Frequently Asked Questions

Funding Areas & Guidelines | Grant Application Process

Q: If we have questions, comments or concerns about the Brainerd Foundation's new grantmaking guidelines, can we call?
A: Always. Our ultimate hope is that our revised program provides new avenues for collective success in protecting the environment of the Northwest. This page is intended to address many of your questions and concerns, but you are always welcome to contact us.
Q: In a nutshell, how would you describe the Brainerd Foundation's 2007 shift in programming focus?
A: As the foundation moves into its second decade of operation, our primary goal is to build a prevailing conservation ethic in the Northwest by engaging citizens and shaping policy at the regional and local level. For every grant proposal that we consider we will ask: How does this build toward that prevailing ethic?
Q: How did this shift in focus come about?

A: In preparation for revising our strategic plan in 2005, the foundation commissioned an extensive program evaluation by outside consultants. The evaluators gave us high marks for our work, but observed that we were trying to do too much and were spread too thin geographically and programmatically.

As we initiated our planning process, our board urged us to tighten our focus in order to maximize our limited resources. The board directed staff to conduct an additional assessment over the summer and fall of 2005. We brought in experts from the communications, advocacy and scientific fields to look at ways we might make the biggest impact in our funding region.

As part of our assessment process, we also surveyed and interviewed our grantees. A majority of interviews and conversations during this period pointed to one overarching theme: the need to increase the power and standing of conservation issues and conservation advocates in our region. In late 2005, our trustees endorsed a new approach that focuses on building a prevailing conservation ethic and makes this our highest priority under our new strategic plan.

Over 2006-07, the foundation has initiated baseline research of each of the states and provinces in our funding region to inform our strategic shift. The research includes non-partisan political assessments, demographic trend analyses and media assessments. We partner with grantees in this process and will be sharing results with the larger community. This research will help inform the strategies and priorities for the foundation and, we hope, it provides new information for our grantees and our funder colleagues.

Q: What does this programmatic shift in focus mean in terms of grant program areas?

A: Under our new strategic plan, grantmaking will be carried out through three primary program areas: Conservation Policy, Place-based Conservation and Conservation Capacity.

  • The Conservation Policy program focuses on bringing about policy changes that support environmental protection at the state and provincial levels.
  • The Place-based Conservation program carries on the work of our Endangered Ecosystems program, supporting on-the-ground work to protect critical landscapes and surrounding communities.
  • The Conservation Capacity program strives to give conservation organizations and leaders the tools they need to be more effective and get ahead of trends to ensure our collective success.

Three other dedicated funds--the Opportunity Fund, Grassroots Fund and Catalyst Fund--will also support this work. Read more about our new grant types.

Q: Has your geographic funding region changed?
A: No. Our funding region remains the same. It includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. Only funding through our Place-based Conservation program is limited to specific landscapes within this funding region. In our other program areas and funding initiatives, we may emphasize one state or province over another, depending on the available opportunities to serve our goal of building a prevailing conservation ethic in the region.
Q: How did you go about selecting the three landscapes where you focus the work of your Place-based Conservation program?

A: We started by asking Headwaters Economics to produce a demographic trend analysis. They compiled and analyzed regional data including drivers of change (e.g., population growth, market access, homes per capita, land consumption, amenity growth), high- and medium-range threats (e.g., resource development), and ecological significance. Then, among the places that "popped" from this data, we evaluated voting patterns, landownership, personal prosperity/stress index, second homes/growth and development, and proximity to high use recreation areas.

Twelve candidate landscapes rose to the top in this process. Brainerd staff then created a matrix to develop recommendations for our directors that prioritized ripeness for conservation action, how much the foundation could add value, and how the landscapes fit into state conservation policy goals. Our board of directors made their decision after careful review of these criteria and discussion with foundation staff.

The Headwaters Economics analysis (the Conservation Atlas of the Northwest) covers the entire region. It was designed to assess trends that are impacting Northwest landscapes and is available for use by a wide range of conservation-oriented groups and funders. We invite you to explore this resource.

Q: How does the foundation approach renewed funding expectations, as well as multi-year funding?
A: While the Brainerd Foundation understands the importance of supporting organizations that provide long-standing leadership on conservation issues, we also look for new groups and innovative strategies to advance an ethic that cherishes the community and the land. In this way we strive to bring new vigor, and new voices, to the movement for enhanced stewardship. Therefore, renewal funding or multi-year support should not be assumed.
Q: Does the foundation fund operating expenses and general support, as well as project support?
A: Yes. You can discuss options with a program officer.
Q: Does an organization have to be a 501(c)(3) to receive a grant from the foundation?
A: Yes, in most cases. We make grants to nonprofit organizations classified as 501(c)(3) public charities by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and to Canadian organizations deemed equivalent by the foundation. Occasionally, we make a grant to an organization serving as a fiscal sponsor for another organization. In this case, the project organization must be an integral part of the sponsor's activities and cannot be separately incorporated.
Q: Do you give grants to environmental education programs in schools?
A: No. Paul and his wife, Debbi, created IslandWood, an environmental learning center for schoolchildren in the greater Seattle area. The foundation does not fund environmental education as a grantmaking focus.

If you have additional questions, they may be answered in our Grant Application Process FAQ.