Because the best-laid plans can run into the unexpected, the Brainerd Foundation designates a limited amount of funds toward Opportunity Fund grants.

These grants are awarded to Northwest-focused organizations confronted with a timely opportunity to protect critical ecosystems, impact significant conservation policy debates, or address critical organizational issues.

We are specifically interested in meeting needs that pertain to outreach, but grants from this fund can also be used for emergent litigation, applied research, leadership support (read more about our Leadership Initiative.), and other unexpected needs. Priority is given to requests that fit into a broader strategy or campaign being pursued by conservation advocates in the state or region.

Typical Projects

• In response to a recent surge of wind energy development, a grantee authored an analysis of locations with high wind power potential and low wildlife conflicts. Opportunity Fund support was used to share the findings with wind industry representatives, government regulators, and local conservation groups.

• To most effectively leverage a recently released report on the effects of climate change on their watershed, a grantee used Opportunity Fund dollars to convene a summit of public officials, river advocates and water users to re-envision how water is used in their watershed.

• To support staff during a leadership transition at an environmental non-profit, Opportunity Fund support was used to send the new executive director to a leadership training institute.

Funding Details

These grants range from $250 to $3,000. Requests for Opportunity Fund grants have no deadline and receive immediate attention.