St. Croix Valley Foundation Awards $225,000 in Environmental Grants to 19 Nonprofits

In Just Two Years, the Environmental Grant Program Tops $266,000 in Awards Thanks to Donor Collaboration

The St. Croix Valley Foundation today announced $225,000 in Environmental Grants to 19 nonprofit organizations across the Valley, fueling projects that restore rivers and habitats, expand environmental education, and strengthen the capacity of organizations caring for the region’s natural legacy.

Established in 2021 with a generous gift from Jim and Judy Freund, the St. Croix Valley Environmental Fund is an endowed field of interest fund created to ensure the Valley’s environmental needs are met now and for generations to come. The fund awarded its first grants in 2024 and has now distributed more than $266,000 in just two years.

This year’s extraordinary growth was made possible by a transformational $200,000 gift from an anonymous donor, strengthening the program at a critical time when environmental nonprofits are being asked to do more with less.

“When we started this fund, our hope was to inspire others to see the value of investing in the Valley’s environment,” said Judy Freund, donor and former St. Croix Valley Foundation board member. “To watch it grow so quickly—especially with the extraordinary generosity of an anonymous donor—shows what’s possible when people step forward together at a critical moment of need.”

The announcement comes amid overwhelming demand. The Foundation received nearly $700,000 in applications this year—three times the available funds—highlighting both the importance of environmental work and the immense pressures nonprofits face as federal funding shrinks, staffing challenges mount, and community needs grow.

“The level of response tells us two things,” said Angie Pilgrim, Vice President of Community Impact. “First, the environment is an urgent priority for communities across the Valley. And second, our nonprofit partners are meeting the moment with creativity and resolve. The St. Croix Valley Foundation is proud to provide timely resources that help them continue their important work, especially in the face of unforeseen challenges.”

2025 Environmental Grant Recipients

Grant awards ranged from $2,150 to $25,000. Some highlights include:

• Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, Friends of Willow River & Kinnickinnic State Parks, and Wild Rivers Conservancy – each received $25,000 in general operating support.

  
  

• Sustainable Stillwater MN – $20,000 to advance local sustainability initiatives.

  
  

• Pollinator Friendly Alliance – $10,000 for biodiversity and habitat restoration at Big Marine Park.

  
  

• Belwin Conservancy & Stillwater Area Schools – $10,000 for an environmental education partnership.

  
  

• The Prairie Enthusiasts – $2,150 for improved accessibility at the Pierce County Alexander Oak Savanna.

Below is the full list of grant recipients. Congratulations to all!

Organization Name	Project Name	Amount Awarded
Belwin Conservancy	Stillwater Area Schools Environmental Education Partnership	$10,000.00
Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center	General Operating	$25,000.00
Friends of Lake Elmo's Sunfish Lake Park/Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center	General Operating	$5,000.00
Friends of the St. Croix Wetland Management District Inc	General Operating	$5,350.00
Friends of Willow River & Kinnickinnic State Parks	General Operating	$25,000.00
GROWW Education	People Protecting Pierce	$10,000.00
Hope for Earth	General Operating - Hope for Earth	$15,000.00
Kinnickinnic River Land Trust	General Operating	$15,000.00
Pollinator Friendly Alliance	Big Marine Park Biodiversity and Habitat Restoration Project	$10,000.00
Riverwood Nature Center Inc	General Operating	$5,000.00
Science Museum of Minnesota - St. Croix Watershed Research Station	St. Croix Watershed Research Station	$10,000.00
St. Croix 360	General Operating	$10,000.00
Standing Cedars Community Land Conservancy	General Operating	$10,000.00
Sustainable Stillwater MN	General Operating	$20,000.00
The Prairie Enthusiasts	Interpretive Signage at Alexander Oak Savanna	$2,150.00
Washington Conservation District	General Operating	$10,000.00
Wild Rivers Conservancy of the St. Croix and Namekagon	General Operating	$25,000.00
Wisconsin Conservation Voices	St. Croix CURES Watershed Education and Outreach	$5,000.00
YMCA of the North	YMCA Camp St. Croix Compost Project	$7,500.00

Looking Ahead

“Both the volume and quality of proposals we reviewed this year was remarkable,” said Pilgrim.  “It was inspiring to see the creativity, collaboration, and commitment nonprofits are bringing to environmental challenges across the Valley. And a huge shout out of gratitude to the volunteer grant panel—many experts in the field—who had the daunting task of choosing among them. This just reinforces how critical this fund has become.”

The St. Croix Valley Environmental Fund is open to anyone who wishes to contribute. By pooling resources, donors of all sizes can help expand the program and ensure that annual grantmaking will continue to protect and restore the Valley’s environment—forever.

Join us in protecting the Valley’s natural legacy—become a donor to the Environmental Fund today by visiting this link: St. Croix Valley Environmental Fund.