Creating New Economies Fund (CNEF) Grant

The Creating New Economies Fund (CNEF) Grant, offered by The Conservation Fund’s Resourceful Communities, supports small, innovative projects that embody a triple bottom line approach, focusing on the natural, cultural, and human assets of communities. The program prioritizes eco-tourism, sustainable agriculture, youth leadership, alternative energy, and more, aiming to build upon local assets to tackle community challenges, particularly in rural, low-income areas. Projects that engage community members, especially people of color or those with low wealth, and address root causes like poverty, exclusion, inequities, and environmental issues receive the highest consideration. Since its inception in 2001, CNEF has awarded over $6.8 million in grants, with recipients achieving significant additional funding. Grants, which can be up to $15,000, support a breadth of initiatives including food distribution centers, green job training, and eco-recreation, with an emphasis on sustainability, community involvement, and effective project design.