Funding Opportunities

Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Funding for Schools

Explore the different funding opportunities for sustainability and environmental literacy initiatives in schools below. If you know of an opportunity that should be listed reach out to ELSI@smcoe.org.

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was signed into law in Fall 2021 and authorizes funding for infrastructure programs over five years. These infrastructure improvements will help institutions, including schools, address climate action through different categories including transportation, power and grid infrastructure, drinking water and infrastructure, and broadband. Notably, for schools the largest dedicated funding allocation is for electric school bussing, EV charging, and energy upgrades. Multiple agencies will be administering this large spending package. In order to prepare for these funding opportunities LEAs can utilize these resources:

K12 Climate Action Education and Climate Provisions in IIJA (6 pages)
2021 IIJA: Resources for Schools (article overview 5 minute read)
ICMA New Infrastructure Funding Overview for Local Government (made for local government agencies, but is a great resource for background information on IIJA)

2025-26 School Year Funding Opportunities

ESSA Funding: The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, includes language making environmental education and environmental literacy programs explicitly eligible for federal education funds for the very first time. The key language is found in two formula grant programs described in Title IV of the bill. The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) outlined ESSA funding for Environmental Literacy.

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Funding: Billions of dollars have been made available for investment in climate and clean energy. Schools can receive cash reimbursement through tax credits for clean energy projects such as solar arrays, energy storage, electric schools buses, and more. Read more about what projects qualify for reimbursement on the Undaunted K12 website.

NOAA Ocean Guardian School Program:

The NOAA Ocean Guardian School program supports hands-on stewardship projects that are focused on current issues affecting the health of local watersheds and/or the ocean while promoting best environmental practices. Grants are awarded for up to $4,000 per school depending on the program region, level of the project and funding year. Example projects include wetland restoration, recycling and compost programs, and creating or improving school gardens. Applications open in the Spring each year.

Kimball Foundation Grant

The Kimball Foundation supports non-profit organizations with college access and persistence, cultural enrichment, environmental education, and workplace success programs serving the residents of San Francisco, Marin, San Mateo, and Sonoma counties, as well as some cities in Santa Clara County. Please visit their website to learn more about eligibility requirements and to apply.

Mini Grants for School Sustainability Projects: U.S. Green Building Council California Green Schools Committee provides micro-grants of $2,000 to support green school projects during the school year. Applications open in the fall.
Clean School Bus Rebate Program (EPA): The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 authorizes the EPA to offer rebates to replace existing school buses with clean and zero-emission models.
- PCE School Sponsorship Program: Schools in San Mateo County can receive up to $10,000 in sponsorships. Learn more and apply by October 1, 2025.
- EV Charging Support and Incentives: Peninsula Clean Energy has an incentive project in San Mateo County to increase publicly available electric vehicle charging locations with investments potentially reaching $24 million. This funding opportunity includes: 1) free technical assistance, 2) access to negotiated, volume EV charging station pricing, and 3) significant incentives covering most or all of the installation costs. Learn more about the program and apply directly for funding.
- Public EV Fleets Program: This program provides free technical assistance, project planning, and funding to public agencies for new electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure for their fleets.
PG&E EV Fleets Program: This opportunity is for school communities looking for "fast chargers" for large busses with high daily miles. PG&E will install at no cost and provide rebates for the charger and the vehicle. You can stack this with other funding.

EPA Utility Genius Rebate Finder Tool: The Utility Genius Rebate Finder lets you search for rebates on efficient commercial building equipment within categories that are not included in our ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder. Search by state, then choose your utility to see a list of all available rebates and products. These categories include: Commercial HVAC equipment (including VFDs and fans); Commercial lighting; Commercial building automation ; Electric commercial vehicles (including school buses and forklifts).

Volkswagen (VW) Environmental Mitigation Trust provides funds for California to fully mitigate excess NOx emissions caused by VW’s use of illegal defeat devices.

School Bus Replacement Program offers funds to replace old diesel school buses in disadvantaged and low-income communities throughout California. The California Energy Commission is helping schools embrace next-generation zero-emission vehicles and improve children’s health by reducing their exposure to transportation-related air pollution

Hybrid & Zero-Emission Voucher Incentive Project: This is a voucher request program. Schools receive vouchers and must work with approved vendors. Funding is highly competitive, districts should determine project technical specs early before applying.

Career Technical Education Facilities Funding: Funding is available for school districts that are in need of construction of new facilities, modernization or reconfiguration of existing facilities, and are able to integrate Career Technical Education into comprehensive high schools. Application deadline December 1, 2025.
Environmental Volunteers Let's Go! Transportation Fund:
For low-income youth (K-12) in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Environmental Education Funders Collaborative (EEFC) provides limited grants to support transportation costs for science, nature-based and environmental education field trips. Funding for this program is on a rolling basis.

San Mateo County Parks - Youth Environmental Education Field Trips: Because a lack of transportation can be a barrier in getting to the parks, the San Mateo County Parks Foundation funds school or youth organization's transportation needs AND connects them to docents to lead hikes and explain the wonders of the park. Funding for this program is on a rolling basis. Explore a variety of educational parks, including:
- Fitzgerald Marine Reserve - Discover tidepool ecosystems in a protected marine area.
- Huddart & Wudderlich Parks - Hike among majestic redwoods and aromatic bay laurels, and be on the lookout for vibrant banana slugs.
- San Bruno Mountain & Edgewood Preserve - Learn about habitat conservation and unique ecosystems through restoration-focused outings.
- Coyote Point Recreation Area - Enjoy trails, picnic areas, and year-round access to the bay.
- Memorial Park - A perfect introduction to camping and redwood forest exploration.
California Department of Food and Agriculture: CDFA is the regulatory agency in California for all agriculture and food production.
- California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program: This program will award competitive grants to support projects that cultivate equity, nurture students, build climate resilience, and create scalable and sustainable change. Public Schools can choose three different tracks for funding.
Plastic Free Restaurants: Apply for a subsidy to switch from single-use plastic food service ware to reusables.

Chef Ann Foundation: The Chef Ann Foundation is dedicated to promoting whole-ingredient, scratch-cooking in schools.
- Salad Bars to Schools: Salad Bars to Schools (SB2S) is a granting program that provides schools and districts with salad bar equipment and support, including Cambro salad bars, camchillers, and technical assistance.
USDA: On an annual basis, USDA awards competitive Farm to School grants that support planning, developing, and implementing farm to school programs. USDA's Farm to School grants are an important way to help state, regional, and local organizations as they initiate, expand, and institutionalize farm to school efforts.

Action for Healthy Kids Grants are available to help schools enhance meal programs and improve nutrition access for students nationwide.
American Academy of Dermatology Shade Structure Grant: The American Academy of Dermatology's (AAD) Shade Structure Program awards funds to schools, day-cares, parks, and other non-profit organizations for installing permanent shade structures where children learn and play. Each shade structure award is a maximum of $8,000, which includes the cost for shade structure materials and installation. In addition to the grant, the AAD provides a permanent sign to be placed near the shade structure featuring sun-safety tips. The AAD receives support for this program through donations from its members, outside organizations, and individuals.

California Fertilizer Foundation's School Garden Program awards 24 grants of $1,200 to schools across California to either establish or maintain school gardens. Applications are accepted at any time, and reviewed twice a year on March 30th and June 30th.

Xerces Society California Monarch and Pollinator Habitat Kits: Applications are open from late winter to early spring.
The Xerces Society is offering habitat kits that contain climate-smart native plants to project partners who are willing to provide the time, labor, and land to develop habitats that support monarchs and other pollinators. Xerces’ California Habitat kits has provided over 100,000 plants to partners across California, resulting in more habitat for monarch butterflies and pollinators. We are excited to continue this work. All kits are comprised of native plants that have been identified as having high value to monarchs and other pollinators and are grown without the use of systemic pesticides that may be harmful to pollinators.

CAL FIRE Urban and Community Forestry Grant for Green Schoolyard Projects: There are two types of eligible green schoolyard projects: Planning and Implementation. Special consideration will be given to schools and districts in disadvantaged communities. The funding can be used for planting trees, converting pavement to green space, installment of gardens or natural playgrounds, and more.

Flows to Bay: San Mateo Countywide Pollution Prevention Program: Flows to Bay provides technical assistance and incentive programs to prevent stormwater pollution in San Mateo County. Schools doing green infrastructure projects are encouraged to contact this agency to receive support on construction best practices.
- Rain Barrels & Rebate Program: Learn about the benefits of owning a rain barrel and how to receive up to $200 from the Countywide Rain Barrel Rebate Program and member agency.
Whole Kids School Garden Grant: This annual funding program is available for any K-12 school. Funding awards are $3,500 and can be applied to any gardens growing edible plants.

KidsGardening: KidsGardening offers a variety of grants to new and existing youth garden programs across the nation. Each funding opportunity has its own timeline, defining features, eligibility requirements, and reporting expectations.

Project Green Schools: The Outdoor Classroom Challenge invites schools across the country to develop and implement a meaningful outdoor classroom and learning space that awards one Grand Prize of $10,000 to further enhance an existing space or build a new space.

Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Program: The funds are designated for acquiring native plants and seeds for outdoor learning areas that engage youth (preschool to high school) directly in planning, planting and caring for native plant gardens.

Five Star & Urban Restoration Grant Program: Approximately $1 million in funding is available from the People’s Garden Initiative through USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production, in partnership with The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) 2025 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration program. The program will fund projects that support community-based gardens promoting sustainable agriculture practices that benefit people and wildlife.
Captain Planet Foundation Grants:
Captain Planet Foundation™ invests in high-quality, solution-based programs that embrace STEM learning and empower youth to become local & global environmental change-makers. Carefully research the grants and resource opportunities to determine which program best fits your needs and timeline.

Philanthropic Ventures Foundation - Environmental Science Grants: Grants of up to $1,000 are available for the school year and summer learning sessions to enhance environmental science curriculum through projects, supplies, and professional development for teachers. Any TK-12 grade teacher working at a low-income (as determined by Title 1 status or percentage of students eligible for Free and Reduced-Price Lunch) public school in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Santa Clara, San Francisco or San Mateo County is eligible to apply.
- Limit of five grants per school and one grant per teacher.
Toshiba America Foundation: This grant funds the projects ideas and materials teachers need to innovate in their Science, technology, engineering and math classrooms. TAF is interested in funding innovative projects designed by teachers or small teams of teachers for use in their own schools and classroom. Application deadlines for grade 6-12 for up to $5,000 are 6/1, 9/1, 12/1, 3/1. Grant requests of more than $5,000 are reviewed twice a year. Applications for grants of more than $5,000 are due November 1st and May 1st each year.

An application form is required. TAF uses two application forms:
- An elementary school application (Grades K-5)
- A middle and high school application (Grades 6-12)
Gravely and Paige Grants for STEM Teachers: The AFCEA Educational Foundation is dedicated to providing support to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students and teachers. The Gravely and Paige Grants provide funding to elementary and middle schools in the United States to promote STEM innovation in the classrooms with an emphasis on academic programs. Grants of up to $2,000 are awarded. Applications open in June.

Ciena Teacher Grants: The Ciena Grants are established to support classroom teachers with the implementation of innovative and engaging science technology engineering and math (STEM) programs, activities, and technology (software and hardware) to promote learning and digital equality. The grants will be applied toward materials and resources to support STEM programs and activities. Schools with high economic need (over 50 percent of the students qualifying for free or reduced lunch assistance) will be given priority consideration to support digital equality. Innovative distance and virtual learning projects and programs will be considered. Grants of up to $3,000 are awarded.
Student Innovation Grants: Students who complete one or more Eco-Audits from the EcoRise Sustainable Intelligence curriculum can unlock up to $700 in funding per project to bring their green innovations to life. These grants empower students to tackle real-world sustainability challenges identified during their Eco-Audit, creating impactful, student-led solutions for a brighter, greener future. Email EcoRise at support@ecorise.org today!
CalRecycle Reuse Grant Program: CalRecycle, the state-wide agency responsible for tracking solid waste management, has ongoing grant opportunities that schools can apply for. Previous grant programs have been on Food Waste Prevention, Reuse, and Community Composting. Most often these grants are designed to be implemented by a district (not an individual school site).
- Sign up for email updates or check regularly for new opportunities