Grants to Great Lakes States (FY25)
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations working to protect and restore habitat and species in the Great Lakes Basin. Eligible applicants typically include nonprofits, government agencies, and tribal organizations focused on conservation. Activities must align with Great Lakes Restoration Program priorities. Geographic scope is limited to the Great Lakes Basin region.
This grant is for organizations working to protect and restore habitat and species in the Great Lakes Basin. Eligible applicants typically include nonprofits, government agencies, and tribal organizations focused on conservation. Activities must align with Great Lakes Restoration Program priorities. Geographic scope is limited to the Great Lakes Basin region.
Program description
To provide technical and financial assistance to implement the highest priority actions in order to protect and restore the Great Lakes. Priority actions are to: identify, protect, conserve, manage, enhance or restore habitat or species on both public and private lands within the Great Lakes Basin USFWS Great Lakes Restoration Program Funding Federal Assistance Listing: 15.662. Administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 422-20-0117).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- Conservation Organization
- Nonprofits
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Tribal Organization
Details
This grant is for organizations working to protect and restore habitat and species in the Great Lakes Basin. Eligible applicants typically include nonprofits, government agencies, and tribal organizations focused on conservation. Activities must align with Great Lakes Restoration Program priorities. Geographic scope is limited to the Great Lakes Basin region.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Project narrative describing conservation/restoration activities and expected outcomes
- Budget and budget narrative
- Organizational capacity documentation (staff expertise, track record)
- Letters of support from partners and affected landowners
- Baseline ecological data (maps, species inventory, habitat assessment)
Program contact
- 👤 Justison, Kathy
- 📧 kathy.justison@illinois.gov
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 15.662 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$17,348,237
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$15,031,566
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$14,174,757
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$10,024,505
-
$9,074,913
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$9,054,943
-
$8,937,294
-
$7,718,060
-
$7,405,665
-
$7,252,913
Top States by Funding
- IL 9 awards $42.2M
- MI 25 awards $14.9M
- DC 1 awards $14.2M
- OH 9 awards $11.1M
- WI 8 awards $6.6M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
What types of organizations can apply for this grant?
Nonprofits, state and local government agencies, and tribal organizations are typically eligible. Check with Illinois Department of Natural Resources for current eligibility requirements.
What activities are funded?
The grant supports habitat identification, protection, conservation, management, enhancement, and restoration on public and private lands in the Great Lakes Basin.
Is there a rolling deadline?
Yes, this is a rolling application process with no fixed deadline. Submit applications throughout the year.
What is the typical funding range?
Awards range from $50,000 to $800,000 depending on project scope and competitiveness.
Is matching funds required?
No cost sharing is required for this grant.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Align your project with USFWS Great Lakes Restoration Program priorities listed in the grant announcement. Select highest-impact habitat or species projects.
- Work with local partners and landowners before applying. Multi-partner projects typically score higher and ensure on-the-ground success.
- Include clear baseline data and measurable restoration or conservation outcomes. Define how you'll track progress.
- Emphasize long-term habitat or species benefits, not just one-time activities. Funders want lasting ecological improvement.
- Submit early if possible despite rolling deadline. Earlier applications may have advantages in annual funding rounds.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Vague habitat or species outcomes without measurable ecological targets. Proposals that don't clearly connect to Great Lakes restoration program priorities. Applications lacking partnership agreements or letters of support from landowners or local agencies.
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