Grant Opportunities
Lights Out Asheville Grant
Deadline: January 23, 2026
Program Overview
On February 8, 2022, City of Asheville, North Carolina Mayor Esther Manheimer proclaimed March through May and September through November as “Bird Migration Awareness Months” to promote the protection of birds during their peak migration periods. As part of a “Lights Out” program, the mayor is encouraging all businesses, residents, and building managers to turn off non-essential lighting from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. during these spring and fall months to reduce bird mortality and save on energy costs. See the proclamation at https://www.ashevillenc.gov/news/mayor-manheimer-proclaims-bird-awareness-months/.
Blue Ridge Audubon Chapter seeks grant proposals to support the goals of the Lights Out initiative. For more information about Lights Out programs, see the Lights Out Asheville page on the Blue Ridge Audubon website at https://www.blueridgeaudubon.org/lights-out-asheville.
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Grant Submission
The deadline for submitting a grant application is January 23, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Submit a pdf file by email to Andrew Laughlin (alaughli@unca.edu) and Danielle DiBella Lenaway (daniellelenawaybrac@gmail.com).
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Scope of Work
The work will be completed under the supervision of a project manager designated by Blue Ridge Audubon with the goal of reinvigorating the Lights Out Asheville program.
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Develop educational materials that explain the purpose of a Lights Out program.
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Identify and establish a working relationship with the person identified as the primary contact for the City of Asheville. Work with the City of Asheville staff to implement Light Out protocols for City-owned buildings.
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Establish a committee of local conservation and business organizations that support Blue Ridge Audubon’s Lights Out initiative. The project manager will provide a list of organizations that have pledged to support the project. (See current list on website, above)
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Work with these organizations to identify volunteers to support the outreach efforts to encourage private building owners and business owners to implement Lights Out protocols. The focus of the project will be downtown Asheville.
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Use educational materials to educate the public and promote the Lights Out initiative through various social media managed by Blue Ridge Audubon, the UNC Asheville Bird Club, and other community partners.
Deliverables
The successful applicant shall submit three monthly reports documenting project activities to include, but not limited to:
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a list of community partners that have committed volunteers to support the project;
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the status of implementation of protocols for City-owned buildings;
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a list of private building owners and business owners contacted;
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the number of private building owners and business owners that have either pledged or declined to implement Lights out protocols; and
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the status of promoting the Lights Out program by community partners.
Time Frame
Work shall be completed between January 26 and May 25, 2026.
Budget
Applicants shall submit a budget for the project. We anticipate a stipend of $400 per month for four months, plus a small supplies budget not to exceed $400. Blue Ridge Audubon and the successful applicant shall agree on a billing schedule.
Qualifications
The successful applicant must:
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Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the threat of light pollution to migrating birds and the purpose of a Lights Out program;
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Be able to work physically in Buncombe County during the stated time frame;
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Have an educational background in Environmental Science, Avian Ecology or a comparable field of study.
Questions
For questions, contact by email, subject Lights Out Grant Solicitation, Andrew Laughlin (alaughli@unca.edu) and Danielle DiBella Lenaway (daniellelenawaybrac@gmail.com).
Research and Conservation Grant
​2026 Deadlines: To be announced soon. Stay tuned!​
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Program Overview
The Blue Ridge Audubon Chapter (BRAC) provides grants to support research and conservation of birds in the Blue Ridge region and their habitats. Grant applications are accepted twice annually (2nd Friday of April; 2nd Friday of October). The BRAC Grants Committee meets as needed to review applications.
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Application Requirements
Applications should be made through an educational institution. For student research projects, applications require the sponsorship of a faculty member or advisor. For college environmental clubs, applications require a letter of support from a faculty advisor. Applications should be prepared directly by the student(s) or club and must include:
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A scope and rationale of work (limited to two single-spaced pages), including species of interest and the site where the work will be conducted.
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Research or activities should address local or regional conservation needs of a species, species group, or habitat association (e.g., migratory songbirds, wetland birds, or forest habitats).
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Projects should contribute to management and/or conservation efforts for a species or group of species, with direct relevance to the Blue Ridge region.
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A detailed budget for the project, and the amount being requested from BRAC. Funds up to $2,000 will be considered.
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Evidence of the applicant's preparation for the project, including coursework, club activities, or other relevant experience.
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A letter of support from a faculty sponsor or advisor.
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Details of the project's starting date and the time period for which funding is requested.
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The name of the payee and the address to which a check should be mailed. Checks are made payable to institutions or organizations, not individuals.
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Who you are
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Someone interested in the conservation of birds.
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A degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student* in Buncombe (or surrounding) County OR a group of students who are active members of a campus environmental club.
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Preference will be given to students in the region served by Blue Ridge Audubon Chapter.
*Students in their final year of study must plan to complete their research before graduation.
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Allowable costs include laboratory supplies, field supplies, conservation supplies (bird boxes, native plants, etc) and travel to research or project sites. BRAC does not fund institutional overhead costs or general operational expenses. Activities must be tangible, measurable, and directly contribute to bird conservation.
Awardee Requirements
To help inspire community awareness and engagement, recipients are required to share their projects with the public through a presentation hosted by BRAC at the end of the academic year. This event will provide an opportunity to highlight research findings and conservation efforts to BRAC members and the broader community. Significant findings may also be submitted for publication in the BRAC newsletter.
Submission and Questions
Email completed applications or inquiries to:
blueridgeaudubon@gmail.com
The Blue Ridge Audubon Chapter Grants Committee recognizes exceptions to these criteria may
arise and will consider all applications submitted. However, proposals should align with the
general criteria outlined above.