Cedar Tree Foundation concentrates its giving on environmental conservation and leadership within that field, providing large project grants to national conservation networks and initiatives that develop conservation practitioners. It also makes targeted, high-dollar community investments (e.g., a Boston arts-focused charter school capital campaign). The foundation favors project/program support over general operating grants and shows a willingness to fund both national conveners and local educational institutions.
Cedar Tree Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by repeated large project support for the Smith Fellows Program, including multiple seven-figure awards to Society for Conservation Biology. That fellowship line signals a core interest in conservation leadership development rather than only site-based conservation work. The foundation also backs environmental practice and field-building through grants to organizations like NAAEE for the CEE Change Fellowship and Practical Farmers of Iowa for regenerative grazing. Alongside those environmental priorities, Cedar Tree has made substantial one-off capital and facilities awards, such as support for Conservatory Lab Charter School Foundation’s lower-school modernization campaign in Dorchester and building repair work for All Souls Church Unitarian in Washington, DC. Recent grants also show support for community-based environmental work, including children’s environmental health and urban land projects. Across the portfolio, the pattern is project-oriented and often tied to a specific program, campaign, or initiative rather than unrestricted support. The mix of fellowship funding, conservation networks, and targeted community investments gives a clear picture of a funder that uses larger grants to support field infrastructure, leadership pipelines, and selected local projects.
One major cause area is conservation leadership. Cedar Tree Foundation gave $1,770,629 to Society for Conservation Biology for project support for the Smith Fellows Program, and it made additional Smith Fellows awards in the same funding stream. That points to an emphasis on developing conservation practitioners over time. Another area is regenerative grazing and land stewardship. The foundation awarded $170,000 to Piikani Lodge Health Institute for the Blackfeet Nation Regenerative Grazing Initiative, and it also funded Practical Farmers of Iowa for promoting regenerative grazing. Cedar Tree also supports environmental education and educator development. It gave $162,371 to NAAEE for establishment of the CEE Change Fellowship and $160,000 to Conservatory Lab Charter School Foundation for environmental science teachers. In children’s environmental health, it awarded $250,000 to Center for Environmental Health for project support for children’s environmental health.
$10.8M
$85.9M
$8.5M
$12.8M
Most grants fall between $15K and $100K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$100K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Highly concentrated giving: a very small number of large grants, repeated support to a core conservation grantee (Society for Conservation Biology), and targeted one-off major gifts to select local institutions.
Notable grantees: Society for Conservation Biology, Alternative Foundation, Conservatory Lab Charter School Foundation
Cedar Tree Foundation’s grant sizes cluster around a middle range of $15,000 at the 25th percentile, a $50,000 median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent portfolio includes both smaller program awards and very large project commitments, with several repeat payments to the same recipient across 2024 and 2025. That repeated funding pattern is visible in multi-year support for the Smith Fellows Program, Practical Farmers of Iowa, and Conservatory Lab Charter School Foundation. The foundation is classified as a regular funder, and the data show both programmatic support and capital-related awards. It also accepts unsolicited proposals through some listed channels, including its Environmental Idea Center and several priority areas.
Cedar Tree Foundation’s grants are national in scope, and every recipient in the country distribution is in the US. Massachusetts receives a substantial share of awards, with 33% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Recent grants also show concentration in Washington, DC; Dorchester, MA; and New York, NY, alongside other places such as Chelsea, MA, Oakland, CA, Ames, IA, Browning, MT, and Albuquerque, NM. The top state by grant count is Arkansas, even though the foundation is headquartered in Boston, MA.
The foundation funds conservation leadership development, regenerative grazing, environmental education, children’s environmental health, civic engagement tied to environmental goals, and environmental justice or community-based environmental work. Recent grant descriptions also show support for capital campaigns and building repair within its broader portfolio.
Yes, through some channels. The Environmental Idea Center lists unsolicited letters of inquiry for U.S.-based environmental work, and several current priorities also accept unsolicited submissions. The grant portal for current grantees is separate from those open-entry channels.
The foundation’s stated grant-size distribution is $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards range well above that, including seven-figure project support and smaller program grants.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeated awards to Society for Conservation Biology for the Smith Fellows Program, Practical Farmers of Iowa for regenerative grazing, and Conservatory Lab Charter School Foundation for environmental science teachers and school modernization support across 2024 and 2025.
Its recent grants include fellowship support, regenerative grazing initiatives, environmental science teacher support, children’s environmental health work, urban environmental projects, and community-based capacity building. Examples in the data include the Smith Fellows Program, the Blackfeet Nation Regenerative Grazing Initiative, and the CEE Change Fellowship.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Cedar Tree Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: The Cedar Tree Foundation only funds registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations for work in the United States. Organizations must work in the stated priority area.
Who can apply: The Cedar Tree Foundation only funds registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations for work in the United States. Priority is given to work involving youth development and/or low-income communities of color.
Who can apply: The Cedar Tree Foundation only funds registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations for work in the United States. Organizations must work in the stated priority area.
Who can apply: The foundation only funds registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations for work in the United States.
Deadline: Not specified on site.
Who can apply: The Cedar Tree Foundation only funds registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations for work in the United States. Environmental organizations, including past Cedar Tree grantees, may submit a summary of their work.
Deadline: Currently accepting inquiries; no fixed deadlines (rolling submission of LOIs)
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,770,629 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR SMITH FELLOWS PROGRAM |
| SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,664,075 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR SMITH FELLOWS PROGRAM |
| SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,629,336 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR SMITH FELLOWS PROGRAM |
| CONSERVATORY LAB CHARTER SCHOOL FOUNDATION | DORCHESTER, MA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR CAMPAIGN TO UPGRADE/MODERNIZE THE LOWER SCHOOL |
| ALL SOULS CHURCH UNITARIAN | WASHINGTON, DC | $800,000 | 2025 | ROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE 2023 BUILDING REPAIR CAMPAIGN |
| GREENROOTS | CHELSEA, MA | $300,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE PURCHASE AND RENOVATION OF THE FORBES PROPERTY IN CHELSEA |
| CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH | OAKLAND, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN'S ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH |
| SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY | WASHINGTON, DC | $247,430 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR SMITH FELLOWS PROGRAM |
| SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY | WASHINGTON, DC | $245,501 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR SMITH FELLOWS PROGRAM |
| ALL SOULS CHURCH UNITARIAN | WASHINGTON, DC | $200,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR BUILDING REPAIR CAMPAIGN |
| EVKIDS | DORCHESTER, MA | $200,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING WITHIN THE STRATEGIC PLAN |
| PRACTICAL FARMERS OF IOWA | AMES, IA | $175,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR PROMOTING REGENERATIVE GRAZING |
| PRACTICAL FARMERS OF IOWA | AMES, IA | $175,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR PROMOTING REGENERATIVE GRAZING |
| PRACTICAL FARMERS OF IOWA | AMES, IA | $175,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR PROMOTING REGENERATIVE GRAZING |
| PIIKANI LODGE HEALTH INSTITUTE | BROWNING, MT | $170,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT OF THE BLACKFEET NATION REGENERATIVE GRAZING INITIATIVE |
| NAAEE | WASHINGTON, DC | $162,371 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF CEE CHANGE FELLOWSHIP |
| CONSERVATORY LAB CHARTER SCHOOL FOUNDATION | DORCHESTER, MA | $160,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE TEACHERS |
| CONSERVATORY LAB CHARTER SCHOOL FOUNDATION | DORCHESTER, MA | $160,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE TEACHERS |
| CONSERVATORY LAB CHARTER SCHOOL FOUNDATION | DORCHESTER, MA | $160,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE TEACHERS |
| CENTER FOR CIVIC POLICY | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $150,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE NEW MEXICO DREAM TEAM |
| INTERTRIBAL AGRICULTURE COUNCIL | BILLINGS, MT | $150,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT OF THE REGENERATIVE GRAZING INIATIATIVE |
| ADVANCEMENT PROJECT EDUCATION FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CENTER FOR CIVIC POLICY | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INTERTRIBAL AGRICULTURE COUNCIL | BILLINGS, MT | $150,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT OF THE REGENERATIVE GRAZING INIATIATIVE |
| ADVANCEMENT PROJECT EDUCATION FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ADVANCEMENT PROJECT EDUCATION FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOLEBURY SCHOOL | NEW HOPE, PA | $150,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE SHAPING SOLEBURY CAMPAIGN |
| SOLEBURY SCHOOL | NEW HOPE, PA | $150,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE SHAPING SOLEBURY CAMPAIGN |
| CENTER FOR CIVIC POLICY | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE AUDUBON CONSERVATION RANCHING PROGRAM |
| CHINESE PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION | BROOKLYN, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR BLACK FUTURE LABS |
| CENTER FOR CIVIC POLICY | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NAAEE | WASHINGTON, DC | $148,297 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF CEE CHANGE FELLOWSHIP |
| FLORIDA RISING TOGETHER | MIAMI, FL | $135,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PIIKANI LODGE HEALTH INSTITUTE | BROWNING, MT | $130,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT OF THE BLACKFEET NATION REGENERATIVE GRAZING INITIATIVE |
| PIIKANI LODGE HEALTH INSTITUTE | BROWNING, MT | $130,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT OF THE BLACKFEET NATION REGENERATIVE GRAZING INITIATIVE |
| LAND STEWARDSHIP PROJECT | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $125,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR PROMOTING REGENERATIVE GRAZING AS PART OF THE BRIDGE TO SOIL HEALTH PROGRAM |
| COMING CLEAN | BRATTLEBORO, VT | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP | WASHINGTON, DC | $125,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE CHILDREN'S ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CAMPAIGN |
| COMING CLEAN | BRATTLEBORO, VT | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HEALTHY BUILDING NETWORK | WASHINGTON, DC | $125,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE HOME FREE PROJECT |
| ALASKA COMMUNITY ACTION ON TOXINS | ANCHORAGE, AK | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WINROCK INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PASTUR | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $125,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT WINROCK SOLUTIONS' PASTURE PROJECT |
| WOMEN'S VOICES FOR THE EARTH | MISSOULA, MT | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WOMEN'S VOICES FOR THE EARTH | MISSOULA, MT | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LAND STEWARDSHIP PROJECT | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $125,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR PROMOTING REGENERATIVE GRAZING AS PART OF THE BRIDGE TO SOIL HEALTH PROGRAM |
| ALASKA COMMUNITY ACTION ON TOXINS | ANCHORAGE, AK | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMING CLEAN | BRATTLEBORO, VT | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WINROCK INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PASTUR | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $125,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT WINROCK SOLUTIONS' PASTURE PROJECT |
| ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP | WASHINGTON, DC | $125,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE CHILDREN'S ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CAMPAIGN |
SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
$1,770,629PROJECT SUPPORT FOR SMITH FELLOWS PROGRAM
SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
$1,664,075PROJECT SUPPORT FOR SMITH FELLOWS PROGRAM
SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
$1,629,336PROJECT SUPPORT FOR SMITH FELLOWS PROGRAM
CONSERVATORY LAB CHARTER SCHOOL FOUNDATION
$1,000,000PROJECT SUPPORT FOR CAMPAIGN TO UPGRADE/MODERNIZE THE LOWER SCHOOL
ALL SOULS CHURCH UNITARIAN
$800,000ROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE 2023 BUILDING REPAIR CAMPAIGN
PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE PURCHASE AND RENOVATION OF THE FORBES PROPERTY IN CHELSEA
CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
$250,000PROJECT SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN'S ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
ALL SOULS CHURCH UNITARIAN
$200,000PROJECT SUPPORT FOR BUILDING REPAIR CAMPAIGN
EVKIDS
$200,000PROJECT SUPPORT FOR ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING WITHIN THE STRATEGIC PLAN
PIIKANI LODGE HEALTH INSTITUTE
$170,000PROJECT SUPPORT OF THE BLACKFEET NATION REGENERATIVE GRAZING INITIATIVE
CONSERVATORY LAB CHARTER SCHOOL FOUNDATION
$160,000PROJECT SUPPORT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE TEACHERS
CONSERVATORY LAB CHARTER SCHOOL FOUNDATION
$160,000PROJECT SUPPORT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE TEACHERS
CONSERVATORY LAB CHARTER SCHOOL FOUNDATION
$160,000PROJECT SUPPORT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE TEACHERS
INTERTRIBAL AGRICULTURE COUNCIL
$150,000PROJECT SUPPORT OF THE REGENERATIVE GRAZING INIATIATIVE
INTERTRIBAL AGRICULTURE COUNCIL
$150,000PROJECT SUPPORT OF THE REGENERATIVE GRAZING INIATIATIVE
NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY
$150,000PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE AUDUBON CONSERVATION RANCHING PROGRAM
CHINESE PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION
$150,000PROJECT SUPPORT FOR BLACK FUTURE LABS
PIIKANI LODGE HEALTH INSTITUTE
$130,000PROJECT SUPPORT OF THE BLACKFEET NATION REGENERATIVE GRAZING INITIATIVE
PIIKANI LODGE HEALTH INSTITUTE
$130,000PROJECT SUPPORT OF THE BLACKFEET NATION REGENERATIVE GRAZING INITIATIVE
LAND STEWARDSHIP PROJECT
$125,000PROJECT SUPPORT FOR PROMOTING REGENERATIVE GRAZING AS PART OF THE BRIDGE TO SOIL HEALTH PROGRAM
PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE CHILDREN'S ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CAMPAIGN
HEALTHY BUILDING NETWORK
$125,000PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE HOME FREE PROJECT
WINROCK INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PASTUR
$125,000PROJECT SUPPORT WINROCK SOLUTIONS' PASTURE PROJECT
LAND STEWARDSHIP PROJECT
$125,000PROJECT SUPPORT FOR PROMOTING REGENERATIVE GRAZING AS PART OF THE BRIDGE TO SOIL HEALTH PROGRAM
PROJECT SUPPORT WINROCK SOLUTIONS' PASTURE PROJECT
PROJECT SUPPORT FOR THE CHILDREN'S ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CAMPAIGN
