The Rockfall Foundation invites non-profit organizations, municipalities, and schools to apply for grants through its competitive Annual Environmental Grant Program.
Donor Name: Rockfall Foundation
State: Connecticut
City: Chester, Clinton, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Lyme, Middlefield, Middletown, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland, or Westbrook
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 11/06/2025
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The goal of the program is to preserve and enhance the environment in the Lower Connecticut River Valley and to increase public knowledge of and respect for its natural resources. Projects that demonstrate new and imaginative ways to achieve this are encouraged.
Funding Priorities
Eligible programs/projects/initiatives must relate to one or more of the following priorities:
- Preservation – work to protect ecosystems, species, and other irreplaceable elements of the region’s natural heritage.
- Conservation – work to minimize the use of finite natural resources and the negative impacts on ecosystems and communities.
- Restoration – work to re-establish the healthy functions of an ecosystem or parts of ecosystems.
- Education – work to foster a stronger awareness and understanding of environmental and sustainability issues.
Funding Information
Grants typically range from $1,000 to $5,000.
Uses of Funds
- Programs, projects, or capacity building initiatives within one or more of the Foundation’s priority areas are eligible for funding. Annual grants support both ongoing programs and start-up initiatives. The Foundation’s grants often provide critical seed money and support for groups that do not have large budgets or staff.
- Ideally, these grants can be leveraged to attract additional funders
- The available pool in 2026 for all grant awards is $34,500. The Grants Committee may schedule applicant interviews at their discretion if they believe it will be helpful to their understanding of the proposal.
- Funding for materials, transportation, program/presenter fees, intern stipends and similar items are eligible. Items such as food, regular operating expenses (e.g. insurance, rent, and other overhead), indirect labor, salaries and benefits are not generally funded, but may be considered for organizations under financial hardship. Funding must be applied to the items/activities described in the application form. Substitutions are not permitted unless prior approval has been obtained.
- Types of programs, projects and initiatives that are funded include the following:
- Environmental education
- Responsible environmental planning
- Preservation of the Connecticut River Watershed
- Innovative solutions to waste stream management and pollution
- Open space acquisition
- Environmental justice
- Or anything consistent with the priorities listed
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible projects are those that support the environment through preservation, conservation, restoration or education.
- Organizations certified as 501(c)(3) nonprofits, towns, and schools are eligible to apply. Prospective applicants who do not meet this eligibility requirement may partner with an eligible entity as a co-applicant in order to comply. A letter of agreement of this partnership from the host entity must be included with the application, stating that they agree to be equally responsible for compliance with all grant requirements.
- Organizations or projects must be based in one of the focus towns: Chester, Clinton, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Lyme, Middlefield, Middletown, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland, or Westbrook. Proposals that focus on the Connecticut River corridor or Long Island Sound will be considered as long as there is a demonstrated impact in at least one of the focus towns.
For more information, visit Rockfall Foundation.
