Sea Change Foundation concentrates almost exclusively on accelerating the clean energy transition through policy, advocacy, and public education. Its grants overwhelmingly support national climate and decarbonization organizations, coalitions, and voter/education efforts that drive clean energy policy and public awareness. The foundation favors large, strategic grants to organizations that build coalitions, shape policy, and scale advocacy rather than direct service delivery.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small set of repeat national grantees focused on advocacy and policy; few grants overall but large amounts per recipient, with multiple multi-year or multi-grant commitments to core partners.
Sea Change Foundation’s giving is built around large, strategic climate grants. Its biggest recent awards go to the United States Energy Foundation, including $20.1 million in 2025 and $19.25 million in 2024, signaling a strong preference for funding intermediary organizations that can move clean energy policy at scale. The foundation’s recent grant list also shows repeated support for the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, which received $5.3 million in 2024 and $4.5 million in 2023 for public education on climate and clean energy. Another recurring grantee, the Building Decarbonization Coalition, received $5 million in 2025 and $4.5 million in 2024 to promote clean energy. Sea Change Foundation’s portfolio centers on climate mitigation, clean energy policy, utility reform, communications, and public engagement, with grants often structured as flexible support for organizations working on policy and movement infrastructure. The pattern is consistent with a funder that backs advocacy and coalition capacity rather than direct service delivery.
Policy and advocacy are central to Sea Change Foundation’s grantmaking. The League of Conservation Voters Education Fund received $5.3 million in 2024 and $4.5 million in 2023 to educate the public about climate and clean energy. In coalition and intermediary support, Partnership Project Inc. received $3.125 million in 2023 and $3 million in 2025 for public education on climate and clean energy, plus another $1.25 million in 2023 to promote clean energy. The foundation also funds building decarbonization work: the Building Decarbonization Coalition received $5 million in 2025 and $4.5 million in 2024 to promote clean energy. Utility and efficiency themes appear as well, including $7.25 million in 2023 for energy efficiency through an unnamed recipient and $750,000 in 2023 to Ceres Inc. for energy efficiency.
Sea Change Foundation gives large grants: the typical size distribution is $300,000 at the 25th percentile, $1.3 million at the median, and $3.125 million at the 75th percentile. The recent record shows repeat funding across multiple years for several recipients, indicating ongoing relationships rather than one-off awards. It is a regular funder, not a DAF, does not fund individuals, and does not make program-related investments. The foundation’s active programs also state that it does not accept unsolicited funding requests; invited prospective grantees access a CyberGrants portal. Grants are generally fewer, larger, and often one year or less.
$37.4M
$208.5M
$19.1M
$38.8M
Most grants fall between $300K and $3.1M, with a median of $1.3M.
25th Percentile
$300K
Median
$1.3M
75th Percentile
$3.1M
About 51% of grants go to recipients in NY.
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Notable grantees: United States Energy Foundation, League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, Building Decarbonization Coalition, Multiplier, Potential Energy Coalition Inc
Sea Change Foundation gives nationally, with all recent grants in the United States. California is the main recipient state, accounting for 51% of grants, and the top giving state by count is New York. Recent recipient cities include San Francisco, Petaluma, Washington, DC, New York, Oakland, Los Angeles, and Boston. The grants list shows multiple awards to organizations in San Francisco and Washington, DC, alongside several California-based recipients.
Its grants focus on climate mitigation and clean energy policy, including utility reform, business and finance, communications, and public engagement. Recent awards also support energy efficiency and building decarbonization work, showing a strong emphasis on policy and movement infrastructure.
No. The foundation’s active grant program says it does not accept unsolicited funding requests, and grants are generally accessed through invitation and a CyberGrants portal for existing grantees and invited prospective grantees.
The typical grant-size distribution is $300,000 at the 25th percentile, $1.3 million at the median, and $3.125 million at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes several multi-million-dollar awards.
Yes. The recent grants data shows repeated awards across multiple years to organizations such as the United States Energy Foundation, the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, the Building Decarbonization Coalition, and Partnership Project Inc.
Its grants are national in scope, with all recent grants going to U.S. recipients. California receives 51% of grants, and New York is the top state by grant count.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNITED STATES ENERGY FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $20,100,000 | 2025 | Promote clean energy |
| BUILDING DECARBONNIZATION COALITION | PETALUMA, CA | $5,000,000 | 2025 | Promote clean energy |
| UNITED STATES ENERGY FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $3,750,000 | 2025 | Promote clean energy |
| PARTNERSHIP PROJECT INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $3,000,000 | 2025 | Educate public about climate and clean energy |
| POTENTIAL ENERGY COALITION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $3,000,000 | 2025 | Educate public about climate and clean energy |
| UNITED STATES ENERGY FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $2,000,000 | 2025 | General support |
| 2030 INC | Santa Fe, NM | $175,000 | 2025 | Promote energy efficiency |
| BLUEGREEN ALLIANCE FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $175,000 | 2025 | Promote energy efficiency |
| SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION | OAKLAND, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | Promote energy efficiency |
| UNITED STATES ENERGY FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $19,250,000 | 2024 | Promote clean energy |
| LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS EDUCATION FUND | Washington, DC | $5,300,000 | 2024 | Educate public about climate and clean energy |
| BUILDING DECARBONNIZATION COALITION | PETALUMA, CA | $4,500,000 | 2024 | Promote clean energy |
| POTENTIAL ENERGY COALITION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $3,500,000 | 2024 | Educate public about climate and clean energy |
| UNITED STATES ENERGY FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $3,250,000 | 2024 | Promote clean energy |
| ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS INC | New York, NY | $3,000,000 | 2024 | Educate public about climate and clean energy |
| PARTNERSHIP PROJECT INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,000,000 | 2024 | Educate public about climate and clean energy |
| UNITED STATES ENERGY FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $2,000,000 | 2024 | General support |
| VOTE SOLAR | OAKLAND, CA | $1,300,000 | 2024 | Promote clean energy |
| CERES INC | BOSTON, MA | $562,500 | 2024 | Promote energy efficiency |
| VOTE SOLAR | OAKLAND, CA | $300,000 | 2024 | Promote clean energy |
| SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION | OAKLAND, CA | $200,000 | 2024 | Promote energy efficiency |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $200,000 | 2024 | Promote energy efficiency |
| BLUEGREEN ALLIANCE FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $175,000 | 2024 | Promote energy efficiency |
| UNITED STATES ENERGY FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $9,750,000 | 2023 | Promote clean energy |
| UNITED STATES ENERGY FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $7,250,000 | 2023 | Promote energy efficiency |
| MULTIPLIER | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000,000 | 2023 | Promote clean energy |
| LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS EDUCATION FUND | Washington, DC | $4,500,000 | 2023 | Educate public about climate and clean energy |
| PARTNERSHIP PROJECT INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $3,125,000 | 2023 | Educate public about climate and clean energy |
| ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS INC | New York, NY | $2,800,000 | 2023 | Educate public about climate and clean energy |
| ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS INC | New York, NY | $2,327,179 | 2023 | Promote clean energy |
| UNITED STATES ENERGY FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $2,000,000 | 2023 | General support |
| PARTNERSHIP PROJECT INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,400,000 | 2023 | Educate public about climate and clean energy |
| VOTE SOLAR | OAKLAND, CA | $1,300,000 | 2023 | Promote clean energy |
| PARTNERSHIP PROJECT INC | Washington, DC | $1,250,000 | 2023 | Promote clean energy |
| TIDES FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,250,000 | 2023 | Promote clean energy |
| PARTNERSHIP PROJECT INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000,000 | 2023 | Educate public about climate and clean energy |
| SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION | Oakland, CA | $750,000 | 2023 | Promote clean energy |
| CERES INC | BOSTON, MA | $750,000 | 2023 | Promote energy efficiency |
| GRIDLAB INC | Berkeley, CA | $665,000 | 2023 | Promote clean energy |
| CLIMATEWORKS FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $500,000 | 2023 | Promote energy efficiency |
| TIDES FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $300,000 | 2023 | Educate public about climate and clean energy |
| TIDES FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2023 | Educate public about climate and clean energy |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $150,000 | 2023 | Promote energy efficiency |
| SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION | OAKLAND, CA | $150,000 | 2023 | Promote energy efficiency |
| BLUEGREEN ALLIANCE FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $100,000 | 2023 | Promote energy efficiency |
| CLIMATE SOLUTIONS | Seattle, WA | $100,000 | 2023 | Promote energy efficiency |
UNITED STATES ENERGY FOUNDATION
$20,100,000Promote clean energy
BUILDING DECARBONNIZATION COALITION
$5,000,000Promote clean energy
UNITED STATES ENERGY FOUNDATION
$3,750,000Promote clean energy
PARTNERSHIP PROJECT INC
$3,000,000Educate public about climate and clean energy
POTENTIAL ENERGY COALITION INC
$3,000,000Educate public about climate and clean energy
UNITED STATES ENERGY FOUNDATION
$2,000,000General support
2030 INC
$175,000Promote energy efficiency
BLUEGREEN ALLIANCE FOUNDATION
$175,000Promote energy efficiency
SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION
$150,000Promote energy efficiency
UNITED STATES ENERGY FOUNDATION
$19,250,000Promote clean energy
LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS EDUCATION FUND
$5,300,000Educate public about climate and clean energy
BUILDING DECARBONNIZATION COALITION
$4,500,000Promote clean energy
POTENTIAL ENERGY COALITION INC
$3,500,000Educate public about climate and clean energy
UNITED STATES ENERGY FOUNDATION
$3,250,000Promote clean energy
ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS INC
$3,000,000Educate public about climate and clean energy
PARTNERSHIP PROJECT INC
$2,000,000Educate public about climate and clean energy
UNITED STATES ENERGY FOUNDATION
$2,000,000General support
VOTE SOLAR
$1,300,000Promote clean energy
CERES INC
$562,500Promote energy efficiency
VOTE SOLAR
$300,000Promote clean energy
SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION
$200,000Promote energy efficiency
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON FOUNDATION
$200,000Promote energy efficiency
BLUEGREEN ALLIANCE FOUNDATION
$175,000Promote energy efficiency
UNITED STATES ENERGY FOUNDATION
$9,750,000Promote clean energy
UNITED STATES ENERGY FOUNDATION
$7,250,000Promote energy efficiency
MULTIPLIER
$5,000,000Promote clean energy
LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS EDUCATION FUND
$4,500,000Educate public about climate and clean energy
PARTNERSHIP PROJECT INC
$3,125,000Educate public about climate and clean energy
ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS INC
$2,800,000Educate public about climate and clean energy
ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS INC
$2,327,179Promote clean energy
UNITED STATES ENERGY FOUNDATION
$2,000,000General support
PARTNERSHIP PROJECT INC
$1,400,000Educate public about climate and clean energy
VOTE SOLAR
$1,300,000Promote clean energy
PARTNERSHIP PROJECT INC
$1,250,000Promote clean energy
TIDES FOUNDATION
$1,250,000Promote clean energy
PARTNERSHIP PROJECT INC
$1,000,000Educate public about climate and clean energy
SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION
$750,000Promote clean energy
CERES INC
$750,000Promote energy efficiency
GRIDLAB INC
$665,000Promote clean energy
CLIMATEWORKS FOUNDATION
$500,000Promote energy efficiency
TIDES FOUNDATION
$300,000Educate public about climate and clean energy
TIDES FOUNDATION
$150,000Educate public about climate and clean energy
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON FOUNDATION
$150,000Promote energy efficiency
SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION
$150,000Promote energy efficiency
BLUEGREEN ALLIANCE FOUNDATION
$100,000Promote energy efficiency
CLIMATE SOLUTIONS
$100,000Promote energy efficiency