The Sustainable Markets Foundation (SMF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in New York, NY, established in January 2002. Despite its name, SMF is organized as a public charity rather than a traditional foundation. The organization operates as both a grantmaker and fiscal sponsor for environmental advocacy organizations, focusing on environmental protection, energy efficiency, consumer protection, and good government initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$51.2M
+15.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$13.2M
+84.2% YoY
Grant Count
53
-38.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$250K
+198.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
SMF's mission centers on promoting environmental protection, energy efficiency, consumer protection, health and safety, and good government through clean energy and climate change programs.
The organization's primary program areas include:
Pollution Prevention — Research and public education on the need for bold action to prevent pollution, including dissemination of public education materials through media, online platforms, and public events to raise awareness of pollution's impact.
Environmental Conservation — Research and public education on protecting the environment, conserving natural resources, recycling, and preservation of clean air, water, and natural ecosystems.
Clean Energy and Just Transition — Public education about the need for an energy sector that is safe and healthy for everyone, with emphasis on just and equitable transitions that protect workers, communities, and economies.
Grantmaking
SMF distributes grants to environmental advocacy organizations working on climate action and clean energy transitions. According to recent financial data, the organization reported total giving of $14,855,055 in 2024, with typical award ranges between $1,630 and $3,367,500.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
SMF's grantmaking focuses primarily on California, New York, and Washington, though the organization describes itself as having a national and international focus with a U.S. base.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of August 2024:
- Total Assets: $51,207,046
- Total Revenue: $47,993,848
- Total Expenses: $41,478,897
- Total Liabilities: $2,040,000
- Total Giving: $14,855,055
Historical Growth: The organization has experienced significant financial growth, expanding from $4.3 million in annual revenue in 2011 to nearly $48 million by 2024.
Financial Rating: SMF received a 90% score and Four-Star rating, with an overall score calculated entirely from accountability and finance metrics.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $51,207,046 | $44,167,374 | $34,451,318 |
| Revenue | $47,993,848 | $39,210,071 | $42,011,341 |
| Expenses | $41,478,897 | $30,565,908 | $25,863,297 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $2,340,075 | $1,139,145 | $-1,096,212 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
239 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Spun ($3,367,500), The Years Project Inc ($3,360,000), Third Act Educ Fund Inc ($1,050,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 350 COLORADO BOULDER, CO | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION | $18,333 |
| 350SEATTLE SEATTLE, WA | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION | $500,000 |
| ACTION FOR THE CLIMATE EMERG BOULDER, CO | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION | $25,000 |
| AZLAND FUND Phoenix, AZ | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION | $10,000 |
| CALIF ENV JUSTICE ALLIANCE Huntington Park, CA | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION | $300,000 |
| CARRIZO COMECRUDO TRIBE OF TX SAN ANTONIO, TX | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION | $10,000 |
| CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSI TUCSON, AZ | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION | $165,000 |
| CENTER FOR JUST & DEMOCRACY NEW YORK, NY | JOURNALISM AND CIVICS | $147,000 |
| CHANGING MARKETS FDN INC NEW YORK, NY | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION | $425,000 |
| CLIMATE EMERGENCY FUND Beverly Hills, CA | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION | $39,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Jay R. Halfon serves as Director, General Counsel, and CEO of the organization.
Elizabeth Hitchcock is listed as President.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELIZABETH HITCHCOCK | President | 1 | — |
| STEPHEN KLEINBERG Secretary | Treasurer | 1 | — |
| JOHN RICHARD | Vice President | 1 | — |
| JAY R HALFON dir gen Couns | CEO | 35 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sustainable Markets Foundation fund?
SMF's mission centers on promoting environmental protection, energy efficiency, consumer protection, health and safety, and good government through clean energy and climate change programs. The organization's primary program areas include: • **Pollution Prevention** — Research and public education on the need for bold action to prevent pollution, including dissemination of public education materials through media, online platforms, and public events to raise awareness of pollution's impact. • *…
How do I apply for a grant from Sustainable Markets Foundation?
SMF distributes grants to environmental advocacy organizations working on climate action and clean energy transitions. According to recent financial data, the organization reported total giving of $14,855,055 in 2024, with typical award ranges between $1,630 and $3,367,500. The foundation does not maintain a public website and does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Grant recipients are identified through SMF's strategic selection process focused on environmental advocacy work.
Where does Sustainable Markets Foundation make grants?
SMF's grantmaking focuses primarily on California, New York, and Washington, though the organization describes itself as having a national and international focus with a U.S. base.
What size grants does Sustainable Markets Foundation award?
In 2024, Sustainable Markets Foundation awarded 53 grants totaling $13.2M — an average of about $250K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Sustainable Markets Foundation's EIN?
Sustainable Markets Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-4188834. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sustainable Markets 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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