Thematic Focus
The foundation aids communities in the management and conservation of their landscapes and seascapes, as well as the rich biocultural diversity these areas sustain. They are open to inquiries from nonprofit organizations aiming to:

• Preserve both terrestrial and marine biological diversity.
• Protect cultural and linguistic diversity, along with traditional knowledge and practices.
• Safeguard ecosystem services such as water, soil, and carbon storage.
• Promote food sovereignty and enhance the economic well-being of local communities.
• Ensure the sustainability of healthy reefs and fisheries.

Additionally, for coastal communities on the North Shore of Massachusetts, they support artistic projects that:

• Raise awareness of key issues or inspire action.
• Aid in environmental protection efforts.
• Encourage community diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Approaches
The foundation supports community-led projects that aim to achieve their goals through various methods, including:

• Developing or strengthening the management of terrestrial and marine protected areas, particularly those governed by local communities (such as Indigenous Peoples' and Community-Conserved Areas and Territories [ICCAs]).
• Ecological restoration focusing on native species, especially in areas valued by local communities like watersheds, community forests, or sacred groves.
• Creating alternative livelihoods to bolster local economies and improve community welfare, such as agroecology and non-timber forest products.
• Environmental education that incorporates Indigenous and local traditions and languages to address contemporary challenges.
• Using the arts and other innovative techniques to spread social and environmental messages.
• Encouraging civic engagement through creative activities like community mapping.

Geographic Focus

• Central America: Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Honduras
• Andean South America: Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador
• West Africa: Ghana and Cameroon
• Massachusetts, USA: North Shore of Massachusetts

Ineligible Criteria
The foundation generally does not fund:

• Capital endowments, renovations, or construction projects.
• Conferences or travel expenses.
• Disease-specific projects or medical research.
• Private educational institutions.
• Video, film, or book production.
• Religious endeavors.
• Routine organizational operating costs.
• Scholarships, fellowships, or internships.
• Human services organizations.

Don't miss out on the application deadline which is 10-Mar-25.