The Planetary Trust is a private foundation based in Dallas, Texas, established in 1995. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to environmental grantmaking and research on sustainable development. The foundation focuses on funding volunteers in international environmental work, bringing information to the public, and supporting research on new energy economy initiatives. It functions as a research institute dedicated to rethinking how society, business, and government work together to create a more prosperous, just, and sustainable world.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.0M
+9.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$469K
-5.0% YoY
Grant Count
20
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$23K
-5.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Planetary Trust's primary funding areas include:
- Renewable Energy: Grants supporting new energy economy research and development
- Environmental Volunteerism: Support for volunteers engaged in international environmental work
- Land Conservation: Funding for land conservation initiatives
- Marine and Water Conservation: Grants addressing marine and water-related environmental issues
- Science Education: Support for science teachers and education nonprofits
- Community Arts: Funding for arts-related community initiatives
Grantmaking
The foundation made 17 grants in 2023. Typical award amounts range from $20,000 to $170,000.
Ready to take the next step with The Planetary Trust?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on Texas, Colorado, and Montana.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $931,643
- Total Revenues: $8,432
- Total Expenses: $499,660
- Number of Employees: 0
As of 2024 (most recent IRS 990 filing):
- Total Assets: $1,022,996
- Total Giving: $469,484
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,022,996 | $931,643 | $1,424,480 |
| Revenue | $572,960 | $8,432 | $536,001 |
| Expenses | $472,956 | $499,660 | $477,824 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $469,484 | $493,983 | $465,149 |
| Net Investment Income | $137,140 | $4,047 | $174,630 |
| 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
99 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Rocky Mountain Institute ($130,000), Southern Methodist University ($102,200), Texas Electric Transportation ($51,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTE Missoula, MT | TO NURTURE & GROW REGIONAL COMMUNITY WHO ARE LEARNING, EMULATING, AND CONSERVING LIFE'S GENIUS TO CREATE A HEALTHIER PLANET | $50,000 |
| CITIZENS CLIMATE EDUCATION CORONADO, CA | TO HELP EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS TO EDUCATE KEY STAKEHOLDERS, POLICYMAKERS, AND GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO CLIMATE CHANGE | $4,800 |
| DALLAS ARBORETUM DALLAS, TX | To promote the art, enjoyment and knowledge of horticulture | $10,000 |
| CENTER FOR THE ARTS CRESTED BUTTE CRESTED BUTTE, CO | COMMUNITY ARTS | $15,000 |
| DALLAS OPERA DALLAS, TX | COMMUNITY ARTS | $10,000 |
| GLOBE AWARE DALLAS, TX | VOLUNTEER IN INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT | $21,000 |
| HIGH COUNTRY CONSERVATION CENTER FRISCO, CO | TO PROMOTE PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS FOR WASTE REDUCTION AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION | $10,000 |
| HOCKADAY SCHOOL DALLAS, TX | EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION | $10,000 |
| PEROT MUSEUM DALLAS, TX | COMMUNITY ARTS | $5,000 |
| ROCKY MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE BOULDER, CO | RESEARCH INSTITUTE DEDICATED TO RETHINKING US ENERGY | $130,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARGARET J HALEY | Trustee | — | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Planetary Trust fund?
The Planetary Trust's primary funding areas include: • **Renewable Energy**: Grants supporting new energy economy research and development • **Environmental Volunteerism**: Support for volunteers engaged in international environmental work • **Land Conservation**: Funding for land conservation initiatives • **Marine and Water Conservation**: Grants addressing marine and water-related environmental issues • **Science Education**: Support for science teachers and education nonprofits • **Communit…
How do I apply for a grant from The Planetary Trust?
**Grant Activity:** The foundation made 17 grants in 2023. Typical award amounts range from $20,000 to $170,000. **Recent Grants (2023):** • The Biomimicry Institute: $100,000 (to nurture and grow regional community learning, emulating, and conserving life's genius to create a healthier planet) • Texas Electric Transportation Resources Alliance (TXETRA): $26,000 (electric transportation) • Globe Aware: $12,600 (volunteer in international environment) • Dallas Opera: $9,000 (community arts)
Where does The Planetary Trust make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on Texas, Colorado, and Montana.
What size grants does The Planetary Trust award?
In 2024, The Planetary Trust awarded 20 grants totaling $469K — an average of about $23K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Planetary Trust's EIN?
The Planetary Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-2567517. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Planetary Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
William Z Hayes Foundation
DALLAS, TX
Assets
$629K
Grants
4
Total Given
$28K
Tr Uw Jane James Cook Item 19
DALLAS, TX
Assets
$861K
Grants
11
Total Given
$41K
Forsyth Fbo Leonard Wood Memorial
DALLAS, TX
Assets
$320K
Grants
1
Total Given
$18K
Teas Foundation
AMARILLO, TX
Assets
$3.0M
Grants
3
Total Given
$138K
Crystelle Waggoner Charitable Trust
DALLAS, TX
Assets
$13.5M
Grants
41
Total Given
$3.9M
Nelson & Debbie Fox Charitable Fdtn
LUBBOCK, TX
Assets
$329K
Grants
9
Total Given
$90K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Planetary Trust 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 The Planetary Trust to a real strategy.