Grassroots Fund
This 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 on the ground 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.
We expect organizations requesting support to meet all (or most) of the following criteria:
- The potential grantee demonstrates leadership, offering innovative approaches at the grassroots level;
- The grantee is working in geographies or on issues that build on the Brainerd Foundation's strategies and goals;
- The work itself is connected to, or collaborative with, other organizations, campaigns or coalitions in the region;
- The grantee has an annual budget where a small grant can go a long way (typically no more than $250,000).
Grants of up to $10,000 are available through this fund. They are intended as seed funding, and usually are not renewable. 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.
The following examples are representative of the type of groups that have been supported through this fund:
- A ranchlands group that offers the leadership of conservation-oriented ranchers in an effort to build community consensus around a growth management action plan for their valley;
- A diverse group of landowners, fishers, businesses, conservationists, health professionals, lawyers, scientists, native elders and youth opposing coalbed methane development in their rural landscape.
Grassroots Fund grants have no application deadlines. They are awarded year round at staff discretion.