Barnwood Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Barnwood Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to farming and conservation.
IP TAKE: The foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities, and its grantmaking may be geographically limited. This is not an accessible funder as it prefers to seek its own grantees to fund.
PROFILE: The Barnwood Foundation was established in 2007 by financier Michael G. Barnes and his wife Lisa Underwood. Michael became a founding partner of Tricadia Holdings, LP, a privately held company providing investment management services, where he serves as chairman. The couple keep a low profile and the foundation does not maintain a website, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities.
Grants for Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Agriculture
According to tax filings, the Barnwood Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to farming and conservation. Due to the foundation's lack of transparency, it is unclear what conservation strategies it uses to support such grantmaking, but it appears it prioritizes organic farming, urban agriculture, and organizations that help farming adapt to climate change. Past grantees include Rodale Institute, a nonprofit that supports research into organic farming, and Growing Power, an urban agriculture organization headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Other grantees include Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut, CT Farmland Trust, Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, Environmental Working Group, World Wildlife Fund and Bethlehem Land Trust.
Important Grant Details:
This funder made about $600,000 in grants in a recent year. Grants range from $3,000 to $30,000. Note that while this funder often gives to large national and international charities, the majority of its grantmaking centers around Connecticut and New York. For additional information about Barnwood’s grantmaking, see its past tax filings.
The Barnwood Foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.
PEOPLE:
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CONTACT:
Barnwood Foundation
525 W. 22nd Street, Suite 2F
New York, NY 10011
