Funding Resources
This page provides links to organizations that may further assist you with funding for your project and suggested reading for nonprofits seeking support from charitable foundations.
- Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
This is a government-wide compendium of federal programs for the public. Rails-to-trails projects, tourism development, land and wetlands preservation and restoration are types of initiatives which receive funding.
- Conservation Assistance Tools
The Sonoran Institute provides this searchable database of grants and other assistance available for natural resource projects in the West.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The EPA awards a variety of grants to the environmental community. Of note, Sustainable Development Challenge Grants provide funding for grassroots conservation initiatives. Students are also eligible to receive certain grants.
- Foundation Center
This nonprofit clearinghouse of information is designed to assist both grant seekers and grantmakers with funding resources. The Foundation Center offers workshops, an online library, links to over 1,000 grantmaker Web sites and a database of over 10,000 of the nation's largest foundations.
- Grassroots Fundraising Journal
Published every other month for more than 20 years, the Grassroots Fundraising Journal produces much-needed information on how to build successful organizations. Each issue offers practical, how-to instruction on fundraising strategies such as direct mail, special events, major gift campaigns, and online fundraising.
- Green Source
The Green Source is a resource guide prepared by Environment Canada that helps locate numerous sources of funding for environmental projects. It includes information on public and private sector programs and organizations that provide assistance, labour costs or in-kind donations to community groups.
- Managing in Hard Times
A joint publication of the Environmental Support Center and the Institute for Conservation Leadership. Examines best practices and tools for managers of environmental and conservation nonprofits, including how to track finances, recognize danger signals, assess options, and make tough decisions with the best interests of the organization in mind.
- Online Fundraising Resources Center
This site offers information about online fundraising and provides links to many other online resources.
- River Advocates Fundraising Guide
River Network hosts this helpful guide providing case studies, examples, how-to guides and resources for getting and maintaining funding for river advocacy.
- The Chronicle of Philanthropy
The Chronicle of Philanthropy is the No. 1 news source, in print and online, for charity leaders, fund raisers, grant makers, and other people involved in the philanthropic enterprise. Some material is available only to subscribers.
- TheGivingNetwork.org
The Giving Network provides a searchable database of more than 30,000 nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Northwest. You can research financial information, compare and contrast organizations, and read about current projects. If you are a 501(c)(3) organization, you can be included in their database and be eligible for online donations.
Foundations Supporting Conservation in the Pacific Northwest
Below are some of the key foundations that support environmental programs in the Pacific Northwest. As this list is not all-inclusive, we encourage you to visit The Environmental Grantmaking Foundations Directory for a comprehensive compilation of foundations.
- Acorn Foundation
- Alaska Conservation Foundation
- Bella Vista Foundation
- Bullitt Foundation
- Charlotte Martin Foundation
- Conservation Alliance
- Fund for Wild Nature
- Harder Foundation
- Hewlett Foundation, The William and Flora
- Kongsgaard-Goldman Foundation
- Laird Norton Endowment Foundation
- Mead Foundation
- Norcross Foundation
- Northwest Fund for the Environment
- Packard Foundation, The David and Lucille
- Patagonia
- Russell Family Foundation
- Social Venture Partners
- Temper of the Times Foundation
- Wilburforce Foundation
Important Reading for Grant Seekers
Please Note: The following memos, as well as one version of the Public Support Test, are saved in PDF format. You will need the Acrobat Reader Program installed on your computer to view them. If you do not already have this program, you can install it easily for free.
The Public Support Test
This memo provides details about the Public Support Test. Most grant recipients need to meet a "public support test" under United States tax law. Canadian grantseekers will need to complete this form every year in order to apply for funding from many American grantmakers. If you do not have a copy of this, or if the copy you have is more than one year old, you may download the test as an Excel or zipped Excel document and fill it out on your computer. If you do not have Excel, you can download the test as a PDF document, print it and fill it out by hand.
Restrictions on Lobbying Activities
Private foundations, such as the Brainerd Foundation, are prohibited from earmarking funds for lobbying activities. This memo provides helpful information for grant applicants, particularly advocacy organizations, who must be sensitive to these legal issues in soliciting private foundations for support.