Please tell me more about your focus on public policy.
We focus our grantmaking on initiatives that promise to have an influence on public policies. That includes advancing the public debate about important policy issues, development and testing of new policy ideas, and evaluations that help policymakers understand how policies are working and where improvements are needed. We believe such policy initiatives can lead to broad, systemic changes that have the greatest impact on the regional ecosystem over the long run.
Do you make grants to individuals? I saw you listed in a “free money” guide. Can I get help paying my bills?
The Foundation does not make grants to help individuals start a small business, pay school or college tuition, cover medical bills, pay off debts, help buy or build a home, or any similar purpose.
Do you provide general operating support, or must we apply for specific project funds?
We generally fund projects, but in rare cases we provide general operating support.
Do you fund environmental education?
Our focus is on improving public policy. We generally don’t fund environmental education, videos, etc., either through educational institutions or aimed at the general public.
Do you fund local cleanup efforts?
The Foundation generally does not support local-impact projects such as environmental cleanup activities. As part of a comprehensive approach in one watershed, the demonstration projects in the Healthy Rivers Initiative are an exception.
Do you fund conservation projects, either of wildlife or of land?
We do not generally fund efforts to preserve individual species or to purchase land. Our priorities are on public policies that affect the environment of the Great Lakes region as a whole.
Do you support scientific research on environmental problems?
We generally do not support basic scientific research. We do fund research likely to have a strong impact on public policy.
Given your focus on the Great Lakes region, do you give grants to national organizations?
Grants to national organizations must be for projects that address an important problem facing the Great Lakes region or promise to have a significant impact on the region.
Do you fund government agencies and programs?
We generally make grants only to nonprofit organizations.
Do you fund conferences?
We rarely fund conferences. Exceptions would be made only in connection with projects the Foundation is already funding.
How do I apply for funding?
For information on applying for a grant and the proposal review process, see the How to Apply section
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