Search Through Sustainability Grants in Europe in the U.S.

Our Story

The 1treellion movement mobilize people to cool the Earth. We are building a community for our planet. A community around trees.

We aim to plant trees…trillions of them... to cool the planet.

​We have waited long enough for someone else to repair the damage done to our planet. It is up to us to be the change.

It is not enough to “just” plant a tree. We have to collectively change course, and to do this we need to come together to raise both funds and awareness. There is magic in music, togetherness, and trees (trillions of them). When we intertwine our branches we grow in unimaginable ways.

You don’t have to feel alone in your desire for change, you’ve come to the right place.

Our Mission

Trees are the natural climate solution. It is our conviction that this can be done BUT we need to act with determination NOW.

It is our mission to collectively raise enough funds to make a meaningful global impact by bringing communities together to plant 1 trillion (1,000,000,000,000) trees and cool the Earth.

There are many initiatives and organizations that aims to plant trees. Our lives literally depend on that and only a few of them have succeeded. We plan on doing what we do best - generate a movement and raise a 1treellion.org Global Fund to support those organizations.

1treellion Grant

There are many stories about tree, from the children’s book The Giving Tree written in 1964 by Shel Silverstein, to The Overstory by Richard Powers. They all showcase our relationship we have with trees.

They are an integral part of our planet. In fact, they are the 2nd largest nation on it (counting the ocean as the first). 

Air - trees filtering the air we breathe, by absorbing harmful carbon and releasing oxygen back into the atmosphere.

Water - Trees filter the water we drink. According to the Food and Agriculture Association of the United Nations, a mature evergreen tree can intercept more than 15,000 liters of water every year. Their intricate root systems act like filters; removing pollutants and slowing down the water’s absorption into the ground. This process prevents harmful waterside erosion and reduces the risk of over-saturation and flooding.

Shelter - Trees provide animals shelter from the weather and from enemies. It provides us human shelter from the sun on a sunny day. Even dead trees provide shelter and food for many insects. Sustainable tree farming provides timber to build homes and shelter, and wood to burn for cooking and heating.

​Food - Trees provide food in the form of fruits, nuts, leaves, bark, and roots.

Health - Trees are key ingredients in 25% of all medicines. In addition adults with 30% or more of their neighborhood covered in some form of tree canopy had 31% lower odds of developing psychological distress. The same amount of tree cover was linked to 33% lower odds of developing fair to poor general health. Not to mention that the shade provided by tree coverage helps protect our skin from the ever-increasing harshness of the sun.

Climate - Trees help cool the planet by sucking in and storing harmful greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, into their trunks, branches, and leaves, and releasing oxygen back into the atmosphere. In cities, trees can reduce overall temperature by up to eight degrees Celsius. With more than 50% of the world’s population living in cities—a number expected to increase to 66% by the year 2050—pollution and overheating are becoming a real threat. Fortunately, a mature tree can absorb an average of 48 lbs of carbon dioxide per year, making cities a healthier, safer place to live. Don’t just take our world for it, scientists have proven it time after time.

Biodiversity - trees provide habitat to over 80% of the world's terrestrial biodiversity. A single tree can be home to hundreds of species of plants, mammals, birds, insects, and fungi. Depending on the kind of food and shelter they need, different forest animals require different types of habitat. Without trees, forest creatures would have nowhere to call home.

Jobs - Trees provide jobs to over 1.6 billion people. From arborists, to loggers, researchers, the job opportunities provided by the forestry industry are endless.

Where We Plant

There is a need for 3.4 trillions of trees to be planted all over the world. From Brazil to America, Canada, Europe… trees are needed everywhere.

Different location has it’s own types of trees.

Foundation History and Purpose

Alexander and his wife Lucy founded the A. D. Henderson Foundation in 1959 to help improve the education and support systems for children to ensure that all children reach their full potential.

Our Mission

We are dedicated to improving the lives of young children and their families in Broward County, Florida and the State of Vermont.Our Values  TrustCollaborationLearningEquityImpactOur core values are the fundamental beliefs upon which our foundation and its people operate.Vermont The Henderson family has a commitment to Vermont, where some family members make their home. The State of Vermont has approximately 50,000 young children ages birth to eight. The entire state and each community are socio-economically diverse. Vermont has high numbers of new American families living in the Burlington area and other small cities, including resettled refugee families from Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe.Vermont’s childcare programs are delivered in a variety of home-based, center-based nonprofit and private for-profit settings and in public schools. Other early childhood services are delivered by local and regional agencies, including under contract with the State of Vermont.Funding Priorities

The Foundation focuses its grantmaking on strengthening early childhood programs and supporting programs that enable families with young children to thrive in Broward County, Florida and the State of Vermont.

Goal One: Strengthen early childhood programs

• Support early childhood development programming so that young children are positioned for success
•  Improve the capacity of early care and education programs to serve young children so they are positioned for success

Goal Two: Support programs that enable families with young children to thrive

• Provide funding for direct services that help families care for their young children
• Improve the capacity of programs that work with families with young children

Goal Three: Engage in systems change to strengthen early childhood programs and enable families with young children to thrive

• Engage in and/or fund systems-level advocacy for early childhood learning
• Engage in and/or fund opportunities for systems change that address the needs of families with young children

Our Strategies

To guide us in our thinking, we’ve consulted with sources such as the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for High Impact Philanthropy’s “Toolkit for Donors on Early Education” and the Pritzker Children’s Initiative and the Bridgespan Group’s “A Funder’s Guide to Early Childhood Development.”

About Us

The Brutten Family Foundation funds groups and organizations that help expand access to the outdoors, high-quality education, and vital mental health services. We believe that our wellbeing exists at the intersection of these core pillars.

The Brutten Family Foundation, founded by Patricia and Marc Brutten in 1996, is a private U.S. foundation with a nearly 25-year record of philanthropy focused on benefiting San Diego County and global charities. 

Through our family business, Brutten Global, we have spent more than 40 years in the commercial real estate industry, working in the United States and Europe. Brutten Global emerged and flourished in San Diego, and we began the foundation to give back to local organizations and schools. Our work has expanded to nurture both local and global efforts. Now, our children are also involved in giving back to our communities, and as a family, we share a sense of responsibility to positively change people’s outcomes and give individuals the tools they need to create their own impact.

Inspiring a healthier planet and happier lives through environmental, educational, and mental health initiatives.

The Brutten Family Foundation supports organizations and projects that are making a positive difference for our planet, helping individuals find refuge in nature, and creating opportunities for learning and enlightenment. We're establishing equitable opportunities, nourishing minds, and futures, and helping inspire the next generation of our environment’s stewards. 

Our Core Focuses

We partner with driven groups and organizations committed to advancing our collective wellbeing through our core pillars:

Environment

Protecting our environment is the most critical issue we face as a human race, and investing in a sustainable planet is paramount to our future. We focus on efforts to revive ecosystems and expand access to the outdoors for all, especially underserved communities and those who face systemic barriers to spending time in nature.

Education

Through access to education and resources, underserved students have the chance to overcome obstacles and realize their goals. We support programs and institutions that equip and offer young people the resources, support, and financial aid necessary to succeed in and outside of classrooms.

Menatl Health

Millions of people worldwide suffer from mental health conditions, but many go untreated, partially due to stigmas, a lack of access to treatment, or a lack of awareness of solutions. We support projects relating to mental health resources and care to help individuals access what they need and build stronger, safer societies.

Making community possible

At U.S. Bank, we are dedicated to supporting our communities through responsive and humbled actions focused on addressing racial and economic inequities and creating lasting change in our communities. Through our Community Possible Grant Program, we are partnering with organizations that focus on economic and workforce advancement, safe and affordable housing and communities connected through arts and culture.

The U.S. Bank Foundation is committed to making Community Possible through Work, Home and Play. We advance this work through collaborative grant making to bring equitable and lasting change through our focus on sustainable, high-impact funding with 501c3 nonprofit partners.

How we partner with nonprofits

We focus on collaborative grantmaking and sustainable, high-impact funding with 501(c)(3) nonprofit partners. We partner with organizations that support:

• Economic and workforce advancement
• Safe and affordable housing
• Community arts and culture

Our strategy

Our community affairs and foundation team work closely with U.S. Bank regional leadership, business resource groups and our National Community Advisory Committee to ensure that prevailing needs are addressed in all the communities we serve.

To make the most meaningful impact, we prioritize organizations that:

• Focus on economic development issues related to work, home and play
• Address more than one of the grant pillars (work, home and play)
• Are based in and serve designated U.S. Bank communities
• Advance diversity, equity and inclusion

Getty Foundation

What We Do

The Getty Foundation partners with people and organizations in Los Angeles and around the world by awarding grants that support art historical scholarship, conserve art and architecture, increase access to museum collections and archives, and train visual arts professionals.

Connecting Art Histories

Increasing intellectual exchange among scholars around the world who study the visual arts.

Goal

Connecting Art Histories aims to strengthen art history globally by increasing opportunities for sustained intellectual exchange across nations and regions. Through grants that forge connections among people and ideas, this initiative affirms that the power and vitality of any scholarly discipline rest on the ability to bring people together.

Outcomes

• Intergenerational research seminars and visiting professor programs that have served over 1,000 early and mid-career scholars from Africa, Asia, Latin America, East-Central Europe, and the Mediterranean Basin
• Increased capacity in the field of art history in places where it is an emerging discipline through more than 80 grants since 2009
• Edited volumes emerging from at least four research seminars that have given scholars career-building opportunities to publish their work
• Presentations on Connecting Art Histories projects at major international conferences, including CIHA and the College Art Association

Approach

Connecting Art Histories focuses on regions where economic or political realities have prevented collaboration in the past. Our early efforts concentrated on funding programs that serve the Mediterranean Basin and Latin America, but we have since expanded our focus to include the entire Global South and East-Central Europe.

The core activities supported through Connecting Art Histories grants train younger scholars and build their professional networks with peers and advanced researchers through immersive seminars, virtual convenings, dissertation workshops, and graduate courses.

Charitable Contributions

Costco Wholesale’s primary charitable efforts specifically focus on programs supporting children, education, and health and human services in the communities where we do business. Throughout the year we receive a large number of requests from nonprofit organizations striving to make a positive impact, and we are thankful to be able to provide support to a variety of organizations and causes. While we would like to respond favorably to all requests, understandably, the needs are far greater than our allocated resources and we are unable to accommodate them all.

Warehouse Donations:

Warehouse donations are handled at the warehouse level - please consult your local warehouse for up-to-date information regarding their donations contacts and review process.

Grant Applications

If the request is under consideration, you may be contacted by staff for any additional information needed. Applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks, and decisions are made based on several factors, including: type of program; identified community need not otherwise available; indication that evidenced based data will establish measurable results of intended outcomes; community collaboration; broad base of financial support; project budget and operating expenses.

Background

Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation seeks to dramatically improve the lives of underserved communities across the globe by supporting scalable, innovative, and impact-first solutions that leverage existing systems and stakeholders. Our goal is to find social entrepreneurs with dynamic products or services that have a proven ability to positively impact the lives of underserved people, and nurture those organizations at the early stages by providing capacity, capital, and community.

Our application process is designed to be open and accessible, and we accept applications year round from across our priority geographies and sectors. Borrowing from our venture capital legacy, we find exceptional entrepreneurs and provide them with: 

Capacity

• The core of DRK’s model is deep and extensive operational and technical support for each portfolio organization, both through dedicated hands-on Board service and specialist capacity-building resources for fundraising, board and organizational development, leadership, financial support, and scaling strategy,

Capital

• DRK provides up to $300,000 USD in either unrestricted grant funding or investment capital over a three-year period, and

Community

• DRK convenes our portfolio and alumni annually, facilitating connections and community. 

What We Fund

DRK Foundation funds early-stage social impact organizations solving the world’s biggest social and environmental problems using bold, scalable approaches.

What stage of growth does DRK Foundation typically fund?

Early stage: Organizations who are early stage, which we define as post-pilot and pre-scale. This typically means: 

• Your program, product or service is already being used in the market or in the field, 
• You have early indication that your model is having its intended impact on the beneficiary populations,
• Your organization is relatively young (ideally between two and five years old, although we will consider both younger and older organizations).

Venture funding: In the case of for profits, we typically support Seed to Series A organizations, and never lead rounds; we also generally but not exclusively refrain from participating in financings exceeding a $15M USD post-money valuation.  

Global Impact Cash Grants

Identifying and incubating innovative early-stage solutions. We identify, incubate, and develop innovative early-stage solutions with the highest potential for impact. Global Impact Cash Grants go to nonprofit organizations (NPOs) and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that address a significant social problem. We're looking for programs that fit within our investment sectors, focus on the underserved, and use technology to improve the reach and efficiency of services.

We accept applications year-round from eligible organizations. A brief Letter of Inquiry (LOI) is used to determine whether your organization will be invited to complete a full application. Please expand and carefully review each of the three sections below to learn more

Our priority social impact sectors

We focus on investing in innovative, tech-enabled solutions to the challenges and opportunities that matter most to communities in need, prioritizing four social impact sectors:

Cisco Crisis Response

Mobilizing to provide essentials to communities in need and those in crisis, including food, housing, secure connectivity, and disaster relief

By leveraging Cisco’s people, technology, financial resources, and strategic partnerships, we help strengthen community resilience and drive long-term recovery from crises.

Education

Supporting students, teachers, and schools by increasing engagement, building skills, promoting subject mastery, and expanding their capacity to thrive

Cisco is committed to inclusive access to digital skills training and supporting those who use technology to educate. Through programs like Cisco Networking Academy and social investments in education, we create new opportunities for individuals to thrive.

Economic Empowerment

Transforming communities through skill development, long-term career opportunities, entrepreneurship, and access to financial products and services

Strategic grants that unlock economic prosperity and growth for individuals and communities.

Climate Regeneration

Building an inclusive, regenerative, and resilient climate future through education, regenerative agriculture, conservation, protection, and clean energy solutions

Our efforts began in 2021, when the Cisco Foundation committed US$100 million over 10 years to fund nonprofit grants and impact investing in climate solutions. 

Mission

The mission of the Hearst Foundations is to identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States can build healthy, productive and satisfying lives. Through its grantmaking, the Hearst Foundations support well-established nonprofit organizations that address significant issues within their major areas of focus—culture, education, health and social service—and that primarily serve large demographic and/or geographic constituencies. In each area of funding, the Foundations seek to identify those organizations achieving truly differentiated results relative to other organizations making similar efforts for similar populations. The Foundations also look for evidence of sustainability beyond their support.

Whether providing a scholarship to a deserving student, supporting a rural health clinic or bringing artists into schools so children can see firsthand the beauty of the arts, the Foundations’ focus is consistent: to help those in need, those underserved and those underrepresented in society. Since the Foundations were formed in the 1940s, the scale and capabilities of the grant making have changed, but the mission has not.

Culture Grant

The Hearst Foundations fund cultural institutions that offer meaningful programs in the arts and sciences, prioritizing those that enable engagement by young people and create a lasting and measurable impact. The Foundations also fund select programs nurturing and developing artistic talent. Supported organizations include arts schools, ballets, museums, operas, performing arts centers, symphonies and theaters.

Funding Priorities in Culture

In the recent past, 25% of total funding has been allocated to Culture. Organizations with budgets over $10 million have received 60% of the funding in Culture.

The Hearst Foundations are only able to fund approximately 25% of all grant requests, of which about 80% is directed to prior grantees and about 20% is targeted toward new grantees.

Types of Support

Program, capital and, on a limited basis, general and endowment support

Our grant-making

We make grants to not-for-profit organisations across the globe that aim to make the world a safer, fairer, and more sustainable place to live.

We partner with organisations that work to advance the foundation’s overall mission and the strategic goals within programmes. Each programme has its own funding criteria, geographic scope, and requirements. The programmes are managed by dedicated staff with deep field expertise and networks.

Our funding principles

In all of our work, we are committed to social justice. To this end, we pursue rights-based approaches, gender equality, and partnership with the organisations we fund. We seek to support innovation, visionary leaders and organisations. We seek to be inclusive, flexible, and to learn from different points of view. We believe that the best grant-making reflects both careful due diligence and the willingness to take risks.

We encourage our partners to work together – we believe that together we are stronger. We fund initiatives that:

• target the root causes of problems;
• are replicable either within a sector or across geographical locations;
• include plans for long-term sustainability, such as co-funding;
• strive to collaborate with like-minded organisations;
• demonstrate good financial and organisational management; and
• value the participation of people (including children) and communities.

Creating long-lasting change

We believe in providing long-term support to our partners to help create long-lasting change. We also believe that our partners benefit from having diverse funding sources to promote resiliency and to achieve the impact they desire. Therefore, we generally fund no more than 50 per cent of any project budget or 20 per cent of organisational budgets. Requests to fund higher levels should be discussed with the programme officer.

Funding

The average award: they range between USD 25,000 to USD 10 million.

We believe in providing long-term support to our partners to help create long-lasting change. We also believe that our partners benefit from having diverse funding sources to promote resiliency and to achieve the impact they desire. Therefore, we generally fund no more than 50 per cent of any project budget or 20 per cent of organisational budgets. Requests to fund higher levels should be discussed with the programme officer.

Guidelines & tips on grant application process and approximate timelinescan be found here.

Our Mission

To improve the quality of life for families and their communities through support of innovative projects and successful ongoing programs. 

Engaging Individuals, Families, and Communities in Jewish Life

The Foundation seeks to build and sustain vibrant Jewish life and connected communities which are welcoming to all and inspire Jews to explore the richness Judaism offers. This strategic funding area supports both innovative ideas and historic institutions in two primary ways: 

Fostering Jewish Identity

Funding innovative programs that bring together Jews in their 20s and 30s to explore their Jewish identities and form meaningful communities and expanding resources and opportunities that engage families with young children in Jewish life in creative and dynamic ways.

Building & Strengthening Jewish Life in Emerging Communities

Supporting programs that build internal leadership and developing programs that deepen Jewish identity in Central and Eastern Europe. (We are currently phasing down funding and no longer accepting inquiries for organizations and programs aligned with this area.)

Types of Grants Available

Grants are available for general operating and project support, especially for innovative approaches and new initiatives. We are particularly interested in emphasizing long-term impact, encouraging organizational sustainability, and investing in systems-building to strengthen fields. Requests for capital and endowment grants are generally not accepted, but the Trustees may initiate such grants at their discretion.

Mission

Driven by a philanthropic calling to support marginalized communities throughout the world, the Semnani Family Foundation partners with on-the-ground organizations and leverages its resources in a cost-effective and efficient manner that delivers the maximum benefit.

History

Guided by his grandmother Maliheh’s example and teachings, Khosrow Semnani and his wife Ghazaleh established the Semnani Family Foundation in 1993. The foundation’s first grant was issued through CARE International to an orphanage in Romania that cared for newborns affected by HIV. Over the last few decades, the foundation has continued to build upon its mission to empower the disaffected, partnering with a variety of organizations in different countries who can make the greatest impact.

In addition to its global influence, the Semnani Family Foundation established roots within the state of Utah with the founding of Maliheh Free Clinic in 2005 to provide free healthcare to thousands of uninsured people in the Salt Lake City area.

Where We Work

The Semnani Family Foundation focuses primarily on promoting health, education, and disaster relief for marginalized communities all around the world. Driven by a clear mission to adapt and serve at the global level, we have leveraged our resources to make a meaningful impact in the following countries so far:

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia
• Colombia
• England
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Guatemala
• India
• Iran
• Kenya
• Madagascar
• Mali
• Mexico
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Romania
• Somalia
• South Africa
• Tanzania
• Tonga
• Uganda
• United States
• Yemen

At the heart of the Foundation lies a fervent commitment to human welfare, always prioritizing health and the needs of society’s most vulnerable.

The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust is devoted solely to the funding of charitable, scientific, medical and educational organizations.

The Board endeavors to support soundly-managed charitable organizations that give service with a broad scope, have a substantial effect on their target populations, and contribute materially to the general welfare. The Board does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation or religion.

Western Balkans Guidelines

The countries of the Western Balkans are still in the process of transformation to truly democratic societies where institutions of governance are transparent, accountable, and responsive, and citizens are empowered and assertive. Some reforms have been achieved, civil society is active, and citizens are more engaged, but many challenges remain. The obstacles reflect the legacy of conflict and unresolved tensions between countries and communities that must be addressed to realize justice, equality, and peace for all people in the region.

Goal: Advance a peaceful, democratic, and European Western Balkans

Strategies:

• Supporting efforts to improve transparency and accountability in governance.
• Strengthening constituencies for reconciliation and enduring peace.
• Advancing sustainable development, focusing on renewable energy and healthy environments.

The Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF) supports efforts of civil society groups, governmental institutions, and other partners to strengthen democratic practice, advance reconciliation and durable peace, enable sustainable development, address climate change, and promote a European future for the Western Balkans. The Fund values the richness of the region’s ethnic, gender, age, cultural, and racial diversity and promotes pluralistic and inclusive societies. It supports efforts at the regional, national, and local levels, including grassroots engagement and movement building.The RBF has been engaged in grantmaking in the Western Balkans since 2001, building on 20 years of prior experience in Central and Eastern Europe. The Fund’s work is predicated on the belief that long-term peace and prosperity in Europe can only be achieved with successful post-communist and post-conflict transformations of the countries of the Balkans. Situated physically and politically between global powers, the region will continue to play a significant role in global affairs and security for many years to come.The Fund focuses on Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The interdependence among these countries, the common challenges they face, and the potential they share as a subregion within Europe present a unique opportunity for successful transformation, integration, and long-term peace and prosperity.RBF grantmaking in the Western Balkans aims to nurture healthy democratic processes, support regional initiatives to debunk persistent myths and prejudices, and encourage the development of a vibrant civil society in the region. In today’s unstable world, such progress in the Balkans is important for the region, for Europe, and to improve the prospects for global peace.

Our Work/Environment Reporting Grants

The Pulitzer Center is now accepting applications for its initiative focused on climate change and its effects on workers and work. As the world heats up, what jobs and employment sectors, what factory practices, what sorts of manufacturing–from computer chips to batteries to food production to fast-fashion–are threatened or must change? 

GRANT OVERVIEW

The Pulitzer Center, a nonprofit organization that supports independent global journalism, is now accepting applications for a reporting initiative focused on climate change and its effects on workers and work. 

This ambitious initiative, Our Work/Environment, seeks to explore the global climate risks playing out in fields and on factory floors and being discussed in company boardrooms. As the world heats up, what jobs and employment sectors, what factory practices, what sorts of manufacturing–from computer chips to batteries to food production to fast-fashion–are threatened or must change? 

What factors will affect work? Heat, yes. Competition for water, for sure. We want you to reveal the real-world problems of working as temperatures rise, and then tell us much more. Stories that document the impact on labor rights and the livelihoods of some of the world’s most vulnerable workers—including women who are often heads of household—as well as those that document companies that are working on solutions, and which are aiming for sustainability at scale, are of interest. 

Transparency and governance is a cross-cutting theme for all of our focus areas. We seek to support deep dive reporting projects that follow the money across borders; shed light on opaque and harmful supply chains; and investigate the systems, organizations, and people that enable corruption.

 The amount awarded depends on the scope and complexity of the project, the media formats involved, and the distribution plan.

Albemarle Foundation

Supporting the communities where we live and work. Our investment in communities aims to advance the workforce of today and tomorrow, enable an inclusive and sustainable economy, and promote safe, healthy and economically vibrant regions.

Impact Grants

Charitable donation made by Albemarle Foundation to an eligible 501c3 nonprofit organization, or the global equivalent, to support the programs of the organization. Impact Grants are open twice a year and grant awards are up to $15,000. Funding decisions are made by local Albemarle employees and based on the local needs of that community. Applicants can only receive funding one time per calendar year.

Georgia-Pacific Foundation

Established in 1958, the Georgia-Pacific Foundation sets aside resources to improve life in the communities where we operate. We’ve worked with thousands of outstanding community-based programs, service projects and disaster relief efforts, focusing our investment in four areas we believe make the most impact:

• education
• entrepreneurship
• enrichment of community
• environment

Investment Priorities

• Aligns with GP’s mission and values
• Aligns with GP’s Four Focus Areas of giving: Education, Environment, Enrichment of Community and Entrepreneurship
• Serves communities where GP has manufacturing facilities
• Creates value by contributing to and positively impacting long term well-being and sustainability of GP communities

Black Feminist Fund

Black feminist activists are changing the world. Yet, Black feminist movements are among the most under-funded. We are here to change that.

The purpose of the Black Feminist Fund is to significantly increase the resources available to Black feminist movements. When Black feminist groups have the resources they deserve, they are strengthened to transform societies. Moving resources over the long term to Black feminist movements unlocks the power and potential of this change. We make grants to Black feminist groups that have bold visions, are using innovative strategies and taking daring action towards self-determination, justice, solidarity and equity.

We support groups that are constituency-led. We aim to put resources in the hands of activists who are advancing their own rights and building their own movements for social change. We work with groups that are led by Black women, girls and gender expansive people.

We provide all of our grantmaking through two participatory grantmaking Funds:

• The Sustain Fund and the
• Solidarity Fund.

The Solidarity Fund

The Solidarity Fund is focused on resourcing solidarity efforts, such as exchanges, spaces of co-creation/strategizing and cross-learning, convening, joint campaigns, solidarity delegations and other similar activities.

FAQ can be found here.

Our Mission

Our mission is to continue and further the philanthropic legacy of Gardner Cowles, Jr. and the Cowles family, which includes promotion of education, social justice, health, and the arts.

The Founder

The Cowles Charitable Trust was first established in 1948 by Gardner “Mike” Cowles, Jr. (1903-1985). Born into the Cowles publishing family of Des Moines, Iowa, Mike was the youngest of Gardner Cowles and Florence Call Cowles’ six children. A newspaper editor and publisher by trade, he was committed to his family’s traditions of responsible, public-spirited, and innovative journalism as well as philanthropy. 

The Cowles Charitable Trust supports the arts, education, the advancement of ethical journalism, medical and climate research.

Community Investments

While charitable investments are tailored to local needs, Applied Materials and the Foundation provide funding focused on Girls Empowerment, Education, Civic Engagement, Arts and Culture and the Environment. We also contribute to relief and recovery efforts when natural disasters affect our communities around the world.

Focus Areas

We provide funding to organizations providing programs and services in the following focus areas:

• Education, Arts & Culture, Civic Engagement, Environment and Girls Empowerment.

We prioritize projects that address community needs in sites where Applied Materials does business and welcome opportunities to engage employees with local grant recipients.

Education 

Education inspires young minds, opens new doors and paves the way to more promising futures. We recognize that many communities and schools lack the resources and programs required to prepare their students for meaningful careers. For this reason, the majority of our education grants are directed to neighborhoods with the greatest need.

We have a special interest in funding Education grant proposals that:

• Benefit students in grades K-12
• Focus on traditional skills such as reading, writing, math, science and technology, and other subjects that prepare young people for college and career
• Address critical education needs through innovative approaches to learning
• Expand existing efforts in order to reach more students or a wider geographic area
• Actively partner with other nonprofit groups to create, implement or evaluate shared programs

Arts and Culture

Creativity sparks the imagination and drives the development of new ideas that can transform the way we live. We support efforts that bring the full spectrum of artistic expression to the greater community, from visual and performing arts to community events and workshops.

We have a special interest in funding Arts and Culture grant proposals that:

• Have broad community appeal
• Take arts and culture outside traditional settings to reach young people of diverse backgrounds, particularly in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods
• Support nonprofit organizations in bringing the arts to educational programs and organizations

Civic Engagement

When people are actively involved in improving the quality of life in their neighborhoods, they help to create more vibrant, livable communities. With our civic engagement grants, we support organizations that help people find stability in difficult times and develop strength of NGO/nonprofit sector to address community challenges.

We have a special interest in funding Civic Engagement grant proposals that:

• Meet basic needs such as access to nutritional food, clean water and affordable housing
• Support systemic, collaborative approaches to eliminating homelessness
• Stimulate innovations that improve efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery
• Support the infrastructure of the nonprofit sector and its leadership 

Environment

To engage employees and community members in working toward a more sustainable future, we invest in environmental education and community-based projects that demonstrate the importance and value of protecting the environment.

We have a special interest in funding Environment grant proposals that:

• Focus on environmental education for young people, especially in underserved communities
• Encourage hands on opportunities for employee volunteers and their families

Girls Empowerment

See separate grant page here

Donor Fund Story

Charles J. Duesler was born on April 1, 1922 on a farm five miles west of Wolf Lake in Noble County, Indiana, the son of William H. and Flossie J. Duesler. He, along with brother Bernard, was reared in the vicinity of Albion and was a graduate of Albion High School in 1940. As a youngster, he was very active in 4-H Clubwork and excelled as a runner on the Albion High School Track Team. After being awarded a 4-H Scholarship Charles entered Purdue University in 1940 striving for a major in Agricultural Economics. At Purdue “Chuck” became captain of the Cross-Country team and also Editor-in-Chief of the Purdue Agriculturist, a monthly magazine. Charles was inducted into the Army on March 18, 1943, while serving as a Lieutenant, with the Third Armored Division in Central Europe, sustained battle injuries on March 3, 1945 and was awarded a Purple Heart. After serving in the Army he returned to Purdue University and graduated in February 1947.

Charles married Janet L. Rhea of near Kendallville on June 1st, 1947, daughter of Basil W. and Avah V. Rhea. There was one child, Nyla Jeanne. After working a year as Assistant County Agent at Ft. Wayne, Charles took a job as Farm Loan Appraiser with Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company, working for about 20 year at Huntington, Indiana then 19 years at Ames, Iowa. He retired in 1987 as Vice President, Head of the Company’s Farm Loan Division.

After Janet’s death in May 1992, Charles moved to Goshen, Indiana. On September 18, 1993 he married Donnabelle Secrist who was reared at Cromwell, Indiana.

Early in life, Charles selected as his motto “Pursue With Vigor”. He credits much of his gain in life to the support of the Albion community during his formative years. He desires to repay in part, by providing an annual scholarship, in the name of his brother, Bernard, and himself, to a worthy graduate of Central Noble High School who will enroll in certain Schools of Purdue University.

Duesler, Charles and Bernard Scholarship Fund

For Central Noble High School seniors or graduates who will be or are attending Purdue University in the Fall, with preference to those entering the agriculture, consumer and health services, veterinary, nursing, or pharmacy fields. It is a one-time payment of $2,000.

Advancing ideas for sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe.

Grants

With grants, we seek to advance innovative ideas that address shared challenges by high quality regional cooperation projects. Whether you are pursuing arts, work with vulnerable groups or focus on innovative entrepreneurship, we believe regional cooperation can bring positive change to your field or community.

What We Look For

We seek organizations that aim to share knowledge, enhance innovation and engage citizens in the Visegrad region and across Central and Eastern Europe. We want to partner with those that can make a difference—no matter if you are a small civic group focused on the local community, or an experienced, nation-wide organization.

Mission-driven & Aware

Your organization´s project should be based on your core mission and reflect on common regional challenges.

Open & Cooperative

You should be open to leave your bubble and join efforts with actors of diverse backgrounds and complementary skills to benefit those outside of your everyday reach.

Goal-oriented

You should be committed to achieving results that are justifiable and contribute to our objectives.

What We Support

We provide funding to a diverse range of activities in all areas of life. From small cross-border projects that strive to improve mutual understanding in the border areas to multilateral initiatives with potential to benefit people across the whole region.

Culture & Common Identity

We support projects that strengthen regional and European identity through common cultural initiatives in Visegrad region.

Education & Capacity Building

We support projects that raise the Central and Eastern Europe region´s competitiveness through improved skills of citizens.

Innovation, R&D, Entrepreneurship

We support projects that improve the environment for innovation and joint R&D projects and advancement of regional cohesion in economic development.

Democratic Values & Media

We support projects that advance democratic values, support human rights and minorities, contribute to development of civil society, strengthen media freedom and access to information.

Public Policy & Institutional Partnership

We support projects that contribute to good governance and improve the effectiveness of public policymaking in the regional context.

Regional Development, Environment, Tourism

We support projects that advance strategies for environmentally sustainable regional development and tourism.

Social Development

We support projects that strengthen an inclusive society and solidarity in the region.

Visegrad Grants

Visegrad grants support regional partnerships among NGOs and civil society organizations, public institutions and municipalities, private companies and nonprofit organizations as well as education and research centers that contribute to cooperation in the Visegrad region.

SURFiN Program Summary

The goal of the Simons Foundation’s Shenoy Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Neuroscience (SURFiN) program is to spark and sustain interest in neuroscience among undergraduate students whose backgrounds and experiences are underrepresented in science. SURFiN provides funds for paid research assistantships for undergraduate students living near participating laboratories in the U.S., Canada, and Europe that are supported by the Simons Foundation’s Autism and Neuroscience division. SURFiN undergraduate fellows will gain hands-on in-person research experience during the 2024–2025 academic year with direct mentorship, typically from early-career scientists, such as graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.

Description of the SURFiN Undergraduate Research Opportunity

SURFiN is an initiative of the Simons Foundation’s Autism and Neuroscience division, which includes the Simons Collaboration on the Global Brain (SCGB), the Simons Collaboration on Plasticity and the Aging Brain (SCPAB) and the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI). We are now accepting applications, referred to here as letters of intent (LOIs), from eligible undergraduate students interested in participating in the SURFiN program.

The goal of the SURFiN program is to spark and sustain interest in neuroscience among undergraduate students whose backgrounds and experiences are underrepresented in science. SURFiN provides funds for paid research assistantships for undergraduate students living near invited laboratories in the U.S., Canada and Europe that are supported by the Simons Foundation’s Autism and Neuroscience division. SURFiN undergraduate fellows gain hands-on in-person research experience during the academic year with direct mentorship, typically from early career scientists, such as graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, known as “SURFiN mentors.”

We are invested in supporting the next generation of researchers and recognize that diversity improves scientific innovation and collaboration. Through programs like SURFiN, we aim to expand access to research experiences, support early career scientists in advancing in their careers, and work to create a more inclusive research training environment.

The General Montgomery (Monty) C. Meigs Scholarship

The General Montgomery (Monty) C. Meigs Scholarship is awarded to an individual who demonstrates the outstanding characteristics of Monty Meigs. This individual excels both in the classroom and on the field and strives to help others through selfless service. Click here to learn more.

To apply for the General Montgomery (Monty) C. Meigs Scholarship, eligible recipients must be a high school or college student. You’ll need to provide a copy of grades or letter from Dean’s list, letter of recommendation from coach or teacher and a short essay on your “why.”

Background

General Montgomery Meigs, or Monty to his friends, was an extraordinary leader who was respected and admired. A graduate of West Point class of 1967, Monty excelled both in the classroom and on the rugby field.

“Monty has shown the dedication and the ability to succeed in whatever he does, and we look for great things from him,” said one of his classmates. Monty proved this prediction so accurate. He went on to earn his masters and PhD from the University of Wisconsin before returning to West Point to teach.

Monty’s career encompassed many aspects. He served with distinction as a junior officer in Vietnam, later commanded the 1st Squadron, 1st Armored Cavalry Regiment in the mid -1980s, attended the National War College as an Army Fellow and subsequently worked as a strategic planner on the Joint Staff for three years gaining the respect and admiration of the senior officers he worked for.

After this assignment in 1990, Monty, Mary Ann, and Matthew (William already moved to college) returned to Germany and assumed Command of the Second Brigade of the First Armored Division commanding it through the First Gulf War. He later commanded the First Armored Division, later reflagged under his command to the First Infantry Division, where he led it into Bosnia. During this time, he was also in charge of NATO’s Multi- National Division (North). He was promoted to four stars upon assignment as Commanding General of US Army Europe until his retirement in 2002. Of Monty’s 35 years of service in the Army, 18 years were spent in Europe.

After his retirement Monty became a professor at the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and served as a military consultant to the Pentagon specifically in charge of DOD’s Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization to develop a strategy and program to defeat the enemy’s use of IED’s in Iraq and Afghanistan. His work significantly reduced the number of US casualties from IEDs. During this time, he also served as a visiting professor at Georgetown University. From 2010 to 2013 Monty was appointed the CEO of Business Executives for National Security (BENS). Afterward his family moved to Austin, Texas where he became a professor at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas where he continued to serve until, he officially retired.

Monty was named after his great-great-great uncle Quartermaster General of the Union Army during the Civil War and the founder/creator of Arlington National Cemetery – Montgomery C. Meigs. His father was LTC Montgomery C. Meigs, a tank commander, who was killed in Europe in December 1944, one month before Monty was born. General Montgomery (Monty) C. Meigs died on July 6, 2021, surrounded by his family.

Calling to Serve

Since its inception in 2016, the Robinson Foundation has sought to demonstrate God’s love through sharing the gifts we have received. We understand the often unspoken hardships and struggles that people in and outside of our community face everyday. As such, our contributions are focused on relieving these hardships for the betterment of our world.

As a family-operated foundation, we pray that our small efforts will not only create immediate change in the lives of our neighbors, but will help set those lives on a course for success in the future. We are thankful for each and every day we have on this earth to use what God has granted us to make a difference.

Areas of Interest

• Animal Welfare
• Children & Families
• Disaster Relief
• Education
• Medical Assistance
• Nature & Wildlife Conservation
• Poverty Relief
• Religious & Spiritual Endeavors
• Veterans' Issues

Grant Considerations

We take many different aspects of applications into account when making grant issuing decisions, however these are some of the high-level questions we ask ourselves during the process:

• How does the organization serve their key audience goals?
• Is the organization fiscally responsible?
• Will a grant have a tangible, meaningful impact?
• Will we see direct results from this grant?
• Does the organization have other financial contributors?

Black Feminist Fund

The purpose of the Black Feminist Fund is to significantly increase the resources available to Black feminist movements. When Black feminist groups have the resources they deserve, they are strengthened to transform societies.  Moving resources over the long term to Black feminist movements unlocks the power and potential of this change.  We make grants to Black feminist groups that have bold visions, are using innovative strategies and taking daring action towards self determination, justice, solidarity and equity.

We support groups that are constituency-led. We aim to put resources in the hands of activists who are advancing their own rights and building their own movements for social change. We work with groups that are led by Black women, girls and gender expansive people.

We provide all of our grantmaking through two participatory grantmaking Funds: The Sustain Fund and the Solidarity Fund.

The Sustain Fund

The Sustain Fund provides core, long-term, flexible grants to Black feminist groups, collectives, organizations and consortium who work to build collective power, claim justice and create alternatives. From the second year of partnership, we provide grantee partners with opportunities for exchange and learning.

We intend to award at least 15 grants in the first cycle of the Sustain Fund. The amount of awards will vary based on the maximum amount of funding each cycle. The Sustain Fund aims to award a total of $1.5M during its first cycle.

The Sustain Fund which will be open every two years,

The Global High Schools category recognises high schools or secondary schools, from six global geographic regions that propose innovative, impactful, and inspirational sustainability projects in the areas of health, food, energy, and/or water. The proposed project could be in one area (e.g. water) or a combination of areas (e.g. energy, water, food, and health).

The Prize is intended to encourage students to develop and implement their sustainability ideas and is not aimed at administrative projects or educational reforms at the school.

The award in this category is not given for past achievements but will enable students from winning high schools to implement sustainability projects in their own schools.

These student-led projects must demonstrate innovative approaches to address sustainability challenges and inspire students to take active roles in sustainable development.

In each of the following six global regions, one school will win up to US$ 150,000.

• The Americas
• Sub-Saharan Africa
• Middle East & North Africa
• Europe & Central Asia
• South Asia
• East Asia & Pacific

If you believe you have a project that could win the Zayed Sustainability Prize, we want to know about it!

Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation criteria is split into three parts, each with their percentages of influence on the initial assessments. They are:

Innovation

Innovation refers to a creative idea, proposed by students, which solves a challenge or a need for the school and/or local community in the areas of health, food, energy and/or water.

The Innovation criterion requires schools to demonstrate that:

• the project is driven by students who work together to identify a challenge and create an innovative solution either by utilising existing technologies or by developing their own;
• the students use project management techniques – planning, scheduling, and budgeting to implement the idea, and apply learnings at school to deliver the desired sustainability outcome.

Impact

Impact refers to a positive change, as a result of the proposed project, that improves the well-being of the school, students and/or local community.

The Impact criterion requires schools to demonstrate that:

• the project delivers measurable sustainability outcomes – in terms of access to sustainable energy, clean water, basic healthcare and/or nutritious food in your school or wider community;
• the project delivers benefits for both current and future students. These benefits may include, but are not limited to opportunities for education and/or improving technical skills in the area of sustainable development.

Inspiration

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, strongly believed that a country's greatest investment lies in building generations of knowledgeable youth. He was a firm believer of youth’s active role in the development process by sharing responsibilities to lay foundations for the success of the society. Continued through the Prize, Sheikh Zayed’s legacy is a source of inspiration for the young generation.

The Inspiration criterion requires schools to demonstrate that:

• the project reflects Sheikh Zayed’s core values – sustainability and human development that were central to his own approach and actions;
• the project can be sustained in the long term;
• the project inspires students to become the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders capable of addressing sustainability challenges;
• the project further inspires responsible actions from the wider community and other schools.