To conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.
The Nature Conservancy’s largest recent grant was $52,535,000 to Blue Investments for Nature Inc in Arlington, Virginia, a signal that its grantmaking includes very large conservation activity support alongside many smaller awards. Across the recent grants list, the foundation backs land, water, forest, and habitat work through restricted-purpose grants tied to conservation activities. Its public profile aligns with a broad conservation mandate: conservation, climate change, water security, forests and REDD+, peatland restoration, urban forestry and nature-based solutions, marine conservation, sustainable agriculture and land use, and jurisdictional programs and policy. Recent awards show repeated support for organizations working on land and ecosystem stewardship, including American Forest Foundation, Feather River Land Trust, and Watershed Research and Training Center. The Nature Conservancy also directs funds to public agencies, tribes, land trusts, universities, and conservation groups, indicating a mix of implementation partners rather than a single grantee type. With annual grants of $239,332,817 and assets above $9.5 billion, the foundation operates at a scale that supports both major initiatives and recurring project-specific awards. Its mission statement centers on conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends.
In land and habitat conservation, The Nature Conservancy gave $8,000,000 to Spruce Root Inc for conservation activities and $2,500,000 to State of California Dept of Fish and Wildlife for conservation activities. Those awards sit alongside other grants to land trusts and state agencies, showing a strong emphasis on stewardship and protection work. For forests and working lands, the foundation backed American Forest Foundation with $1,545,910 for conservation activities and another $1,384,000 for conservation activities. It also supported Conservation Farms and Ranches with $1,050,000 for conservation activities, linking forest goals with land use and stewardship. Water and watershed work appears as well. The Nature Conservancy awarded $1,037,239 to Watershed Research and Training Center for conservation activities and $900,000 to State of Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation for conservation activities. Those grants point to place-based ecosystem management tied to conservation outcomes.
$239.3M
$9.5B
$1.5B
$1.4B
Most grants fall between $13K and $65K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$13K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$65K
About 3% of grants go to recipients in CA.
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeRegístrate gratis para ver qué tan bien se adapta tu organización sin fines de lucro a este financiador, obtener un pitch generado por IA y descubrir fundaciones similares.
Typical grants cluster in the mid-five-figure range, with a p25 of $13,054, median of $25,164, and p75 of $65,000. The recent list also shows a long tail of much larger project awards, including multi-million-dollar grants. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Its recent grants point to recurring relationships: American Forest Foundation, Watershed Research and Training Center, University of Washington, and Usda Forest Service each appear more than once across the listed years. The pattern is project-specific and restricted to conservation activities.
The Nature Conservancy gives nationally, and every listed recipient country is the US. California appears most often in the recipient data, with grants to organizations in San Diego, Quincy, Auburn, Los Angeles, Walnut Grove, Caspar, Hayfork, and Oakland. Other visible hubs include Seattle, Washington; Arlington, Virginia; and Denver, Colorado. The grant list also reaches Alaska, Maine, Oregon, Tennessee, and Wyoming, showing a wide domestic footprint rather than a single-region strategy.
Its recent grants are tied to conservation activities across land and habitat conservation, water security, forests and REDD+, peatland restoration, urban forestry and nature-based solutions, marine conservation, sustainable agriculture and land use, and jurisdictional programs and policy.
The grant-size distribution is centered in the mid-five-figure range: p25 is $13,054, median is $25,164, and p75 is $65,000. The list also includes much larger project awards, including multi-million-dollar grants.
Yes. American Forest Foundation appears multiple times across 2023 and 2025, Watershed Research and Training Center appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and University of Washington and Usda Forest Service each appear more than once in the recent grants list.
The foundation gives nationally, and the recipient distribution is entirely in the US in the data provided. California is the top state by grant count, while Virginia accounts for 3% of grants to recipients in the HQ state.
JENNIFER MORRIS
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE | SAN DIEGO, CA | $2,500,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| AMERICAN FOREST FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,545,910 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| FEATHER RIVER LAND TRUST | QUINCY, CA | $1,354,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| STILLAGUAMISH TRIBE OF INDIANS | ARLINGTON, WA | $1,300,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| SOUTHERN OREGON LAND CONSERVANCY | ASHLAND, OR | $1,086,118 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| FOREST SOCIETY OF MAINE | BANGOR, ME | $1,081,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| STATE OF TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $900,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| PASSAMAQUODDY TRIBE | PERRY, ME | $837,757 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| WATERSHED RESEARCH AND TRAINING CENTER | HAYFORK, CA | $832,960 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| EARTHWATCH INSTITUTE INC | NEWTON, MA | $800,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| USDA FOREST SERVICE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $786,086 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION | MISSOULA, MT | $785,194 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| THE PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $768,932 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| TECHNOSERVE | ARLINGTON, VA | $767,616 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| DUCKS UNLIMITED INC | HANAHAN, SC | $755,352 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| WORLD WILDLIFE FUND US INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $654,920 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $650,266 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY | FARGO, ND | $641,866 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| VA OUTDOORS FOUNDATION | WARRENTON, VA | $600,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| COMPASSION & CHOICES | LITTLETON, CO | $589,840 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE | AMHERST, MA | $580,560 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON | SEATTLE, WA | $579,538 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| WINDWARD FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $533,454 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $528,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| NO ON 2117 COMMITTEE | SEATTLE, WA | $500,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA | GAINESVILLE, FL | $498,495 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| AUDUBON SOCIETY OF PORTLAND | PORTLAND, OR | $460,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY | FORT COLLINS, CO | $447,209 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| GRAND TRAVERSE REGIONAL LAND CONSERVANCY | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $425,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| BARRY COUNTY | CASSVILLE, MO | $396,742 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| NEW JERSEY CONSERVATION FOUNDATION | CHESTER, NJ | $380,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| BLACKFEET NATION | BROWNING, MT | $350,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| BAY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS | PANAMA CITY, FL | $344,020 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS | WILMINGTON, DE | $338,273 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY | BRONX, NY | $320,750 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| PANTHERA CORPORATION | NEW YORK, NY | $315,511 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| CHAMA PEAK LAND ALLIANCE | DURANGO, CO | $306,707 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY | CORVALLIS, OR | $303,613 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| THE LAND CONSERVANCY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY | SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA | $297,405 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL | ARLINGTON, VA | $291,969 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| TRUSTEES OF CLARK UNIVERSITY | WORCESTER, MA | $279,208 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| STONE COUNTY | MOUNTAIN VIEW, AR | $276,650 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| THE CONSERVATION FUND | CASPAR, CA | $254,763 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| TENNESSEE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY | COOKEVILLE, TN | $252,442 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME | BOISE, ID | $251,640 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| BENTON COUNTY CONSERVATION FOUNDATION | VINTON, IA | $250,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| STATE OF GEORGIA | ATLANTA, GA | $250,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA CRUZ | SANTA CRUZ, CA | $248,722 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS | URBANA, IL | $247,752 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
| SAVANNA INSTITUTE | MADISON, WI | $245,586 | 2025 | CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES |
STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
$2,500,000CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
AMERICAN FOREST FOUNDATION
$1,545,910CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
FEATHER RIVER LAND TRUST
$1,354,000CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
STILLAGUAMISH TRIBE OF INDIANS
$1,300,000CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
SOUTHERN OREGON LAND CONSERVANCY
$1,086,118CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
FOREST SOCIETY OF MAINE
$1,081,000CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
STATE OF TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION
$900,000CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
PASSAMAQUODDY TRIBE
$837,757CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
WATERSHED RESEARCH AND TRAINING CENTER
$832,960CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
EARTHWATCH INSTITUTE INC
$800,000CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
USDA FOREST SERVICE
$786,086CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION
$785,194CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
THE PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS
$768,932CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
TECHNOSERVE
$767,616CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
DUCKS UNLIMITED INC
$755,352CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
WORLD WILDLIFE FUND US INC
$654,920CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA
$650,266CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY
$641,866CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
VA OUTDOORS FOUNDATION
$600,000CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
COMPASSION & CHOICES
$589,840CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
$580,560CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
$579,538CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
WINDWARD FUND
$533,454CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
$528,000CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
NO ON 2117 COMMITTEE
$500,000CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
$498,495CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
AUDUBON SOCIETY OF PORTLAND
$460,000CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
$447,209CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
GRAND TRAVERSE REGIONAL LAND CONSERVANCY
$425,000CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
BARRY COUNTY
$396,742CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
NEW JERSEY CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
$380,000CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
BLACKFEET NATION
$350,000CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
BAY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
$344,020CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
$338,273CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY
$320,750CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
PANTHERA CORPORATION
$315,511CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
CHAMA PEAK LAND ALLIANCE
$306,707CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
$303,613CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
THE LAND CONSERVANCY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
$297,405CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
$291,969CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
TRUSTEES OF CLARK UNIVERSITY
$279,208CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
STONE COUNTY
$276,650CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
THE CONSERVATION FUND
$254,763CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
TENNESSEE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
$252,442CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
$251,640CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
BENTON COUNTY CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
$250,000CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
STATE OF GEORGIA
$250,000CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA CRUZ
$248,722CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
$247,752CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
SAVANNA INSTITUTE
$245,586CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES