Conservation funding splits sharply by geography. One of these grants funds protected areas across the tropics. The other covers a single county in western Michigan. Both are open now, and both start with a concept note or LOI before you write a full proposal.

What we know: Rainforest Trust's 990 history shows 48 grants totaling $15.4 million, with a foundation-wide median of $239,000. Top recipients include Wildlife Conservation Society ($2.7 million across 3 grants) and Rare ($2 million across 3 grants). All recorded grants went to US-based intermediaries, but the current program page explicitly funds conservation projects in the tropics and subtropics.

Realistic fit: established conservation nonprofits with field capacity, community partnerships, and a specific site ready for protected-area designation.

What we know: This fund covers environmental education, pollution reduction, land-use planning, conservation, and public access to green space. Past recipients include City of Norton Shores, Fresh Coast Alliance, and Grand Valley State University, which suggests the committee funds practical, community-facing environmental work rather than pure research.

Realistic fit: local nonprofits, schools, or government units in Muskegon County working on hands-on environmental projects.

The Rainforest Trust concept note is lightweight enough to test fit before committing serious proposal time. Muskegon's LOI opens July 1, so local orgs have about two months to line up a project. If you know a conservation group with a tropical site ready for protection, or an environmental nonprofit in Muskegon County, send this their way.