Burning Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Burning Foundation works for environmental causes in Washington and Oregon and deals with teen pregnancy prevention in Washington State.
IP TAKE: While the foundation’s focus is two-pronged, the bulk of its grantmaking goes toward environmental work; its teen pregnancy prevention grants are both fewer and smaller. Burning accepts letters of interest, and although it has a sparse website, this is a pretty accessible funder with a strong interest Washington state and Oregon.
PROFILE: The Burning Foundation was established in 1998 by Microsoft veteran David Weise and family. Weise pioneered the development of Windows 3.0, Microsoft’s first commercially successful operating system. His wife Alisa and brother Daniel (who also worked at Microsoft) serve on the board. The foundation’s stated mission is to “protect our region’s rivers, forest, native fish and land” and “to develop pregnancy prevention strategies for teens.”
Grants for Environmental and Freshwater Conservation
The foundation’s environmental programs center around Washington and Oregon and promote “the preservation of habitat that supports biodiversity and quiet remote recreation.” It supports efforts to protect threatened rivers and forests, native fish populations, and land and open space for ecological and recreational purposes. It gives preference to local and statewide groups over “national organizations with projects in the Pacific Northwest.” It is worth noting that Daniel Weise is also a member of Climate Solutions, and spends time tracking climate change literature. Past grantees include Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts, Northwest Environmental Defense Center, Conservation Northwest, Oregon Natural Desert Association and Wild Salmon Center.
Grants for Public Health, Women and Girls
The Burning Foundation’s teen pregnancy prevention focus promotes “science-based teen pregnancy prevention” including “school-based health and education programs, mentoring projects, and community clinic programs providing information and services on birth control, choice and sex education.” Past grantees include Okanagan Family Planning, Neighborcare Health and Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho.
Important Grant Details:
Grants range from $4,000 to $50,000. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away $775,300. Note that the foundation primarily funds organizations based in or operating in Washington State and Oregon. Interested grantseekers may review the foundation’s recent grants for more information on the types of groups it supports.
The foundation funds general operating expenses and/or special projects. It no longer accepts requests for multi-year support. Applications are submitted through the foundation’s online portal. There is a spring and fall cycle for both LOIs and full proposals.
PEOPLE:
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