Funding search · water resources · California
Who funds water resources work in California
15 funders have a record of paying for water resources work by California recipients: 142 grants totaling $14.2M, most recently in 2025 — mostly grantmaking charities, which often run real application cycles. The largest by matched giving are National Fish and Wildlife Foundation ($3.4M), Bella Vista Foundation ($816,000) and The Nature Conservancy ($4.7M).
From IRS Form 990-PF and 990 Schedule I filings, 2019–2025. Grants already paid to California recipients — evidence of what these funders back, not open calls.
National Fish and Wildlife FoundationWashington, DCCharity · may take applications
25 matching grants · $3.4M · through 2023Largest: $275,803 to TRUCKEE RIVER WATERSHED COUNCIL — meadows restoration in california watersheds
Bella Vista FoundationSan Francisco, CA
15 matching grants · $816,000 · through 2024Largest: $60,000 to SOUTH YUBA RIVER CITIZENS LEAGUE — to continue three initiatives within the yuba river watershed aimed at creating a healthier, more accessible watershed, promoting the recovery of salmonoids, and working collaborat…
The Nature ConservancyArlington, VACharity · may take applications
11 matching grants · $4.7M · through 2024Largest: $1.0M to WATERSHED RESEARCH AND TRAINING CENTER — conservation activities
Humboldt Area FoundationBayside, CACharity · may take applications
11 matching grants · $486,150 · through 2024Largest: $20,200 to BADUWA'T WATERSHED COUNCIL — watershed protection and restoration
Tahoe Truckee Community FoundationTruckee, CACharity · may take applications
10 matching grants · $602,141 · through 2024Largest: $80,000 to SIERRA WATERSHED EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS — general funding
Resources Legacy FundSacramento, CACharity · may take applications
9 matching grants · $1.0M · through 2024Largest: $736,000 to THE WATERSHED RESEARCH AND TRAINING CENTER — land or marine conservation, climate change, and/or environ. equity and justice.
The San Diego FoundationSan Diego, CACharity · may take applications
8 matching grants · $531,572 · through 2024Largest: $237,222 to GROUNDWORK SAN DIEGO - CHOLLAS CREEK — equity-driven green infrastructure planning in the chollas creek watershed
California Fire Safe CouncilSacramento, CACharity · may take applications
8 matching grants · $547,574 · through 2023Largest: $145,099 to MID KLAMATH WATERSHED COUNCIL — wildfire prevention
Community Foundation Santa CruzAptos, CACharity · may take applications
8 matching grants · $115,147 · through 2024Largest: $20,000 to HABITAT AND WATERSHED CARETAKERS (HAWC) — for habitat and watershed caretakers (hawc)
Tahoe Mountain Resorts EnvironmentalTruckee, CACharity · may take applications
6 matching grants · $195,949 · through 2024Largest: $60,000 to TRUCKEE RIVER WATERSHED COUNC — restore & rehab local watershed
The San Francisco FoundationSan Francisco, CACharity · may take applications
7 matching grants · $71,000 · through 2024Largest: $10,000 to TURTLE ISLAND RESTORATION NETWORK — advised - for the salmon protection & watershed network to protect endangered wild coho salmon and the forests and watersheds they need to survive in marin county.
David and Dana Loury FoundationIncline Village, NV
8 matching grants · $20,000 · through 2025Largest: $6,000 to SANTA CRUZ WATERSHED COUNCIL (94-1702678) — environmental
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Start with one paperBroader: water resources funders nationally · all California-based grantmakers