Sustainable Markets Foundation is a philanthropic funder singularly focused on climate, pollution prevention and campaigns to accelerate a just transition away from fossil fuels. They prioritize advocacy, strategic communications, and grassroots movement-building groups — often funding national and regional climate networks, investigative/communications shops, and environmental justice organizations. Grants are targeted to organizations that run campaigns, policy advocacy, or public-facing storytelling to shift markets and corporate behavior.
Sustainable Markets Foundation’s largest recent grant went to Spun in Dover, Delaware, a $3,367,500 award in 2025 for environmental conservation. That scale is consistent with a funder that backs national climate advocacy, public-facing communications, and movement infrastructure rather than individuals or investments. Across recent grants, the foundation supports organizations working on climate change, pollution prevention, clean energy and just transition, environmental conservation, and journalism and civics. The grant list shows repeated support for groups that shape campaigns and public narratives. The Years Project Inc in New York received $3,360,000 in 2025 for pollution prevention, while Third Act Initiative Inc in Nassau, New York received multiple awards, including $1,050,000 in 2025 and $450,000 in 2025, both for pollution prevention, plus earlier climate-related support. Other sizable awards have gone to 350seattle, Essential Information, Changing Markets Fdn Inc, Consumer Watchdog, and Oil Change International, indicating a mix of movement-building, watchdog work, and policy-facing advocacy. The foundation also funds regional environmental justice and clean-energy work, including California Environmental Justice Alliance in Huntington Park, California. Its latest grants show a consistent preference for organizations that can influence markets, corporations, and public policy through campaigns, communications, and organizing.
Climate and just-transition organizing is a core theme. In 2025, Sustainable Markets Foundation gave $500,000 to 350seattle and $425,000 to Changing Markets Fdn Inc, both tied to clean energy and just transition work. Public narrative and accountability also appear frequently. The foundation awarded $385,000 to Essential Information in 2025 for pollution prevention and $200,000 to Fund for Constitutional Govt in 2025 for journalism and civics. Environmental justice shows up in its regional support. California Environmental Justice Alliance in Huntington Park, California received $300,000 in 2025 for clean energy and just transition work. The foundation also backed conservation-oriented work through Rewild in Austin, Massachusetts with $279,234 in 2025.
Typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile, while recent awards also include several seven-figure grants. The pattern suggests a mix of many smaller awards and a smaller number of large strategic grants. Recipients appear across multiple years, including Third Act Initiative Inc, Essential Information, Consumer Watchdog, Changing Markets Fdn Inc, and 350seattle, pointing to recurring support rather than isolated one-time gifts. Sustainable Markets Foundation is a regular funder, does not fund individuals, and does not make program-related investments. The available data does not show an application process.
$13.2M
$51.2M
$48M
$41.5M
Most grants fall between $10K and $100K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$100K
About 14% of grants go to recipients in CA.
ELIZABETH HITCHCOCK
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Concentrated, campaign-oriented giving: relatively few large multi-year grants alongside repeated mid-size awards to the same advocacy and communications organizations. Funding is skewed toward programmatic/advocacy work (domestic with some international reach), with strong preference for repeat grantees and organizations capable of rapid public-facing impact.
Notable grantees: SPUN, THE YEARS PROJECT INC, 350SEATTLE / 350 network, ESSENTIAL INFORMATION, CONSUMER WATCHDOG
Grants are national, with recipients in 100% of the United States. California appears most often by grant count, and the recent list includes Los Angeles, Berkeley, and Huntington Park. New York recipients include New York and Nassau, while Washington, DC also appears repeatedly. Other recipient locations include Seattle, Washington; Dover, Delaware; Towson, Maryland; Spokane, Washington; and Ames, Iowa. The foundation’s HQ is in New York, NY, but its giving footprint extends well beyond that state.
It funds organizations working on climate change, pollution prevention, clean energy and just transition, environmental conservation, and journalism and civics. Recent recipients include groups focused on movement-building, watchdog work, environmental justice, and campaign-oriented advocacy.
The typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grant list also includes several much larger awards in the hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Third Act Initiative Inc, Essential Information, Consumer Watchdog, Changing Markets Fdn Inc, and 350seattle. That pattern suggests ongoing support for selected organizations.
Its giving is national, but California is the top state by grant count. Recent California recipients include Los Angeles, Berkeley, and Huntington Park.
No. The foundation’s profile indicates it does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPUN | Dover, DE | $3,367,500 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION |
| THE YEARS PROJECT INC | New York, NY | $3,360,000 | 2025 | POLLUTION PREVENTION |
| THIRD ACT EDUC FUND INC | Nassau, NY | $1,050,000 | 2025 | POLLUTION PREVENTION |
| 350SEATTLE | SEATTLE, WA | $500,000 | 2025 | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION |
| THIRD ACT INITIATIVE INC | NASSAU, NY | $450,000 | 2025 | POLLUTION PREVENTION |
| CHANGING MARKETS FDN INC | NEW YORK, NY | $425,000 | 2025 | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION |
| COMM FDN OF GTR JOHNSTOWN | JOHNSTOWN, PA | $406,698 | 2025 | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION |
| ESSENTIAL INFORMATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $385,000 | 2025 | POLLUTION PREVENTION |
| CALIF ENV JUSTICE ALLIANCE | Huntington Park, CA | $300,000 | 2025 | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION |
| REWILD | Austin, MA | $279,234 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION |
| CONSUMER WATCHDOG | LOS ANGELES, CA | $265,500 | 2025 | CLEAN ENRG & JUST TRANS, ENV CONSRV |
| OIL CHANGE INTERNATIONAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $262,400 | 2025 | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION |
| FUND FOR CONSTITUTIONAL GOVT | WASHINGTON, DC | $200,000 | 2025 | JOURNALISM AND CIVICS |
| NYPIRG FUND INC | NEW YORK, NY | $195,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION |
| CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSI | TUCSON, AZ | $165,000 | 2025 | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION |
| THE STORY OF STUFF PROJECT | BERKELEY, CA | $162,500 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION |
| MAKE POLLUTERS PAY INC | Concord, NH | $150,000 | 2025 | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION |
| initiative for respon mining | PORT TOWNSEND, WA | $149,070 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION |
| CENTER FOR JUST & DEMOCRACY | NEW YORK, NY | $147,000 | 2025 | JOURNALISM AND CIVICS |
| TRUSTEES OF THE UNIV OF PA | Philadelphia, PA | $100,000 | 2025 | JOURNALISM AND CIVICS |
| WGBH EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | Boston, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | JOURNALISM AND CIVICS |
| VERMONT PIREF | MONTPELIER, VT | $65,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION |
| GLOBAL IMPACT | Alexandria, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | POLLUTION PREVENTION |
| SAVANNA INSTITUTE | Madison, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION |
| SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION | OAKLAND, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION |
| EDUCATION FOR SHARING INC | San Diego, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION |
| TOXIC-FREE FUTURE | Seattle, WA | $50,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION |
| HAWTHORNE VALLEY ASSOC INC | Ghent, NY | $45,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION |
| F MINUS | ARdmore, PA | $42,590 | 2025 | JOURNALISM AND CIVICS |
| THE HACK FOUNDATION | West Hollywood, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION |
| CLIMATE EMERGENCY FUND | Beverly Hills, CA | $39,000 | 2025 | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION |
| CONTAINER RECYCLING INSTITUTE | CULVER CITY, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION |
| SOCIAL GOOD FUND INC | RICHMOND, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION |
| MAINE PEOPLES RESOURCE CENT | Portland, ME | $25,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION |
| ACTION FOR THE CLIMATE EMERG | BOULDER, CO | $25,000 | 2025 | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION |
| QUIVIRA COALITION | SANTA FE, NM | $20,499 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION |
| 350 COLORADO | BOULDER, CO | $18,333 | 2025 | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION |
| CONNECTICUT CITIZEN RSRCH GRP | Hartford, CT | $18,333 | 2025 | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION |
| OIL & GAS ACTION NETWORK | OAKLAND, CA | $16,000 | 2025 | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION |
| MULTIPLIER | Oakland, CA | $15,025 | 2025 | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION |
| GLYNWOOD CENTER INC | Cold Spring, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION |
| ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADV | NEW YORK, NY | $12,500 | 2025 | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION |
| MORE PERFECT UNION FOUNDATION | Washington, DC | $12,025 | 2025 | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION |
| AZLAND FUND | Phoenix, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION |
| CARRIZO COMECRUDO TRIBE OF TX | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION |
| SAN LUIS OBISPO MTHRS FOR PCE | San Luis Obispo, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION |
| XAVERIAN HIGH SCHOOL | BROOKLYN, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | HEALTHCARE |
| KOREAN RESOURCE CENTER INC | Los Angeles, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION |
| NATIVE DAILY NETWORK | Tacoma, WA | $10,000 | 2025 | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION |
| UNITED PARENTS AGNST LEAD | RICHMOND, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION |
SPUN
$3,367,500ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
THE YEARS PROJECT INC
$3,360,000POLLUTION PREVENTION
THIRD ACT EDUC FUND INC
$1,050,000POLLUTION PREVENTION
350SEATTLE
$500,000CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION
THIRD ACT INITIATIVE INC
$450,000POLLUTION PREVENTION
CHANGING MARKETS FDN INC
$425,000CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION
COMM FDN OF GTR JOHNSTOWN
$406,698CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
$385,000POLLUTION PREVENTION
CALIF ENV JUSTICE ALLIANCE
$300,000CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION
REWILD
$279,234ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
CONSUMER WATCHDOG
$265,500CLEAN ENRG & JUST TRANS, ENV CONSRV
OIL CHANGE INTERNATIONAL
$262,400CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION
FUND FOR CONSTITUTIONAL GOVT
$200,000JOURNALISM AND CIVICS
NYPIRG FUND INC
$195,000ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSI
$165,000CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION
THE STORY OF STUFF PROJECT
$162,500ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
MAKE POLLUTERS PAY INC
$150,000CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION
initiative for respon mining
$149,070ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
CENTER FOR JUST & DEMOCRACY
$147,000JOURNALISM AND CIVICS
TRUSTEES OF THE UNIV OF PA
$100,000JOURNALISM AND CIVICS
WGBH EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
$100,000JOURNALISM AND CIVICS
VERMONT PIREF
$65,000ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
GLOBAL IMPACT
$50,000POLLUTION PREVENTION
SAVANNA INSTITUTE
$50,000ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION
$50,000CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION
EDUCATION FOR SHARING INC
$50,000ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
TOXIC-FREE FUTURE
$50,000ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
HAWTHORNE VALLEY ASSOC INC
$45,000ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
F MINUS
$42,590JOURNALISM AND CIVICS
THE HACK FOUNDATION
$40,000CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION
CLIMATE EMERGENCY FUND
$39,000CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION
CONTAINER RECYCLING INSTITUTE
$30,000ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
SOCIAL GOOD FUND INC
$25,000CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION
MAINE PEOPLES RESOURCE CENT
$25,000ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
ACTION FOR THE CLIMATE EMERG
$25,000CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION
QUIVIRA COALITION
$20,499ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
350 COLORADO
$18,333CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION
CONNECTICUT CITIZEN RSRCH GRP
$18,333CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION
OIL & GAS ACTION NETWORK
$16,000CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION
MULTIPLIER
$15,025CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION
GLYNWOOD CENTER INC
$15,000ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADV
$12,500CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION
MORE PERFECT UNION FOUNDATION
$12,025CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION
AZLAND FUND
$10,000CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION
CARRIZO COMECRUDO TRIBE OF TX
$10,000CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION
SAN LUIS OBISPO MTHRS FOR PCE
$10,000ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
XAVERIAN HIGH SCHOOL
$10,000HEALTHCARE
KOREAN RESOURCE CENTER INC
$10,000CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION
NATIVE DAILY NETWORK
$10,000CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION
UNITED PARENTS AGNST LEAD
$10,000CLEAN ENERGY AND JUST TRANSITION