Holdfast Trust is primarily a climate and land-conservation funder, channeling very large gifts to national conservation organizations, land trusts, and climate advocacy groups. Its grants mix traditional environmental philanthropy (land protection, rewilding, conservation finance) with targeted political and advocacy spending aimed at climate policy and electoral influence. Giving is heavily concentrated in a small number of multi-million-dollar grants, often to repeat recipients or intermediary foundations that re-grant or coordinate climate strategies. Although based in Wyoming, its beneficiaries are national and regional organizations working on habitat protection, climate advocacy and policy campaigns.
Holdfast Trust’s largest recent grants show a foundation built around climate and land-conservation work at very large scale. In 2024 and 2025, it sent $25,048,715 and $17,040,000 to Marin Community Foundation for philanthropy related to protecting the planet from climate change, followed by $7,200,000 to The Nature Conservancy for the same theme. The giving pattern also includes sizable support for climate advocacy, such as $6,651,000 to Save Our Home Planet Action Inc. and $500,000 to Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California. The foundation also backs land-protection intermediaries and conservation groups that operate nationally or across regions. The Conservation Fund received $3,375,000 in 2024 and $3,100,000 in 2023, while Rewild received $3,250,000 in 2025 and $2,900,000 in 2023. That mix places Holdfast Trust at the intersection of conservation finance, wilderness protection, and policy-oriented climate philanthropy. Its portfolio extends beyond direct land work into advocacy organizations and political vehicles tied to climate action, including Tides Advocacy, Climate Cabinet Action, Senate Majority Pac, House Majority Pac, and Environmental Voter Project Inc.
One clear theme is land protection. Holdfast Trust gave $3,375,000 to The Conservation Fund in 2024 and another $3,100,000 in 2023 for land conservation, then added $763,994 to Northeast Wilderness Trust in 2024 and $700,000 to Northeast Wilderness Trust Corporation in 2023. A second theme is rewilding and habitat-focused conservation. Rewild received $3,250,000 in 2025 and $2,900,000 in 2023, both aligned with protection of natural landscapes. Smith River Alliance Inc. also received $830,000 in 2025 for climate-related philanthropy. The foundation also supports advocacy groups working on climate policy and elections. Examples include $6,651,000 to Save Our Home Planet Action Inc., $3,000,000 to Watt Time, and $300,000 to Alaska Wilderness League Action Inc. Those grants point to a strategy that combines conservation with policy change.
Holdfast Trust’s typical grant size is large and uneven: the 25th percentile is $50,000, the median is $62,500, and the 75th percentile is $715,998. The distribution suggests a long tail of very large awards alongside a smaller set of lower-dollar advocacy grants. The foundation gives repeatedly to several recipients across multiple years, including Marin Community Foundation, The Conservation Fund, Rewild, Northeast Wilderness Trust, and Senate Majority Pac. Its recent activity is almost entirely grant-based, with program-related investments also noted in its profile. The portfolio includes both philanthropy-related grants and explicit advocacy grants, often with general-support language.
$35.9M
$1.4B
$63.3M
$38.4M
Most grants fall between $50K and $716K, with a median of $63K.
25th Percentile
$50K
Median
$63K
75th Percentile
$716K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in VA.
GREG CURTIS
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Concentrated, high-dollar giving: a few very large, repeat multi-million-dollar grants account for most dollars; funding blends long-term support for conservation organizations with directed one-off and recurring gifts to advocacy/PACs. Grants often flow through intermediaries or established national conservation groups rather than many small local grantees.
Notable grantees: Marin Community Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Rewild, The Conservation Fund, Save Our Home Planet Action Inc
Holdfast Trust gives nationally, and every recent grant in the sample went to U.S. recipients. Virginia stands out as the top state by grant count, reflecting frequent support for Arlington-based organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and The Conservation Fund. Other recurring recipient hubs include California, especially Novato, Ventura, Oakland, Sacramento, and San Francisco, plus Washington, DC. The recent list also reaches Montana, Texas, Vermont, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Georgia.
Its recent grants go to environmental and land-conservation organizations, climate advocacy groups, and philanthropic intermediaries. Examples include Marin Community Foundation for climate philanthropy, The Nature Conservancy for general support, and Save Our Home Planet Action Inc for advocacy related to protecting the planet from climate change.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Marin Community Foundation, The Conservation Fund, Rewild, Northeast Wilderness Trust, and Senate Majority Pac. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-off awards only.
The grant-size distribution is heavily skewed upward: p25 is $50,000, median is $62,500, and p75 is $715,998. Recent awards also include multi-million-dollar grants such as $25,048,715 to Marin Community Foundation and $7,200,000 to The Nature Conservancy.
Virginia is the top state by grant count. Recent Virginia recipients include Arlington-based The Nature Conservancy and The Conservation Fund, showing a strong concentration of awards in that state even though the foundation is headquartered in Wyoming.
Yes. Recent grants include $6,651,000 to Save Our Home Planet Action Inc, $500,000 to Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California, $300,000 to Alaska Wilderness League Action Inc, and smaller advocacy grants to Senate Majority Pac, House Majority Pac, and Tides Advocacy.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | NOVATO, CA | $17,040,000 | 2025 | PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $7,200,000 | 2025 | PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAVE OUR HOME PLANET ACTION INC | VENTURA, CA | $6,651,000 | 2025 | ADVOCACY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT |
| REWILD | AUSTIN, TX | $3,250,000 | 2025 | PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SMITH RIVER ALLIANCE INC | AUSTIN, TX | $830,000 | 2025 | PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CAMPAIGN FOR A SAFE AND HEALTHY CALIFORNIA | SACRAMENTO, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | ADVOCACY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SENATE MAJORITY PAC | WASHINGTON, DC | $200,000 | 2025 | ADVOCACY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TIDES ADVOCACY | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | ADVOCACY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CLIMATE CABINET ACTION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $75,000 | 2025 | ADVOCACY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VENTURA COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE | CAMARILLO, CA | $45,500 | 2025 | ADVOCACY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CLIMATE CABINET PAC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | ADVOCACY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STEPHENSON FOR SUPERVISOR | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $5,500 | 2025 | ADVOCACY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MARIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | NOVATO, CA | $25,048,715 | 2024 | PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE CONSERVATION FUND | ARLINGTON, VA | $3,375,000 | 2024 | PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WATT TIME | OAKLAND, CA | $3,000,000 | 2024 | PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $1,563,000 | 2024 | PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NORTHEAST WILDERNESS TRUST | MONTPELIER, VT | $763,994 | 2024 | PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TELL THE DAM TRUTH INC | VENTURA, CA | $400,000 | 2024 | PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ALASKA WILDERNESS LEAGUE ACTION INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $300,000 | 2024 | ADVOCACY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MOBILE BAYKEEPER INC | MOBILE, AL | $150,000 | 2024 | PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAVE THE YELLOWSTONE GRIZZLY | LIVINGSTON, MT | $45,000 | 2024 | PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE CENTER | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $40,000 | 2024 | PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR CENTER FOR NONVIOLENT SOCIAL CHANGE INC | ATLANTA, GA | $12,500 | 2024 | PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE CONSERVATION FUND | ARLINGTON, VA | $3,100,000 | 2023 | LAND CONSERVATION |
| REWILD | AUSTIN, TX | $2,900,000 | 2023 | LAND CONSERVATION |
| NORTHEAST WILDERNESS TRUST CORPORATION | MONTPELIER, VT | $700,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE GRANT |
| SENATE MAJORITY PAC | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT |
| HOUSE MAJORITY PAC | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT |
| GEORGIA INVESTOR ACTION FUND INC | ATLANTA, GA | $75,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT |
| ENVIRONMENTAL VOTER PROJECT INC | BOSTON, MA | $50,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT |
| JANE FONDA CLIMATE PAC | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT |
| CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS ACTION FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT |
| NEXTGEN CLIMATE ACTION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $50,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT |
| AMERICA VOTES | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT |
| BLACK VOTERS MATTER FUND INC | ATLANTA, GA | $50,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT |
| FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTION FUND | CONCORD, NH | $50,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT |
| THE VOTER PROJECT | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT |
| TAKE ACTION MINNESOTA | ST PAUL, MN | $50,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT |
| GLAHR ACTION NETWORK | ATLANTA, GA | $25,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT |
| GALEO IMPACT FUND PAC | ATLANTA, GA | $25,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT |
MARIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$17,040,000PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
$7,200,000PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT
SAVE OUR HOME PLANET ACTION INC
$6,651,000ADVOCACY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT
REWILD
$3,250,000PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT
SMITH RIVER ALLIANCE INC
$830,000PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT
CAMPAIGN FOR A SAFE AND HEALTHY CALIFORNIA
$500,000ADVOCACY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT
SENATE MAJORITY PAC
$200,000ADVOCACY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT
TIDES ADVOCACY
$100,000ADVOCACY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT
CLIMATE CABINET ACTION
$75,000ADVOCACY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT
VENTURA COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE
$45,500ADVOCACY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT
CLIMATE CABINET PAC
$25,000ADVOCACY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT
STEPHENSON FOR SUPERVISOR
$5,500ADVOCACY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT
MARIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$25,048,715PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT
THE CONSERVATION FUND
$3,375,000PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT
WATT TIME
$3,000,000PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
$1,563,000PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT
NORTHEAST WILDERNESS TRUST
$763,994PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT
TELL THE DAM TRUTH INC
$400,000PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT
ALASKA WILDERNESS LEAGUE ACTION INC
$300,000ADVOCACY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT
MOBILE BAYKEEPER INC
$150,000PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT
SAVE THE YELLOWSTONE GRIZZLY
$45,000PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE CENTER
$40,000PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT
THE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR CENTER FOR NONVIOLENT SOCIAL CHANGE INC
$12,500PHILANTHROPY RELATED TO PROTECTING OUR PLANET FROM CLIMATE CHANGE; GENERAL SUPPORT
THE CONSERVATION FUND
$3,100,000LAND CONSERVATION
REWILD
$2,900,000LAND CONSERVATION
NORTHEAST WILDERNESS TRUST CORPORATION
$700,000GENERAL PURPOSE GRANT
SENATE MAJORITY PAC
$100,000GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT
HOUSE MAJORITY PAC
$100,000GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT
GEORGIA INVESTOR ACTION FUND INC
$75,000GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT
ENVIRONMENTAL VOTER PROJECT INC
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT
JANE FONDA CLIMATE PAC
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT
CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS ACTION FUND
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT
NEXTGEN CLIMATE ACTION
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT
AMERICA VOTES
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT
BLACK VOTERS MATTER FUND INC
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT
FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTION FUND
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT
THE VOTER PROJECT
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT
TAKE ACTION MINNESOTA
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT
GLAHR ACTION NETWORK
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT
GALEO IMPACT FUND PAC
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE ADVOCACY GRANT