What kind of work does Ecology Center fund most often?

The recent grants are dominated by the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) Grant Program, with awards to farmers' market associations and related organizations. The foundation also lists broader focus areas such as healthy food access and farmers' markets, climate action and electrification, zero waste and recycling, and water conservation.

What is the typical grant size?

The typical grant size is $12,767 at the 25th percentile, $44,444 at the median, and $126,461 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes much larger FINI awards in the seven-figure range.

Does Ecology Center fund outside California?

No. The geographic scope is local, and 100% of grants in the provided data go to recipients in California. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based as well.

Does Ecology Center make repeated grants to the same organizations?

Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years in the recent grants list, including Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association, Heart of the City Farmers' Market, Urban Village Farmers' Mkt Ass, and Alchemist Community Developmen. The repeated entries are tied to the same FINI program.

Ecology Center

Name: Ecology Center — grants, 990 financials & funding data
Creator: Kindora

ActiveEnvironment

BERKELEY, CAWebsite5105261131

About Ecology Center

To inspire and build a sustainable, healthy, and just future for the East Bay, California, and beyond by transforming the ideals of sustainability into everyday practice through education, demonstration, replication, and advocacy.

Focus Areas

sustainable livingzero waste and recyclinghealthy food access and farmers' marketsclimate action and electrificationyouth environmental educationgreywater and water conservationcommunity organizing and policy advocacydemonstration projects (EcoHouse)

Who They Fund

food-insecure individuals and householdslow-income communities

Funding Style

About Ecology Center

Ecology Center’s largest recent grants all sit inside a single food-access program: the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) Grant Program. In the latest grants list, the biggest award went to Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association for $1,905,840 in 2025, followed closely by Heart of the City Farmers' Market at $1,715,135 in the same year. Those awards show a funder that works through farmers markets and related community organizations to move healthy food into everyday use, especially for low-income communities and food-insecure households. Across the recent list, the foundation repeats the FINI program year after year rather than spreading small gifts across many unrelated causes. That pattern fits its stated emphasis on healthy food access and farmers' markets, along with practical, project-based support. Recipients include Urban Village Farmers' Mkt Ass in Oakland, Alchemist Community Developmen in Sacramento, and Agricultural Institute of Marin in San Rafael, each tied to the same incentive-program model. Ecology Center also describes its broader mission as turning sustainability into everyday practice through education, demonstration, replication, and advocacy, which helps explain why the grantmaking centers on programs that are meant to be used directly by communities.

What Ecology Center Funds

The clearest thematic throughline in Ecology Center’s grants is food access through nutrition incentives. In 2025, it gave $1,057,215 to Urban Village Farmers' Mkt Ass in Oakland for the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) Grant Program, and the same program supported Alchemist Community Developmen in Sacramento with $915,603 that year. Farmers' market operators are another recurring recipient type. Hunger Action Los Angeles received $1,026,063 in 2025 for FINI, while the Agricultural Institute of Marin got $833,501 in 2025 for the same purpose. The foundation’s own focus areas also point to climate and sustainability work, including climate action and electrification, greywater and water conservation, zero waste and recycling, and demonstration projects such as EcoHouse. Its grant list, however, is dominated by the food-insecurity incentive program rather than a wide mix of independent initiatives.

How Ecology Center Gives

Ecology Center’s typical grant size is mid-range, with a p25 of $12,767, a median of $44,444, and a p75 of $126,461. The recent list also shows much larger program awards, including seven-figure FINI grants. This is a regular funder rather than a DAF or pass-through vehicle, and it does not fund individuals. The pattern in the recent grants list suggests repeated support to the same organizations across multiple years, especially for the FINI program, rather than one-off grants. The structure looks program-based and direct-service oriented, with awards tied to specific project purposes.

Financial Snapshot

Annual Giving

$10.6M

Total Assets

$8.8M

Total Revenue

$18.1M

Total Expenses

$17.8M

Typical Grant Size

Most grants fall between $13K and $126K, with a median of $44K.

25th Percentile

$13K

Median

$44K

75th Percentile

$126K

Geographic Reach

Local1 state funded

Funding intensity

Low

High

Headquarters

Leadership

MARTIN BOURQUE

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Recipient	Location	Amount	Year	Purpose
PACIFIC COAST FARMERS MARKET ASSOCIATION	CONCORD, CA	$1,905,840	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
HEART OF THE CITY FARMERS' MARKET	SAN FRANCISCO, CA	$1,715,135	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
URBAN VILLAGE FARMERS' MKT ASS	OAKLAND, CA	$1,057,215	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
HUNGER ACTION LOS ANGELES	LOS ANGELES, CA	$1,026,063	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
ALCHEMIST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMEN	SACRAMENTO, CA	$915,603	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE OF MARIN	SAN RAFAEL, CA	$833,501	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC ENTERPRISES OF LOS ANGELES	LOS ANGELES, CA	$457,743	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
AGRICULTURE & LAND-BASED TRAINING	SALINAS, CA	$315,783	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
NORTH COAST GROWERS ASSOCIATION	ARCATA, CA	$286,913	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
PETALUMA PEOPLE SERVICES CENTER	PETALUMA, CA	$197,813	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
NORTH COAST OPPORTUNITIES	UKIAH, CA	$174,711	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
SANTA BARBARA CFMA	SANTA BARBARA, CA	$164,545	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
CSU CHICO RESEARCH FOUNDATION	CHICO, CA	$160,601	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
FRESH APPROACH	CONCORD, CA	$103,416	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
SAN JOAQUIN CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKET	STOCKTON, CA	$97,866	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
MODEL NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAM	SAN PEDRO, CA	$89,284	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
EVERYONE'S HARVEST	MARINA, CA	$86,308	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
MANDELA GROCERY COOPERATIVE	OAKLAND, CA	$82,286	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
VENTURA COUNTY CERTIFIED	FILLMORE, CA	$79,547	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
FOODWISE	SAN FRANCISCO, CA	$78,068	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
XELA AID - PARTNERSHIPS FOR SELF RELIANCE	SUNSET BEACH, CA	$71,191	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
MODESTO CERTIFIED FARMERS MARK	MODESTO, CA	$66,856	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
RIVERSIDE FOOD SYSTEMS ALLIANCE	RIVERSIDE, CA	$60,574	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
FRIENDS OF DOWNTOWN SLO	SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA	$48,917	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
NORTH COUNTY FARMERS' MARKET ASSOCIATION	PASO ROBLES, CA	$43,300	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
LOVE LINDA VISTA INC	SAN DIEGO, CA	$42,144	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY FARMERS MARKET ASSOCIATION INC	ARROYO GRANDE, CA	$41,046	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
FRESNO COUNTY ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION	FRESNO, CA	$38,085	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
VISALIA FARMERS MARKET ASSN	VISALIA, CA	$35,498	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
DISCOVER PACIFIC BEACH	SAN DIEGO, CA	$34,821	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
ERIN TORMEY DBA COASTSIDE FARMERS' MARKETS	HALF MOON BAY, CA	$34,335	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
PALM SPRINGS CULTURAL CENTER	PALM SPRINGS, CA	$27,765	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
DOWNTOWN NAPA FARMERS MARKET CORPORATION	NAPA, CA	$25,247	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
ORANGE HOME GROWN FOUNDATION	ORANGE, CA	$21,710	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
DOWNTOWN ANAHEIM ASSOCIATION	ANAHEIM, CA	$21,021	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
LAYTONVILLE FARMERS' MARKET	LAYTONVILLE, CA	$19,000	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
JEFFERSON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT	MOUNT SHASTA, CA	$17,923	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
LOCAL ROOTS DBA FORAGERS MARKET	SAN RAMON, CA	$17,845	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
SUNDAY WESTCHESTER FARMERS' MARKET	VENICE, CA	$16,325	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
ROUTE ONE FARMER'S MARKET	LOMPOC, CA	$14,676	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
29 PALMS CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKET	TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA	$13,371	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
APRIL VERHOEF DBA FROM THE FARMHOUSE	BAKERSFIELD, CA	$12,868	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
TURLOCK CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKET	TURLOCK, CA	$11,983	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
CITY OF RIALTO	RIALTO, CA	$10,939	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
EL DORADO COUNTY FARM TRAILS	PLACERVILLE, CA	$8,072	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
PHELAN PINON HILLS CSD	PHELAN, CA	$7,024	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
CRESCENT CITY DOWNTOWN DIVAS	CRESCENT CITY, CA	$6,243	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
LATINAS UNIDAS DE MADERA	MADERA, CA	$6,234	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
PINEDORADO LIONS FOUNDATION	CAMBRIA, CA	$6,029	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM
BROWNSVILLE FARMERS MARKET	BROWNSVILLE, CA	$5,575	2025	FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE (FINI) GRANT PROGRAM

Recipient

Location

Amount

Year

Purpose

PACIFIC COAST FARMERS MARKET ASSOCIATION

CONCORD, CA

$1,905,840

2025