Northlight Foundation concentrates its giving on a small number of large institutional gifts, favoring established higher-education, conservation and philanthropic organizations. Grants are predominantly unrestricted or “program support” to mature nonprofits and institutions rather than small community groups. The mix suggests an interest in progressive, research-oriented universities and environmental conservation, with at least one grantee tied to labor-affiliated philanthropy. Overall, the foundation prioritizes scale and institutional capacity over broad, community-level funding.
Northlight Foundation Inc’s recent giving is defined by a large 2023 grant to Amalgamated Foundation for $3,850,380, which sets the tone for a portfolio that favors substantial institutional support over small, one-off awards. Across the latest grants list, the foundation backs higher-education institutions, conservation organizations, and philanthropic intermediaries, often through unrestricted or program support. That pattern appears in multi-year support for The Conservation Fund, which received $1,050,000 in 2025 after a $500,000 grant in 2023, and in continued support for The New School, which received $640,000 in 2025 after $387,972 in 2023. Northlight Foundation Inc also funds policy and movement-oriented organizations such as Natural Resources Defense Council and Center for American Progress, alongside place-based and national conservation groups. The recurring presence of large grants to established institutions suggests a preference for organizations with existing scale and program infrastructure. Its portfolio includes education, environmental protection, conservation finance, and intermediary philanthropy, with grant purpose language that is consistently framed as support for organizations’ programs and activities.
Education and leadership development appear in grants to universities and scholarship-related institutions. Northlight Foundation Inc gave $1,225,000 to University of Michigan in 2025, and its Catalyzing Environmental Leadership program describes fellowships, internships, trainings, academic centers, and scholarships. Conservation is another clear theme: The Conservation Fund received $1,050,000 in 2025, and the Reimagining Conservation program emphasizes innovative conservation strategies and efforts to keep oil and gas development out of the Arctic. The foundation also supports environmental justice and community-led work; Native Movement received $150,000 in 2025, and the Centering Community program highlights BIPOC-led and frontline/community-led organizations. Philanthropic infrastructure is part of the mix as well, reflected in the $3,850,380 grant to Amalgamated Foundation for programs and activities.
Northlight Foundation Inc gives in a wide size range, with a p25 of $2,700, a median grant of $14,350, and a p75 of $159,334, while the recent grants list also includes several awards above $1 million. The pattern is dominated by program support rather than project-specific microgrants. Recipients appear across multiple years, including The Conservation Fund, The New School, Natural Resources Defense Council, Alaska Wilderness League, Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters, The Telluride Foundation, and Fidelity DAF. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Unsolicited applications are not accepted in the active programs listed.
$14.1M
$82.1M
$10.1M
$8.7M
Most grants fall between $3K and $159K, with a median of $14K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$14K
75th Percentile
$159K
About 23% of grants go to recipients in CA.
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Concentrated, large-dollar grants to a very small set of established institutions; one-time or infrequent large gifts for program support rather than many small awards; emphasis on institutional capacity and program funding.
Notable grantees: Amalgamated Foundation, University of Michigan, The Conservation Fund, The New School
Northlight Foundation Inc gives nationally, with all recent grants in the United States. California is the top state by grant count, and New York recipients account for 23% of grants, so the foundation’s giving is not concentrated only in its headquarters state. Recent grants land in New York City, Ann Arbor, Arlington, Washington, San Francisco, Portland, and Augusta. The list also includes grantees in Maine, Colorado, Alaska-linked work, and Michigan, showing a mix of national intermediaries and place-based organizations.
The foundation backs established nonprofits and institutions that receive program support. Recent grantees include universities, conservation organizations, philanthropic intermediaries, and policy groups such as University of Michigan, The Conservation Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Center for American Progress.
Yes. Environmental protection and conservation are recurring themes in both the active programs and recent grants. The foundation funded The Conservation Fund for $1,050,000 in 2025, The Trust for Public Land for $300,000 in 2025, and The Wilderness Society for $100,000 in 2025.
The grant size distribution is wide: the p25 is $2,700, the median is $14,350, and the p75 is $159,334. Recent awards also include several much larger grants, including a $3,850,380 grant in 2023 and a $1,225,000 grant in 2025.
Yes. Several recipients appear in more than one year, including The Conservation Fund, The New School, Natural Resources Defense Council, Alaska Wilderness League, Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters, The Telluride Foundation, and Fidelity DAF. That suggests repeat support for selected organizations.
No. All five active programs list Accepts unsolicited as False, so the foundation is not using an open unsolicited-application model in those programs.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $1,225,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| THE CONSERVATION FUND | ARLINGTON, VA | $1,050,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| THE NEW SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $640,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL | NEW YORK, NY | $485,714 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS | WASHINGTON, DC | $465,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| OPENMINDS | GETTYSBURG, PA | $375,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| TIDES CENTER | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $333,333 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $300,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| MAINE TRUST FOR LOCAL NEWS | SOUTH PORTLAND, ME | $300,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| ALASKA WILDERNESS LEAGUE | WASHINGTON, DC | $280,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| MAINE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC | ELLSWORTH, ME | $200,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| FRIENDS OF KATAHDIN WOODS AND WATERS | PORTLAND, ME | $166,666 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| NATIVE MOVEMENT | FAIRBANKS, AZ | $150,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| FIDELITY DAF | CINCINNATI, OH | $135,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| THE TELLURIDE FOUNDATION | TELLURIDE, CO | $130,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| NATIONAL SEPTEMBER 11 MEMORIAL & MUSEUM | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| BLUE CHIP PLAYER DEVELOPMENT | ANN ARBOR, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| MAINE CONSERVATION ALLIANCE | AUGUSTA, ME | $80,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | FAIRFAX, VA | $75,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND INC | COLCHESTER, VT | $75,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| AMERCIAN INDIAN COMMUNITY HOUSE | NEW YORK, NY | $75,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| NATIVE AMERICAN RIGHTS FUND | BOULDER, CO | $75,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| NORTHERN ALASKA ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER | FAIRBANKS, AK | $70,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENTREPRENEURS | CALABASAS, CA | $60,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| ST GEORGE CDC CTE MAKERSPACE FUND | ST GEORGE, ME | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| SOUTH BRONX UNITE | BRONX, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| GWICH'IN STEERING COMMITTEE | FAIRBANKS, AK | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| TREKKERS | ROCKLAND, ME | $30,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| ECOAMERICA | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| PUBLIC ART FUND INC | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| NYLCV EDUCATION FUND INC | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| BIODIVERSITY FUNDERS GROUP | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | FORT COLLINS, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| PER SCHOLAS | BRONX, NY | $4,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| HOVNANIAN SCHOOL | NEW MILFORD, NJ | $4,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| FC HARLEM | NEW YORK, NY | $4,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| FEEDING TAMPA BAY | TAMPA, FL | $1,800 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| LUBAVITCH ON THE PALISADES | TENAFLY, NJ | $1,700 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | ATLANTA, GA | $1,055 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| WEST HILL POND ASSOCIATION | WEST HARTFORD, CT | $1,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN | BOSTON, MA | $900 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| THE SCHOOL FUND | PALO ALTO, CA | $440 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| WISE ANIMAL RESCUE | LAKE HIAWATHA, NJ | $300 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| COVENANT HOUSE | NEW YORK, NY | $200 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| AMALGAMATED FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $3,850,380 | 2023 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| THE CONSERVATION FUND | ARLINGTON, VA | $500,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| THE NEW SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $387,972 | 2023 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
| FIDELITY DAF | CINCINNATI, OH | $385,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES |
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
$1,225,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
THE CONSERVATION FUND
$1,050,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
THE NEW SCHOOL
$640,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL
$485,714SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS
$465,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
OPENMINDS
$375,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
TIDES CENTER
$333,333SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
$300,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
MAINE TRUST FOR LOCAL NEWS
$300,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
ALASKA WILDERNESS LEAGUE
$280,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
MAINE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
$200,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
FRIENDS OF KATAHDIN WOODS AND WATERS
$166,666SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
NATIVE MOVEMENT
$150,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
FIDELITY DAF
$135,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
THE TELLURIDE FOUNDATION
$130,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY
$100,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
NATIONAL SEPTEMBER 11 MEMORIAL & MUSEUM
$100,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
BLUE CHIP PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
$100,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
MAINE CONSERVATION ALLIANCE
$80,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$75,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND INC
$75,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
AMERCIAN INDIAN COMMUNITY HOUSE
$75,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
NATIVE AMERICAN RIGHTS FUND
$75,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
NORTHERN ALASKA ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
$70,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENTREPRENEURS
$60,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
ST GEORGE CDC CTE MAKERSPACE FUND
$50,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
SOUTH BRONX UNITE
$50,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
GWICH'IN STEERING COMMITTEE
$50,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
TREKKERS
$30,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
ECOAMERICA
$25,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
PUBLIC ART FUND INC
$25,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
NYLCV EDUCATION FUND INC
$10,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
BIODIVERSITY FUNDERS GROUP
$5,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$5,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
PER SCHOLAS
$4,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
HOVNANIAN SCHOOL
$4,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
FC HARLEM
$4,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
FEEDING TAMPA BAY
$1,800SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
LUBAVITCH ON THE PALISADES
$1,700SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
$1,055SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
$1,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
WEST HILL POND ASSOCIATION
$1,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN
$900SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
THE SCHOOL FUND
$440SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
WISE ANIMAL RESCUE
$300SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
COVENANT HOUSE
$200SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
AMALGAMATED FOUNDATION
$3,850,380SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
THE CONSERVATION FUND
$500,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
THE NEW SCHOOL
$387,972SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
FIDELITY DAF
$385,000SUPPORT ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES