The Islands Fund c/o John Munn concentrates on long‑term support for island and coastal conservation and uses intermediary vehicles to direct giving. Most dollars are placed into donor‑advised and permanently restricted endowments (notably at Seattle Foundation and Aloha Foundation), with direct grants to conservation organizations for youth education and land protection. The pattern suggests a multi‑decade, legacy approach to funding environmental stewardship of island/coastal places.
Islands Fund C/o John Munn uses large, recurring grants to build long-term support around conservation and education, with several of its biggest commitments routed through intermediary vehicles and permanently restricted endowments. Three annual donor-advised fund grants to Seattle Foundation, including $2,468,000 in 2024 and $2,365,000 in 2025, show a consistent channel for placing capital. The foundation also makes major endowment commitments, including a $1,370,000 grant to Aloha Foundation in 2025 for five permanently restricted endowments. Its grant history points to an environmental portfolio that reaches from island and coastal stewardship into land protection, youth education, and related regional programs. Nature Conservancy appears repeatedly across different offices and purposes, including a $1,345,000 grant in 2023 for youth education, conservation easements, and SHPI, and a $1,000,000 grant in 2025 for the 777 Dakota Partnership Stewardship Endowment. The foundation also backs educational institutions and outdoor access organizations, suggesting a mix of conservation legacy giving and practical support for people served by those landscapes.
In land conservation, Islands Fund C/o John Munn gave $850,000 in 2025 to Nature Conservancy (mt) for Northern Great Plains land protection and Grassbank 2.0, and $500,000 in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025 to Yellowstone to Yukon for the Private Lands Acquisition Fund. Those grants sit alongside conservation easements and private-lands work in the broader grant record. Youth and education are another clear thread. The foundation awarded $830,000 in 2025 to Nature Conservancy (co) for youth education and outreach, and $450,000 in 2025 to Big Sur Land Trust for youth outdoor programs, the Ferrini Ranch Project, and endowment support. It also supported Colgate University with scholarship and overseas-study funding. The portfolio extends to access and inclusion programming as well. Outdoorsforall received financial aid and general program support in multiple years, and Special Olympics WA received both permanent endowment and program support.
Typical grants cluster at a meaningful mid-to-large scale, with p25 at $40,000, a median of $70,000, and p75 at $250,000. The recent list also shows repeated awards to the same recipients over multiple years, especially Seattle Foundation, Aloha Foundation, Nature Conservancy, Colgate University, Yellowstone to Yukon, Outdoorsforall, and Special Olympics WA. That pattern points to sustained relationships rather than one-off giving. The foundation is classified as a regular funder, makes grants to individuals, and does not make program-related investments. The recurring use of donor-advised funds and permanently restricted endowments suggests a structure oriented toward legacy capital and long-horizon support.
$16.2M
$241.8M
$32.4M
$18.5M
Most grants fall between $40K and $250K, with a median of $70K.
25th Percentile
$40K
Median
$70K
75th Percentile
$250K
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Islands Fund C/O John Munn.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 230 | $45.5M | 96.2% |
| 2 | Canada |
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Highly concentrated giving: very few, large grants with repeated payments to the same intermediaries; emphasis on endowment/permanent funds and targeted conservation grants rather than many small awards.
Notable grantees: Seattle Foundation, Aloha Foundation, The Nature Conservancy (Colorado)
Grantmaking is concentrated in the United States, with 96.2% of grants to U.S. recipients and 3.8% to Canada. Seattle appears frequently through Seattle Foundation, Nature Conservancy (wa), Outdoorsforall, and Special Olympics WA. Other named recipient locations include Fairlee, VT; Boulder, CO; Helena, MT; Canajoharie, NY; Canmore; Monterey, CA; and Franklin, WV. The top state by grant count is West Virginia, while 53% of grants go to recipients in Washington state.
The grant record centers on island and coastal conservation, land protection, youth environmental education, endowments, and related outdoor-access and stewardship programs. Named purposes include conservation easements, private lands acquisition, youth outdoor programs, scholarships, and financial aid.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Seattle Foundation, Aloha Foundation, Nature Conservancy, Colgate University, Yellowstone to Yukon, Outdoorsforall, and Special Olympics WA. The repeated awards include both donor-advised fund support and permanently restricted endowments.
The grant-size distribution is p25 $40,000, median $70,000, and p75 $250,000. The recent record also includes many much larger commitments, including seven-figure grants to intermediary funds, endowments, and conservation programs.
The funder is classified as a regular funder, makes grants to individuals, and does not make program-related investments. The grant list shows frequent use of donor-advised funds and permanently restricted endowments, especially through Seattle Foundation and Aloha Foundation.
Washington recipients make up 53% of grants, and Seattle appears often in the recent list through Seattle Foundation, Nature Conservancy (wa), Outdoorsforall, and Special Olympics WA. Outside Washington, Canada accounts for 3.8% of grants, with Canmore as a named recipient location.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| 9 |
| $1.7M |
3.8% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEATTLE FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $2,365,000 | 2025 | DONOR ADVISED FUND |
| ALOHA FOUNDATION | FAIRLEE, VT | $1,370,000 | 2025 | 5 PERMANENTLY RESTRICTED ENDOWMENTS |
| NATURE CONSERVANCY (CO) | BOULDER, CO | $1,000,000 | 2025 | 777 DAKOTA PARTNERSHIP STEWARDSHIP ENDOWMENT |
| NATURE CONSERVANCY (MT) | HELENA, MT | $850,000 | 2025 | NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS LAND PROTECTION AND GRASSBANK 2.0 |
| NATURE CONSERVANCY (CO) | BOULDER, CO | $830,000 | 2025 | YOUTH EDUCATION AND OUTREACH, AND SOUTHERN HIGH PLAINS CONSERVATION |
| FUTURE GENERATIONS UNIVERSITY | FRANKLIN, WV | $800,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS AND PERMANENT LEADERSHIP ENDOWMENT |
| NATURE CONSERVANCY (WA) | SEATTLE, WA | $600,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP FOR WA STATE |
| COLGATE UNIVERSITY | CANAJOHARIE, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | HUDSON SCHOLARSHIP FUND AND AIZAWA FUND FOR OVERSEAS STUDY (EQUAL SPLIT) |
| OUTDOORSFORALL | SEATTLE, WA | $500,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL AID AND GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| YELLOWSTONE TO YUKON | CANMORE, AL | $500,000 | 2025 | PRIVATE LANDS ACQUISITION FUND |
| BIG SUR LAND TRUST | MONTEREY, CA | $450,000 | 2025 | YOUTH OUTDOOR PROGRAMS, FERRINI RANCH PROJECT AND ENDOWMENT |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS WA | SEATTLE, WA | $360,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR DISABLED ATHLETES |
| ISLANDWOOD | BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA | $300,000 | 2025 | YOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMMING |
| ASPEN CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES | ASPEN, CO | $300,000 | 2025 | CHILDREN'S EDUCATION FUND AND ROCK BOTTOM RANCH ENDOWMENT |
| SKAGIT LAND TRUST | MT VERNON, WA | $285,500 | 2025 | YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS AND SAMISH RIVER WETLANDS PROJECT |
| HAMLIN ROBINSON SCHOOL | SEATTLE, WA | $275,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS/FINANCIAL AID AND ENDOWMENT |
| SAN JUAN PRESERVATION TRUST | FRIDAY HARBOR, WA | $259,097 | 2025 | NORTH SHORE ORCAS ISLAND CONSERVATION EASEMENT |
| SUN VALLEY MUSEUM OF ART | SUN VALLEY, ID | $250,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION ENDOWMENT |
| INT'L MTN BIKING ASSOC (IMBA) | BOULDER, CO | $250,000 | 2025 | TRAILS & TOWNS, TRAIL ACCELERATOR AND EDUCATION |
| O'DEA HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $250,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL AID ENDOWMENT |
| NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $200,000 | 2025 | PACIFIC NORTHWEST PROGRAMS FOR VETERANS |
| WA TRAILS ASSOCIATION | SEATTLE, WA | $175,000 | 2025 | YOUTH PROGRAMS |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF THE GREAT NW | SEATTLE, WA | $160,000 | 2025 | TEEN COUNCIL AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| TREEHOUSE | SEATTLE, WA | $150,000 | 2025 | GRADUATION SUCCESS AND SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS |
| NORTH CASCADES INSTITUTE | SEDRO WOOLLEY, WA | $150,000 | 2025 | MOUNTAIN SCHOOL AND YOUTH LEADERSHIP ADVENTURES |
| THACHER SCHOOL | OJAI, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL AID FUND |
| TRAIL BLAZERS | BROOKLYN, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| BIRD NOTE | ASHEVILLE, NC | $135,000 | 2025 | BIRD NOTE 2025 PRODUCTIONS AND DISTRIBUTION |
| DARTMOUTH COLLEGE | HANOVER, NH | $100,000 | 2025 | OUTDOOR PROGRAMS OFFICE FOR DARTMOUTH OUTING CLUB |
| ROARING FORK OUTDOOR VOLUNTEERS | BASALT, CO | $100,000 | 2025 | YOUNG STEWARDS PROGRAM |
| TRAIL BLAZERS | BROOKLYN, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD MAR MONTE | SAN JOSE, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | Y-LED PROGRAM |
| TROUT UNLIMITED | ARLINGTON, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | ENDING MINE CONTAMINATION AND WENATCHEE BEAVER PROJECT |
| SNOW LEOPARD CONSERVANCY | SONOMA, CA | $94,000 | 2025 | PROGRAMS, PER PROPOSAL |
| MEARTH | CARMEL, CA | $85,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP EDUCATION |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF BELLEVUE | BELLEVUE, WA | $85,000 | 2025 | SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS |
| WILDERNESS LAND TRUST | HELENA, MT | $75,000 | 2025 | PACIFIC NORTHWEST PROGRAMS |
| AUDUBON SOCIETY | SEATTLE, WA | $75,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION PROJECTS IN PUGET SOUND AND SAGELANDS AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| TELLER WILDLIFE REFUGE | CORVALLIS, MT | $75,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION IN THE CLASSROOM PROGRAM |
| ARBORETUM FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $70,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS |
| PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER | SEATTLE, WA | $70,000 | 2025 | STEM OUTREACH AND MERCER SLOUGH SCHOLARSHIPS |
| STUDIO IN A SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $65,000 | 2025 | ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS PRE-K THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL |
| CENTRAL CALIFORNIA ADAPTIVE SPORTS CENTER | SHAVER LAKE, CA | $65,000 | 2025 | PROGRAMS WITH FOCUS ON PARALYZED PERSONS AND TRANSPORTATION |
| LITTLE BIT THERAPEUTIC RIDING SCHOOL | REDMOND, WA | $60,000 | 2025 | TUITION AID (SCHOLARSHIP) PROGRAM |
| CHALLENGE ASPEN | SNOWMASS VILLAGE, CO | $60,000 | 2025 | CAMO AND REC PROGRAMS |
| PEREGRINE FUND | BOISE, ID | $60,000 | 2025 | YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| ECOLOGY PROJECT | MISSOULA, MT | $60,000 | 2025 | GREATER YELLOWSTONE YOUTH OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| CONSERVATION NORTHWEST | SEATTLE, WA | $60,000 | 2025 | SAGELANDS HERITAGE PROGRAMS |
| SEATTLE AQUARIUM | SEATTLE, WA | $55,000 | 2025 | BEACH NATURALIST, YOA AND CITIZEN SCIENCE, AND SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS |
| RAINCOAST EDUCATION SOCIETY | TOFINO, BR | $55,000 | 2025 | RES YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
ALOHA FOUNDATION
$1,370,0005 PERMANENTLY RESTRICTED ENDOWMENTS
NATURE CONSERVANCY (CO)
$1,000,000777 DAKOTA PARTNERSHIP STEWARDSHIP ENDOWMENT
NATURE CONSERVANCY (MT)
$850,000NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS LAND PROTECTION AND GRASSBANK 2.0
NATURE CONSERVANCY (CO)
$830,000YOUTH EDUCATION AND OUTREACH, AND SOUTHERN HIGH PLAINS CONSERVATION
FUTURE GENERATIONS UNIVERSITY
$800,000GENERAL OPERATIONS AND PERMANENT LEADERSHIP ENDOWMENT
NATURE CONSERVANCY (WA)
$600,000CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP FOR WA STATE
COLGATE UNIVERSITY
$500,000HUDSON SCHOLARSHIP FUND AND AIZAWA FUND FOR OVERSEAS STUDY (EQUAL SPLIT)
YELLOWSTONE TO YUKON
$500,000PRIVATE LANDS ACQUISITION FUND
YOUTH OUTDOOR PROGRAMS, FERRINI RANCH PROJECT AND ENDOWMENT
CHILDREN'S EDUCATION FUND AND ROCK BOTTOM RANCH ENDOWMENT
YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS AND SAMISH RIVER WETLANDS PROJECT
NORTH SHORE ORCAS ISLAND CONSERVATION EASEMENT
SUN VALLEY MUSEUM OF ART
$250,000EDUCATION ENDOWMENT
INT'L MTN BIKING ASSOC (IMBA)
$250,000TRAILS & TOWNS, TRAIL ACCELERATOR AND EDUCATION
O'DEA HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION
$250,000FINANCIAL AID ENDOWMENT
PACIFIC NORTHWEST PROGRAMS FOR VETERANS
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF THE GREAT NW
$160,000TEEN COUNCIL AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS
TREEHOUSE
$150,000GRADUATION SUCCESS AND SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS
MOUNTAIN SCHOOL AND YOUTH LEADERSHIP ADVENTURES
TRAIL BLAZERS
$150,000SCHOLARSHIP FUND
BIRD NOTE
$135,000BIRD NOTE 2025 PRODUCTIONS AND DISTRIBUTION
DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
$100,000OUTDOOR PROGRAMS OFFICE FOR DARTMOUTH OUTING CLUB
TRAIL BLAZERS
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SNOW LEOPARD CONSERVANCY
$94,000PROGRAMS, PER PROPOSAL
MEARTH
$85,000ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP EDUCATION
AUDUBON SOCIETY
$75,000CONSERVATION PROJECTS IN PUGET SOUND AND SAGELANDS AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS
TELLER WILDLIFE REFUGE
$75,000CONSERVATION IN THE CLASSROOM PROGRAM
PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER
$70,000STEM OUTREACH AND MERCER SLOUGH SCHOLARSHIPS
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA ADAPTIVE SPORTS CENTER
$65,000PROGRAMS WITH FOCUS ON PARALYZED PERSONS AND TRANSPORTATION
LITTLE BIT THERAPEUTIC RIDING SCHOOL
$60,000TUITION AID (SCHOLARSHIP) PROGRAM
CONSERVATION NORTHWEST
$60,000SAGELANDS HERITAGE PROGRAMS
SEATTLE AQUARIUM
$55,000BEACH NATURALIST, YOA AND CITIZEN SCIENCE, AND SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS
RAINCOAST EDUCATION SOCIETY
$55,000RES YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS