Patagonia Environmental Grants Program – Funding for Environmental Protection

Secure $5,000-$20,000 for Direct-Action Environmental Campaigns and Community Protection

Donor: Patagonia, Inc.

About: The Patagonia Environmental Grants Program represents one of the most strategic funding opportunities for grassroots environmental activists tackling urgent ecological challenges through direct action. Unlike traditional environmental funders who prioritize research or education, Patagonia specifically targets organizations working on the frontlines of environmental protection through bold, original campaigns that confront systemic problems at their source.

Patagonia commits 1% of their total annual sales to fund grassroots environmental activism—a unique corporate giving model that channels substantial resources directly to community-based organizations. Their grant-making philosophy centers on supporting local battles that build public engagement while addressing broader challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental justice.

What distinguishes Patagonia’s approach is their willingness to fund risk-taking, multipronged campaigns that other funders might avoid. They specifically seek organizations that identify and address root causes of environmental problems with a commitment to long-term systemic change. Ideal candidates demonstrate innovative approaches with clear goals, action plans, and robust evaluation metrics to measure success.

The program operates through three distinct funding streams—Corporate, Retail, and International Grants—each with its own geographic focus and community connections. Corporate Grants target national organizations within the US and Canada, while Retail Grants support local groups working within communities where Patagonia stores operate. The International Grants Program supports environmental work across 21 countries outside the US, including Argentina, Australia, Chile, and multiple European nations.

Grant sizes typically range between $5,000 and $20,000, providing crucial support for campaigns that build grassroots momentum for environmental protection. Patagonia accepts one proposal per organization annually (May 1-April 30), with specific deadlines varying by program. Currently, the grants operate on an invitation-only basis, with Patagonia’s grants team identifying organizations whose work aligns with their funding priorities.

The program particularly emphasizes environmental justice, supporting work that brings historically marginalized communities to the forefront of environmental movements and defends those whose health and livelihoods face threats from environmental exploitation. This focus on equity and inclusion represents a critical element of Patagonia’s grant-making strategy, recognizing that effective environmental protection must address interconnected social justice concerns.

For organizations seeking environmental funding, navigating the complex landscape of grant opportunities can be overwhelming. Grantaura’s specialized grant research services can help identify grants like Patagonia’s that align with your organization’s mission. Our team can support your application process from initial research through submission, ensuring your environmental project receives the funding consideration it deserves. Contact us to develop a tailored funding strategy for your environmental initiative.

Focus: Environmental protection, grassroots activism, direct-action campaigns, climate change, biodiversity, environmental justice, community defense, multipronged advocacy, systemic change, root cause solutions

Region: United States, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Czechia, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Eligibility:
-Organizations with direct-action agendas working on strategic environmental campaigns
-Groups that identify and address root causes of environmental problems
-Organizations that demonstrate commitment to long-term change
-Groups with clear goals, objectives, action plans, and success metrics
-US-based applicants must have 501(c)(3) public charity status or comparable fiscal sponsor
-Organizations must operate within eligible countries (US, Canada, and 21 international locations)
-For International Grants: Organizations must operate for environmental and public good
-For International Grants: Organizations must have a business bank account in the organization’s name

Benefits:
-Grants typically ranging from $5,000 to $20,000
-Networking opportunities with Patagonia’s environmental community
-Potential for multi-year support for continuing campaigns
-Access to Patagonia’s corporate platform for raising awareness about environmental issues
-Participation in Patagonia’s 1% for the Planet commitment

Deadline: Varies by program, annual cycle runs May 1-April 30

Terms:
-501(c)(3): Tax-exempt nonprofit organization designation in the United States
-Direct-action agenda: Activist approach focusing on immediate intervention to address environmental issues
-Environmental justice: The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of background in environmental regulations and policies
-Frontline communities: Groups of people who experience the first and worst consequences of climate change
-Multipronged campaigns: Advocacy approaches that utilize multiple strategies simultaneously for greater impact
-Root causes: Fundamental, systemic origins of environmental problems rather than symptoms
-Fiscal sponsor: A nonprofit organization that provides fiduciary oversight for projects that lack 501(c)(3) status
-Grassroots momentum: Public support built from community level upward
-1% for the Planet: Business commitment to donate 1% of annual sales to environmental causes