SMALL GRANTS
These grants are awarded for general organizational support as well as funding for specific projects. Small grants average approximately $7,000 each. Applications are reviewed three times a year; the deadlines are the 1st of February, June, and October.  Grants awarded during a particular cycle will be announced at the beginning of the following cycle.

To be eligible, applicants must be considered tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and support at least one of the foundation’s five focus areas.

GUIDELINES

Priority is given to applicants that:

• Address our funding priorities from a holistic perspective*
• Protect Earth’s beauty and bounty.
• Create a robust, healthy food system.
• Increase opportunities for outdoor activity.
• Reduce environmental health hazards.
• Build stronger communities.
• Operate with clearly defined objectives and viable plans to achieve them.
• Demonstrate strong community ties and operate at the community level.
• Promote positive change through both the projects and their implementation process.

Areas not funded:

• Individuals
• State agencies
• Religious groups
• Seminar, media, or fundraising events (e.g., “Fun Runs”) that are not an integral part of a broader program
• Capital construction
• Endowment funds
• Deficit funding
• For national organizations with local chapters, we fund either the national organization OR the local chapter located in Northern California.