful conservation solutions so that people and nature thrive together. NFWF protects and restores fish, wildlife, plants and habitats by leveraging public and private resources and awarding competitive grants.
The largest recent grant on file, $99,013,450 to La Coastal Protection & Restoration for conservation projects, shows how National Fish and Wildlife Foundation works at the scale of major landscape and coastal restoration. The foundation awards competitive grants that protect and restore fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats by leveraging public and private resources. Its recent awards also include $36,936,595 to the Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority for barrier island restoration and $34,041,973 to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality for marsh creation, signaling a strong emphasis on habitat and shoreline work. Across the latest grants listed, the foundation supports state agencies, local governments, conservation groups, and land trusts, often in projects tied to wetlands, estuaries, rivers, and working lands. The portfolio includes both large capital-style restoration awards and smaller project grants, with conservation outcomes linked to fish habitat, bird habitat, coastal resilience, and watershed function. Several of the biggest awards also center on named places such as Louisiana wetlands, Dauphin Island, and the Walker Basin, indicating a place-based conservation strategy rather than a single-species or single-state pattern.
Habitat restoration is a central theme in the foundation’s grantmaking. It awarded $29,047,733 to the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana for restoring Louisiana wetlands for marsh habitat, and $23,511,268 to the Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium Dauphin Island Sea Lab for saltmarsh stabilization and restoration. Coastal and estuarine projects are another clear focus: the Town of Dauphin Island received $24,638,207 to restore AL Bay marsh and oyster reefs for resilience, while Alabama’s coastal habitat protection efforts also appear in the record. The foundation also backs freshwater and terrestrial work. Ducks Unlimited Inc received $12,497,710 for northern Great Plains grassland habitat for birds, and Trout Unlimited Inc received $5,921,842 for Pacific salmon habitat restored in the Eklutna River. Across these grants, the work is practical and project-based, centered on restoration, habitat function, and species support.
Typical grants cluster around a median of $77,254, with a lower quartile of $29,475 and an upper quartile of $199,054, while the portfolio also includes very large project awards. The data shows repeat recipients over multiple years, including The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited Inc, Trout Unlimited Inc, Walker Basin Conservancy, Texas General Land Office, and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is a regular funder and does not fund individuals. The grant record is overwhelmingly U.S.-based, and the listed grant programs include a mix of competitive opportunities and program-specific solicitations, with some accepting unsolicited proposals and others not.
$432.4M
$3.1B
$513.2M
$485.7M
Most grants fall between $29K and $199K, with a median of $77K.
25th Percentile
$29K
Median
$77K
75th Percentile
$199K
About 2% of grants go to recipients in VA.
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Grantmaking is national, but the largest concentrations in the recent grants list appear in the Gulf Coast and Chesapeake-related coastal states. Baton Rouge, Louisiana shows up repeatedly, along with Dauphin Island and Mobile, Alabama, Jackson, Mississippi, Austin, Texas, and Arlington, Virginia. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 3,150 grants in the United States. Washington, DC recipients appear as well, but only 2% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state.
The foundation funds habitat restoration, species conservation, watershed restoration, coastal resilience, marine and estuarine conservation, forest and working lands conservation, fisheries improvement, and mitigation through IDEA-related work. Recent grants show wetland, marsh, oyster reef, shoreline, and river habitat projects, along with grassland and prairie habitat work.
No. Its geographic scope of giving is national, and the recent grants list includes projects in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Nevada, Virginia, California, Florida, Tennessee, and New York. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
The typical grant size is $29,475 at the 25th percentile, $77,254 at the median, and $199,054 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes much larger project awards, showing a wide range between standard grants and major restoration commitments.
Yes. Several recipients appear more than once in the recent grants list, including The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited Inc, Trout Unlimited Inc, Walker Basin Conservancy, Texas General Land Office, and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. That pattern suggests ongoing project relationships rather than one-time awards only.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals. Its grantmaking is organized through competitive grant programs and project-focused awards to organizations, public agencies, and conservation partners.
JEFFREY TRANDAHL
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Federal, state, and local governments, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations are welcome to apply for matching grants from NFWF's conservation priority programs; program funding is competitive and focused on targeted southeastern watersheds.
Deadline: 07/01/2026 Full Proposal Due
Who can apply: Federal, state, and local governments, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations are welcome to apply for matching grants from conservation priority programs, subject to the specific request for proposals.
Deadline: 07/22/2026 | Full Proposals Deadline
Who can apply: Competitive grants program administered by NFWF in partnership with public and private entities; awards support on-the-ground habitat restoration and enhancement in the Great Lakes region.
Deadline: 08/06/2026 Full Proposal Deadline
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COASTAL PROTECTION AND RESTORATION AUTHORITY OF LOUISIANA | BATON ROUGE, LA | $29,047,733 | 2025 | RESTORING LOUISIANA WETLANDS FOR MARSH HABITAT |
| MOBILE COUNTY COMMISSION | MOBILE, AL | $24,666,387 | 2025 | DAUPHIN ISLAND CAUSEWAY SHORELINE |
| TOWN OF DAUPHIN ISLAND | DAUPHIN ISLAND, AL | $24,638,207 | 2025 | RESTORE AL BAY MARSH & OYSTER REEFS FOR RESILIENCE |
| MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES CONSORTIUM DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAB | DAUPHIN ISLAND, AL | $23,511,268 | 2025 | SALTMARSH STABILIZATION AND RESTORATION |
| MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY | JACKSON, MS | $17,983,468 | 2025 | MISSISSIPPI COASTAL HABITAT RESTORATION & MGT |
| WALKER BASIN CONSERVANCY | RENO, NV | $15,017,699 | 2025 | ESTABLISHMENT OF WALKER BASIN CONSERVANCY PHASE II |
| DUCKS UNLIMITED INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $12,497,710 | 2025 | N GREAT PLAINS GRASSLAND HABITAT FOR BIRDS |
| ALABAMA DEPT CONSERVATION & NATURAL RES | MONTGOMERY, AL | $12,000,000 | 2025 | COASTAL HABITAT PROTECTION |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $9,946,898 | 2025 | MN PRAIRIE RESTORATION - MONARCH & SKIPPER HABITAT |
| TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE | AUSTIN, TX | $7,393,462 | 2025 | RESTORE TX COASTAL MARSH FOR WILDLIFE HABITAT |
| TROUT UNLIMITED INC | ARLINGTON, VA | $5,921,842 | 2025 | PACIFIC SALMON HABITAT RESTORED IN EKLUTNA RIVER |
| WALKER RIVER IRRIGATION DISTRICT | YERINGTON, NV | $4,032,586 | 2025 | WALKER BASIN WATER LEASING DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM |
| PYRAMID LAKE PAIUTE TRIBE | NIXON, NV | $3,949,138 | 2025 | PYRAMID LAKE WATER RIGHTS AND MANAGEMENT PROJECTS |
| APALACHEE REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL | TALLAHASSEE, FL | $3,865,867 | 2025 | FL REEFS & MARSHES PROTECT 12 MILES OF COAST |
| DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE | FAIRHOPE, AL | $3,717,813 | 2025 | FLORIDA WADING BIRD & BEACH MOUSE HABITAT |
| DTN | CHICAGO, IL | $3,041,131 | 2025 | REPORTING SERVICES FOR FARMER PARTNERSHIPS |
| ALLIANCE FOR THE CHESAPEAKE BAY INC | ANNAPOLIS, MD | $3,034,358 | 2025 | CHESAPEAKE STREAM RESTORATION MONITORING PLAN |
| FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION | TALLAHASSEE, FL | $2,967,514 | 2025 | FL MARINE DEBRIS CLEANUP PROTECTS COASTAL WATERS |
| NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY INC | NEW YORK, NY | $2,937,136 | 2025 | RESTORING LONG ISLAND MARSH FOR SALTMARSH SPARROW |
| CITY OF BUFFALO | BUFFALO, NY | $2,752,640 | 2025 | RESTORE MARSH HABITAT ON LAKE ERIE'S SHORELINE |
| NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION | RESTON, VA | $2,528,870 | 2025 | RESTORING MT GRASSLAND MEADOWS FOR SAGE-GROUSE |
| THE CONSERVATION FUND | ARLINGTON, VA | $2,473,705 | 2025 | PROTECT ALASKA RIVERS FOR SOCKEYE SALMON SPAWNING |
| QUILEUTE TRIBE | LA PUSH, WA | $2,390,513 | 2025 | QUILLAYUTE RIVER RESTORATION FOR SALMON HABITAT |
| COASTAL BEND BAYS AND ESTUARIES PROGRAM | CORPUS CHRISTI, TX | $2,314,437 | 2025 | SHORELINE RESTORATION |
| TOWN OF BRAINTREE | BRAINTREE, MA | $2,281,500 | 2025 | RESTORATION OF THE MONATIQUOT RIVER |
| AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY | THE PLAINS, VA | $2,239,397 | 2025 | PROTECTING HAWAII'S FOREST BIRDS & DRY LANDSCAPES |
| MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES | BILOXI, MS | $2,200,416 | 2025 | INSTALL ARTIFICIAL REEFS |
| TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT | AUSTIN, TX | $2,091,700 | 2025 | REDUCE WHITE-NOSE SYNDROME BAT MORTALITY IN TEXAS |
| JEFFERSON PARISH DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS | GRETNA, LA | $2,013,885 | 2025 | RESTORING LA MARSH & SHORELINE FOR FISH HABITAT |
| GROUNDWORK JACKSONVILLE INC | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $1,979,393 | 2025 | FINAL DESIGN TO RESTORE HOGANS CREEK |
| PHEASANTS FOREVER INC | ST PAUL, MN | $1,885,669 | 2025 | GRASSLAND BIRD CONSERVATION IN WESTERN SD PRAIRIES |
| CITY OF MOBILE | MOBILE, AL | $1,873,496 | 2025 | MOBILE WATERWAYS CLEARED OF STORM DEBRIS |
| NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL FEDERATION INC | NEWPORT, NC | $1,866,101 | 2025 | BUILDING A LIVING SHORELINE ALONG THE NEUSE RIVER |
| AMERICAN LITTORAL SOCIETY | HIGHLANDS, NJ | $1,822,308 | 2025 | NJ BEACH HABITAT FOR HORSESHOE CRABS & RED KNOTS |
| STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES | HONOLULU, HI | $1,732,620 | 2025 | RESTORING CORAL REEFS IN WEST MAUI, HI |
| US FOREST SERVICE | PORTLAND, OR | $1,726,695 | 2025 | RESTORING UPPER TROUT CREEK FOR NATIVE STEELHEAD |
| VILLAGE OF KOTLIK | KOTLIK, AK | $1,702,806 | 2025 | RESTORE ALASKA WETLANDS FOR SALMON HABITAT |
| THE LONGLEAF ALLIANCE INC | ANDALUSIA, AL | $1,699,158 | 2025 | ADVANCING LONGLEAF RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT |
| PAPAHANAUMOKUAKEA MARINE DEBRIS PROJECT INC | KAILUA, HI | $1,683,329 | 2025 | REMOVING DEBRIS FROM PAPAHANAUMOKUAKEA REEFS |
| ST BERNARD PARISH GOVERNMENT | CHALMETTE, LA | $1,606,612 | 2025 | RESTORING CYPRESS & TUPELO FORESTS ALONG BAYOU |
| ESCAMBIA COUNTY | PENSACOLA, FL | $1,541,557 | 2025 | WATERSHED RESTORATION |
| CITY OF NICEVILLE | NICEVILLE, FL | $1,541,090 | 2025 | WATERSHED RESTORATION |
| USS NORTH CAROLINA BATTLESHIP COMMISSION | WILMINGTON, NC | $1,475,968 | 2025 | NC SHORELINE AND MARSH HABITAT RESTORATION |
| STROUD WATER RESEARCH CENTER | AVONDALE, PA | $1,447,989 | 2025 | PROTECT LANCASTER STREAMS VIA RIPARIAN BUFFERS PA |
| MIDDLE RIO GRANDE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $1,419,999 | 2025 | WATER CONSERVATION FOR MINNOW IN MIDDLE RIO GRANDE |
| THE MONTANA LAND RELIANCE | HELENA, MT | $1,329,389 | 2025 | SUPPORTING CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ON WORKING LANDS |
| STILLWATER PLAINS MITIGATION BANK INC | PALO CEDRO, CA | $1,271,000 | 2025 | COYOTE CREEK WETLANDS RESTORATION PROJECT |
| FORT BELKNAP INDIAN COMMUNITY | HARLEM, MT | $1,234,823 | 2025 | IMPROVING PRAIRIE HABITAT FOR BLACK-FOOTED FERRETS |
| CITY OF JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $1,172,287 | 2025 | RESTORING STREAMS AND WETLANDS OF MCCOYS CREEK |
| CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE | BERMUDA DUNES, CA | $1,110,677 | 2025 | LONG-TERM GRASS & CROP LAND COMMUNITIES LAND MGMT |
COASTAL PROTECTION AND RESTORATION AUTHORITY OF LOUISIANA
$29,047,733RESTORING LOUISIANA WETLANDS FOR MARSH HABITAT
MOBILE COUNTY COMMISSION
$24,666,387DAUPHIN ISLAND CAUSEWAY SHORELINE
TOWN OF DAUPHIN ISLAND
$24,638,207RESTORE AL BAY MARSH & OYSTER REEFS FOR RESILIENCE
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES CONSORTIUM DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAB
$23,511,268SALTMARSH STABILIZATION AND RESTORATION
MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
$17,983,468MISSISSIPPI COASTAL HABITAT RESTORATION & MGT
WALKER BASIN CONSERVANCY
$15,017,699ESTABLISHMENT OF WALKER BASIN CONSERVANCY PHASE II
DUCKS UNLIMITED INC
$12,497,710N GREAT PLAINS GRASSLAND HABITAT FOR BIRDS
ALABAMA DEPT CONSERVATION & NATURAL RES
$12,000,000COASTAL HABITAT PROTECTION
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
$9,946,898MN PRAIRIE RESTORATION - MONARCH & SKIPPER HABITAT
TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE
$7,393,462RESTORE TX COASTAL MARSH FOR WILDLIFE HABITAT
TROUT UNLIMITED INC
$5,921,842PACIFIC SALMON HABITAT RESTORED IN EKLUTNA RIVER
WALKER RIVER IRRIGATION DISTRICT
$4,032,586WALKER BASIN WATER LEASING DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM
PYRAMID LAKE PAIUTE TRIBE
$3,949,138PYRAMID LAKE WATER RIGHTS AND MANAGEMENT PROJECTS
APALACHEE REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL
$3,865,867FL REEFS & MARSHES PROTECT 12 MILES OF COAST
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
$3,717,813FLORIDA WADING BIRD & BEACH MOUSE HABITAT
DTN
$3,041,131REPORTING SERVICES FOR FARMER PARTNERSHIPS
ALLIANCE FOR THE CHESAPEAKE BAY INC
$3,034,358CHESAPEAKE STREAM RESTORATION MONITORING PLAN
FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
$2,967,514FL MARINE DEBRIS CLEANUP PROTECTS COASTAL WATERS
NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY INC
$2,937,136RESTORING LONG ISLAND MARSH FOR SALTMARSH SPARROW
CITY OF BUFFALO
$2,752,640RESTORE MARSH HABITAT ON LAKE ERIE'S SHORELINE
NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION
$2,528,870RESTORING MT GRASSLAND MEADOWS FOR SAGE-GROUSE
THE CONSERVATION FUND
$2,473,705PROTECT ALASKA RIVERS FOR SOCKEYE SALMON SPAWNING
QUILEUTE TRIBE
$2,390,513QUILLAYUTE RIVER RESTORATION FOR SALMON HABITAT
COASTAL BEND BAYS AND ESTUARIES PROGRAM
$2,314,437SHORELINE RESTORATION
TOWN OF BRAINTREE
$2,281,500RESTORATION OF THE MONATIQUOT RIVER
AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY
$2,239,397PROTECTING HAWAII'S FOREST BIRDS & DRY LANDSCAPES
MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES
$2,200,416INSTALL ARTIFICIAL REEFS
TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT
$2,091,700REDUCE WHITE-NOSE SYNDROME BAT MORTALITY IN TEXAS
JEFFERSON PARISH DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
$2,013,885RESTORING LA MARSH & SHORELINE FOR FISH HABITAT
GROUNDWORK JACKSONVILLE INC
$1,979,393FINAL DESIGN TO RESTORE HOGANS CREEK
PHEASANTS FOREVER INC
$1,885,669GRASSLAND BIRD CONSERVATION IN WESTERN SD PRAIRIES
CITY OF MOBILE
$1,873,496MOBILE WATERWAYS CLEARED OF STORM DEBRIS
NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL FEDERATION INC
$1,866,101BUILDING A LIVING SHORELINE ALONG THE NEUSE RIVER
AMERICAN LITTORAL SOCIETY
$1,822,308NJ BEACH HABITAT FOR HORSESHOE CRABS & RED KNOTS
STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
$1,732,620RESTORING CORAL REEFS IN WEST MAUI, HI
US FOREST SERVICE
$1,726,695RESTORING UPPER TROUT CREEK FOR NATIVE STEELHEAD
VILLAGE OF KOTLIK
$1,702,806RESTORE ALASKA WETLANDS FOR SALMON HABITAT
THE LONGLEAF ALLIANCE INC
$1,699,158ADVANCING LONGLEAF RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT
PAPAHANAUMOKUAKEA MARINE DEBRIS PROJECT INC
$1,683,329REMOVING DEBRIS FROM PAPAHANAUMOKUAKEA REEFS
ST BERNARD PARISH GOVERNMENT
$1,606,612RESTORING CYPRESS & TUPELO FORESTS ALONG BAYOU
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
$1,541,557WATERSHED RESTORATION
CITY OF NICEVILLE
$1,541,090WATERSHED RESTORATION
USS NORTH CAROLINA BATTLESHIP COMMISSION
$1,475,968NC SHORELINE AND MARSH HABITAT RESTORATION
STROUD WATER RESEARCH CENTER
$1,447,989PROTECT LANCASTER STREAMS VIA RIPARIAN BUFFERS PA
MIDDLE RIO GRANDE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT
$1,419,999WATER CONSERVATION FOR MINNOW IN MIDDLE RIO GRANDE
THE MONTANA LAND RELIANCE
$1,329,389SUPPORTING CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ON WORKING LANDS
STILLWATER PLAINS MITIGATION BANK INC
$1,271,000COYOTE CREEK WETLANDS RESTORATION PROJECT
FORT BELKNAP INDIAN COMMUNITY
$1,234,823IMPROVING PRAIRIE HABITAT FOR BLACK-FOOTED FERRETS
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA
$1,172,287RESTORING STREAMS AND WETLANDS OF MCCOYS CREEK
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
$1,110,677LONG-TERM GRASS & CROP LAND COMMUNITIES LAND MGMT
