The Conservation, Environment and Public Trails Grant Program will support environmental sustainability, land conservation, habitat restoration, public trails, and ecosystem health across Santa Barbara County.
Donor Name: Santa Barbara Foundation
State: California
County: Santa Barbara County (CA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/06/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
From the historic environmental stewardship of the Chumash people in the region to the birth of the modern environmental movement in response to the 1969 oil spill disaster, Santa Barbara County, and its nonprofits, have a long history of caring for the environment and preserving the scenic beauty, incredible biodiversity and ecosystems of the area for future generations.
Preserving open spaces, restoring delicate habitats, and expanding public trail systems are critical priorities, especially during a period of uncertainty in federal funding for land conservation and environmental programs across the country. Community-led conservation efforts help protect coastal regions, wetlands, grasslands, woodlands, and the species that inhabit these areas. Trails and educational programs help facilitate the public’s ability to respectfully enjoy nature and foster environmental stewardship.
Priorities
The strongest projects will:
- Create or expand partnerships, networks and collaborations for greater efficiencies, better delivery of programs, or fresh approaches to solve problems or address needs, gaps, or opportunities.
- Incorporate a community involvement, awareness, or education element1 with the goal of increasing access.
- Align with or be a part of a larger plan or strategy such as Santa Barbara County’s Conservation
- Blueprint, 2030 Climate Action Plan, Santa Barbara County Food Action Plan, Pathways to 30×30 California, etc.
- Have developed short-term and long-term strategies for addressing identified organizational needs.
- Include as application attachments applicable relevant supporting documents such as: relevant sections of plans, public meeting rosters, meeting minutes, land managers support, other potential funding sources, partnership agreements
Funding Information
Grant amounts: up to $25,000.
Grant Period
1 years
Eligibility Criteria
- Organizations must serve Santa Barbara County and have at least one (1) year of operations in the County.
- Organizations must implement new or existing projects to address conservation, environment, and/or public trails (project does not need to address all three areas).
- Organizations must demonstrate sound fiscal management (e.g., financial audits/reviews, board oversight) and financial sustainability (e.g., diversified funding, reserves).
- Organizations must be certified as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or use a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) tax status.
For more information, visit Santa Barbara Foundation.
