Sequoia Climate Foundation
Sequoia Climate Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation based in Irvine, California. Granted tax-exempt status in May 2021, the foundation has rapidly emerged as one of the world's largest climate funders. Operating on a flow-through funding model, Sequoia receives annual contributions from Twenty-One Holdings rather than maintaining a large endowment, allowing it to distribute substantial grants annually.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$113.7M
+44.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$305.4M
+18.6% YoY
Grant Count
187
+9.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1.6M
+8.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sequoia Climate Foundation reported a distributable amount of $12.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Sequoia Climate Foundation believes in "a world powered by clean energy, where all people are protected by policies that have averted the worst effects of climate change." The foundation supports ambitious organizations and coalitions catalyzing rapid emissions reductions, transforming global markets, and accelerating the transition to clean energy around the world.
The foundation's work is guided by five core principles:
- Urgency: Recognizing the immediate need for climate action that rapidly and justly cuts emissions at the global level
- Learning: Using collective learning and evidence-based decision making to advance science-based climate solutions
- Global Action: Working to transform markets and identify solutions aimed at reducing emissions worldwide
- Collaboration: Partnering with grantees and experts globally
- Belonging: Acknowledging that underserved and marginalized communities have been hit hardest by climate impacts and must be centered in the transition to clean energy
Key funding focus areas include renewable energy, environmental education, and support for the clean energy transition. In 2023, the foundation added super pollutants, strategic communications, and international cooperation as key focus areas.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 171 grants in 2023. Notable recent grants include:
Grant Range
$20,000 to $39,000,000+
Invitation Only
Invitation-only grantmaking; the foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Sequoia Climate Foundation operates globally with emphasis on major emitting regions including the United States, China, Europe, and Southeast Asia. The foundation's grantees and partners are located around the globe.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets and Giving (Most Recent Data):
- Total assets: $113.7 million (2024)
- Total revenue: $368 million (2024)
- Total expenses: $332 million (2024)
- Total liabilities: $3.96 million (2024)
Annual Giving Trajectory:
- 2021: $126 million distributed
- 2022: $180 million distributed
- 2023: $257 million distributed
- 2024: $267 million estimated
The foundation operates on a flow-through model, receiving annual contributions from Twenty-One Holdings, which enables it to scale its grantmaking significantly year over year.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $113,662,252 | $78,783,978 | $67,199,037 |
| Revenue | $367,685,730 | $289,249,266 | $206,954,377 |
| Expenses | $332,324,266 | $280,930,446 | $188,205,353 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $331,780,072 | $280,991,182 | $187,447,436 |
| Net Investment Income | $10,185,043 | $8,247,318 | $953,282 |
| Distributable Amount | $12,241,578 | $10,129,595 | $8,351,530 |
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
200 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Climateworks Foundation ($7,924,000), Climate Lead Inc ($7,000,000), Clasp ($4,250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AFEF INC DOVER, DE | TO FURTHER CLIMATE MITIGATION WITH EFFORTS TO INCREASE PUBLIC SUPPORT AND BUILD CAPACITY | $1,000,000 |
| AGORA THINK TANKS GGMBH | TO SUPPORT DECARBONIZATION TO FOSTER PUBLIC HEALTH | $1,400,000 |
| ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY LLC GOLDEN, CO | TO SUPPORT PUBLIC HEALTH THROUGH DEVELOPMENT OF CLEAN POWER SOLUTIONS | $1,000,000 |
| ALLIANCE FOR THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY INC CHARLESTOWN, MA | TO FOSTER ENGAGEMENT AND PUBLIC EDUCATION ON CLIMATE CHANGE | $1,000,000 |
| AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR AN ENERGY-EFFICIENT ECONOMY WASHINGTON, DC | TO IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH THROUGH ACCELERATION OF INDUSTRIAL EFFICIENCY | $190,000 |
| ASPEN GLOBAL CHANGE INSTITUTE INC BASALT, CO | TO PROVIDE RESEARCH, ANALYSIS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH MODELING AND ANALYSIS | $750,000 |
| AVPN LIMITED | TO ACCELERATE REDUCTIONS IN GREENHOUSE GASES FOR THE BENEFIT OF PUBLIC HEALTH | $2,000,000 |
| BERKELEY LAB FOUNDATION OAKLAND, CA | TO SUPPORT DECARBONIZATION OF THE POWER AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH | $1,300,000 |
| BRUEGEL AISBL | TO SUPPORT RESEARCH REGARDING SCALING OF CLIMATE FINANCE | $400,000 |
| BUILDING DECARBONIZATION COALITION PETALUMA, CA | TO PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $300,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| C FREDERICK TAYLOR | DIRECTOR, CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JENNIFER REYNOSO | DIRECTOR, SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| CHRISTIE ULMAN | PRESIDENT | 40 | $736,334 |
| GILBERT CHING | TREASURER, VP OF FINANCE | 40 | $170,386 |
| MICHELLE MOERSFELDER | SECRETARY, GENERAL COUNSEL | 40 | $403,903 |
| JAMES JENKIN | TREASURER, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 40 | $418,600 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sequoia Climate Foundation fund?
Sequoia Climate Foundation believes in "a world powered by clean energy, where all people are protected by policies that have averted the worst effects of climate change." The foundation supports ambitious organizations and coalitions catalyzing rapid emissions reductions, transforming global markets, and accelerating the transition to clean energy around the world. The foundation's work is guided by five core principles: • **Urgency**: Recognizing the immediate need for climate action that rap…
How do I apply for a grant from Sequoia Climate Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Grant range: $20,000 to $39,000,000+ • Median grant: $1,000,000 • Application process: Invitation-only grantmaking; the foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals **Recent Grant Activity:** The foundation made 171 grants in 2023. Notable recent grants include: • $10,500,000 to Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors for the Energy Transition Fund • $6,400,000 to United States Energy Foundation for State Clean Energy Policy Implementation • $4,500,000 to Intern…
Where does Sequoia Climate Foundation make grants?
Sequoia Climate Foundation operates globally with emphasis on major emitting regions including the United States, China, Europe, and Southeast Asia. The foundation's grantees and partners are located around the globe.
What size grants does Sequoia Climate Foundation award?
In 2024, Sequoia Climate Foundation awarded 187 grants totaling $305.4M — an average of about $1.6M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Sequoia Climate Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Sequoia Climate Foundation reported a distributable amount of $12.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Sequoia Climate Foundation's EIN?
Sequoia Climate Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-4095972. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sequoia Climate 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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