The Earth Rising Foundation puts small but purposeful money behind grassroots organizations, activists, and community-led initiatives taking on the climate crisis from the ground up. Founded as a 501(c)(3) privately funded organization, the Foundation backs voices that mainstream funders often overlook, including Indigenous communities, youth activists, and organizations working at the intersection of climate and social justice.
About the Earth Rising Foundation Grant Program
Administered by the Earth Rising Foundation, a small climate justice funder based in Wilmington, Delaware, the program operates on the conviction that climate change is a social, economic, and political crisis, not simply a technical one. Rather than funding large institutional efforts, the Foundation deliberately channels resources toward emerging and grassroots actors demanding systemic change. The current funding cycle is open across five program areas: Youth Activism, Indigenous Voices, Sustainable Visions, Climate Intersections, and Regenerative Agriculture. The Foundation is privately funded and accepts no corporate donations. All grants must be disbursed through an existing U.S.-based nonprofit organization, regardless of where the applicant is located.
Funding Size
- Grant range: $200 to $20,000 per project
- Larger awards up to $100,000 have been made in select cases
- All funds must flow through a U.S.-based fiscal sponsor or registered nonprofit
Who Can Apply
- Grassroots organizations and community groups
- Indigenous communities and Native-led organizations
- Youth-led climate initiatives
- Environmental justice networks and social justice organizations
- Regenerative agriculture initiatives
- All applicants must disburse funds through an existing U.S.-based nonprofit
Read Also: Youth Climate Justice Fund 2026 – Apply Now
Geographic Eligibility
- Open globally
- A U.S.-based fiscal sponsor or nonprofit is required for all awards regardless of applicant location
Sector or Thematic Focus
- Youth climate activism and emerging leadership
- Indigenous voices and traditional ecological knowledge
- Sustainable political and economic visions for future generations
- Climate intersections with racial justice, gender equity, and social inequality
- Regenerative agriculture and land stewardship
Application Process
Applications are submitted through the official apply page on the Earth Rising Foundation website. Applicants are expected to write in their own words; the Foundation explicitly prohibits the use of AI-generated application text, though machine translation is permitted where noted. The Foundation reviews submissions against its five program areas and priorities.
Required Materials
- Written application submitted in the applicant’s own words
- Project description aligned with one or more of the Foundation’s five program areas
- Details of the U.S.-based nonprofit through which funds will be disbursed
- Budget outline
Key Dates
- Application deadline: 31 July 2026
Read Also: Rufford Foundation Small Grants – Apply Now
Selection Notes
- Applications that ignore the Foundation’s priority themes or provide insufficient implementation detail are unlikely to succeed
- AI-generated application text is grounds for disqualification
- The Foundation is small and competitive; not all eligible applications can be funded in each cycle