About us
As a native of the Pacific Northwest, Paul Brainerd has long been concerned with the health of the region's human and natural communities. His first two careers enabled him to launch a third career -- that of a philanthropist promoting environmental stewardship.
As a journalist, he envisioned a new generation of software for composing publications on desktop computers -- and founded Aldus Corporation, the developer of PageMaker. Later, the sale of Aldus gave him the freedom to dedicate himself to preserving and improving the ecosystems and communities of his native region. The Brainerd Foundation opened its doors in 1995.
Paul Brainerd created a foundation with a dual mandate: to safeguard the region's environment and build broad citizen support for environmental protection. The Brainerd Foundation understands the importance of funding organizations that provide long-standing leadership and vision to conservation issues; it also seeks new groups and innovative strategies to advance an ethic that cherishes the community and the land. In this way it strives to bring new vigor, and new voices, to the movement for enhanced stewardship.
| Investment Gain | $1,616,000 |
|---|---|
| Program Operating Expenses | $950,000 |
| Grantmaking: | |
| Place-based grants | $870,000 |
| Conservation policy grants | $730,000 |
| Conservation capacity grants | $758,000 |
| Grassroots grants | $36,000 |
| Opportunity fund grants | 110,000 |
| Other funding | $64,000 |
| Total Grantmaking | $2,581,000 |
| Assets and Net Worth | $26,067,000 |
Important note: Assets are shown at market value, and investment income includes realized and unrealized gains and losses. Program operating expenses include direct and indirect program costs such as staff salaries, grantee and funder meetings, consultant fees, and excise taxes. An independent auditor's report is performed annually.