G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation supports marine protection, environmental conservation, and research projects.
IP TAKE: This foundation typically funds larger laboratories, institutions, and organizations. This is a modest funder with a small staff, so in early 2021 that it no longer accepts unsolicited applications after the deluge of requests under the COVID era that has faced all of philanthropy. Though no longer accessible, this proactive foundation remains approachable and responsive, so contact them with general questions.
PROFILE: Established in 1955, the G.Unger Vetlesen Foundation was founded by Georg Unger Vetlesen, former shipbuilder and founder of Scandinavian Airlines System, Inc. The foundation works to “seek, teach, and communicate scientific understanding of the oceans, atmosphere, Earth, and other planets for the benefit of society and the environment.” Its grantmaking program supports organizations that focus on marine conservation and research, environmental issues, and climate change.
Grants for Marine Conservation, Climate Change and Clean Energy
While the foundation does not have dedicated focus area programs, its tax filings indicate a commitment to studying the natural world, particularly marine life and aquatic ecosystems. It also broadly funds work related to climate change according to its taxes. In the past, the Vetlesen supported the Connecticut Fund for the Environment’s Save the Sound Program and the Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences at Rutgers University. To learn more about Vetlesen grantees and to get a broader sense of the types of programs the foundation supports and at what level, grantseekers can read case studies of funded projects and examine the foundation’s annual reports.
Important Grant Details:
The majority of Vetlesen’s grants range from $25,000 to $250,000. The G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation awards both project specific and general operating support grants; however, it stopped accepting unsolicited applications or requests for funding as of March 1, 2021.
PEOPLE:
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