Conservation: Funders

Conservation remains a major focus for philanthropic foundations. Some funders uniquely focus on environmental conservation, while others seek to support environmental and conservation movements. Funding is competitive in this space, but the wide array of funders ensures funding opportunities for organizations at the local, national or global levels. Moreover, generous new funders keep arriving on the scene, and this is a funding area in rapid flux. While many conservation funders invest in climate change, many do not. For more guides regarding climate change, see Inside Philanthropy's funding guides for climate change.

We track what conservation funders are doing and our learning is captured in this guide. Only paid subscribers can access this resource (subscribe here).

FUNDERS

3M FOUNDATION

The 3M Foundation invests in an array of conservation projects in communities in which the company maintains a business presence.

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.

AGUA FUND

The Agua Foundation supports conservation organizations advocating for clean water, protecting watersheds and sustainable agriculture.

ALSTOM FOUNDATION

The Alstom Foundation funds conservation projects where Alstom has an employee and operational presence.

ARCADIA FUND

The Arcadia Fund supports on-site and off-site conservation efforts as well as policy advocacy and conservation leadership.

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.

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.

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.

BAND FOUNDATION

The BAND Foundation awards grants to a wide variety of environmental conservation organizations across the globe.

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. Doesn't accept unsolicited proposals.

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.

S.D. BECHTEL, JR. FOUNDATION

Bechtel has been a huge supporter of parks at the state and national level in recent years, and there's going to be some serious grantmaking happening in the next six years as this foundation spends down its assets (mostly among current grantees) by 2020.

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.

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.).

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.

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.

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 the protecting wilderness and wilderness systems.

CARGILL INC.

Cargill funds organizations that protect U.S. national resources and promoting sustainable agricultural practices

CATERPILLAR FOUNDATION

The Caterpillar Foundation invests in organizations that alleviate the root causes of poverty, focusing on education, the environment, and basic needs.

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.

COLCOM FOUNDATION

Founded in 1996 by a conservationist whose overriding concern was over-population’s impacts on the environment, Colcom supports organizations whose goal is fewer people living in the United States. But the foundation also supports many environmental organizations, mainly in Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh area.

COMMON STREAM

Common Stream broadly funds conservation grants to organizations that operate across the United States.

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.

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 is one of the richest people in the hedge fund business. His philanthropy has really 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.

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.

DOMINION 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 around conservation.

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.

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.

EMERSON COLLECTIVE

The Emerson Collective supports organizations working in the fields of education, immigration reform, the environment, health and social justice.

EUCALYPTUS FOUNDATION

The Eucalyptus Foundation’s conservation grants support a wide range of environmental conservation and preservation organizations.

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.

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.

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.

GEORGIA-PACIFIC FOUNDATION

The philanthropic arm of the paper manufacturer makes conservation grants under 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.

VIRGINIA GILDERSLEEVE INTERNATIONAL FUND

The Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund’s conservation grants focus largely on efforts that benefit girls and women.

BERNARD F. AND ALVA B. GIMBEL FOUNDATION

Founded with the wealth of the family’s department store fortune, Gimbel gives mostly to big national environmental groups working on a range of issues. Some specific focus areas include reducing carbon emissions and increasing energy efficiency, ensuring access to clean air and water, and restoring the health of the oceans.

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.

HELMSLEY CHARITABLE TRUST

Helmsley gives in four key locations, with grants going to a mix of large, global organizations and smaller, local groups. Emphasis is on marine protection and fisheries, and protection of land and movement building in the priority regions. Does not accept unsolicited proposals.

HIGH MEADOWS FOUNDATION

Established by financier Carl Ferenbach, High Meadows supports environmental science, research, education, policy work, and more.

CHARLES EVANS HUGHES MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

The Charles Evans Hughes Memorial Foundation awards conservation related grants to a diverse set of causes.

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.

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.

KORSANT FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Korsant Family Foundation’s grantmaking includes support major environmental conservation organizations.

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.

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.

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.

RICHARD KING MELLON FOUNDATION

This Pennsylvania foundation started by the founder of Mellon Bank is devoted almost entirely to conservation in Southwestern Pennsylvania. But its level of grantmaking is on par with national funders.

MERCK FAMILY FUND

The Merck Family Fund focuses its conservation efforts on ecologically valuable land.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

WILLIAM PENN FOUNDATION

William Penn's conservation work supports scientific research, policy development, restoration projects, and advocacy efforts to mobilize the public.

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.

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.

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.

REI

REI’s approach to giving is decentralized, and requires a close connection with local store employees. But for small, local organizations doing work in trails, parks or waterways, developing a relationship with REI could present a prime opportunity for an ongoing boost in funding.

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.

ROSE FOUNDATION

The Rose Foundation supports environmental organizations that work on long-term, sustainable conservation programs and projects.

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.

SALL FAMILY FOUNDATION

This foundation gives heavily for the environment, but for the most part it’s been limited to a few grantees. However, it plans to give away the majority of its wealth, and new grantees have emerged in recent years.

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.

SCHERMAN FOUNDATION

The Scherman Foundation invests in sustainability, building a green economy, and sustainable drinking water.

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.

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.”

QUIMBY FAMILY FOUNDATION

Funds efforts in Maine that support land restoration, as well as the development and beautification of nature trails, boating routes, parks, and programs for youth, including classroom workshops and summer camps.

SWIFT FOUNDATION

The Swift Foundation’s conservation grantmaking often centers on indigenous populations.

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.

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.

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