Conservation Food and Health Foundation
The Conservation, Food & Health Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) foundation incorporated in 1985 and based in Boston, Massachusetts (with offices listed in Arlington, MA). The foundation seeks to protect the environment, improve food production, and promote public health in developing regions around the world.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$14.6M
+7.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.2M
+8.6% YoY
Grant Count
49
-9.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$45K
+19.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Conservation Food and Health Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to promote the conservation of natural resources, improve the production and distribution of food, and improve health in the developing world.
The foundation supports projects and applied research that:
- Generate local or regional solutions to problems affecting the quality of the environment and human life
- Advance local leadership and promote professional development in the conservation, agricultural, and health sciences
- Develop the capacity of local organizations and coalitions
- Address challenges in the field
The foundation prefers to support projects that address under-funded issues and geographic areas.
Conservation
Conservation grants promote environmental conservation through field research, projects, and advocacy that:
- Protect biodiversity and preserve natural resources
- Help mitigate the adverse effects of climate change
- Build the scientific and technical capacity of local conservation organizations and promote local, regional, and international partnerships
- Increase engagement between scientists, local communities and organizations, and decision-makers
- Partner with indigenous communities and local people
Food
Grants in the food and agriculture program area focus on targeted demonstration and applied research.
Types of Support
The foundation funds applied research, pilot projects, new initiatives, training, and technical assistance, rather than ongoing support for programs that are already well underway. An important goal is to provide seed money to help promising projects, organizations, and individuals develop the track record they need to attract major foundation funding in the future.
Grantmaking
The foundation operates two funding cycles per year:
Grant Range
** $15,000 - $100,000
Review Cycle
February 15; grant payout in June
How to Apply
The foundation operates two funding cycles per year:
Ready to take the next step with Conservation Food and Health Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation seeks to protect the environment, improve food production, and promote public health in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Middle East. The foundation funds initiatives in numerous cities globally.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2023:
- Total Assets: $13,590,384
- Total Revenues: $2,804,803
- Total Expenses: $3,354,032
- Total Liabilities: $193,000
- Investment Income and Dividends: $162,361
- Net Rental Income: $1,039,523
Staffing: 3 employees
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since October 1985; EIN 22-2625024
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $14,597,177 | $13,590,384 | $12,680,348 |
| Revenue | $3,051,106 | $2,804,803 | $5,307,028 |
| Expenses | $3,531,564 | $3,354,032 | $2,903,358 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,215,569 | $2,044,352 | $1,782,242 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,745,163 | $1,553,858 | $4,197,412 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,850,665 | $1,861,251 | $1,702,196 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
248 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Conservation Food and Health Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Gunung Palung Orangutan Conservation Program ($135,000), Global Greengrants Fund ($100,000), Concern America Inc ($100,000).
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Philip M. Fearnside - President (serves without compensation)
- Wendy A. Fearnside - Treasurer (serves without compensation)
- Tracy E. Fearnside - Secretary (serves without compensation)
The foundation is led by an uncompensated board of directors.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHILIP M FEARNSIDE | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| WENDY A FEARNSIDE | TREASURER/DIRECTOR | 3.5 | — |
| TRACY E FEARNSIDE | SECRETARY/DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Conservation Food and Health Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to promote the conservation of natural resources, improve the production and distribution of food, and improve health in the developing world. The foundation supports projects and applied research that: • Generate local or regional solutions to problems affecting the quality of the environment and human life • Advance local leadership and promote professional development in the conservation, agricultural, and health sciences • Develop the capacity of local organizati…
How do I apply for a grant from Conservation Food and Health Foundation?
**Annual Giving:** $2,009,677 (2023) **Total Assets:** $13,590,384 (2023) **Number of Grants:** 54 grants awarded (2023) **Grant Range:** $15,000 - $100,000 **Median Grant:** $30,000 **Giving Rate:** 14.8% of assets The foundation operates two funding cycles per year: • **First Cycle:** Concept applications accepted October through December; full proposal deadline February 15; grant payout in June • **Second Cycle:** Concept applications accepted May 1 through June 15; full proposal deadline Au…
Where does Conservation Food and Health Foundation make grants?
The foundation seeks to protect the environment, improve food production, and promote public health in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Middle East. The foundation funds initiatives in numerous cities globally.
What size grants does Conservation Food and Health Foundation award?
In 2024, Conservation Food and Health Foundation awarded 49 grants totaling $2.2M — an average of about $45K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Conservation Food and Health Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Conservation Food and Health Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.9M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Conservation Food and Health Foundation's EIN?
Conservation Food and Health Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-2625024. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Conservation Food and Health Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Charles J Tasker Memorial Scholarship Fund
HANOVER, MA
Assets
$98K
Grants
1
Total Given
$8K
Marshall M & Barbara J Sloane Pvt Found
CHESTNUT HILL, MA
Assets
$1.2M
Grants
11
Total Given
$75K
John J Mcardle Iii & Joan C Mcardle
ANDOVER, MA
Assets
$1.8M
Grants
13
Total Given
$205K
Massachusetts Association of Realtors
FOXBOROUGH, MA
Assets
$18.1M
Grants
2
Total Given
$71K
Communities for Restorative Justice
BOSTON, MA
Assets
$524K
Grants
1
Total Given
$61K
Hingham Historical Society Inc
HINGHAM, MA
Assets
$7.4M
Grants
1
Total Given
$10K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Conservation Food and Health Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Conservation Food and Health Foundation to a real strategy.