NOTE: New requests for support from the Scherman Foundation’s Core Fund must be made by first submitting a Letter of Intent (LOI). Select applicants will then be invited to submit a full proposal to be considered at one of the Foundation’s quarterly (March, June, September, and November) Board of Directors meetings. 

Giving strategy

The Foundation’s Core Fund Environmental Program supports a variety of organizations seeking to protect the natural and human environment and to create a sustainable future. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Energy and climate
• Marine preservation
• Clean drinking water
• Urban sustainability (targeted primarily in the New York City region)

Over the past two decades, the Foundation has increasingly focused on climate change, one of the most fundamental and potentially catastrophic environmental challenges of the 21st century. In addition to efforts focused directly on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by curtailing the use of fossil fuels, increasing efficiency, and encouraging renewable technologies, the Foundation funds related mitigation and adaptation efforts in the areas of suburban sprawl, mass transit, green jobs, and bio-diversity. Because people experience and understand national and global environmental issues, including climate change, most palpably and deeply through local manifestations—in the loss or change of a local habitat, the health effects of a local coal-fired power plant, or through the creation of local high-tech/green jobs—the Foundation has emphasized efforts that mobilize residents to identify and advocate for community-initiated sustainable advances. Climate adaptation is a growing interest of the Foundation.

Recognizing that solid scientific, technological, policy, and economic analysis is a necessary, but not sufficient, driver of salutary environmental change, the Foundation supports public education, advocacy, and community organizing as critical strategies to broadly engage and mobilize the public. In particular, the Foundation supports grassroots organizing and leadership development, not only as an effective strategy to reach improved environmental outcomes, but also as a goal in-and-of-itself, based on the belief that a broadly active populace is critical to the creation of a just and healthy society and biosphere. The Foundation also focuses on the protection and mobilization of marginalized and low-income communities, as well as communities of color, recognizing that solving their environmental challenges drives society-wide environmental protection and sustainable innovation. In addition, the Foundation values legal and policy advocacy as a tool to leverage environmental gains.

Cities, with their high concentration of people, resources, and economic activity, create unique environmental challenges, but also offer unique opportunities to address climate change and other environmental concerns. The Foundation pays particular attention to New York City, working to improve its public transportation infrastructure, protect its drinking water supply and preserve and expand its parks and open green spaces, primarily in low-income neighborhoods.

The Foundation maintains its commitment to general operating support, especially for smaller neighborhood groups for whom the capacity to respond quickly and imaginatively to new opportunities and challenges is critical. For larger and policy-focused groups, and, in the case of collaborative campaigns, project specific support may be appropriate.

About

The CS Fund was created in 1981 by Maryanne Mott and Herman Warsh, who together endowed the Warsh-Mott Legacy in 1985. CS Fund and Warsh-Mott Legacy (CSF and WML) are private family foundations that share common program areas, staff, and boards of directors. Proposals to the two foundations are considered collectively, and grants are made by both entities. The boards of directors of CSF and WML also make recommendations to the donor-advised TOP Fund at the Marin Community Foundation.

CSF and WML’s grantmaking is forward thinking and evolves over time, yet is guided by a commitment to consistent, long-term support. Some organizations have received funding from the foundations for three decades. CSF and WML recognize the importance of general support and multi-year grants in building institutional strength and longevity and provide such support when appropriate. Project-restricted grants are also made in order to advance specific foundation objectives.

Program Areas

CSF and WML currently have three grantmaking focuses:

• Emerging Technologies
• Food Sovereignty
• Rights and Governance

Emerging Technologies

While emerging technologies now being developed and commercialized may result in useful applications, they can also have serious negative social, environmental and political consequences. That’s why emerging technologies need precautionary assessment, regulation and oversight – including those that are fast tracked and marketed as “techno-fixes” or “green” panaceas to climate change and other crises.

CSF and WML focus on developments in three emerging and converging technologies in particular:

• Nanotechnology – the creation and commercialization of tiny bits of matter (a nanometer is one billionth of a meter)
• Synthetic biology – the design, manufacture and release of artificially created DNA
• Geoengineering – intentional, large-scale climate manipulation through a range of methods

Food Sovereignty

Food sovereignty emphasizes the right of people to define their own localized, culturally appropriate, and ecologically sound food and agriculture systems. Food sovereignty is deeply connected to global struggles for a more socially just and sustainable world and integrates some of the most critical issues facing humanity into a clear mandate for action.

CSF and WML’s Food Sovereignty program area is grounded in traditional agricultural knowledge and agroecological practices. The foundations’ grantmaking focuses on three cornerstones of agrobiodiversity and food system resilience:

• Preserving native and heirloom seeds
• Building healthy and fertile soils
• Protecting and restoring the populations and diversity of native pollinators

This program makes most of its grants to organizations working in the Global South.

Rights & Governance

CSF and WML’s Rights and Governance program area is dedicated to restoring and protecting the tenets articulated in the US Constitution.

We are especially focused on the areas of:

• Dissent – Protecting and advancing the rights to free speech and assembly.
• Open Government – Making the federal government more transparent, effective, and accountable.
• Rule of Law – Ensuring that US national security policies respect constitutional rights, domestic laws, and international treaties.
• The Constitution and the Courts – Building a progressive legal movement to counter conservative and corporate influence.

In the realm of international governance, CSF and WML have also long funded in the area of:

• Trade – Making the rules of global commerce more democratic, just, and sustainable.

Environment Program: Marine Conservation Strategy

Maintaining the health of the oceans is critical for the future of people and the planet. Yet, our oceans are suffering from the compounding threats of overfishing, pollution and climate change.

In the Environment Programme, our marine strategy for 2016 to 2020 takes a solutions-based approach to reversing this trend and to improving oceans’ health. It focuses on three key sectors: industrial fishing, small-scale fisheries and plastics pollution. 

Our strategy builds on past successes and sets in motion cutting-edge initiatives that: promote sustainable development; contribute to the integrity of marine ecosystems; and enhance the wellbeing of coastal and indigenous communities.

Industrial fisheries

Addressing the depletion of the world’s fish stocks and the loss of fishing livelihoods lies at the heart of our investments in fisheries management. Making large-scale, industrial fishing environmentally sustainable will ease pressure on developing countries, revitalise coastal fisheries and enhance the wellbeing of local communities.  

A cornerstone of our industrial fisheries work is the elimination of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing by distant fleets in developing country waters. Doing so requires documenting and disclosing these incursions as well as on stronger regulations in both industrialised fishing countries and developing countries, particularly West Africa, whose waters are being exhausted. Significant efforts, in partnership with civil society, will be made to help strengthen international fishing regulations in East Asian countries.

Eliminating overfishing also requires ecologically sustainable fisheries policies. Much can be done by supporting compliance of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy, especially in the areas of sustainable fishing levels, human rights, equity and impact on the environment.

Small-scale fisheries

Small-scale fisheries represent a marine resource of global significance. Millions of coastal and indigenous people around the world depend on small-scale fishing to meet their food security, cultural and economic needs. Yet this livelihood is under threat from poor fisheries management, large-scale resource development pressures and industrial fishing.

These threats are particularly critical in the Arctic and North Pacific, where four million inhabitants are largely dependent on wild fish and marine mammal resources. People in this region have to cope with the compounding effects of globalisation and climate change, as well as with regulatory structures that don't meet the demands of a warming world.

Communities dependant on small-scale fisheries are also facing similar challenges. We support organisations that reduce the magnitude of large-scale industrial development of the oceans by promoting the international agreements that protect the environment and sustainable livelihoods, as well as improving the management and regulations of fishing and shipping.

Key to the success of small-scale fisheries is the involvement of local communities in their own resource management. Therefore, we pay particular attention to the social dimension of coastal resources.

Plastic waste

Between 4 and 12 million metric tonnes of plastic waste finds its way into the oceans every year (to put it into perspective, an elephant weighs one metric tonne!). This waste, if washed ashore, would cover every inch of the world’s coastline.

We believe a forceful response to cleaning up our oceans by 2025 can reduce these numbers by nearly a third. Research is an essential component of that response but most advances will come from shifting mindsets that consider it acceptable to dump plastic into the ocean. We are therefore working with businesses, non-governmental groups and other funders to find solutions.

Civil society is particularly well placed to raise awareness around waste and exert pressure on authorities to regulate the most harmful plastic varieties, making the development of robust non-governmental organisations and campaigns an essential pillar of our strategy.

The export of hazardous plastics to developing countries requires urgent reversal, and these countries also need support to modernise their own plastics collection and recycling methods. All this will require vigorous advocacy, especially with industrial producers of unrecoverable plastics.

By drastically reducing the leakage of plastic debris into the ocean, the health and integrity of marine ecosystems will be reinforced and, it is hoped, restored.

Funding Principles

We are committed to:

• addressing root causes;
• Supporting realistic and solutions-based strategies and objectives;
• putting in place the enabling conditions required for an influential and diverse civil society;
• working through others, particularly NGOs;
• working in partnership with grantees and other foundations;
• leveraging resources, taking risks and catalysing broad-scale change; and
• taking a longer-term approach

The Rapid Ocean Conservation (ROC) Grants Program is a project of the Waitt Foundation. ROC Grants provide small grants with a quick turnaround time for solutions to emerging conservation issues. This complements the Waitt Foundation’s existing major grants program and is responsive to conservation opportunities, supports higher-risk ideas at a low financial cost, and engages with small, local NGOs on a global scale.

Grants will fund projects related to the Waitt Foundation mission of supporting sustainable fishing and marine protected areas (MPAs). This includes sub-themes of:

• Scientific Research – Includes natural science or social science projects. For example, collecting baseline data before coastal development or MPA establishment, or studying fishery effects of a natural (e.g. tsunami) or man-made (e.g. oil spill) disaster.
• Policy – Includes opportunistic projects around unique public policy windows, such as preparation of policy analysis and support of experts’ efforts to inform decision makers on upcoming government actions. For example, a cost-benefit analysis of proposed fishing regulations, or travel expenses for a delegation of scientists to educate elected officials.
• Management – Includes enforcement and infrastructure support. For example, stop-gap funding to increase enforcement capacity in light of a sudden uptick in illegal dynamite fishing, or training personnel to enforce new regulations about to go into effect.
• Communications – Includes raising public awareness and engaging stakeholders, including advertising by a 501(c)3 group around a public policy moment. For example, a PR blitz (e.g. billboards or radio adds) to educate the public in advance of government action on an ocean conservation measure, or training local people to become citizen scientists or enforcement tipsters.

11th Hour Racing's Grantmaking Strategy11th Hour Racing fosters systemic change to restore ocean health — our vision for the future includes cleaner, healthier waterways through strong local stewardship and collective action around the world.As the climate crisis intensifies, so does the impact on ocean health. We need a global paradigm shift, from an extractive economy that depletes our natural resources to a sustainable economy that uses resources wisely and protects our ocean. We work to facilitate this transition by supporting local solutions to global problems, led by community organizations and industry leaders. By supporting local pilot programs that model best practices of sustainability, restore coastal ecosystems, and advance ocean stewardship, our grantees are creating systemic change to restore ocean health. We are working toward a future of cleaner, healthier waterways through strong local stewardship and collective action around the world.Focus Areas11th Hour Racing seeks proposals that align with one or more of our focus areas:

• Ocean Literacy & Stewardship – increase the understanding and appreciation of the importance of healthy oceans and waterways to communities through experiential learning, citizen science, and powerful story-telling
• Clean Technologies & Best Practices – advance practices and technologies in coastal communities and the marine industry that reduce waste, prevent plastic pollution, improve water quality, and assess new circular solutions
• Ecosystem Restoration – improve water quality, bolster coastal resilience, and sequester carbon through coastal habitat restoration

Further examples of potential projects include but are not limited to:Ocean Literacy & Stewardship: Outreach and educational initiatives for any age focused on improving knowledge of ocean health issues and best practices. Emphasis will be given to projects focused on youth-led initiatives, citizen science, and experiential education. Programs specializing in increasing stewardship, access, and ocean literacy in underserved, urban communities are of particular interest. Does not include: curriculum development; or general funding for educational programming.Clean Technologies & Best Practices: Efforts that advance emerging methods and/or technologies that reduce the environmental footprint of coastal communities, sailing-related activities, and the maritime industry. Activities may include improving coastal community practices regarding plastic pollution prevention or food waste such as composting; environmentally responsible vessel disposal methods or construction materials; sailmaking or boatbuilding material alternatives or processes. Does not include: policy development; proven technologies (such as conventional solar photovoltaic), community beach or offshore clean-ups of marine debris, or advertising.Ecosystem Restoration: Using coastal habitats like mangroves, salt marsh, and seagrass to sequester carbon (commonly referred to as Blue Carbon), using oysters and vertical farming to improve coastal water quality or innovative approaches to restoring coral health. Does not include: coastal infrastructure projects, conservation easements, or land acquisition.Evaluation CriteriaProject submissions are evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Environmental impact: the magnitude of the project’s environmental benefits
• Capacity and Organizational Expertise: organizational capacity and qualifications necessary to implement the proposed project
• Innovation and Creativity: how unique the project is or the methodology used
• Feasibility of implementation: technological, financial, and political factors that may influence the success of the project

Strong consideration will be given to: projects that involve collaborations and stakeholder engagement; model best practices; can demonstrate measurable outcomes in a one-year timeframe, and share successes broadly. For anything we fund, and especially demonstration projects or place-based work, we would like to see opportunities for broader impact through replicating or scaling.

Note: There are two elements of the environment program. This page details information for the "Environmental Health" program area.  See details for "Marine Resources Conservation" here. 

Marisla was established in 1986 as a private, non-operating charitable institution. 

Environment Program - Environmental Health

The Environment Program concentrates on activities that promote the conservation of biological diversity and advance sustainable ecosystem management. The Environment Program also supports the search for solutions to health and environmental threats caused by toxic chemicals.

NOTE: Prior to submitting a proposal, the Animal Protection Program Director must be contacted by telephone or email to discuss the proposed project.

Founded in 1988 by Dallas philanthropist, Annie Lee Roberts, The Summerlee Foundation is a mission driven, proactive organization with a strong desire to address significant issues in animal protection and Texas history. Since inception, the Foundation has awarded 30 million dollars to grantees.

The Foundation makes grants for two specific purposes:

• To alleviate fear, pain and suffering of animals and to promote animal protection and the prevention of cruelty to animals.
• To research, promote and document all facets of Texas History.

Animal Protection Program

Since its establishment, The Summerlee Foundation has promoted a new ethic towards our fellow beings through its national and international grantmaking programs supporting rescue, research, rehabilitation, and advocacy. Our grants have assisted a wide variety of programs, including second chances for companion animals, protection of wild carnivores, sanctuary and refuge, and endangered species protection and advocacy. While many of these projects have been controversial, all have been critically important. Collectively, we have alleviated fear, pain and suffering in countless animals’ lives, advanced and expanded the rights of all non-human animals, defended the laws that protect them, and created new policies to address new grievances against them. We have rescued, re-homed, relocated, and rehabilitated these animals.

And while we can celebrate our many successes, we must also confront the emerging and expanding threats to our most vulnerable animal populations: climate change, persecution and exploitation on a global scale, wildlife extinction and disease, companion animal abandonment, and intentional cruelty and torture. The challenges are serious and many.

By working together, creatively and opportunistically, with vision and with wisdom, we will continue to protect and give sanctuary and refuge to the underserved, the voiceless, the persecuted, and the helpless.

The Summerlee Foundation is enormously proud of the dedication and achievements of its grantseekers and congratulates all of you for your vision, your commitment, and your ability to make a difference in the lives of so many.

Funding Priorities

Geographically:

The Americas with special emphasis on those communities which are the most underserved and the most challenged.

Programmatically:

• Cats only in the United States and Canada –
• The tragedy of cat overpopulation and homelessness in this country results in intense and immense suffering due to disease, starvation, and inhumane practices by some local communities and agencies. 
• Funding emphasis is on sterilization and vaccination primarily in rural or underserved communities.
• Dogs outside of United States, primarily in Latin America –
• Emphasis on sterilization, vaccination, and humane euthanasia.
• Wildlife –
• Primarily mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, and black bears, funding only those programs which protect through ethical-based research and advocacy/educational campaigns.
• Marine Life –
• Emphasis on addressing marine mammal issues, health and well-being and anti-captivity (dolphins and orcas).
• Sanctuary for Captive Animals –
• Captive wild animal sanctuaries should be verified or accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.
• Wildlife Rehabilitation –
• Emphasis on hands-on animal care (emergency rescue, food, medications, housing improvements).
• Emergency funding –
• May be awarded through the Annie Lee Roberts Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) fund administered by the Humane Society of the United States

The Bonnell Cove Foundation was organized in 1989 by the Cruising Club of America to conduct research and educational activities. Initial funding for the Foundation came from the sale of a tract of waterfront land in Block Island, Rhode Island to the Block Island Conservancy for conservation purposes. George P.P. Bonnell, a charter member and former Commodore of the Club, bequeathed the land to the Club in 1959. Club members have provided additional funding.

The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that makes grants each year to other charitable organizations with particular emphasis in the areas of safety at sea and environmental protection.

Safety At Sea

The Foundation's grants related to safety at sea will be concentrated in three areas of particular concern to the growing number of individuals who voyage offshore in small vessels. These areas include: Boat design and construction, Navigation, and Individual safety (medical emergencies and overboard accidents)

Environmental Protection

A number of areas affecting the quality of the marine environment and those who make coastal and ocean voyages have been identified by the Foundation:

• Marine sanitation devices
• Control of oceanic and coastal water pollution
• Hazards from debris
• Coastal land conservation 

We are one of the world’s premiere Waterlife Outfitters. Helping others recreate on and around the water is our passion, our joy and our mission. We are, therefore, committed to supporting and promoting healthy and vibrant marine habitats and sustainable fisheries, as well as to connecting future generations to the water through our youth recreation and education initiatives.

BlueFuture Grants

West Marine offers one BlueFuture grant cycle each year that benefits nonprofit organizations dedicated to youth waterlife recreation and education. Our grants provide much-needed funds so these valuable, community-based organizations may provide scholarships, purchase new equipment, maintain staff, add programs and do so much more.