Grants for Nature Centers

Nature centers offer visitors the chance to learn about the wildlife, flora and fauna of an area. Usually these centers are a mixture of natural history and wildlife exhibits. Grants to nature centers help fund the expansion of current programs or the creation of new centers. These grants can be administered by either private or public sources.

  1. Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Grant Program

    • The Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Grant Program offers small grants to nature centers, schools and similar nonprofits throughout the United States. These grants generally are donations from members of the organization, Wild Ones. Grant applications are accepted during the fall with notification taking place in late winter. The goals of each program should be centered on plants native to the area, and volunteers and/or students should be involved in the process. A project coordinator must be designated when submitting a proposal. Grant amounts range from $100 to $500 and may be used to pay for native plants and/or seed.

      Wild Ones SFE

      P.O. Box 1274

      Appleton, WI 54912

      920-730-3986

      877-394-9453

      for-wild.com

    Texas Recreation and Parks Account

    • The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Recreation Grants Branch offers grants through the Texas Recreation and Parks Account. The funds are raised by taxes on sporting goods. The Indoor Recreation Facility Grants offers grant monies to Texas nature centers, community buildings, recreation facilities and other similar types of centers. The deadline for this grant is during the summer, and the winners are announced in January of the following year. Facilities may receive up to $750,000 to create new buildings or centers. This is a matching funds grant that is open to communities or governments with less than 500,000 residents.

      Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

      4200 Smith School Road

      Austin, TX 78744

      800-732-1112

      tpwd.state.tx.us

    Museums for America

    • The Museums for America offers grants to all types of museums, including nature centers, art museums, historic sites and aquariums. Organizations may use grant monies to create new exhibits or programs, build or improve infrastructure or enhance current museum collections. Eligible applicants include state or local government-run museums and non-profit museums located within the United States. This is a federally funded program, and grants range from $5,000 to $150,000. Grant monies may be used during a three-year period. This is a one-to-one matching grant program.

      Institute of Museum and Library Services

      1800 M Street NW, 9th Floor

      Washington, DC 20036-5802

      202-653-4657

      imls.gov