Earthsense Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation based in New York, NY, established in 1996. The organization is designated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and has maintained tax-exempt status since January 1997. The foundation operates as an independent grantmaking organization focused on conservation, education, and innovative approaches to environmental sustainability.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.7M
+8.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$388K
+25.0% YoY
Grant Count
17
+6.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$23K
+17.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Earthsense Foundation reported a distributable amount of $200K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's giving priorities center on projects and foundations engaged in ocean and global conservation of species and habitats. Key focus areas include:
- Ocean conservation and marine protected areas
- Global species and habitat conservation
- Environmental education
- Innovative technologies for sustainability
- Visual arts as a tool to spotlight critical environmental issues and showcase solutions
- Climate emergency initiatives
- Biodiversity protection and planetary boundaries awareness
- Media outreach and science-based education for environmental action
Specific program initiatives include support for nature multimedia projects addressing climate crisis and biodiversity, ocean education and marine protection efforts, and environmental documentary films for distribution to schools, science institutions, and museums.
Grantmaking
The foundation appears open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants funded in recent years.
Grant Range
approximately $44,000
Average Grant
approximately $44,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports various U.S. cities and states, with primary funding activity in:
- California
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Washington
- Colorado (foundation established in CO in 1996)
Major metropolitan areas receiving support include New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- 2024: $2,677,895
- 2023: $2,459,250–$2,460,000
- Historical: $5.1M (reported in one filing)
Annual Activity:
- 2024 Total Revenue: $691,306
- 2024 Total Expenses: $479,855
- 2023 Total Revenue: $671,000
- 2023 Total Expenses: $379,000
- Total Liabilities (2023): $24,300
Expense Ratio: Approximately 56.4% of total revenue spent on programs
Filing Requirements: The foundation files Form 990-PF annually with the IRS.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,677,895 | $2,459,250 | $2,165,277 |
| Revenue | $691,306 | $670,658 | $586,822 |
| Expenses | $479,855 | $378,500 | $656,502 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $846,696 | $625,023 | $951,511 |
| Net Investment Income | $651,635 | $621,229 | $538,367 |
| Distributable Amount | $199,593 | $236,556 | $240,396 |
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
80 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Yellow Dot Studios Inc ($75,000), Denver Film Society ($75,000), Mission Blue ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MOONJELLY FOUNDATION PHILADELPHIA, PA | TO PROVIDE MARINE PROTECTION WORK | $10,000 |
| YELLOW DOT STUDIOS INC LOS ANGELES, CA | WE CREATE ENTERTAINING, MEMORABLE, AND SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE DIGITAL MEDIA AND VIDEOS TO CHALLENGE THE DECADES OF DISINFORMATION PUSHED BY OIL COMPANIES AND AMPLIFIED BY LARGE SWATHS OF ELECTED LEADERS AND THE MEDIA. WE AIM TO MOTIVATE MORE PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CONVERSATION, AND PUSH FOR THE URGENTLY NEEDED ACTION WE COULD BE TAKING. | $75,000 |
| ONLY ONE NEW YORK, NY | WE'RE ON A MISSION TO RESTORE OCEAN HEALTH AND TACKLE THE CLIMATE CRISIS IN THIS GENERATION WITH YOU. | $42,000 |
| RE-EARTH INITATIVE PHILADELPHIA, PA | SUPPORT OUR GRASSROOTS EFFORTS TO MAKE THE CLIMATE MOVEMENT MORE ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE. IT HELPS US ADVOCATE FOR POSITIVE CHANGE, EDUCATE COMMUNITIES ON SUSTAINABILITY, AND DRIVE ACTION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE. | $15,000 |
| MUSIC HEALS INTERNATIONAL MILL VALLEY, CA | TO BRING MUSIC AND MUSICIANS TO THE CHILDREN OF HAITI AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD. DESIGNED TO TEACH AND INSPIRE CHILDREN, USING MUSIC AS A POWERFUL FORCE FOR EDUCATION, CREATIVITY, AND HEALING. | $16,000 |
| DENVER FILM SOCIETY DENVER, CO | DENVER FILM CREATES ENTERTAINING AND TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCES FOR THE COLORADO COMMUNITY THROUGH THE POWER OF DIVERSE VOICES IN FILM. | $75,000 |
| MISSION BLUE ORANGE CITY, FL | WE INSPIRE ACTION TO EXPLORE AND PROTECT THE OCEAN. | $50,000 |
| THE REDFORD CENTER SAN FRANCISCO, CA | AS A NON-ENDOWED, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, DONATIONS OF EVERY SIZE MATTER AND SUPPORT PROJECTS THAT ARE BUILDING THE PERSONAL AND POLITICAL WILL NEEDED TO ACCELERATE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS TODAY. | $10,000 |
| CAMBODIAN CHILDRENS FUND SANTA MONICA, CA | CCF IS BREAKING THE CYCLES OF POVERTY AND ABUSE AND CREATING CHANGE IN CAMBODIA BY BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF THE MOST DISADVANTAGED AND VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES: THOSE WITH THE MOST POVERTY, THE GREATEST HEALTH AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS, AND THE LEAST ACCESS TO BASIC RESOURCES. | $25,000 |
| THE NEW YORK WOMENS FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | WE PUT THE POTENTIAL OF PHILANTHROPY IN THE HANDS OF COMMUNITY LEADERS. WE SUPPORT EARLY STAGE COMMUNITY-ROOTED ORGANIZATIONS WITH FUNDS, KNOWLEDGE AND ACCESS TO NOT JUST DECISION MAKERS BUT DECISION MAKING. FORGING FUNDING PARTNERSHIPS WITH DONORS WHO SHARE OUR VALUES AND GOALS, WE CREATE INNOVATIVE PHILANTHROPIC STRATEGIES FOR INSTITUTIONS AND INDIVIDUALS. | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Shannon O'Leary-Joy – President, serving full-time without compensation
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHANNON O'LEARY-JOY | PRESIDENT | 40 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has supported documentary and media initiatives, including grantees announced through the Sundance Institute Documentary Fund. The organization continues active grantmaking focused on environmental education, ocean conservation, and climate emergency response initiatives.
2024 Sundance Institute Documentary Fund Grantees AnnouncedSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Earthsense Foundation fund?
The foundation's giving priorities center on projects and foundations engaged in ocean and global conservation of species and habitats. Key focus areas include: • Ocean conservation and marine protected areas • Global species and habitat conservation • Environmental education • Innovative technologies for sustainability • Visual arts as a tool to spotlight critical environmental issues and showcase solutions • Climate emergency initiatives • Biodiversity protection and planetary boundaries awar…
How do I apply for a grant from Earthsense Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $20,000–$175,000 • Average grant size: approximately $44,000 • Median grant size: $7,500 • Maximum grant observed: $100,000 **Recent Activity:** • 2024: 16 grants awarded totaling approximately $310,000 • 2023: 16 grants awarded • The foundation made 12 grants in a recent year, with grantees including Climate Emergency Fund and organizations focused on ocean conservation and environmental media education **Application Process:** The foundation a…
Where does Earthsense Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports various U.S. cities and states, with primary funding activity in: • California • New York • Pennsylvania • Washington • Colorado (foundation established in CO in 1996) Major metropolitan areas receiving support include New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
What size grants does Earthsense Foundation award?
In 2024, Earthsense Foundation awarded 17 grants totaling $388K — an average of about $23K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Earthsense Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Earthsense Foundation reported a distributable amount of $200K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Earthsense Foundation's EIN?
Earthsense Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-1361004. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Earthsense Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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