Grassroots Fund
The Grassroots Fund was established to strengthen the Northwest conservation community at its roots.
Grants from this fund are typically made to small organizations confronting critical challenges in their communities. Working directly within the landscapes where they live, these groups have local perspective and knowledge, giving them unique leverage at the local level.
Organizations requesting support should bring community views to conservation issues, democratizing efforts to solve regional environmental problems; demonstrate leadership, offering innovative approaches at the grassroots level; work in geographies or on issues that build on the Brainerd Foundation's strategies and goals; collaborate with other organizations, campaigns or coalitions in the region; and operate with an annual budget (typically no more than $250,000) where a small grant can go a long way.
Grassroots Fund grants may be used as seed funding and are not typically renewed. Most often Grassroots Fund grants are made for general support, but grants may also be tailored to support activities that bolster organizational capacity, such as mentoring or leadership and organizational trainings.
Types of Grantees
- A group of conservation-oriented ranchers providing leadership in an effort to build community consensus for growth management in their valley
- A diverse group of landowners, hunters and anglers, businesses, conservationists, health professionals, lawyers, scientists, native elders and youth challenging irresponsible energy development in their rural community
Funding Details
Typical grants, awarded year-round at staff discretion, range from $5,000 to $10,000 and are awarded for a one-year term. Inquiries are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Success!
New Soda Mountain Wilderness in Southern Oregon
The Omnibus Public Lands Act of 2009 designated over 23,000 acres of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument backcountry as the Soda Mountain Wilderness and enabled a permanent end to public lands cattle grazing on up to 106,000 acres in and near the Monument in Oregon through a voluntary private buyout plan. The Brainerd Foundation has supported the Soda Mountain Wilderness Council in their quest to protect this rare landscape.
