Community Conservation Grant

About this grant programme

Southeast Asia’s coastal ecosystems—from coral reefs to mangroves—sustain millions of people while supporting some of the planet’s richest biodiversity. Yet they face increasing threats from climate change, overfishing, and pollution.

The Community Conservation Grant Programme supports direct, in-situ conservation work to protect ocean ecosystems or species that is led by—or meaningfully engages—local communities in Southeast Asia. We prioritise local organisations and community groups, recognising their crucial role in driving effective, sustainable conservation. By supporting grassroots leadership, the programme aims to safeguard biodiversity, while strengthening domestic conservation capacity and long-term resilience.

The grant programme was established by Rumah Foundation in 2023, with The Moh Family Foundation joining as a co-funding partner in February 2025. Together, the two organisations are working to scale the programme’s impact and expand its reach across Southeast Asia. Rumah Foundation will administer this grant on behalf of both organisations. 

Areas of grant support

Our grant provides flexible support for:

  • People & Operations – salaries, stipends, and essential overheads that allow conservationists and organisations to focus on their work.

  • Conservation Activities – project-specific costs that protect and restore coastal ecosystems (coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves), the species that depend on them, and the coastal communities that rely on these habitats.

  • Capacity Strengthening – training, tools, or other forms of support that build long-term effectiveness and resilience.

Given the interconnected nature of ecosystems, we support efforts addressing habitats, species, and key threats, always with an emphasis on engaging local communities in protection and restoration.

Grant size and duration

  • First-time grants: Approved partners typically receive up to USD 20,000. These grants do not need to be annual; the duration can vary depending on the needs of the partner and project.

  • Renewals: Strong-performing partners will be considered for larger follow-on grants as their capacity and impact grow.

Our funding approach

We focus on the earliest stages of conservation work, providing foundational support to groups that often lack access to traditional funding. We specialise in small grants because we believe they can do disproportionate work. Funding at this level allows us to support focused projects, early-stage ideas, and practitioners who are close to the problems they’re trying to solve, while managing the risks associated with newer organisations. This practical entry point helps partners build capacity, establish credibility, and engage local communities as they prepare for larger opportunities. We value clear intent, practical judgment, and the ability to act over scale or polish. Our processes and reporting requirements are intentionally light. We see our partners as an extension of our team and are more interested in the learning and outcomes a project is trying to achieve than in perfect forecasts, fostering genuine relationships that support long-term impact.

Eligibility

Grants are available to individuals, community groups and registered NGOs across Southeast Asia, with priority for local organisations. Applicants should demonstrate a clear pathway toward achieving a conservation or policy goal, with preference for projects that minimise harm to animals.

Who we do not fund

  • Organisations based outside Southeast Asia

  • Projects that do not involve direct conservation activities and meaningful community engagement

Contact details

If you have any questions about the grant or would like to submit a proposal, please email us at grants@rumahfoundation.org.