Ittleson Foundation: Environmental Program Grants

The Ittleson Foundation Environmental Program Grants support innovative projects that enhance environmental activism through education and grassroots efforts. In 2025, grants will focus on initiatives that strengthen environmental movements and engage new constituencies, particularly in environmental equity. The Foundation has provided resources since 1932 to improve public policy and community welfare, alternating its grantmaking focus annually between mental health and environmental initiatives.

NOTE:
The Foundation annually alternates its new grantmaking between its Mental Health and Environmental program areas. In 2026, the Foundation will be making new grants in the Mental Health program area. Grants will be made at the Fall meeting. Initial letters of inquiry must be received before September 1, 2026.See the Mental Health & AIDS Program page here.
The Foundation recognizes not-for-profit organizations, dedicated to bettering the United States, and as such, we provide funds for new initiatives and model projects that have the potential to greatly enhance public policy and the lives of fellow citizens. The Foundation's areas of particular interest are: mental health, AIDS, and the environment.
Environment Program Grants
The Ittleson Foundation supports innovative pilot, model and demonstration projects that will help move individuals, communities, and organizations from environmental awareness to environmental activism by changing attitudes and behaviors.
We particularly seek to encourage and nurture environmental action through:
supporting the present generation of environmental activists, whether professionals or volunteers through education, training and other activitieseducating and engaging the next generation of environmentalists with a special interest in supporting the training of those who are teaching that generationstrengthening the infrastructure of the environmental movement with a particular focus on efforts at the grassroots and statewide levelsactivating new constituencies, particularly those focused on environmental equity issues

Eligibility

Applicants must have evidence of tax-exempt status.

Ineligibility

Please note that the Foundation does not generally provide funds for:capital building projectsendowmentsgrants to individualsscholarships or internships (except as part of a program)direct service programs, especially when outside New York Cityprojects that are local in focus and unlikely to be replicatedcontinuing or general supportprojects and organizations that are international in scope or purposebiomedical research