The Klungness Family Foundation appears to concentrate its philanthropy on environmental health and science organizations, demonstrated by a single, sizeable unrestricted grant. Their giving suggests a focus on supporting research, professional networks, and capacity for organizations working at the intersection of environment and public health rather than broad-based, diversified philanthropy.
A defining feature of The Klungness Family Foundation Inc is its support for environmental health organizations at meaningful scale, led by a $521,000 unrestricted grant in 2024 to the Association for Environmental Health & Sciences. That grant sits alongside another large 2024 unrestricted award to Environmental Health Trust, showing a pattern of backing institutions that work on environmental health research, outreach, and practice. The foundation also funds science-centered work through grants tied to wireless/radiofrequency issues, including outreach related to wireless tech and radiofrequency radiation, which points to a specific interest in public education around health risks. Its portfolio also includes scholarship and institutional support in higher education, with grants to Albion College and Michigan Technological University. In addition, the foundation has funded conservation and public-interest groups, including land protection work in Michigan and organizations focused on environmental oversight and public science. The overall picture is of a family foundation that concentrates on environmental health, science, and related educational or public-benefit organizations, rather than spreading small grants across many unrelated fields.
Environmental health is the clearest throughline. In 2024, the foundation gave $521,000 to the Association for Environmental Health & Sciences for general and unrestricted support, and $350,450 to Environmental Health Trust for general and unrestricted support. It also gave $103,050 to Environmental Health Trust to support a federal, state, and local outreach program regarding wireless tech and radiofrequency radiation. The foundation also supports energy and conservation work. It gave $300,000 to Michigan Technological University for the Klungness Sustainable Energy Innovation and Demonstration Fund, and $150,000 to the Nature Conservancy for the Keweenaw Heartlands Project in Michigan. Wildlife and species-focused work appears as well, including a $100,000 grant to Reid Park Zoological Society for its Pathway to Asia Program and a $50,000 grant to Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs for The Bee Conservancy Program.
Typical grants cluster in the mid-five-figure range, with a p25 of $11,000, a median of $30,000, and a p75 of $50,000. The recent record also includes several six-figure awards, indicating that the foundation makes both standard operating grants and larger anchor gifts. The structure is that of a regular funder, and the foundation also funds individuals, as shown by scholarship support to Albion College and Michigan Technological University. The recent grants list includes repeat recipients across multiple years, including grants in both 2023 and 2024 to Virginia Organizing Inc, Wilderness Watch Inc, Michigan Technological University, and New Power Tour Inc.
$5.5M
$0
$104K
$5.5M
Most grants fall between $11K and $50K, with a median of $30K.
25th Percentile
$11K
Median
$30K
75th Percentile
$50K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in MI.
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Highly concentrated giving: a single large, unrestricted grant to one environmental health association, indicating preference for sizable, targeted investments in a small number of organizations (or a flagship grantee) rather than many small awards.
Notable grantees: Association for Environmental Health & Sciences Foundation
Grantmaking is national, but the strongest concentration by recipient count is in California. Recent awards also land in Michigan through multiple organizations in Houghton and Hancock, including higher education, energy efficiency, and community foundations. Other visible clusters include Massachusetts, Virginia, Wyoming, and Arizona. Every recent grant in the dataset went to a U.S. recipient, and no grants were recorded to recipients in Delaware despite the foundation’s Wilmington headquarters.
The strongest pattern is environmental health and science, including unrestricted support for the Association for Environmental Health & Sciences and Environmental Health Trust, plus outreach on wireless tech and radiofrequency radiation. The foundation also funds sustainable energy, conservation, scholarships, and select public-interest or science-based organizations.
The foundation’s grant-size profile is centered in the mid-five figures: p25 is $11,000, median grant size is $30,000, and p75 is $50,000. Recent activity also includes larger six-figure grants such as $521,000 and $350,450.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeat support for Virginia Organizing Inc in 2023 and 2024, Wilderness Watch Inc in 2023 and 2024, Michigan Technological University in 2023 and 2024, and New Power Tour Inc in 2023 and 2024.
By recipient count, California is the top state. Recent California recipients include U C San Diego Foundation in La Jolla, The Nature Conservancy in Cold Spring Harbor? Wait, no—Cold Spring Harbor is New York. California recipients in the list include U C San Diego Foundation in La Jolla and Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs in Calabasas.
It funds individuals as well as organizations. The grant record includes scholarship support through Albion College’s Klungness Scholarship fund and Michigan Technological University’s James A. Klungness Endowed Scholarship fund, alongside grants to nonprofits and universities.
2024
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2024.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASSOCIATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SCIENCES FO | AMHERST, MA | $521,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH TRUST | TETON VILLAGE, WY | $350,450 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY | HOUGHTON, MI | $300,000 | 2024 | the Klungness Sustainable Energy Innovation and Demonstration Fund at Michigan Tech |
| VIRGINIA ORGANIZING INC | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $250,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| WILDERNESS WATCH INC | MISSOULA, MT | $220,950 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| THE INTERNATIONAL DARK-SKY ASSOCIATION INC | TUCSON, AZ | $180,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| PUBLIC EMPLOYEES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY | SILVER SPRING, MD | $172,500 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| NEW POWER TOUR INC | HANCOCK, MI | $150,000 | 2024 | MI HOPE energy efficiency program |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | COLD SPRING HARBOR, NY | $150,000 | 2024 | The Nature Conservancy of Michigan - For Slate River Reserve |
| U C SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION | LA JOLLA, CA | $150,000 | 2024 | UCSD Golomb Research Group Fund |
| NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $150,000 | 2024 | Keweenaw Heartlands Project, Michigan |
| CHARITIES AID FOUNDATION AMERICA | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $115,000 | 2024 | General Support of Swedish Charity, Hand till Hand |
| ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH TRUST | TETON VILLAGE, WY | $103,050 | 2024 | To support Federal, State, and Local outreach program regarding wireless tech/radiofrequency radiation |
| REID PARK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | TUCSON, AZ | $100,000 | 2024 | Pathway to Asia Program |
| NORTHERN LIGHTS YMCA INC | ESCANABA, MI | $100,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted (IN-KIND GRANT - SEE GENERAL EXPLANATION) |
| KEWEENAW COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | HANCOCK, MI | $100,000 | 2024 | KCF and specified endowments funds |
| PORTAGE HEALTH FOUNDATION | HANCOCK, MI | $100,000 | 2024 | Giving Tuesday and Local Education Fund |
| MICHAEL J FOX FOUNDATION FOR PARKINSONS RESEARCH | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $100,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| SCIENTIFIC ALLIANCE FOR EDUCATION | SHEFFIELD, MA | $81,050 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| BRADY CENTER TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE | WASHINGTON, DC | $80,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| MAYO CLINIC | ROCHESTER, MN | $75,000 | 2024 | Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research |
| NORTHEAST WILDERNESS TRUST | MONTPELIER, VT | $72,500 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| SUPERIOR BIO-CONSERVANCY INC | RIVER HILLS, WI | $60,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| OCEAN CONSERVANCY INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| WORLD WILDLIFE FUND INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENTREPRENEURS | CALABASAS, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | The Bee Conservancy Program |
| INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR ANIMAL WELFARE INC | YARMOUTH PORT, MA | $50,000 | 2024 | funds for Elephants |
| ROCKY MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE | BOULDER, CO | $50,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| SWAN VIEW COALITION INC | KALISPELL, MT | $50,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| KEWEENAW LAND TRUST INC | HANCOCK, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| SWEDETOWN TRAILS CLUB | CALUMET, MI | $40,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| COPPER HARBOR TRAILS SOCIETY INC | COPPER HARBOR, MI | $40,000 | 2024 | For the development of the Keweenaw Point Trail |
| FRIENDS OF THE CLEARWATER INC | MOSCOW, ID | $40,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| UNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF | NEW YORK, NY | $40,000 | 2024 | Ukraine Fund |
| NORTH AMERICAN WILDERNESS RECOVERY | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $40,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF MICHIGAN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $40,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE | WASHINGTON, DC | $40,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| KEWEENAW NORDIC SKI CLUB INC | HANCOCK, MI | $40,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | COLD SPRING HARBOR, NY | $34,076 | 2024 | The Nature Conservancy in Michigan - For Keweenaw Heartlands Project |
| ELECTROMAGNETIC SAFETY ALLIANCE INCORPORATED | TUCSON, AZ | $33,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY | BOZEMAN, MT | $30,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER | BROOKLYN PARK, MN | $30,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| FRIENDS OF THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $30,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INCORPORATED | WASHINGTON, DC | $30,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| HOPE FOR UKRAINE INC | ROSELAND, NJ | $30,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA FOUNDATION | TUCSON, AZ | $30,000 | 2024 | For the benefit of AZPM |
| GRASSROOTS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION INC | PORT WASHINGTON, NY | $30,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| COPPER COUNTRY HUMANE SOCIETY | HOUGHTON, MI | $30,000 | 2024 | General & Unrestricted |
| DEEP SPRINGS CORPORATION | DYER, NV | $30,000 | 2024 | Operating Support for the Deep Springs College |
ASSOCIATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SCIENCES FO
$521,000General & Unrestricted
the Klungness Sustainable Energy Innovation and Demonstration Fund at Michigan Tech
WILDERNESS WATCH INC
$220,950General & Unrestricted
THE INTERNATIONAL DARK-SKY ASSOCIATION INC
$180,000General & Unrestricted
General & Unrestricted
NEW POWER TOUR INC
$150,000MI HOPE energy efficiency program
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
$150,000The Nature Conservancy of Michigan - For Slate River Reserve
CHARITIES AID FOUNDATION AMERICA
$115,000General Support of Swedish Charity, Hand till Hand
To support Federal, State, and Local outreach program regarding wireless tech/radiofrequency radiation
General & Unrestricted (IN-KIND GRANT - SEE GENERAL EXPLANATION)
PORTAGE HEALTH FOUNDATION
$100,000Giving Tuesday and Local Education Fund
SCIENTIFIC ALLIANCE FOR EDUCATION
$81,050General & Unrestricted
MAYO CLINIC
$75,000Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
SUPERIOR BIO-CONSERVANCY INC
$60,000General & Unrestricted
SWAN VIEW COALITION INC
$50,000General & Unrestricted
SWEDETOWN TRAILS CLUB
$40,000General & Unrestricted
COPPER HARBOR TRAILS SOCIETY INC
$40,000For the development of the Keweenaw Point Trail
FRIENDS OF THE CLEARWATER INC
$40,000General & Unrestricted
NORTH AMERICAN WILDERNESS RECOVERY
$40,000General & Unrestricted
KEWEENAW NORDIC SKI CLUB INC
$40,000General & Unrestricted
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
$34,076The Nature Conservancy in Michigan - For Keweenaw Heartlands Project
ELECTROMAGNETIC SAFETY ALLIANCE INCORPORATED
$33,000General & Unrestricted
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY
$30,000General & Unrestricted
INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER
$30,000General & Unrestricted
GRASSROOTS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION INC
$30,000General & Unrestricted
COPPER COUNTRY HUMANE SOCIETY
$30,000General & Unrestricted
DEEP SPRINGS CORPORATION
$30,000Operating Support for the Deep Springs College