Our mission is to develop practical, lasting solutions that build climate-resilient communities in the U.S. and across the world. Through partnerships with locally-led organizations, we co-create safer environments, healthier lives, and cleaner cities, while improving access to affordable, reliable energy in the most vulnerable communities—contributing to a more secure future for all.
A $484,441 capacity-building grant to Atma Connect is the largest recent award on file for the Institute for Sustainable Communities, and it points to how the foundation works: strengthening organizations that are advancing climate and sustainability solutions in communities. Its recent grants are not project-heavy; they are overwhelmingly framed as capacity building, with support going to groups working on environmental justice, resilience, community development, and clean-energy-related issues. The pattern includes a mix of large multi-year or repeated awards and a broad set of community-based organizations. Among the bigger recent grants, Elevate LLC received $276,442 in 2024, and Emerald Cities Collaborative received $144,661 in 2025, both for capacity building. The foundation also supported groups such as Healthy Gulf, Partnership for Southern Equity, Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation, and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network, showing a preference for organizations that connect climate, equity, and local implementation. Headquartered in Montpelier, Vermont, the foundation gives nationally and does not fund individuals.
Capacity building is the clearest thread in the Institute for Sustainable Communities’ recent grantmaking. It gave $142,500 to Healthy Gulf in 2024 and another $112,497 in 2023, both as capacity-building support, showing repeated support to the same organization across years. The foundation also awarded $75,000 to Groundwork Ohio River Valley in 2024 and $129,583 in 2025, another sign that some grantees receive follow-on funding. Its issue areas include environmental justice and community climate work. Recent grants include $142,500 to Partnership for Southern Equity, $142,500 to Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation, and $75,000 to Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice, all for capacity building. The grant to Asian Pacific Environmental Network for $100,000 in 2025 fits the same pattern of backing organizations with community-based climate and equity work. Related support also reached organizations such as Pacoima Beautiful and Greenroots.
Typical grant size falls at $25,000 at the 25th percentile, $53,785 at the median, and $98,500 at the 75th percentile. The recent awards list also shows several grants clustered at $75,000, $117,500, $142,500, and one larger outlier at $484,441, suggesting a mix of mid-sized operating support and larger capacity-building awards. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not make program-related investments. Multiple organizations appear across more than one year in the recent-grants list, including Healthy Gulf, Groundwork Ohio River Valley, and Jastech Development Services Inc.
$1.1M
$3M
$6.5M
$7.2M
Most grants fall between $25K and $99K, with a median of $54K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$54K
75th Percentile
$99K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in CA.
REBECCA KADURU
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The Institute for Sustainable Communities gives nationally, and every grant in the country distribution goes to U.S. recipients. By count, California appears most often among recipient states. Recent grants reached Oakland, San Francisco, Pacoima, and Santa Rosa in California, along with New York City-area organizations in the Bronx and New York, plus groups in New Orleans, Cincinnati, and Washington, DC. Vermont is not a grant-recipient state in the recent data.
Its recent grants center on capacity building for organizations working on climate and sustainability solutions. The focus areas listed include energy, energy efficiency, greenhouse-gas reduction, climate resilience, equity and climate justice, community economic development, infrastructure, industry and manufacturing, and workforce development.
The typical grant-size distribution is $25,000 at the 25th percentile, $53,785 at the median, and $98,500 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include several grants at $75,000 and $142,500, plus a larger $484,441 grant.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years in the recent-grants list, including Healthy Gulf, Groundwork Ohio River Valley, and Jastech Development Services Inc. That pattern suggests follow-on support rather than one-time awards only.
By grant count, California is the top recipient state in the recent data. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 63 grants going to U.S. organizations.
It is classified as a regular funder. The foundation also does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Institute for Sustainable Communities that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Applicants seeking support in the application process for green infrastructure for justice opportunities.
Who can apply: Communities facing challenges in accessing resources and building partnerships with philanthropic and private organizations.
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GROUNDWORK OHIO RIVER VALLEY | CINCINNATI, OH | $271,746 | 2026 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| ATMA CONNECT | OAKLAND, CA | $195,185 | 2026 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $187,790 | 2026 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| EMERALD CITIES COLLABORATIVE | WASHINGTON, DC | $122,409 | 2026 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| RIVER NETWORK | BOULDER, CO | $111,697 | 2026 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| URBAN SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTORS NETWORK | SANFORD, NC | $70,289 | 2026 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ADAPTATION PROFESSIONALS | YPSILANTI, MI | $46,158 | 2026 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| GREENROOTS | CHELSEA, MA | $20,000 | 2026 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| LA MUJER OBRERA | EL PASO, TX | $20,000 | 2026 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| COMMUNITY BUILDERS NETWORK OF METRO ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $14,500 | 2026 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| IMANI COMMUNITY CHURCH | OAKLAND, CA | $7,000 | 2026 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| ATMA CONNECT | OAKLAND, CA | $484,441 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| EMERALD CITIES COLLABORATIVE | WASHINGTON, DC | $144,661 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| GROUNDWORK OHIO RIVER VALLEY | CINCINNATI, OH | $129,583 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| TIDES CENTER | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $119,900 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| PACOIMA BEAUTIFUL | PACOIMA, CA | $117,500 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES OF SOUTH FLORIDA | MIAMI, FL | $117,500 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| ASIAN PACIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK | OAKLAND, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| JASTECH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES INC | PHILIDELPHIA, PA | $97,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| URBAN SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTORS NETWORK | SANFORD, NC | $76,274 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $62,242 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| EMANCIPATION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL | HOUSTON, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| LA MUJER OBRERA | EL PASO, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| HEALTHY COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND ADVOCACY | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $50,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| GREENROOTS | CHELSEA, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| EASTSIDE COMMUNITY NETWORK | DETROIT, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| POWER 52 | ELLICOTT CITY, MD | $50,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| YOUTH MINISTRIES FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE | BRONX, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| CALIFORNIA INDIAN MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER | SANTA ROAS, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| WALNUT WAY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| IMANI COMMUNITY CHURCH | OAKLAND, CA | $47,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| RIVER NETWORK | BOULDER, CO | $46,507 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ADAPTATION PROFESSIONALS | YPSILANTI, MI | $25,846 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| COMMUNITY BUILDERS NETWORK OF METRO ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $22,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| HEALTHY GULF | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $16,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| WE STAY - NOS QUEDAMOS INC | BRONX, NY | $16,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| UNLIMITED POTENTIAL | PHOENIX, AZ | $16,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| GARFIELD PARK COMMUNITY COUNCIL | CHICAGO, IL | $10,598 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| ELEVATE LLC | NEW YORK, NY | $276,442 | 2024 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| WE STAY - NOS QUEDAMOS INC | BRONX, NY | $142,500 | 2024 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| SOCIAL GOOD FUND INC | RICHMOND, CA | $142,500 | 2024 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| GARFIELD PARK COMMUNITY COUNCIL | CHICAGO, IL | $142,500 | 2024 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| HEALTHY GULF | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $142,500 | 2024 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| THUNDER VALLEY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | PORCUPINE, SD | $142,500 | 2024 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| UNLIMITED POTENTIAL | PHOENIX, AZ | $142,500 | 2024 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| PARTNERSHIP FOR SOUTHERN EQUITY | ATLANTA, GA | $142,500 | 2024 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| SUSTAINING WAY | GREENVILLE, SC | $75,000 | 2024 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| GREENROOTS | CHELSEA, MA | $75,000 | 2024 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| EASTSIDE COMMUNITY NETWORK | DETROIT, MI | $75,000 | 2024 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
| HEALTHY COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND ADVOCACY | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $75,000 | 2024 | CAPACITY BUILDING |
ATMA CONNECT
$195,185CAPACITY BUILDING
CAPACITY BUILDING
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ADAPTATION PROFESSIONALS
$46,158CAPACITY BUILDING
COMMUNITY BUILDERS NETWORK OF METRO ST LOUIS
$14,500CAPACITY BUILDING
IMANI COMMUNITY CHURCH
$7,000CAPACITY BUILDING
ATMA CONNECT
$484,441CAPACITY BUILDING
EMANCIPATION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
$50,000CAPACITY BUILDING
EASTSIDE COMMUNITY NETWORK
$50,000CAPACITY BUILDING
POWER 52
$50,000CAPACITY BUILDING
YOUTH MINISTRIES FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE
$50,000CAPACITY BUILDING
IMANI COMMUNITY CHURCH
$47,000CAPACITY BUILDING
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ADAPTATION PROFESSIONALS
$25,846CAPACITY BUILDING
COMMUNITY BUILDERS NETWORK OF METRO ST LOUIS
$22,000CAPACITY BUILDING
ELEVATE LLC
$276,442CAPACITY BUILDING
EASTSIDE COMMUNITY NETWORK
$75,000CAPACITY BUILDING
