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Finley's Green Leap Forward Fund - Earth Day Grants

FINLEYS GREEN LEAP FORWARD

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Funding Amount

Varies by year; recent awards: $80,000-$96,000 annually distributed among 5-6 organizations

Deadline

April 22, 2026

14 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Finley's Green Leap Forward Fund - Earth Day Grants

Overview:
Finley's Green Leap Forward Fund is an annual grant program established in 2014 by Finley Broaddus to support organizations fighting climate change through forest protection, tree planting, and reduced consumption. Grants are announced on or around Earth Day (April 22) each year.

Geographic Scope:

  • Primary focus: Virginia, West Virginia (Piedmont region)

  • International: Kenya, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Democratic Republic of Congo, Papua New Guinea, Brazil, Amazon rainforest regions

    • Focus Areas:
    Organizations supported must be working on:

  • Forest protection and reforestation - Tree planting and habitat restoration

  • Climate change mitigation - Carbon sequestration, reducing consumption

  • Indigenous community support - Sustainable livelihoods and economic security

  • Environmental education - Green initiatives in schools and communities

  • Water and ecosystem protection - River and wetland restoration

  • Ocean conservation - Marine ecosystem protection

    • Funding History & Recent Awards:

  • 2014: First grants announced ($10,000 total)

  • 2016: $30,000 distributed

  • 2017: $50,000 distributed

  • 2018: $50,000 distributed

  • 2019: $50,000 distributed

  • 2021: $85,000 distributed

  • 2022: $90,000 distributed

  • 2023: $80,000 distributed (10-year milestone: $500,000 total awarded)

  • 2024: $80,000 distributed

  • 2025: $96,000 distributed

    • Recent Grantee Organizations (2023-2025):

  • Cacapon Institute (WV/VA)

  • Rainforest Trust

  • Cool Earth

  • Eden Reforestation Project

  • Reserva: The Youth Land Trust

  • Green Belt Movement

  • Pristine Seas Project

  • William & Mary Green to Gold Program

    • Eligibility:

  • 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations

  • Focus on climate change mitigation and environmental protection

  • Organizations must demonstrate direct impact on ground-level work

  • No specific geographic restrictions, but funder maintains personal engagement with grantees

    • Contact Information:

  • Website: finleysgreenleapforward.org

  • Donations/inquiries can be made through Northern Piedmont Community Foundation (note contribution for "Finley's Fund")

  • Email: julie@oldbusthead (for event coordination)

    • Background:
    The fund was established as a "birthday surprise" in 2014, sustained by friends, family, and community donations and fundraising events including the annual Old Bust Head Benefit 5K Run/Walk held each October.

    How to Apply

    Application Process

    How to Apply:
    The website does not provide a formal application process or portal. Based on the content, the fund appears to:

    1. Identify and select grantees directly - The funder conducts research, meets with organization leaders, and personally evaluates organizations' work and alignment with mission
    2. Announce grants annually on or around April 22 (Earth Day) - Selected organizations are notified and grants are announced publicly
    3. Personal engagement approach - The funder emphasizes meeting with and understanding the people leading each organization

    Required Materials:
    No formal application materials are specified. However, interested organizations should likely provide:

  • Information on organizational mission and climate change work

  • Details on ground-level impact and beneficiaries

  • Documentation of 501(c)(3) nonprofit status

    • Submission Format:
    Not specified in available materials. Organizations may need to contact the fund directly via the website or Northern Piedmont Community Foundation.

    How Grants Are Selected:
    The funder states: "The handful of carefully selected organizations" and emphasizes that grants support "activities that fight climate change either through forest protection, tree planting, or reduced consumption." Selection is based on personal research and connection to Finley's mission and values.

    Matching/Leverage Opportunities:
    Some grants may be matched by partner organizations (e.g., Rainforest Trust has matched Reserva Youth Land Trust grants for "double the impact").

    Apply with Grantable Learn more

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    environmentenvironmental-conservationland-conservationenvironmental-educationnonprofits

    Categories

    Browse similar grants by category

    Environmental GrantsEnvironmental Conservation GrantsGrants for Land ConservationEnvironmental Education GrantsGrants for Nonprofits

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