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The Lazar Foundation is dedicated to funding innovative and strategic projects that protect the environment in the Pacific Northwest.

Policies & Guidelines for Grant Submission

Foundation Policies

CURRENT AREAS OF INTEREST
The Lazar Foundation’s specific environmental interests in the Pacific Northwest are listed below. The Foundation accepts inquiries for projects related to these interests, except from Alaska.

  • Conservation of large, biologically significant terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
  • Preservation of biological diversity.
  • Projects that broaden the environmental movement.
  • Projects that strengthen or increase the capacity of the environmental movement’s ability to develop, shape, and communicate its message.

The Foundation has additional program interests for which proposals are accepted by invitation only.

GRANT RESTRICTIONS
The Lazar Foundation does not accept proposals for the following issue areas:

  • Toxics
  • Land acquisition or land trusts
  • Environmental education
  • Individuals
  • Computer-related expenses
  • Civic projects.
  • Endowments or capital campaigns.

Additionally, the Foundation will usually not fund the following:

  • Film or video
  • Urban issues or suburban projects
  • Conservation-based scientific research, unless it directly supports a project that the Foundation is currently funding, and then only rarely.

TOTAL DONATIONS EACH YEAR

  • $700,000 TO $800,000

GRANT DEADLINES
[NOTE: Our deadlines have changed] The Foundation will award grants two times per year. Full proposals must be in our office no later than April 1st and October 1st. Early submissions are encouraged.

Application Guidelines

GRANT CRITERIA

Use the link to Lazar Foundation’s application portal to apply. Apply by the fall or spring deadlines only if requested to do so in writing by either the Trustees or named Advisors.

If you have not been formally invited, feel free to send a one page letter of interest at any time to Sybil Ackerman-Munson, Advisor, The Lazar Foundation, at sybil@lazarfoundation.org.

Grants Awarded

2022 Grants Awarded
Organization Name Proposal Amount Awarded
1000 Friends of Oregon 1000 Friends of Oregon’s Wildfire Recovery & Resiliency Outreach Project $20,000.
350PDX Forest Defense is Climate Defense $10,000.
Advocates for the West Protecting the Sagebrush Sea $25,000.
American Rivers Oregon Wild and Scenic Rivers Initiative $20,000.
Audubon Naturalist Society Growing Nature Stewards in Loudoun County $  5,000.
Audubon Society of Lincoln City Coastal Habitat Conservation $20,000.
Bark Climate Resilience for Mt. Hood $10,000.
Beyond Toxics Forests, Rivers and Climate Policies Project $15,000.
Biodiversity Funders Group BFG 2022 Membership Support $  5,000.
Cascadia Wildlands Western Oregon Watershed Defense Campaign $20,000.
Cascadia Wildlands Mature and Old-growth Forest Protection Campaign $20,000.
Center for Reproductive Rights U.S. Program $35,000.
Central Oregon LandWatch Defending Central Oregon $50,000.
Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts Agricultural Easement Liaison at COLT $25,000.
Coast Range Association Coast Range Association Ocean and Forest Communications Leadership $35,000.
Crag Law Center Protecting Oregon’s Forests $25,000.
Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology (FUSEE) General Support Grant  $10,000.
Go Alliance General Support for Strategic Forests, Fire & Climate Advocacy, Education & Policy Work $40,000.
GOOSE CREEK ASSOCIATION Goose Creek Association $  2,500.
Greater Hells Canyon Council Protecting Oregon’s Eastside Forests $10,000.
Ipas Ipas Core Support $15,000.
KS Wild Climate, Forest & Wildlife Conservation in Southwest Oregon’s Siskiyou Mountains $35,000. 
National Wildlife Federation Protecting and Managing Older Forests in a Changing Climate $50,000.
North Coast Land Conservancy Cape Falcon Marine Program $25,000.
Oregon Agricultural Trust Capacity to Protect Oak Habitat on Willamette Valley Working Lands $16,000.
Oregon Community Foundation Oregon Ocean Conservation Fund $10,000.
Oregon Desert Land Trust Oregon Desert Land Trust General Support $45,000.
Oregon League of Conservation Voters Education Fund OLCV-EF General Support $15,000. 
Oregon Natural Desert Association Conserving and Stewarding Oregon’s High Desert Public Lands $15,000.
Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition dba Friends of Otter Rock Building Long Term Support and Protection for Otter Rock Marine Reserve $10,000.
Oregon State University Agricultural Research Foundation Dr. Beverly E Law $15,000.
Oregon Wild Oregon’s Forests – Climate Solution and Species Salvation $25,000.
Portland Audubon Society Advancing marine reserve, rocky habitat, and state forest protections – 2022 $35,000.
Resources Legacy Fund Creating the Plan to Deliver Durable Outcomes for EO 14072 $20,000.
Southern Environmental Law Center Environmental Leadership for Virginia with National Impact $45,000.
Surfrider Foundation Protecting Oregon’s Marine Conservation Legacy through Community Organizing and Policy Advocacy $15,000.
The Piedmont Environmental Council Guiding a clean energy future for the Virginia Piedmont $45,000.
WaterWatch of Oregon Strategic River and Freshwater Conservation in Oregon $25,000.
Western Environmental Law Center Protecting Oregon’s Iconic Forests $30,000.
Wild Salmon Center Securing Protections for Oregon Forests $50,000.
Windy Hill Foundation, Inc. General Operations Grant 2022 $10,000.
2021 Grants Awarded
Organization Name Proposal Amount Awarded
1000 Friends of Oregon 1000 Friends of Oregon’s Wildfire Recovery & Resiliency Outreach Project $25,000.00
Advocates for the West Protecting the Sagebrush Sea $40,000.00
American Rivers Oregon Wild and Scenic Rivers Initiative $30,000.00
Audubon Naturalist Society GreenKids $5,000.00
Audubon Society of Lincoln City Coastal Campaign $15,000.00
Bark Support for Public Engagement Mt. Hood Forest Protection and Restoration $15,000.00
Biodiversity Funders Group BFG 2021 Membership Support $5,000.00
Breach Collective Advancing public understanding of the role of forests as a climate solution $10,000.00
Cascade Head Biosphere Reserve Collaborative Cascade Head Biosphere Reserve – 2021 $10,000.00
Cascadia Wildlands Western Oregon Forest Defense Campaign $20,000.00
Center for Reproductive Rights U.S. Program $25,000.00
Central Oregon LandWatch Defending Central Oregon $25,000.00
Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts Public education and outreach supporting the conservation of working lands $12,000.00
Coast Range Association Oregon Marine Reserve Advocacy & Support for the Oregon Marine Reserve Partnership $15,000.00
Crag Law Center Protecting Oregon Forests $50,000.00
Friends of Cape Falcon Marine Reserve Cape Falcon Marine Reserve Outreach Project $30,000.00
GOOSE CREEK ASSOCIATION Goose Creek Association $2,500.00
Greater Hells Canyon Council Protecting Oregon’s Eastside Forests $10,000.00
Idaho Conservation League General Support for Idaho Conservation League $10,000.00
Ipas Ipas Core Support $15,000.00
KS Wild Climate & Forest Advocacy in the Klamath-Siskiyou $30,000.00
Oregon Agricultural Trust Foundational support to increase the efficacy of Oregon Agricultural Trust $30,000.00
Oregon Community Foundation Oregon Ocean Conservation Fund $10,000.00
Oregon Desert Land Trust Oregon Desert Land Trust General Support $50,000.00
Oregon League of Conservation Voters Education Fund Oregon League of Conservation Voters Education Fund General Support 2021 $15,000.00
Oregon Natural Desert Association Conserving Oregon’s High Desert $25,000.00
Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility Ecosystem Health & Human Health $10,000.00
Oregon Wild Oregon Forest Practices Act – To HCP or Not to HCP $15,000.00
Oregon Wild Pacific Northwest Forest Climate Alliance $20,000.00
Portland Audubon Society Advancing marine reserve and rocky habitat protection in the Cape Perpetua region and beyond – 2021 $45,000.00
Southern Environmental Law Center Environmental Leadership for Virginia with National Impact $45,000.00
Sustainable Northwest Small Forest Owners Roundtable for an HCP and Beyond $15,000.00
The Pew Charitable Trusts U.S. Public Lands and Rivers Conservation $30,000.00
The Piedmont Environmental Council Protecting and promoting a more sustainable Piedmont region $45,000.00
Verde Statewide Community Water Justice Organizing $20,000.00
WaterWatch of Oregon Strategic Conservation for Oregon’s Freshwaters $30,000.00
Western Environmental Law Center Protecting Oregon’s Forests Using the Power of the Law $30,000.00
Wild Heritage, a Project of Earth Island Institute Protecting mature forests in the Pacific Northwest for climate and biodiversity benefits $10,000.00
Wild Salmon Center Oregon Forestry Reform $50,000.00
Windy Hill Foundation, Inc. General Operations Grant 2021 $10,000.00
2020 Grants Awarded
Organization Program Amount
1000 Friends of Oregon Support for 1000 Friends of Oregon’s Wildfire Recovery & Resiliency Project $25,000
Advocates for the West Protecting Sage-Grouse and the Sagebrush Sea $40,000
Alaska Conservation Foundation ACF Ted Smith Conservation Internship Program $10,000
American Rivers Oregon Wild and Scenic Rivers Initiative $15,000
Audubon Naturalist Society Rust Watershed Adventures $  5,000
Audubon Society of Lincoln City Coastal Habitat Campaign $10,000
Bark The Need for Change: Towards Thriving Ecosystems and Climate Resilience $15,000
Center for Biological Diversity Oregon Coastal Coho Habitat Protection $15,000
Center for Reproductive Rights U.S. Program $25,000
Coast Range Association Coast Range Association $  2,500
Crag Law Center Oregon Wildfires – Strategic Communications, Policy & Litigation Response $45,000
Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology (FUSEE) General Support Grant $15,000
Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology General Support for Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology (FUSEE) $30,000
Friends of Cape Falcon Marine Reserve Cape Falcon Marine Reserve Outreach Project $25,000
Greater Hells Canyon Council GHCC – Protecting Oregon’s Eastside Forests $20,000
Ipas Ipas Core Support $15,000
KS Wild Climate and Forest Conservation in SW Oregon $30,000
Middleburg Community Center Building Exterior Painting Project $6,500
Oregon Community Foundation Oregon Ocean Conservation Fund $10,000
Oregon Desert Land Trust Oregon Desert Land Trust General Support $50,000
Oregon Environmental Council Oregon Environmental Council 2020 Request – Water Resource Protection $20,000
Oregon League of Conservation Voters Education Fund Oregon League of Conservation Voters Education Fund General Support 2020 $10,000
Oregon Natural Desert Association Conserving Oregon’s High Desert $30,000
Oregon Wild Oregon Forest Practices Act HCP Negotiations $30,000
Pacific Rivers Impact analysis of the 2020 Fires on Drinking Water Sources in Oregon $20,000
Portland Audubon Society Advancing marine reserve and rocky habitat protection in the Cape Perpetua region and beyond – 2020 $45,000
Southern Environmental Law Center Environmental Leadership for Virginia and Defense of Federal Safeguards $45,000
Sustainable Northwest The Future of Forests in Oregon $20,000
The Piedmont Environmental Council Protecting the Virginia Piedmont through civic engagement, advocacy and expanded land conservation $45,000
Verde Water Justice $15,000
WaterWatch of Oregon General Support $30,000
Western Environmental Law Center Protecting the Pacific Northwest’s Forests $30,000
Whitman College Supporting Whitman College’s Greatest Needs through Unrestricted Giving to the Whitman Fund $10,000
Wild Salmon Center Forests and Rivers of Western Oregon $50,000
Wild Salmon Center Science Support for the Oregon Private Forests Aquatic Habitat Conservation Plan $20,000
Windy Hill Foundation, Inc. General Operations Grant 2020 $10,000
  Total.        $839,000
2019 Grants Awarded
Organization Program Amount
1000 Friends of Oregon Support for 1000 Friends of Oregon’s Working Lands Engagement Coordinator $25,000
Advocates for the West Defending the Sagebrush Sea $20,000
Alaska Conservation Foundation Ted Smith Conservation Internship Program $10,000
Audubon Naturalist Society Rust Watershed Adventures $  5,000
Bark Free Mt. Hood: Our Forest, Our Climate, Our Future $10,000
Biodiversity Funders Group BFG 2019 Membership Dues $5,000
Cascade Head Biosphere Reserve Collaborative Cascade Head Biosphere Reserve (CHBR) ~ Strategic Planning & Field-based Workshops $25,000
Center for Reproductive Rights U.S. Program $25,000
Conservation Lands Foundation Owyhee Canyonlands Coaliton Support $50,000
Crag Law Center Crag Law Center General Support Request $40,000
Film Action Oregon Elemental – Reimagining our Relationship with Fire $15,000
Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology General Support for Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology (FUSEE) $10,000
Friends of Cape Falcon Marine Reserve Cape Falcon Marine Reserve Outreach Project $25,000
Goose Creek Association Goose Creek Association $  2,500
Idaho Conservation League Public Lands Advocacy and Grassroots Engagement $15,000
Ipas Ipas Core Support $10,000
KS Wild Defending and Protecting a Climate Refuge $20,000
Middleburg Community Center Terrace Room Repairs $7,500
Oregon Community Foundation Oregon Ocean Conservation Fund $10,000
Oregon Desert Land Trust Oregon Desert Land Trust General Support $10,000
Oregon Environmental Council New Investment in Protecting Oregon’s Rivers and Watersheds $40,000
Oregon Environmental Council Renew Oregon campaign $50,000
Oregon League of Conservation Voters Education Fund OLCV Education Fund General Support Request $10,000
Oregon Natural Desert Association Oregon Natural Desert Association: Conserving Oregon’s High Desert $40,000
Oregon Public Broadcasting Support for OPB’s Science and Environment Reporting $25,000
Oregon Wild General Support Grant Request $25,000
Portland Audubon Society Advancing coastal conservation in the Cape Perpetua region and beyond – 2019 $26,500
Southern Environmental Law Center Environmental Leadership for Virginia and Defense of Federal Safeguards $45,000
Stand for Children Leadership Center Stand for Children Oregon – General Operating Support $ 5,000
Sustainable Northwest Developing an Oregon Wildfire and Forest Resiliency Strategy $40,000
The Alaska Center Education Fund Operating Support $15,000
The Piedmont Environmental Council Conservation and civic engagement to promote and protect the Virginia Piedmont $45,000
WaterWatch of Oregon Securing Oregon’s Water Future $25,000
Western Environmental Law Center Protecting the Pacific Northwest’s Forests $25,000
Whitman College Whitman College Student Engagement Center: Continuing the Four Phase Plan $10,000
Wild Salmon Center Securing Oregon’s Water Future $85,000
Windy Hill Foundation, Inc. Family Services Grant 2019 $ 5,000
  Total.        $868,000
2018 Grants Awarded
Organization Program Amount
1000 Friends of Oregon New Farmer Advisory Committee Field Coordinator for 1000 Friends of Oregon $25,000
Advocates for the West Sagebrush Sea Project $20,000
Alaska Conservation Foundation ACF Ted Smith Conservation Internship Program $12,000
Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States Rust Watershed Adventures $  5,000
Bark General Support $10,000
Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Proposal to Support Program Growth $10,000
Center for Reproductive Rights U.S. Program $25,000
Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts Public Education for the Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program $17,000
Coast Range Association Supporting Oregon’s Marine Reserve System $17,500
COMPASS Empowering Scientists to Transform the Wildfire Narrative in Oregon $20,000
Consultative Group on Biological Diversity membership $  4,550
Crag Law Center Public Opinion Research on the Values of Forests Water Climate $10,000
Crag Law Center Talking Fire With Empathy $30,000
Goose Creek Association Goose Creek Association $  2,500
Idaho Conservation League General Support $10,000
Ipas General Support $10,000
KS Wild KS Wild – Fire and Forest Program $25,000
Lower Nehalem Community Trust Cape Falcon Marine Reserve Outreach $17,000
Oregon Business Council Charitable Institute Supporting Investments in Water Infrastructure and Agricultural Heritage $10,000
Oregon Community Foundation Oregon Oceans Fund $10,000
Oregon Environmental Council General Support $15,000
Oregon Environmental Council Refresh Oregon: A Joint Campaign for Water Resource Protection $40,000
Oregon Natural Desert Association General Support $60,000
Oregon State University OR Sea Grant Science Advisory Council Fellowship $40,000
Outside In 2018 Gift to Outside In $10,000
Piedmont Environmental Council General Support $45,000
Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington Planned Parenthood of Metopolitan Washington $20,000
Portland Audubon Society Marine Reserve Implementation, roccky shores protection in Cape Perpetua $15,000
Rogue Farm Corps Educating to Preserve Oregon’s Working Land and Associated Habitat $30,000
Sightline Institute Research and Communications for a Sustainable Northwest $  5,000
Southern Environmental Law Center Defending Virginia’s Environment and Health $35,000
Surfrider Foundation OR Rocky Shores Communications Strategy $20,000
Taimen Fund 2018 Lake Baikal Headwaters Expedition $  1,000
The Alaska Center Education Fund Operating Support $15,000
WaterWatch of Oregon Securing Oregon’s Water Future $20,000
Western Environmental Law Center Protecting the Pacific Northwest’s Forests $75,000
Wild Salmon Center Forests and Rivers of Western Oregon $60,000
  Total.        $796,550
2017 Grants Awarded
Organization Location Program Amount
Advocates for the West Boise, ID Sagebrush Sea Program $20,000.00
Alaska Center Education Fund Anchorage, AK Alaska Engagement Partnership $20,000.00
Alaska Conservation Foundation Anchorage, AK Conservation Internship Program $  5,000.00
Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic Chevy Chase, MD Rust Watershed Adventures $  5,000.00
Bark Portland, OR General Support $10,000.00
Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Boyce, VA General Support $10,000.00
Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts Portland, OR General Support $20,000.00
Coast Range Association Corvallis, OR Marine Program $30,000.00
Columbia Riverkeeper Hood River, OR Fossil Fuels Project $10,000.00
Consultative Group on Biological Diversity San Francisco, CA General Support $  4,550.00
CRAG Law Center Portland, OR General Support $20,000.00
Goose Creek Association Middleburg, VA General Support $  2,500.00
Hells Canyon Preservation Council La Grande, OR General Support $10,000.00
Idaho Conservation League Boise, ID General Support $15,000.00
Klamath Siskiyou Wildlands Center Ashland, OR Forest Conservation Program $15,000.00
Oregon Business Council Charitable Institute Portland, OR Oregon Agriculture Program $15,000.00
Oregon Environmental Council Portland, OR Air and Water Program $12,000.00
Oregon Environmental Council Portland, OR Air and Water Program $10,000.00
Oregon League of Conservation Voters Education Fund Portland, OR General Support $10,000.00
Oregon Natural Desert Association Bend, OR Sagebrush Sea Program $60,000.00
Peidmont Environmental Council Warrenton, VA Virginia Land Preservation $45,000.00
Portland Audubon Society Portland, OR Marine Reserve Project $20,000.00
Rogue Farm Corps Ashland, OR Farmland Preservation Program $60,000.00
Southern Environmental Law Center Charlottesville, VA Virginia Program $25,000.00
Partnership Project Action Fund Washington, DC Combined Defense Project $100,000.00
Water Watch of Oregon Portland, OR Oregon Rivers Program $10,000.00
Western Environmental Law Center Eugene, OR Forest Defense Campaign $100,000.00
Wild Salmon Center Portland, OR Oregon Rivers and Forest Program $60,000.00
       
    TOTAL $724,050.00
2016 Grants Awarded
Organization Location Program Amount
Advocates for the West Boise, ID Sagebrush Sea Program $20,000
Alaska Center Education Fund Anchorage, AK Alaska Engagement Partnership $20,000
Audubon Naturalist Society Chevy Chase, MD Nature ROCKS after school program  $  5,000
Bark Portland, OR General Support $10,000
Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Boyce, VA General Support $10,000
Climate Solutions Seattle WA Renew Oregon Research Project $25,000
Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts Portland, OR Private Land Conservation $20,000
Coast Range Association Corvallis, OR Marine Program $20,000
Columbia Riverkeeper Hood River, OR Oil by Rail Project $10,000
Consultative Group on Biological Diversity San Francisco, CA General Support  $  4,550
CRAG Law Center Portland, OR General Support $10,000
CRAG Law Center Portland, OR General Support $  5,000
Goose Creek Association Middleburg, VA General Support $  2,500
Hells Canyon Preservation Council La Grande, OR National Forest Program $10,000
Idaho Conservation League Boise, ID General Support $20,000
Klamath Siskiyou Wildlands Center Ashland, OR Forest Conservation Program $10,000
Lower Nehalem Community Trust Manzanita, OR Marine Reserve Outreach $25,000
Neighbors for Clean Air Portland, OR Marine Reserve Outreach $25,000
New Ventures Fund Washington, DC Environmental Law Project $20,000
Northwest Steelheaders Milwaukie, OR Oregon State Forest Program $30,000
Oregon Community Foundation Portland, OR Oregon Oceans Fund $10,000
Oregon Environmental Council Portland, OR Water Program $40,000
Oregon League of Conservation Voters Education Fund Portland, OR Budget Specialist Project $55,000
Oregon Natural Desert Association Bend, OR Owyhee Program $40,000
Pacific Rivers Portland, OR General Support $15,000
Peidmont Environmental Council Warrenton, VA Virginia Land Preservation $45,000
Piinchot Institute for Conservation Washington, DC Working Lands Project $  5,000
Portland Audubon Society Portland, OR Marine Reserve Project $21,000
Rogue Farm Corps Ashland, OR Farmland Preservation Program $70,000
Sightline Institute Seattle, WA General Support $. 1,000
Southern Envi Law Center Charlottesville, VA Virginia Program $50,000
Sustainable Northwest Portland, OR Working Lands Project $20,000
Washington Forest Law Center Seattle, WA Oregon Rivers Program $15,000
Water Watch of Oregon Portland, OR Water Program $30,000
Wild Salmon Center Portland, OR Oregon Forest Program $25,000
Winter Wildlands Alliance Boise, ID Forest Travel Program $10,000
       
    TOTAL $754,050

Please direct all correspondence to:

Sybil Ackerman
Executive Director

The Lazar Foundation
PO Box 8800
PMB 8083
Sisters, OR 97759

E-mail: sybil@lazarfoundation.org