Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation
The Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation is a private foundation based in Laguna Beach, California, established in 1998. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to fostering environmental restoration, preservation, and education through grantmaking and innovative projects.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.9M
+6.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$337K
-10.7% YoY
Grant Count
61
+90.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
-53.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation reported a distributable amount of $185K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's vision centers on two core concepts:
Sustainability involves economic viability, environmental sensitivity, and social responsiveness, with emphasis on working with and preserving nature.
Innovation involves creativity and new ideas that make the world a better place to live.
The foundation seeks to foster environmental restoration, preservation, and education with emphasis on seed moneys that lead to establishing demonstration projects that link rural and urban settings. Projects may orient toward use of resources in sustainable ways and integration of food production.
Primary funding areas include:
- Agricultural research
- Organic farming
- Environmental research
- Wildlife preservation
- Wilderness conservation
- Sustainable agriculture
- School gardens
- Zoological projects
The foundation also supports sales of books depicting natural wilderness areas near urban areas to foster environmental preservation and education.
Grantmaking
Organizations are welcome to submit proposals. Applicants should refer to the Grant Proposal Guidelines available through the foundation's website.
Review Cycle
** April 15th and October 15th
Ready to take the next step with Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds projects in California, New York, and Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $3,712,668
- Total revenues: $420,970
- Total expenses: $414,216
- Number of employees: 0
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $3,934,438
- Total giving: $336,516
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,934,438 | $3,712,668 | $3,025,171 |
| Revenue | $252,781 | $420,970 | $93,846 |
| Expenses | $363,020 | $414,216 | $154,405 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $357,855 | $399,798 | $152,282 |
| Net Investment Income | $238,276 | $405,418 | $87,019 |
| Distributable Amount | $184,997 | $160,911 | $164,797 |
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
188 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Latin American Perspectives ($15,000), CMM Studio ($10,000), Ruwai ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Seeds Projects Caspar, CA | Farming | $4,500 |
| Farm Sanctuary Watkins Glen, NY | Farming Education | $5,000 |
| Green Amendments Briston, PA | Farming Education | $5,000 |
| Green America Washington DC, DC | Education | $4,000 |
| Ground Education Long Beach, CA | Education | $2,500 |
| Growing Gardens of Boulder County Boulder, CO | Farming | $2,500 |
| Land to Learn Beacon, NY | Farming Education | $5,500 |
| National Wildlife Refug Long Beach, CA | Conservation | $5,000 |
| RUWAI Watch Africa Initiative Bellingham, WA | Farming | $5,000 |
| Seed Programs International Asheville, NC | Farming | $5,200 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RONALD CHILCOTE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| FRANCES CHILCOTE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| EDWARD CHILCOTE | DIRECTOR | 0.1 | — |
| STEPHEN CHILCOTE | DIRECTOR | 0.1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation fund?
The foundation's vision centers on two core concepts: **Sustainability** involves economic viability, environmental sensitivity, and social responsiveness, with emphasis on working with and preserving nature. **Innovation** involves creativity and new ideas that make the world a better place to live. The foundation seeks to foster environmental restoration, preservation, and education with emphasis on seed moneys that lead to establishing demonstration projects that link rural and urban setting…
How do I apply for a grant from Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $1,000 to $250,000. **Application Deadlines:** April 15th and October 15th **Recent Activity:** In 2023, the foundation made 43 grants totaling $336,516. Recent grantees include: • Multinational Exchange For Sustainable Agriculture (MESA): $8,000 for Community Action Projects • Wild Farm Alliance: $7,000 for Creating Guide To Educate Farmers • Orange County Rescue Mission: $6,000 for Renovation and Expansion of the Agriculture and Farming Program Org…
Where does Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds projects in California, New York, and Massachusetts.
What size grants does Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation award?
In 2024, Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation awarded 61 grants totaling $337K — an average of about $6K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation reported a distributable amount of $185K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation's EIN?
Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 33-0785572. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Gochnauer Family Foundation
CORONA DEL MAR, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
39
Total Given
$313K
Cottage Health
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Assets
$172.1M
Grants
6
Total Given
$179K
International Right of Way Association
GARDENA, CA
Assets
$5.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$9K
Quince Interfaith Housing Corporation
LEMON GROVE, CA
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
William & Lillian Schwartz Charitable Foundation
LA JOLLA, CA
Assets
$325K
Grants
1
Total Given
$3K
Covia Foundation
GLENDALE, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
1
Total Given
$4.8M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation 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 Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation to a real strategy.