Conservation is one of the more significant focuses of environmental philanthropy and has deep historical roots. Globally focused, donor-supported organizations and conservation funds have long worked in parallel with locally focused grassroots organizations that focus on preserving and protecting the planet from a range of environmental hazards. Some funders uniquely focus on environmental conservation, while others seek to support wider conservation movements.
Below, we summarize the latest funding trends related to media and journalism, highlight a few tips for grantseekers, and provide linked content to individual funding profiles, where readers can find more information about each funder. Grantseekers should also try using our search tool and explore our more in-depth examination of Conservation and Pollution SAP. Environmental grantseekers might also check out funding guides for climate change as well as guides on marine conservation and animals & wildlife.
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Funding Trends
Philanthropic funding for conservation is rooted in the establishment of stalwart environmental organizations like the National Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy and the World Wide Fund for Nature, and the preservation of wide swaths of green space across the United States.
Key Funders
Sea Change Foundation
Taking a more ecologically minded approach, and the evolving scientific connection between pollution and environmental degradation, philanthropy has since expanded to pollution abatement programs, and more recently, as a response to a warming climate, a focus on green, low-impact development that is more resilient.
Funding for conservation and related environmental concerns is competitive, driven by the large number of smaller grassroot organizations that exist in the space. A wide array of funders, including large national organizations, smaller private foundations and corporate philanthropy helps to ensure funding opportunities for organizations at the local, national or global levels. Moreover, driven by new donors — including many of the world’s billionaires and a wide array of celebrity spokespersons — interest in the environment continues to grow.
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Tips for Grantseekers
Research other nonprofits or causes with similar scopes or missions to see how they are funded and who’s funding them.
Try and identify funders where you live or where your cause is based first; most donors prefer funding in their own backyards.
Look at whether grant opportunities are open or closed to unsolicited inquiries. If they are closed, you may have to look toward other routes. If they are open, look at different program deadlines and cycles.
National / Multi-State Funders
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3M FOUNDATION
The 3M Foundation invests in an array of conservation projects in communities in which the company maintains a business presence.
444S FOUNDATION
The 444S Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to environmental preservation, including wild lands and wildlife protection efforts. This also includes northern wild lands and forests.
ADAMS LEGACY FOUNDATION
Small funder mainly focused on California. Funds innovative efforts involving the intersection of nature and education, art and architecture, and conservation, among others. The application process is open to all, and the foundation puts few restrictions on how its grants can be used.
ADAX & ORYX FOUNDATION
Addax & Oryx considers its environment programs to be the foundation of all its other projects. Grantmaking here is broad, but often supports sustainable agriculture, conservation and environmental education.
AGUA FUND
The Agua Foundation supports conservation organizations advocating for clean water, protecting watersheds and sustainable agriculture.
ALPHAWOOD FOUNDATION
Tax filings suggest environmental conservation is an important grant area for Alphawood. However, it does not have a stated grantmaking strategy here. Grants here are made through the foundation’s Advocacy program.
ALSTOM FOUNDATION
The Alstom Foundation funds conservation projects where Alstom has an employee and operational presence.
AMERICAN HONDA FOUNDATION
Honda does not name strategies or goals in the space; however, past environmental conservation awards tend to prioritize oceans, waterways, and marine conservation.
ANDERSON-ROGERS FOUNDATION
The Anderson-Rogers Foundation supports U.S. based environmental conservation organizations working in the United States and around the world.
AON FOUNDATION
Though an area of giving of less importance for this grantmaker, environmental conservation giving generally prioritizes local and regional conservation initiatives, but it also gives to major national and international organizations.
APPLIED MATERIALS FOUNDATION
The Applied Materials Foundation’s environmental conservation grantmaking prioritizes youth education, as well as sustainability community-based projects with the goal of building a more sustainable future for all.”
ARCADIA FUND
The Arcadia Fund supports on-site and off-site conservation efforts as well as policy advocacy and conservation leadership.
JEROME AND LORRAINE ARESTY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
The Jerome and Lorraine Aresty Charitable Foundation funds grantmaking related to national conservation, as well as local conservation organizations.
ARGOSY FOUNDATION
The Argosy Foundation supports a broad range of conservation efforts across the United States. Its investments include, but are not limited to education, research, the use of new technologies, sustainable design, and advocacy.
ARKAY FOUNDATION
The Arkay Foundation supports efforts to combat the effects of climate change and the influence of money in American politics.
ASHDEN TRUST
The Ashden Trust’s conservation related grantmaking focuses on the critical role forests play on the planet’s weather and supports organizations concerned with the “rapid destruction” of the world’s forestlands.
AVON FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN
While not much information is available on the foundation’s website, records indicate that it conducts environmental grantmaking through its Healthy Forests, Beautiful World Fund. This program area seems to prioritize the preservation and protection of tropical rainforests around the world.
CAMERON AND JANE BAIRD FOUNDATION
The Cameron and Jane Bird Foundation awards grants to support a variety of environmental conservation organizations across the country but appears to emphasize those located in New York and the Northeastern region of the United States.
BALL FOUNDATION
This foundation’s environmental conservation grants center on recycling.
BANCKER-WILLIAMS FOUNDATION
This foundation broadly funds organizations and projects related to sustainability, biodiversity, and wildlife conservation.
BAND FOUNDATION
The BAND Foundation awards grants to a wide variety of environmental conservation organizations across the globe.
BARNWOOD FOUNDATION
The Barnwood Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to farming and conservation.
BAUMAN FOUNDATION
Progressive funder that mainly supports advocacy and policy work, and has a keen interest in the nexus between environmental issues and human health, as well as making changes on a systemic level.
BAY & PAUL FOUNDATIONS
Conservation and the environment is a primary focus, here; grants go nationally for research, to preserve or repair biodiversity, and emphasize culturally significant natural heritage.
BBVA FOUNDATION
The BBVA Foundation’s environmental conservation giving works to preserve biodiversity and to develop clean energy.
THE BEDARI FOUNDATION
The Bedari Foundation is a private family foundation dedicated to using its experience and resources to enable significant cultural shifts in the fields of mental health and wellness, community displacement, and environmental conservation.
BENJAMIN FUND
This funder broadly funders environmental work, as well as climate change and clean energy work.
BERGER CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Berger supports the search for clean and sustainable energy solutions, as well as local clean-up and conservation initiatives.
ARTHUR M. BLANK FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Blank Foundation conducts some environmental giving in Paradise Valley, Montana. Its current focuses are the upper Yellowstone River watershed, wildlife conservation, and “working landowner sustainability.”
BOBOLINK FOUNDATION
The Bobolink Foundation is exclusively dedicated to environmental conservation and justice across all of its focus areas.
BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES
Bloomberg’s Environment program area partners with “cities, businesses, public health and environmental advocates, and citizen’s groups” to address pressing issues concerning climate change, conservation, and environmental justice.
BLOSSOM FUND
The Blossom Fund supports programs that “increase the use and awareness of Boston area outdoor resources.”
BOEING COMPANY
Boeing primarily supports education, workforce development, the environment, financial stability, and health. Boeing divides its giving by state, and gives in 20 states total (plus Washington, D.C.).
BOHEMIAN FOUNDATION
The Bohemian Foundation funds conservation efforts around the world as part of its broader global grantmaking mission.
LOUIS L. BORICK FOUNDATION
The Louis L. Borick Foundation funds conservation groups that focus on preserving wilderness areas and open spaces.
BRIGHT HORIZON FOUNDATION
The Bright Horizon Foundation invests in environmental conservation efforts across the United States.
BROMLEY TRUST
This foundation funds wildlife conservation work.
L.P. BROWN FOUNDATION
The L.P. Brown Foundation supports a broad range of organizations in the United States dedicated to environmental conservation and preservation.
BROWN FOUNDATION
The Brown Foundation maintains broad interests in environmental conservation.
PETER AND CARMEN LUCIA BUCK FOUNDATION
This foundation funds conservation in Upstate New York, the Hudson River Valley, and throughout Connecticut. While the foundation is regional in its giving, there's a multi-billion-dollar fortune waiting in the wings.
BULLITT FOUNDATION
The Bullitt Foundation's conservation grants largely invest in building sustainable and healthy communities.
BURNING FOUNDATION
The Burning Foundation works for environmental causes in Washington and Oregon and deals with teen pregnancy prevention in Washington State.
BUTLER CONSERVATION FUND
The Butler Conservation Fund’s grantmaking broadly centers on environmental conservation causes.
CALDERA FOUNDATION
The Caldera Foundation invests in organizations that address climate disruption and advocating for the sustainable use of the planet’s natural resources.
CAMPION FOUNDATION
The Campion Foundation’s conservation grantmaking focuses on protecting wilderness and wilderness systems.
CAPTAIN PLANET FOUNDATION
ecoSolution grants “are intended to support solution-oriented, youth-led projects that result in real environmental outcomes.”
CARGILL INC.
Cargill funds organizations that protect U.S. national resources and promoting sustainable agricultural practices
MARGARET A. CARGILL PHILANTHROPIES
Cargill supports international and community-based approaches to combat ecosystem degradation and climate change on coastal, river, tropical forest, and grassland communities. CATERPILLAR FOUNDATION
The Caterpillar Foundation invests in organizations that alleviate the root causes of poverty, focusing on education, the environment, and basic needs.
HARRY CHAPIN FOUNDATION
Chapin views its grants for the environment through an education lens. Most grants here focus on farming and food.
CHINO CIENEGA FOUNDATION
While this funder does not have a dedicated grantmaking program for environmental causes, it does list climate change and environmental sustainability in its list of funding priorities.
CHILDREN'S INVESTMENT FUND FOUNDATION
The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation supports large-scale land restoration activities.
LIZ CLAIBORNE AND ART ORTENBERG FOUNDATION
The foundation funds projects that encourage local communities to address the depletion of natural resources and wildlife habitats.
CLIF BAR FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Clif Bar Family Foundation supports grassroots groups with inspiring ideas and limited funds. Grantmaking addresses food systems and communities, enhance public health, and safeguard our environment and natural resources.
NAOMI AND NEHEMIAH COHEN FOUNDATION
Environment program “makes a limited number of environmental grants in the areas of science-based ocean conservation, environmental health and recycling/reuse.”
COMMON STREAM
Common Stream broadly funds conservation grants to organizations that operate across the United States.
CRAIGSLIST CHARITABLE FUND
CCF’s grants for environmental issues fund causes related to biodiversity, climate change, domesticated animals, and environmental education.
CROSSCURRENTS FOUNDATION
While the foundation’s giving for environmental issues is not as robust as in other areas, CrossCurrent has made grants totaling almost a quarter million in recent years to conservation and climate change organizations.
CROWN FAMILY PHILANTHROPIES
Crown Family Philanthropies focuses its conservation-related grantmaking on organizations located in the Midwestern region of the United States.
DALIO FOUNDATION
Ray Dalio’s philanthropy has ramped up in recent years, and he has a keen interest in the environment. He's also signed the Giving Pledge. The Dalio Explore Fund supports environmental research projects.
SHELBY CULLOM DAVIS CHARITABLE FUND
The Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund supports environmental conservation organizations across the country.
ARTHUR VINING DAVIS FOUNDATIONS
The environmental engagement, stewardship and solutions program has considerable overlap with the foundations’ private higher education initiative
SARAH K. DECOIZART PERPETUAL CHARITABLE TRUST
The Sarah K. DeCoizart Perpetual Charitable Trust invests in conservation organizations that protect ecologically important areas, work in land use policy, and studying the impact of urban sprawl.
CRUISE INDUSTRY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
This foundation’s conservation work centers on maritime education.
LEONARDO DICAPRIO FOUNDATION
In addition to funding wildlife conservation, LDF’s wildlife and landscape program also supports projects that are focused on land conservation.
DINING WITH WOMEN
Dining for Women has supported several organizations in Africa that introduce and educate poor rural farmers to sustainable agricultural practices
ROY AND PATRICIA DISNEY FOUNDATION
The foundation’s environmental justice grantmaking also has an urban focus and supports organizations working in the areas of environmental inequity, community wellbeing and advocacy.
DOMINION ENERGY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
This foundation funds environmental stewardship in the states in which it works and serves. It focuses on preserving and supporting wildlife and animal habitats, particularly those that are water-related. It also funds higher education efforts centered on conservation.
WILLIAM H. DONNER FOUNDATION
Environmental grantmaking broadly focuses on land conservation in the U.S. and around the world.
DONNER CANADIAN FOUNDATION
The foundation takeS a holistic approach to the conservation of lands, water, wildlife and ecosystems while generating community support for local conservation projects.
CORNELL DOUGLAS FOUNDATION
A small foundation that funds projects and efforts around environmental health and justice, land conservation, sustainability of resources, mountaintop removal mining, and watershed protection. It accepts proposals year round.
MAX AND VICTORIA DREYFUS FOUNDATION
The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation supports the environment, the arts, education, health, and housing. However, its grantmaking is broad-based.
DORIS DUKE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Doris Duke funds conservation work, but much of it is toward climate change, land conservation, wildlife, energy development, and environmental stewardship. Unsolicited proposals are not accepted, but unsolicited letters of inquiry are.
EAGLEMERE FOUNDATION
Eaglemere does not name a specific strategy towards environmental giving; however, related giving is broad and has dealt with restoration, resiliency, climate change, and ecosystem conservation.
ECOLAB FOUNDATION
Ecolab Foundation is a hearty supporter of environmental conservation programs, particularly those that have a community education component. In order to qualify for a grant, your program must serve in an Ecolab region.
EDISON INTERNATIONAL
This funder has an array of environmental interests, many of which focus on SoCal. However, funding here predominately focuses on mitigating climate change.
ELMO FOUNDATION
While the Elmo Foundation does not appear to have visible grantmaking programs, it prioritizes broad giving for environmental conservation.
EMERSON COLLECTIVE
The Emerson Collective supports organizations working in the fields of education, immigration reform, the environment, health and social justice.
ENTERGY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
The foundation’s Environmental program is committed to both conservation and clean energy solutions.
EPPLEY FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH
Eppley offers broad grants focused on research towards climate change, whole ecosystem studies, as well as research on single species if they are of particular significance in their environments, in the U.S. and abroad.”
FIDELITY FOUNDATION
Environmental giving here tends to focus on high-impact conservation organizations in its giving regions.
JOSEPH AND MARIE FIELD ENVIRONMENTAL FOUNDATION
While it keeps a low public profile, the Joseph and Marie Field Environmental Foundation’s grantmaking includes support for African conservation organizations.
FIREDOLL FOUNDATION
This foundation’s environmental grantmaking addresses both land and marine conservation efforts, as well as agricultural sustainability efforts and climate change work.
EILEEN FISHER FOUNDATION
The foundation’s environmental giving focuses on environmentally safe and sustainable materials and manufacturing processes in its supply chain.
FLAHIVE FAMILY FOUNDATION
Flahive’s environmental giving often supports organizations that work to preserve natural landscapes and animal habitats.
STEPHANIE AND LAWRENCE FLINN JR. CHARITABLE TRUST
The Stephanie and Lawrence Flinn Jr. Charitable Trust primarily funds grantmaking related to the environment, animals, education, youth, health, and human services. The foundation's environmental grantmaking appears to focus on wildlife and land conservation.
FLUOR FOUNDATION
Fluor’s environmental funding centers on restoring and maintaining habitats. It also has a Global Shore Cleanup initiative.
FOUNDATION FOR DEEP ECOLOGY
Interested specifically in biodiversity and wilderness, ecological agriculture, and globalization and megatechnology, the foundation gives to activist and progressive conservation projects in South America, and also publishes books and supports the “intellectual infrastructure” of the environmental movement.
FRANKEL FAMILY FOUNDATION
Frankel’s environmental giving centers on climate change, but also on environmental education and environmental policy change.
FRIEDKIN CONSERVATION FUND
The Friedkin Conservation Fund (FCF) provides assistance to the Tanzanian government in preserving its protected areas, helps uplift rural communities, and conducts wildlife monitoring and research.
GARFIELD FOUNDATION
The Garfield Foundation funds innovative models for change in three program areas: Collaborative Networks, Advancing Systems Change Practices, and Environmental Sustainability.
GEORGIA-PACIFIC FOUNDATION
The philanthropic arm of the paper manufacturer makes conservation grants through its broader environmental focus; unique in that all grants are for general operating support.
GEORGE FAMILY FOUNDATION
The George Family Foundation supports environmental organizations that work in Minnesota, Vail Valley, Colorado, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
WALLACE ALEXANDER GERBODE FOUNDATION
Gerbode’s environmental funding is purposefully broad and lacks a major strategy.
WOMEN FIRST (FORMERLY VIRGINIA GILDERSLEEVE INTERNATIONAL FUND)
Women First’s (formerly Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund) conservation grants focus largely on efforts that benefit girls and women.
GILDER FOUNDATION
The Gilder Foundation supports a number of environmental conservation organizations across the United States.
GILLESPIE FOUNDATION
The Gillespie Foundation has demonstrated a commitment to environmental conservation, with grants going to land conservation, wildlife protection and environmental education initiatives in California.
T.S. AND K.D. GLIDE FOUNDATION
The Glide Foundation funds organizations involved in land conservation, as well as wildlife and habitat conservation.
LISA AND DOUGLAS GOLDMAN FUND
The Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund supports efforts to combat corporate waste, reduce greenhouse gases, and promote environmentally sustainable business practices in the San Francisco area and nationally.
GRAND CIRCLE FOUNDATION
Grand Circle’s environmental giving interests tend to be broad and often center on climate change. The foundation often works with grassroots and indigenous groups to protect and preserve land and natural resources that are vital to the global struggle against climate change.
CHARLES M. AND MARY D. GRANT FOUNDATION
This funder just started giving to environmental conservation, so it’s interests are evolving.
GROVE FOUNDATION
The Grove Foundation’s conservation grants tend to focus on protecting and conserving natural resources in the United States.
HAMILL FAMILY FOUNDATION
Support for the environment tends to involve local and regional Chicagoland organizations.
WILLIAM AND FLORA HEWLETT FOUNDATION
Hewlett’s grants for conservation focus nationally on the U.S.
HIGH MEADOWS FOUNDATION
Established by financier Carl Ferenbach, High Meadows supports environmental science, research, education, policy work, and more.
LYDA HILL PHILANTHROPIES
Lyda Hills Philanthropies Nature program advocates for “systemic changes in protecting and managing our environmental resources” and funds “research projects making meaningful change ‘on the ground.’”
CHARLES EVANS HUGHES MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
The Charles Evans Hughes Memorial Foundation awards conservation related grants to a diverse set of causes.
CRAWFORD IDEMA FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Crawford Idema Family Foundation broadly supports organizations that “promote the preservation of the natural environment” in Santa Barbara, California, and beyond.
INSTITUTE FOR JOURNALISM & NATURAL RESOURCES
This foundation’s grantmaking focus on environmental journalism.
JAMES FAMILY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
The philanthropic vehicle of Blackstone COO Hamilton James and his wife Amabel. Funds land and fisheries conservation; doesn't appear to accept unsolicited proposals.
JEPHCOTT CHARITABLE TRUST
The Jephcott Charitable Trust supports organizations working to preserve natural environments.
EDWARD C. JOHNSON FUND
A foundation of the wealthy family behind Fidelity Investments. Currently, its main focus has been Boston and New England.
JOHNSON FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Johnson Family Foundation's conservation grants seek to improve overall environmental health.
SC JOHNSON GIVING
The company’s Sustainability and Environmental program seeks to “encourage sustainability through stewardship of community ecosystems, pollution abatement, natural resource conservation, environmental beautification, renewable energy and wildlife preservation.”
JOYCE FOUNDATION
The Joyce Foundation funds conservation and sustainability efforts in the Great Lakes region.
JPB FOUNDATION
The JPB Foundation supports clean energy, environmental health, and green infrastructure programs in the United States.
KALEIDOSCOPE FOUNDATION
The Kaleidoscope Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to the conservation, education, and community support.
KENDEDA FUND
Kendeda funds conservation, climate change, and sustainable living projects, with an emphasis on building broad support. It prefers community-based solutions, and aims to fill the gaps left by other funders. Doesn't accept unsolicited proposals.
F.M. KIRBY FOUNDATION
The F.M. Kirby Foundation support a variety of environmental conservation organizations around the United States.
KOHLBERG FOUNDATION
The Kohlberg Foundation’s environmental grantmaking primarily centers around sustainable foodways and local land conservation in the Northeastern United States.
KORSANT FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Korsant Family Foundation’s grantmaking includes broad support major environmental conservation organizations.
EUGENE M. LANG FOUNDATION
The Eugene M. Lang Foundation supports environmental conservation and historical preservation efforts, with a focus on New York City and Washington D.C.
LAWRENCE FOUNDATION
The Lawrence Foundation awards grant to environmental organizations located in the United States; however, grantee organizations may operate projects elsewhere in the world.
LAZAR FOUNDATION
This is an active environmental funder in the Pacific Northwest, giving almost a million a year to conservation, biodiversity, and strengthening the environmental movement in regional states. Grants go to both local groups and national outfits doing local work.
LEAR FAMILY FOUNDATION
This family foundation’s grants for environmental conservation are purposefully broad and support large organizations.
LEON LEVY FOUNDATION
The Leon Levy Foundation awards grants to organizations supporting conservation efforts related to natural landscapes, botanical gardens and parks.
LINDEN CONSERVATION TRUST
The philanthropic project of former Goldman Sachs partner Larry Linden, its focus is on market-based approaches that can provide long-term financing, mostly for land protection.
LOSTAND FOUNDATION
The Lostand Foundation supports a variety of organizations involved in social action, land conservation, and sustainable development.
LUSH COSMETICS
The cosmetics company, Lush, focuses its conservation grantmaking on environmental justice.
ROGER I. AND RUTH B. MACFARLANE FOUNDATION
Recent tax filings suggest that MacFarlane broadly supports environmental and conservation issues.
MAKI FOUNDATION
The Maki Foundation’s conservation grants focus on environmental advocacy and policy change for the protection and conservation of wilderness and public lands.
MARCUS FOUNDATION
The Marcus Foundation broadly funds environmental conservation work across the United States.
MARISLA FOUNDATION
This foundation's Environment Program focuses on the conservation of biological diversity and sustainable ecosystem management with a special interest in marine resources conservation. It funds efforts in western North America, Chile, and the western Pacific. It also supports the search for solutions to health threats caused by toxic chemicals.
MCKNIGHT FOUNDATION
This Minnesota-based foundation gives support to restore and protect floodplains and wetlands of the Mississippi. McKnight works in the 10-state region in the river corridor and internationally, with a focus on clean energy, water, and agriculture.
MERCK FAMILY FUND
The Merck Family Fund focuses its conservation efforts on ecologically valuable land.
MICHELIN CORPORATE FOUNDATION
The Michelin Corporate Foundation appreciates a range of environmental conservation projects and organizations. As a result, it does not limit itself to any one area of conservation funding.
MOODY’S FOUNDATION
The foundation’s Activating an Environmentally Sustainable Future focus area works to advance “sustainability in [its] operations, global value chain, business offerings and communities.” Much of this work focuses on climate change.
MOORE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Works in the Bahamas, Colorado, New York and North Carolina to establish new nature preserves, launch new forest management initiatives, enact new programs to conserve and restore threatened waterways, and preserve open space.
GORDON AND BETTY MOORE FOUNDATION
One of the leading funders of environmental conservation worldwide that seeks to create lasting change in how land, freshwater, and coastal marine ecosystems are managed. Mostly interested in the Amazon Basin region and the San Francisco Bay Area.
JAMES AND REBECCA MORGAN FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Morgan Family Foundation does not name specific goals for its conservation funding, but tax filings suggest a preference for large land and nature conservation outfits working in the State of California. It also funds nationally.
MOSES FELDMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Moses Feldman Foundation’s conservation grants focus on related efforts in the northeastern region of the United States.
CHARLES STEWART MOTT FOUNDATION
The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is a large, Michigan-based funder that makes millions in environmental grants annually, with a big focus on freshwater conservation, sustainable development, and clean energy.
MULAGO FOUNDATION
The Mulago Foundation supports conservation efforts that benefit poor people in developing and least developed countries around the world.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
National Geographic is a longtime leading supporter of wildlife and conservation. There is a diversity of funding available here, but applicants need to demonstrate a proven history of success in their fields.
NEALL FAMILY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
The Neall Family Charitable Foundation’s grantmaking for environmental conservation generally centers around local landscape preservation and sustainability initiatives.
NEW SOCIETY FUND
The New Society Fund supports environmental conservation, justice, and education efforts in the United States.
NEW WORLD FOUNDATION
The New World Foundation invests in conservation work that seeks to reverse the impact of global fossil fuel economy.
NORMAN FOUNDATION
The Norman Foundation supports community-based environmental justice and conservation organizations.
ORSKOV FOUNDATION
The Orskov Foundation does not name environmental conservation as an area of grantmaking interest, but some of its student grants have supported conservation research projects related to agriculture, biodiversity, and conservation.
OVERBROOK FOUNDATION
The Overbrook Foundation funds organizations that conserve the environment and biodiversity, as well as, those promoting sustainable consumption practices and energy conservation.
PACKARD FOUNDATION
Most of Packard's conservation funding is focused on the United States, with a big emphasis on the American West and also the agricultural sector. This deep-pocketed funder spreads grants quite widely.
PANAPHIL FOUNDATION
Panaphil’s environmental grants show a particular interest in land and wildlife conservation, particularly turtles, as well as oceans. However, grantmaking is otherwise broad.
PASSPORT FOUNDATION
The foundation associated with hedge fund Passport Capital focuses on environmental health and impacts of environmental contaminants. They don't accept unsolicited proposals.
PATAGONIA
Patagonia funds nonprofits making efforts to conserve and protect natural landscapes and wildlife. Small organizations that mobilize average citizens and press for public policy change are what it likes the best.
ALICE PATTERSON FOUNDATION
This foundation’s grants for the environment address environmental journalism.
PEPSICO FOUNDATION
The foundation’s environmental funding focuses exclusively on sustainable waste management and prioritizes the expansion of recycling infrastructure and public awareness of recycling and sustainable waste management.
NANDO AND ELSA PERETTI FOUNDATION
Peretti broadly funds environmental projects at the global level.
PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS
While Pew is probably better known for its oceans work in green circles, land conservation remains a big focus. Pew is no longer a grantmaking foundation, but still ends up giving large amounts to partners in conservation causes.
PISCES FOUNDATION
Grantmaking strategies in this area tend to be broad in order to consider a wider range of environmental projects.
IRWIN ANDREW PORTER FOUNDATION
The Irwin Andrew Porter Foundation supports environmental conservation organizations around the world; however, it does not award many grants each year.
PRBB FOUNDATION
The PRBB Foundation supports organizations involved in conservation and environmental advocacy in the U.S. and abroad.
MARTIN R. PRINCE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
The Martin R. Prince Charitable Foundation prioritizes the environment and medical research. It also earmarks funds for educational and religious causes.
PUFFIN FOUNDATION
The environment is a newer area of grantmaking for the Puffin Foundation, which, until recently, has only made a handful of grants for environmental initiatives, many of which overlapped with its arts grantmaking.
SIGRID RAUSING TRUST
Specifically, SRT supports groups working “to restore and protect a range of different ecosystems, such as wetlands or grasslands, within [its] regional areas of interest.”
DAVID ROCKEFELLER FUND
Strong interest in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy conservation and sustainability. Grants are on the small side, but funding is steady. It gives on the local, state, and national levels.
ROBERT P. ROTELLA FOUNDATION
The Robert P. Rotella Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to environmental and policy organizations in the United States.
ROTH FAMILY FOUNDATION
These grants support “nonprofit organizations whose mission and programs address the issues of [environmental justice], and include environmental health education and awareness, community participation, organizing and leadership development, and advocacy for policy reform.”
RUMPHIUS FOUNDATION
Rumphius is a small environmental funder, making only a couple of grants a year at this point, but is looking to build its resources with donations. It’s also notably accessible.
SANDLER FOUNDATION
A progressive funder whose environmental giving takes place under its "Advocate for Vulnerable and Exploited People and Environments" grants category.
SANGREAL FOUNDATION
The Sangreal Foundation supports animal, wildlife, and environmental conservation programs around the world.
SATTER FOUNDATION
The Satter Foundation supports environmental conservation efforts around the world.
SCHERMAN FOUNDATION
The Scherman Foundation invests in sustainability, building a green economy, and sustainable drinking water.
SCHOONER FOUNDATION
It supports the Nature Conservancy annually, and occasionally makes donations major international environmental outfits, as well as smaller local conservation groups.
SECUNDA FAMILY FOUNDATION
Bloomberg co-founder Thomas Secunda and his wife Cindy have a strong interest in environmental conservation and have been increasing their giving in this area in recent years.
STEPHEN M. SILBERSTEIN FOUNDATION
Tax filings suggest this progressive foundation broadly funds environmental conservation. It funds nationally and locally in the Bay Area.
MARTY AND DOROTHY SILVERMAN FOUNDATION
The Marty and Dorothy Silverman Foundation past funding reveal that the foundation make regular donations to major national and international environmental nonprofits.
JENNIFER AND JONATHAN ALLEN SOROS FOUNDATION
The Jennifer and Jonathan Allen Soros Foundation’s environmental grantmaking typically supports local parks and historical landmarks in New York City and beyond.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
Southwest Airlines is committed to “minimizing waste and effectively using our resources (energy, People, and materials).”
BERNARD AND ANNE SPITZER CHARITABLE TRUST
The Bernard and Anne Spitzer Charitable Trust awards grants to environmental conservation organizations in the United States.
STRANAHAN FOUNDATION
The Stranahan Foundation’s Ecological Well-Being grantmaking is dedicated to “preserving or returning to healthy, sustainable communities for both current and future generations,” “conserving and restoring our natural environment,” and “educating community members about our natural environment.”
BARBARA STIEFEL FOUNDATION
The Barbara Stiefel Foundation supports major conservation organizations in the United States and internationally.
GEORGE B STORER FOUNDATION
Storer funds organizations that balance the need for energy resource development and the conservation of national resources with the need for building and supporting a “diverse and thriving economy.”
SWIFT FOUNDATION
The Swift Foundation’s conservation grantmaking often centers on indigenous populations.
TAWANI FOUNDATION
TAWANI’s environmental program is a newer area of giving for the foundation. Early grantmaking in this area aims to “make the outdoors more accessible and more impactful both for low-income neighborhoods and the community at large.”
TD CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
TD’s vibrant planet funding initiative is its newest area of giving. The foundation has made an ambitious target of directing $100 billion in Canadian Dollars to support the development of a low-carbon economy by 2030.
THRESHOLD FOUNDATION
Threshold’s environmental conservation work focus on protecting forests and wetlands from “the policies and billions in subsidies which now drive and reward deforestation and the most destructive forms of agriculture.”
TIGER BARON FOUNDATION
The Tiger Baron Foundation appears to have an emerging interest in the environment, having made recent grants to national organizations.
TOMBERG FAMILY PHILANTHROPIES
The Tomberg Philanthropies awards environmental conservation grants to organizations working in the United States and around the world.
EMILY HALL TREMAINE FOUNDATION
The Tremaine Foundation makes grants for the environment, taking a cross-sector approach “to leverage knowledge and experience for the good of everyone.”
TRIAD FOUNDATION
This funder broadly invests in environmental causes that align with it’s conservative views.
TURING FOUNDATION
The Turing Foundation supports organizations primarily focused on sustainable land use in developing countries.
TURNER FOUNDATION
The Turner Foundation gives a large number of small-to-medium-sized grants to a diverse range of environmental work.
UPS FOUNDATION
This foundation is particularly interested in reforestation and conservation, carbon reduction efforts, and environmental research and education, with an emphasis on its tree-planting initiative.
VAN SLOUN FOUNDATION
The Van Sloun Foundation invests in a variety of conservation efforts, which include those related to water and land.
WALLACE GENETIC FOUNDATION
This foundation’s environmental giving overlaps with its global development, sustainable agriculture and climate change efforts, focusing on water, pollution and land conservation.
WALT DISNEY COMPANY
This fund "supports the study of wildlife; the protection of habitats; the development of community conservation and education programs in critical ecosystems; and experiences that connect kids to nature across the globe."
WALTON FAMILY FOUNDATION
Walton has become one of the biggest environmental funders in the U.S. While it mainly funds marine and river conservation, it gives a smaller number of grants to a range of other environmental groups, including for land conservation and ecology education.
VIRGINIA WELLINGTON CABOT FOUNDATION
The Virginia Wellington Cabot supports a variety conservation organizations around the country.
WELLS FARGO
Wells Fargo is interested in sustainable agriculture and forestry, water quality, land conservation and support for building healthy urban ecosystems, as well as clean technology.
WEM FOUNDATION
WEM does not list its grantmaking interests or priority areas; however, tax filing reveal that the foundation has made grants in this space in the past, primarily to biodiversity programs and environmental education groups.
WIANCKO FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Wiancko Family Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to environmental and wildlife conservation.
WILBURFORCE FOUNDATION
Wilburforce is all about conservation in Western North America. They support work in a dozen priority regions (although not in California), with programs in conservation science, law and policy, and organizational capacity building.
REID WILLIAMS FOUNDATION
Conservation is a smaller area of giving for the Williams Foundation, but a few grants have gone to U.S.-based conservation organizations in recent years.
WINSLOW FOUNDATION
The Winslow Foundation gives broadly to environmental conservation organizations located in the United States.
WOODCOCK FOUNDATION
The Woodcock Foundation’s environmental conservation grantmaking focuses on land conservation, wildlife habitat preservation, and marine conservation projects.
ROBERT W. WOODRUFF FOUNDATION
The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation has several interests, including supporting large-scale conservation and natural resource stewardship efforts in the Atlanta metro area and throughout Georgia.
WEYERHAEUSER FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Weyerhaeuser Foundation invests in organizations that promote and build sustainable forest communities.
WUNDERKINDER FOUNDATION
The Wunderkinder Foundation mainly supports environmental conservation organizations in the United States.
WYNCOTE FOUNDATION
The Wyncote Foundation focuses its environment grants on conservation and land protection in the United States.
WYSS FOUNDATION
The Wyss Foundation embodies its founder's love for the landscapes of the American West, keeping a lookout for western land areas to protect and well-placed partner organizations to help protect them.
XCEL ENERGY FOUNDATION
Xcel Energy Foundation conservation grants focus on programs and projects that have a positive impact on the natural environment of the communities in which Xcel Energy operates.
XEROX FOUNDATION
The Xerox Foundation funds science education, environmental affairs, and a variety of others issues.
ZEGAR FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Zegar Family Foundation tends to offer its environmental conservation grants to large national organizations rather than local and grassroots organizations.
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Additional Resources
Environmental Grantmakers Association is a network of more than 200 foundations around the world that focuses on a range of environmental issues, including conservation and pollution.
International Union for Conservation of Nature is a global membership organization composed of both government and civil society organisations that has a wide array of conservation tools, issues briefs and publications available focused on the protection of the natural world.
Climate Action Network claims to be the world’s largest network of civil society with a focus on addressing fossil fuels, including pollution mitigation.