Switzer Foundation: Leadership Grant Program

Switzer Foundation: Leadership Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Robert & Patricia Switzer Foundation
Amount: Up to US $60,000
Last Updated: December 16, 2025

Summary

The Switzer Foundation's Leadership Grant Program supports U.S.-based nonprofits and educational institutions in creating leadership roles for Switzer Fellows that drive environmental improvement. Grants up to $60,000 are available for projects that demonstrate collaboration between the fellow and the organization, aiming for measurable environmental impact and enhanced capacity. Applications are due February 9, with a focus on innovative projects that leverage the fellow's expertise for positive change.

Overview

NOTE: Concept letters are due Monday, February 9. Full proposals will be invited in mid-February and will be due one month after the proposal invitation. Background Leadership Grants advance the skills and leadership capacity of Switzer Fellows and connect organizations with experts in environmental science, policy, and justice. Leadership Grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations to create a leadership position or project for a Switzer Fellow that actively advances environmental improvement. Grant projects may address any environmental issue; however, there must be a clear partnership between the fellow and the organization that accomplishes three things: Advances the leadership skills, expertise, and professional career of a Switzer Fellow; Achieves near-term measurable improvement on a specific environmental issue through the work of the Switzer Fellow; and Builds the long-term capacity of the organization to effectively address the environmental issue. One-year grants of up to $60,000 are considered. Projects must involve Switzer Fellows in a substantive leadership role. Fellows may be employed as full- or part-time staff, or on a contractual or consulting basis, as long as the project is designed to utilize and advance the fellow's expertise and leadership on the issue. Funds are awarded to the organization, which is responsible for advising and mentoring the fellow toward achieving their professional goals. Guidelines Leadership Grants are most appropriate for new projects in which a Switzer Fellow's expertise can contribute to near-term impact, or for creating a new position for a Switzer Fellow. Funds may be used to cover direct program costs, including salaries and benefits, consulting fees, travel, materials and equipment. Up to 15% of overhead recovery will be considered. Applicant organizations are expected to provide matching funds. The foundation currently awards one-year grants. In some cases, requests for a second year of funding are accepted; however, the applicant organization is expected to demonstrate substantial progress toward project goals and an increasing cost-share over time. Leadership Grants may support a project in an organization where a fellow is already employed. Such requests may be considered if the project will significantly elevate the fellow's leadership role in the organization and take their work in a substantial new direction with clear environmental benefits. For projects in which the fellow will be based at a college or university, advance communication with foundation staff is required. Please be advised that projects which create new institutes, research centers, or educational programs are not eligible for leadership grant funding. Only those projects in which fellows will make a significant contribution to policy or practice beyond the university will be considered. Fellows may receive a maximum of three years of funding through the Leadership Grant program in one or more projects throughout their careers. Organizations may only submit one concept letter per grant cycle and may receive a maximum of one grant per year.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. U.S.-based non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations with public charity status, government agencies and educational institutions which aim to employ a Switzer Fellow in a substantive leadership role are eligible to apply.The project or position must have an applied focus that will yield positive environmental change. Support for Fellows doing international work may be considered as long as a U.S.-based host organization is the grantee and all other criteria are met.Up to 15% of overhead recovery will be considered. Only those projects in which Fellows will make a significant contribution to research, policy or practice beyond the university will be considered.

Ineligibility

For projects in which the Fellow will be based at a college or university, please be advised that projects which create new institutions, centers of study, or educational programs will NOT be eligible for Leadership Grant funding. A Fellow may not receive more than three years of funding through the Leadership Grant Program in one or more projects. A single organization may only submit one concept letter per cycle and may not receive more than one grant per year.