How the Agua Fund Supports Conservation and More in the Washington, D.C. Area

Although the Agua Fund’s grantmaking extends to national and international causes, it awards most of its grants close to its home base of Washington, D.C. The prime geographic focuses are the Washington, D.C. area, the six-state watershed of the Chesapeake Bay, the Shenandoah River Valley and Florida.

Here's what D.C.-area grantseekers should know about approaching the Agua Fund for support.

Major topics of interest

The Agua Fund primarily supports environmental causes, especially water quality and conservation — hence the name. However, its other interests include elderly care, social services, indigenous health, disaster relief, voting rights and civil engagement. Social service grants tend to support vulnerable older people in the Washington, D.C. area, efforts to improve the health of Native Americans, and educational opportunities for children. Civic engagement grants typically promote participation in public life among underrepresented groups and aim to protect voting rights.

The funder is particularly interested in supporting small grassroots groups, but it also awards grants to large, well-known organizations. It aims to “protect the natural environment, help the disadvantaged, give voice to the underserved and promote democratic values and full participation in civic life.”

Recently, the bulk of Agua Fund grants have gone to local environmental causes, followed by civil engagement issues and local social service efforts. Overall, local causes see more support than national and international causes. A small percentage of grants go to arts, culture and education each year.

Typical grantmaking

Recent Agua Fund grantees in Washington, D.C. include Iona Senior Services, the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and the Land Trust Alliance. Agua Fund grants go toward general operating support, land initiatives, clean water coalitions, age-in-place programs, seniors' housing needs and emergency response purposes.

A well-connected grantmaker

This funder is known for its willingness to collaborate and has joined numerous regional and national grantmaking organizations over the years. These include the Chesapeake Bay Funders Network, Grantmakers in Aging, the Association of Black Foundation Executives and the Funders Committee on Civic Participation. The fund also partners with Exponent Philanthropy, Confluence Philanthropy, and Sustainable Agriculture and Food System Funders.

Applying for a grant

The Agua Fund operates under the leadership of Ann Mills, its executive director. Mills has been with Agua since 2017 and has pursued a career focused on the environment and water conservation. The fund’s staff also includes a program officer and program associate.

Unfortunately for grantseekers, even ones in the D.C. area, the Agua Fund does not accept unsolicited proposals. The fund researches and selects its own grantees and provides grants typically ranging from $5,000 to $100,000.

Interested organizations can learn more about the Agua Fund in IP’s full profile of this funder and other foundations focused on the capital in our D.C. grantmaking guide.

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