CEIBA Foundation Seeds of Sustainability Grants 2026 (Up to $5,000 Grant Funding)

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Applications are open for CEIBA Foundation Seeds of Sustainability Grants 2026. The Seeds of Sustainability Fund is intended to stimulate or catalyze projects that address biodiversity loss, climate change, and environmental inequality.

Non-profit organizations, community organizations or associations, small businesses, and individuals from developing countries in the tropics are eligible to apply.

They support the following kinds of applicants and projects:

small to medium-sized organizations
community-led programs, or occasionally projects led by a single person
conservation that emphasizes equitable community involvement
projects that connect with UN Sustainable Development Goals and CBD Biodiversity Targets
bottom-up over top-down approaches
projects in the tropics, in areas of high and/or threatened biodiversity
projects where a small amount of funding can make a big difference
projects with a minimum duration of 4 months and a maximum of 2 years

Many community-based environmental projects struggle to access funding despite their potential for real impact. This grant provides an opportunity for small organisations and local initiatives to implement practical solutions that protect ecosystems, strengthen climate resilience, and improve livelihoods.

Conservation Priorities

Ceiba has supported the protection of threatened tropical species and habitats for years through a combination of conservation programs, research, and educational outreach. We emphasize connecting people with nature, and ensuring that conservation projects genuinely listen to, are led by, and actively benefit stakeholders.

Proposals for *first-time applicants* of Seeds of Sustainability funding should link to one of the following focus areas:

Protection, conservation, and anti-poaching of over-exploited species (terrestrial or marine):
- Species population monitoring and recovery plans; protection of nesting, breeding, or spawning sites; alternative livelihood programs to reduce hunting or fishing pressure; enforcement support and reporting systems; bycatch reduction strategies
Habitat protection and restoration focused on corridors and habitat connectivity (terrestrial or marine):
- Reserve establishment and management, assisted regeneration, habitat restoration, connectivity assessments, etc

Seeds of Sustainability Grants Funding Details

The level of funding applicants may request depends on their level of partnership.

First-time applicants: Anyone applying for the first time to for a Seeds of Sustainability grant may request up to $5,000 maximum.
Conservation Partners: First-time grant recipients who demonstrate successful completion of their project, may be invited to join our Conservation Partner network and be eligible to apply for $10,000 (or more) annually. Continuation of funding depends highly on the ability to demonstrate tangible conservation outcomes that align with our Conservation Priorities after each funding cycle.

Eligibility Criteria

Only organizations that meet the following eligibility criteria may apply for a Seeds of Sustainability grant:

Small non-profit organizations, indigenous community groups, schools or small universities, individuals, and other types of local organizations/associations, except those engaged primarily in religious or political activities, are eligible to apply.
Projects must be carried out in a country within the tropics, and align with at least one of Ceiba’s Conservation Priorities.
Non-profits must be able to provide documentation of their non-profit status. Schools and other types of organization/associations must provide a document that shows the constitution or establishment of this entity. Other types of applicants including individuals must be able to provide a letter of support from a community leader, government entity, supervisor, or other person not directly involved in the project.
Individual applicants must demonstrate that they have already committed some resources (funds, labor, materials) to initiate their project.
Only small organizations are eligible (with total annual budgets <$500,000).

How To Apply for Seeds of Sustainability Grants

Applicants must first complete the Eligibility Check using the button above. If you meet the criteria, you will then be directed to the application link

To apply:

Complete the Eligibility Check
Complete the online application form. Applications must be in either English or Spanish. You may start your form and return to it later. To help you prepare your application before entering text into the online form, you may download the questions and content guidelines in PDF format.
Prepare your budget using the form provided and upload it with your application.
Upload supporting documents (see eligibility requirements above).

Click Here To Apply

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Application Deadline: May 15, 2026