PROGRAM AREA

Watershed Restoration

Support for Vital Ecosystems

The Watershed Restoration program focuses on restoration and revitalization of key watershed ecosystems within specific geographic areas in California and Oregon.

WHERE WE FUND

California, the entire Klamath Watershed; and in the Sierra Nevada, the Truckee River watershed, Yuba/Bear/American rivers, and the North Fork Feather River watershed; and in Oregon, the upper Deschutes Basin and the upper John Day Basin.

PROGRAMS/Projects WE FUND

Those which:

  • Incorporate environmental, economic, and social equity factors because solutions that merge these factors tend to have long-term success
  • Preserve and build natural capital by consuming the growth of the environmental resource, rather than the resource itself
  • Support creative solutions to revitalization and restoration that have the potential to serve as models for similar projects
  • Are part of a cluster of projects in a given watershed involving one or more organizations over time (the Foundation believes this clustering of support at the watershed level will result in stronger partnerships and a greater impact)
  • Foster collaborative partnerships even among groups with divergent interests
  • Include activities that governmental agencies do not normally fund

Additional Considerations

The foundation prioritizes projects with broad-based community involvement (financial support, volunteer support, and in-kind donations, etc.).

The foundation will fund restoration projects that have an environmental education component, but only where restoration is the main and long-term focus. The foundation does not fund land acquisition projects.

Only one request from an organization will be funded in a 12-month period.

NEW APPLICANTS

NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW APPLICATIONS

We are pausing the acceptance of applications from new grantees at this time. This shift will allow us to deepen our existing partnerships and ensure that we are stewarding our limited budget with care and strategic focus. We remain committed to supporting impactful work in our focus areas and value the incredible contributions of organizations across the sector. While we are not accepting unsolicited proposals at the moment, we value staying connected and invite you to check our website periodically for updates. Thank you for your understanding and continued dedication to your mission. 

WATERSHED RESTORATION GRANTEES

GRANTS CONSIDERED BY INVITATION

Moving forward, our grantmaking will transition to an invitation-only process beginning in 2026. Specific guidance and application materials will be shared individually with organizations when they are invited to submit a proposal. Our first round of invitations will be issued in January 2026.

ADDITIONAL

PROGRAM AREAS

PRE-3 SUPPORT

The Pre-3 Support program focuses on building resiliency among families facing adversity or trauma by helping parents and caregivers cope with toxic stress.

GGS EARLY LITERACY

The GGS Early Literacy program promotes literacy for children, including acquisition of reading, writing, and comprehension skills, and application of literacy skills to critical thinking and self-expression.

GGS YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH

The GGS Youth Mental Health program supports organizations that enable youth to thrive and live up to their full potential by building resiliency, promoting healthy coping strategies and positive decision-making, and preventing unhealthy behaviors.