Partner with Rainforest Trust – Funding for Protected and Conserved Areas

Overview

Rainforest Trust partners with non‑profit organizations, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities to protect ecosystems in the tropics and subtropics. Since 1988, Rainforest Trust has awarded over $382 million to approximately 323 partners, supporting the creation and management of more than 400 protected and conserved areas. To date, over 62 million acres have been protected, with an additional 80 million acres currently in progress.

Types of Awards

Rainforest Trust offers two main funding streams:

• Feasibility Awards
  • Average size: $10,000 (exceptional cases up to $20,000).
  • Supports early project stages such as legal pathway development or biodiversity surveys.
  • Helps organizations prepare for larger conservation projects.
• Protected or Conserved Area Creation Awards
  • Supports the creation or expansion of protected areas on land or sea.
  • No set maximum grant amount; assessed individually.
  • Eligible mechanisms include designation, land titling, purchase, or Other Effective Area‑based Conservation Measures (OECMs).

Application Deadlines

• Awards of $250,000 and above: March 1, July 1, October 1 each year.
• Feasibility Awards and smaller projects (<$250,000): Accepted on a rolling basis.

Applicants are encouraged to submit a concept note at least four months before deadlines.

Project Selection Criteria

Projects must:

• Focus on creating or expanding protected/conserved areas.
• Protect globally significant populations of Critically Endangered or Endangered species, large areas of tropical/sub‑tropical forests, or habitats critical for climate mitigation (e.g., peat swamps, mangroves).
• Be led by a legally registered NGO authorized to work in the project country.
• Demonstrate support from governments, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities, with proper Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).
• Establish a management system and resource extraction limits to ensure sustainability.

Application Process

1. Confirm Eligibility: Ensure your organization meets Rainforest Trust’s criteria.
2. Submit a Concept Note: Accepted anytime; reviewed within 1–2 months.
3. Full Application: If successful, Rainforest Trust staff will guide applicants through the detailed proposal stage.

Important: Rainforest Trust does not accept applications via consultants or intermediaries. Applications must be submitted directly by eligible organizations.

Contact

• Email: projects@rainforesttrust.org
• Phone: (800) 456‑4930
• Address: P.O. Box 841, Warrenton, VA 20188

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by Agri‑web. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the official Rainforest Trust website for complete program details and verified application instructions. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to exercise due diligence before submitting any personal or sensitive information.