The Felburn Foundation appears to focus its grantmaking on land conservation, providing large, directed gifts to support capital campaigns for land protection. Its entire recent giving (two grants) is concentrated on preserving the Columbia River Gorge through Columbia Land Trust, indicating an interest in permanent landscape protection rather than broad programmatic support. The foundation funds capital-intensive conservation projects, even outside its Bethesda, MD home region.
Felburn Foundation’s recent giving is defined by land protection at scale, especially support for Columbia Land Trust’s work in the Columbia River Gorge. The foundation gave $350,000 in 2024 for capital campaign support for Columbia River Gorge land protection, followed by $300,000 in 2025 for annual operational support and a capital campaign. That pairing shows a funder willing to back both the transaction side of conservation and the operating capacity needed to keep it moving. The foundation also appears to support conservation organizations working on land acquisition and protection in Florida. Recent grants include support for The Conservation Fund’s Florida wildlife corridor work and North Florida Land Trust’s capacity growth, alongside land acquisition gifts to Alachua Conservation Trust and Dog Island Conservation District. Its giving pattern points to permanent landscape protection, land trust infrastructure, and capital-intensive conservation projects rather than broad program support. Other grants extend the same conservation theme into science, habitat, and environmental education. Examples include support for the Howard T Odum Florida Springs Institute, the University of Florida, and the University of North Florida Environmental Center, indicating interest in field-based conservation, freshwater systems, and environmental learning.
Land protection is the clearest thread in Felburn Foundation’s grantmaking. In 2024, it gave $150,000 to The Nature Conservancy for the acquisition of 758 acres of Cola River land and timber land, and in 2025 it gave $100,000 to The Conservation Fund for Black River Willie Tract protection. The foundation also backs Florida conservation groups with operating or capacity support. It gave $100,000 to Conservation Florida Inc in 2025 for operational support and $100,000 to North Florida Land Trust in 2025 for capacity staff support growth. Freshwater and springs work shows up as well. Howard T Odum Florida Springs Institute Inc received $75,000 in 2025 for the Florida Springs Welcome Center campaign and $75,000 in 2024 for a Silver Springs ecosystem health assessment. Environmental education appears in university-linked grants, including $60,000 to University of North Florida Environmental Center in 2025 for an environmental leadership program.
$2.1M
$35.5M
$3.2M
$2.7M
Most grants fall between $15K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
About 2% of grants go to recipients in FL.
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Highly concentrated: very few, large grants directed to a single repeat grantee; capital campaign / project-specific funding rather than many small or unrestricted operating grants.
Notable grantees: Columbia Land Trust
Felburn Foundation’s recent grants cluster around standard mid-sized awards, with a typical grant size of $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent top-end awards are much larger, including $350,000 and $300,000 grants, which suggests selective larger commitments for capital campaigns and major conservation transactions. The recent record points to repeat support rather than one-off giving. Columbia Land Trust appears in multiple years and in more than one funding mode, and several Florida conservation groups recur across years as well. The foundation is structured as a private foundation and does not fund individuals. The data provided does not show an open application process or unsolicited grantmaking route.
Felburn Foundation gives most often in Florida, with 100% of recent grants going to U.S. recipients and only 2% to recipients in its Maryland headquarters state. Recent Florida grantees include Orlando, Gainesville, Osprey, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, High Springs, Crystal River, and Jupiter. Outside Florida, Vancouver, Washington appears as a repeat recipient city for Columbia Land Trust, and Atlanta, Georgia also appears in the recent grants list.
Recent grants show a strong concentration in land conservation organizations, land trusts, and conservation funds. Examples include Columbia Land Trust, The Conservation Fund, North Florida Land Trust, Alachua Conservation Trust, and Dog Island Conservation District. The foundation also supports related science and environmental education organizations such as the University of Florida and the University of North Florida Environmental Center.
The foundation’s typical grant size is $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include larger, more targeted commitments such as $350,000, $300,000, and several $100,000 grants.
Yes. Columbia Land Trust appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025, with support for both land protection and operations. Other groups also recur, including Conservation Florida Inc, The Conservation Fund, Howard T Odum Florida Springs Institute Inc, and Shepherd Center Foundation Inc.
Its recent grants are entirely to U.S. recipients, with Florida receiving the most grants by count. Recent Florida cities in the recipient list include Orlando, Gainesville, Osprey, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, High Springs, Crystal River, and Jupiter. Columbia Land Trust in Vancouver, Washington is another repeated recipient.
The foundation supports conservation through a mix of capital campaign support, land acquisition, operational support, and capacity support. Recent examples include $350,000 for Columbia River Gorge land protection, $150,000 for a land and timber acquisition, $100,000 for Florida wildlife corridor land conservation, and grants tied to staff support and ecosystem assessments.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COLUMBIA LAND TRUST | VANCOUVER, WA | $300,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL OPERATIONAL SUPPORT AND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $150,000 | 2025 | GREGORIE NECK PROJECT/SC REVOLVING LAND FUND |
| NORTH FLORIDA LAND TRUST | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $100,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY STAFF SUPPORT GROWTH |
| SHEPHERD CENTER FOUNDATION INC | ATLANTA, GA | $100,000 | 2025 | RECREATION THERAPY PROGRAM |
| CONSERVATION FLORIDA INC | ORLANDO, FL | $100,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| THE CONSERVATION FUND | GAINESVILLE, FL | $100,000 | 2025 | BLACK RIVER WILLIE TRACT PROTECTION |
| HOWARD T ODUM FLORIDA SPRINGS INSTITUTE INC | HIGH SPRINGS, FL | $75,000 | 2025 | FL SPRINGS WELCOME CENTER CAMPAIGN |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $60,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM |
| UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA FOUNDATION INC | GAINESVILLE, FL | $60,000 | 2025 | PREPARATOR AND FIELDWORK PERSONNEL SALARIES FOR MONTBROOK FOSSIL SITE |
| PANTHERA CORP | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | TIGER PROTECTION IN MALAYSIAS TAMAN NEGARA LANDSCAPE |
| HORSE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA (HPAF) | MICANOPY, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| CONSERVATION FOUNDATION OF THE GULF COAST | OSPREY, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| FLORIDA WILDLIFE CORRIDOR FOUNDATION | ST PETERSBURG, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | MIND THE GAPS WORKSHOPS |
| ENDANGERED ANIMAL RESCUE SANCTUARY (EARS) | CITRA, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | NEW STORAGE FREEZER |
| CEDAR LAKES WOODS AND GARDENS | WILLISTON, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION EDUCATION CENTER |
| INTERNATIONAL CRANE FOUNDATION INC | BARABOO, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | WHOOPING CRANE PROTECTION |
| WILD LANDSCAPES | TALLAHASSEE, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | RHINO HABITAT RESTORATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA FOUNDATION INC | GAINESVILLE, FL | $35,000 | 2025 | SAVING FRESHWATER MOLLUSKS OF FLORIDA ASSESSMENT |
| CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM INC | CLEARWATER, FL | $30,000 | 2025 | MAINTENANCE AND MANATEE CONSERVATION PROGRAMS |
| TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE FOUNDATION | NORTH CHARLESTON, SC | $29,000 | 2025 | TURTLE SURVIVAL CENTER FACILITIES UPDATES AND ANIMAL CARE |
| ENDANGERED SPECIES PROTECTION AGENCY USA FOUNDATION | HOYTSVILLE, UT | $25,000 | 2025 | PROJECT ALPHA: RANGER MENTORING |
| WINYAH RIVERS FOUNDATION INC | CONWAY, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | WATER QUALITY MONITORING AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS |
| ST JOHNS RIVERKEEPER | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | SAVE OUR RIVERS GRASSES EXPEDITION |
| FOREST ANIMAL RESCUE | SILVER SPRINGS, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM EXPANSION |
| ONE TREE PLANTED INC | SHELBURNE, VT | $25,000 | 2025 | SOUTHEAST US 2024 NATURAL DISASTER RECOVERY |
| COASTAL PLAINS INSTITUTE INC | CRAWFORDVILLE, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | STRIPED NEWT REPATRIATION AND EDUCATION INITIATIVE |
| NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY INC | MIAMI, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | OWL AVIARY AND CLINICAL SUPPORT |
| SAVE THE CHIMPS | FORT PIERCE, FL | $20,000 | 2025 | NUTRITIONAL AND VETERINARY SERVICES |
| WILD EARTH ALLIES INC | CHEVY CHASE, MD | $20,000 | 2025 | NATIVE TREE RESTORATION EXPANSION IN DELAWARE |
| INSIDE CLIMATE NEWS | BROOKLYN, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | FLORIDA BUREAU REPORTERS SALARY AND COVERAGE EXPANSION |
| FLORIDA STATE PARKS FOUNDATION INC | TALLAHASSEE, FL | $20,000 | 2025 | CORAL & SEAGRASS RESTORATION & PROTECTION VESSEL & BUOYS |
| PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF MARION COUNTY INC | OCALA, FL | $20,000 | 2025 | NEW MUSEUM TRUCK ACQUISITION |
| RAINFOREST TRUST | WARRENTON, VA | $20,000 | 2025 | CRITICAL GAP PROTECTION FOR JAGUARS AND GIANT ANTEATERS IN ARGENTINA |
| PUTNAM LAND CONSERVANCY INC | INTERLACHEN, FL | $20,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO VETERINARIANS | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $20,000 | 2025 | WILD ANIMAL HEALTH FUND |
| PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF MARION COUNTY INC | OCALA, FL | $19,500 | 2025 | BIG SPRINGS STEM FAIR |
| IDEAS FOR US | ORLANDO, FL | $15,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT FOR C-LEVEL TEAM |
| FLAMINGO GARDENS INC | DAVIE, FL | $15,000 | 2025 | CARE AND FEEDING OF RESCUED ANIMALS |
| PRIMATES INCORPORATED | MADISON, WI | $15,000 | 2025 | STAFF COSTS |
| TRUMPETER SWAN SOCIETY | PLYMOUTH, MN | $15,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL EXPENSES AND PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TUCSON WILDLIFE CENTER INC | TUCSON, AZ | $15,000 | 2025 | FOOD AND NUTRITION FOR WILDLIFE RECOVERY |
| AMERICAN CHESTNUT FOUNDATION | ASHEVILLE, NC | $15,000 | 2025 | MEADOWVIEW RESEARCH FARMS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM |
| SEA TURTLE CONSERVANCY | GAINESVILLE, FL | $15,000 | 2025 | SEA TURTLE PROTECTION ALONG FLORIDAS NATURE COAST |
| LANIER LIBRARY ASSOCIATION | TRYON, NC | $15,000 | 2025 | LIBRARY'S ENDOWMENT FUND |
| CEDAR KEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC | CEDAR KEY, FL | $14,400 | 2025 | MUSEUM COURTYARD AND GARDENS RESTORATION |
| THE ALLIANCE FOR WEEDON ISLAND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION | ST PETERSBURG, FL | $12,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PELICAN HARBOR SEABIRD STATION | MIAMI, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION SUPPORT |
| REEF RELIEF INC | KEY WEST, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | CORAL REEF CONSERVATION PROGRAM |
| PARTNERSHIP FOR GULF COAST LAND CONSERVATION | TALLAHASSEE, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | PROJECT ASSISTANCE FUND |
| HORRY SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT | CONWAY, SC | $10,000 | 2025 | VENUS FLY TRAP RESTORATION PROJECT |
OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
THE CONSERVATION FUND
$100,000BLACK RIVER WILLIE TRACT PROTECTION
HOWARD T ODUM FLORIDA SPRINGS INSTITUTE INC
$75,000FL SPRINGS WELCOME CENTER CAMPAIGN
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
$60,000ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
PREPARATOR AND FIELDWORK PERSONNEL SALARIES FOR MONTBROOK FOSSIL SITE
HORSE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA (HPAF)
$50,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
ENDANGERED ANIMAL RESCUE SANCTUARY (EARS)
$50,000NEW STORAGE FREEZER
CEDAR LAKES WOODS AND GARDENS
$50,000CONSERVATION EDUCATION CENTER
SAVING FRESHWATER MOLLUSKS OF FLORIDA ASSESSMENT
CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM INC
$30,000MAINTENANCE AND MANATEE CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE FOUNDATION
$29,000TURTLE SURVIVAL CENTER FACILITIES UPDATES AND ANIMAL CARE
ENDANGERED SPECIES PROTECTION AGENCY USA FOUNDATION
$25,000PROJECT ALPHA: RANGER MENTORING
WINYAH RIVERS FOUNDATION INC
$25,000WATER QUALITY MONITORING AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
ST JOHNS RIVERKEEPER
$25,000SAVE OUR RIVERS GRASSES EXPEDITION
FOREST ANIMAL RESCUE
$25,000PROGRAM EXPANSION
COASTAL PLAINS INSTITUTE INC
$25,000STRIPED NEWT REPATRIATION AND EDUCATION INITIATIVE
NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY INC
$25,000OWL AVIARY AND CLINICAL SUPPORT
CORAL & SEAGRASS RESTORATION & PROTECTION VESSEL & BUOYS
CRITICAL GAP PROTECTION FOR JAGUARS AND GIANT ANTEATERS IN ARGENTINA
PUTNAM LAND CONSERVANCY INC
$20,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO VETERINARIANS
$20,000WILD ANIMAL HEALTH FUND
PRIMATES INCORPORATED
$15,000STAFF COSTS
TRUMPETER SWAN SOCIETY
$15,000OPERATIONAL EXPENSES AND PROGRAM SUPPORT
LANIER LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
$15,000LIBRARY'S ENDOWMENT FUND
CEDAR KEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC
$14,400MUSEUM COURTYARD AND GARDENS RESTORATION
THE ALLIANCE FOR WEEDON ISLAND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
$12,500GENERAL OPERATING
REEF RELIEF INC
$10,000CORAL REEF CONSERVATION PROGRAM
PARTNERSHIP FOR GULF COAST LAND CONSERVATION
$10,000PROJECT ASSISTANCE FUND
HORRY SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
$10,000VENUS FLY TRAP RESTORATION PROJECT