Island Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $2.5 million (2023)
Total Assets: $55.4 million (2023)
Success Rate: Approximately 18% (183 grants awarded from estimated 1,000+ inquiries annually)
Decision Time: Within 1 month of application deadline
Grant Range: $240 - $125,000 (most grants $5,000 - $30,000)
Geographic Focus: Coastal areas of Maine, Massachusetts (especially southeastern), and Rhode Island, plus select international locations

Contact Details

Island Foundation Inc 589 Mill Street P.O. Box 1605 Marion, MA 02738-1533

Phone: (508) 748-2809 Fax: (508) 748-0991 Email: info@islandfdn.org Website: http://www.islandfdn.org

Staff Contacts:

Denise Porché, Executive Director: dporche@islandfdn.org
Andrea Bogomolni, Program Officer (Environment and Education): abogomolni@islandfdn.org
Rayana Grace, Program Officer (New Bedford and Womxn and Girls): rgrace@islandfdn.org

Overview

The Island Foundation was established in 1979 by W. Van Alan Clark, Jr. and Mary H. Clark as a family foundation committed to both responding to community needs and providing leadership grants that other foundations might decline to support. With total assets of $55.4 million and annual grantmaking of approximately $2.5 million, the foundation has been serving coastal New England communities for over 45 years. The foundation distributes approximately 180+ grants annually across four main priority areas: Environment, New Bedford community development, Alternative Education, and Womxn & Girls. Under the leadership of Executive Director Denise Porché since 2009, the foundation has increased its focus on equity and inclusion, environmental justice, and supporting underserved populations. The founders' vision of being "willing to step up to the plate and make a good cut at the ball" continues to guide the foundation's willingness to take creative risks and support innovative solutions to community challenges.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Island Foundation operates through four main funding categories plus additional special initiatives:

Environment ($720,000 - $820,000 annually)

Grants range from $5,000 - $75,000
Quarterly application deadlines (March 1, June 1, September 1, December 1)
Focus on marine and coastal resource conservation in Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island

New Bedford ($720,000 annually)

Grants range from $5,000 - $30,000
Supports community development, youth programs, arts and culture, and basic needs
Quarterly application deadlines

Alternative Education ($300,000 - $360,000 annually)

Grants range from $5,000 - $40,000
Supports experiential education, after-school programs, and alternative schools
Quarterly application deadlines

Womxn & Girls ($175,000 - $200,000 annually)

Grants range from $5,000 - $25,000
Addresses root causes of inequality, particularly for womxn and girls of color
Quarterly application deadlines

Special Projects ($225,000 annually)

Larger grants for capital campaigns and major initiatives ($50,000 - $100,000)
Considered on a case-by-case basis

Penzance Fund ($66,000 - $184,000 annually)

Smaller grants ($240 - $8,000)
Supports diverse causes including animal welfare and community services

Priority Areas

Environment:

North Atlantic right whale research and protection
Coastal waterbird habitat protection
Preservation of coastal lands
Climate change mitigation and renewable energy initiatives
Support for communities most impacted by climate change
Working landscapes: sustainable agriculture and community-based fisheries
Environmental justice initiatives
Connecting community health, quality of life, and environmental conservation

New Bedford:

Youth educational attainment, life skills, and career preparation
Workforce development for at-risk youth ages 16-24
Food insecurity solutions
Immigrant assistance and integration
Civic engagement and voter participation
Cultural appreciation and arts programs
Nonprofit capacity-building

Alternative Education:

Experiential education programs connecting young people to the natural world
After-school programs with community service components
Maritime trades and marine education
Alternative education schools
Programs serving at-risk youth

Womxn & Girls:

Healthcare access, particularly reproductive health
Economic security and workforce development
Political representation and civic engagement
Trauma healing services
Community participation and leadership development
Organizations led by and serving womxn and girls of color

What They Don't Fund

Proposals outside the four priority areas
Requests from individuals
For-profit businesses
Religious organizations (for religious purposes)
Special projects from organizations without prior invitation or relationship with the foundation
Organizations located outside Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island (except for select international projects aligned with priorities)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

Hannah Clark Nesbeda, President of the Board

Staff Leadership:

Denise Porché, Executive Director (since 2009): Holds a BA from University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and an MSW from Boston University. Prior to joining Island Foundation, she was a fellow at the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race & Justice at Harvard Law School. Under her leadership, the foundation has increased funding for equity and inclusion, basic needs, educational opportunities for underserved populations, and environmental justice. She also serves on the boards of The Redford Center, Project Citizenship, and SouthCoast Community Foundation.
Andrea Bogomolni, Program Officer (Environment and Education): Manages environmental and education grant portfolios.
Rayana Grace, Program Officer (New Bedford and Womxn and Girls): Oversees New Bedford community grants and womxn and girls initiatives.
Michele Emery, Financial-Administrative Assistant: Handles financial and administrative operations.

Founders' Philosophy: W. Van Alan Clark, Jr. believed that "the world could be managed for the better" and that "bright people, dedicated to a common goal would inevitably achieve that goal." He emphasized being willing to "step up to the plate and make a good cut at the ball" - a philosophy that continues to guide the foundation's willingness to take creative risks and support innovative solutions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Island Foundation requires a two-step application process:

Step 1: Initial Contact (Required) Before submitting a full application, you must contact the Executive Director to discuss your project:

Contact: Denise M. Porché, Executive Director
Phone: 508-748-2809
Email: info@islandfdn.org

During this conversation, foundation staff will determine if your project aligns with current priorities and whether you should proceed with a full application. If invited to apply, you will receive an access code for the online grants management system.

Step 2: Full Proposal Submission Submit through the foundation's online grants management system. Required materials include:

One-page cover letter stating the funding amount requested, brief organizational description, and proposal summary
Three to five-page proposal covering:
- Organizational history and mission
- Project needs and rationale
- Goals and objectives
- Methods and timeline
- Success measures and evaluation plan
- Staff qualifications
Project budget plus past and current organizational budgets
Recent financial statement or audit
Board and staff list
IRS 501(c)(3) tax determination letter (or fiscal sponsor documentation if applicable)
Supplementary materials (annual reports, newsletters, brochures - optional)

Eligibility:

501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island
Organizations outside these states may qualify if programs align with foundation priorities
Organizations without 501(c)(3) status can apply through a fiscal sponsor

Grant Types:

General operating support
Project-focused grants
Occasional multi-year grant commitments to long-term grantees

Decision Timeline

Application Deadlines: March 1, June 1, September 1, December 1 (or next business day if deadline falls on weekend)
Decision Time: Within one month of application deadline
Grant Distribution: Approximately the 15th of the month following the decision

Example timeline:

Submit by June 1 → Decision by early July → Grant distributed by July 15

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not explicitly publish a reapplication policy. Organizations are encouraged to contact the Executive Director to discuss unsuccessful applications and potential for reapplication. The foundation makes multi-year commitments to some long-term grantees, suggesting they value ongoing relationships with effective organizations.

Ongoing Requirements: All grantees must submit annual progress reports and budget information (income and expenses).

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's priorities and funded projects, successful applications typically demonstrate:

1. Strong Alignment with Current Board Interests

The foundation explicitly states that the Board has recently been interested in initiatives that:

Link climate change, renewable energy, and regional planning
Support those most impacted by climate change
Support working landscapes and the people who rely on them for their livelihoods
Help local conservation organizations strengthen their capacity
Connect community health, quality of life, and environmental conservation
Promote environmental justice and include voices of those most affected by environmental harms

2. Community Recognition and Organizational Vision

The foundation seeks organizations that:

Have community-wide recognition
Demonstrate positive organizational vision
Are described as "innovative, well-regarded, sustainable"
Can clearly demonstrate impact

3. Mission Alignment with Founders' Philosophy

Projects that embody Van Clark's belief in creative problem-solving and collaborative impact are favored. The foundation values organizations willing to:

Take creative risks
Pursue innovative solutions
Work collaboratively toward common goals
Balance dialogue with action

4. Focus on Underserved Populations

Recent funding patterns show strong support for:

Organizations serving at-risk youth (especially ages 16-24)
Immigrant communities
Womxn and girls of color
Communities disproportionately affected by environmental harm
Working waterfronts and sustainable fisheries communities

5. Connection to Coastal Communities

Given the foundation's coastal focus, successful projects often:

Address marine and coastal resource issues
Serve communities in southeastern Massachusetts, coastal Maine, or coastal Rhode Island
Connect environmental conservation to community wellbeing
Support working waterfronts and maritime livelihoods

6. Demonstrated Capacity and Track Record

The foundation's willingness to make multi-year commitments to proven partners suggests they value:

Organizations with established track records
Strong financial management
Clear evaluation and reporting mechanisms
Proven ability to deliver on stated goals

7. Required Pre-Application Discussion

The mandatory initial conversation with the Executive Director serves multiple purposes:

Allows foundation to assess fit before investing review time
Helps applicants understand current priorities
Builds relationships and trust
Enables frank discussion about likelihood of success

Organizations should use this conversation to demonstrate knowledge of the foundation's work and articulate how their project uniquely addresses current board interests.

Recent Funding Examples (2023-2024)

Environment:

New England Aquarium: $40,000 - $75,000 for North Atlantic right whale research
Save the Bay: $30,000 for coastal conservation
Conservation Law Foundation: $20,000 for environmental advocacy
Groundwork Lawrence: $20,000 for urban environmental programs

New Bedford:

Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro South: $30,000 for youth programs
Multiple immigrant assistance organizations: $10,000 - $20,000 each
Arts and cultural institutions: $5,000 - $15,000

Education:

SALT - Sailing and Leadership Training: Programs connecting youth to maritime trades
Agricultural education initiatives: $5,000 - $40,000

Womxn & Girls:

Reproductive health organizations
Workforce development programs for women
Organizations serving women and girls of color

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Make the required initial call: This is mandatory and serves as an important screening step. Use it to demonstrate your knowledge of the foundation's work and current priorities.
Emphasize environmental justice and equity: Recent funding patterns show increasing support for projects that connect environmental conservation with social justice, particularly for communities most impacted by climate change.
Demonstrate community recognition: The foundation explicitly seeks organizations with community-wide recognition and positive vision - include testimonials, partnerships, or other evidence of community standing.
Align with current board interests: Focus on how your project links to recent priority areas like climate change, working landscapes, capacity building for local conservation groups, or environmental justice.
Show collaborative approach: The founders' philosophy emphasized collaboration - demonstrate partnerships and coalition-building in your approach.
Be clear about measurable impact: The foundation requires annual progress reports and budget information, indicating they value accountability and demonstrable results.
Consider the quarterly cycle strategically: With four deadlines per year, choose the deadline that gives you adequate time to prepare a strong application and aligns with your project timeline.
Highlight connections to coastal communities: Given the foundation's geographic focus and history, emphasize how your work connects to coastal resource conservation or coastal community wellbeing.
For New Bedford applicants: Focus on youth workforce development (ages 16-24), food insecurity, immigrant support, or nonprofit capacity-building.
Build relationships for the long term: The foundation makes multi-year commitments to organizations it knows well - view the initial grant as a potential beginning of a longer partnership.

References

Island Foundation Official Website - Grantmaking Priorities: https://islandfdn.org/priorities (Accessed January 2025)
Island Foundation - Grant Application Guidelines: https://islandfdn.org/index.php/grant_application (Accessed January 2025)
Island Foundation - About the Foundation: http://islandfdn.org/index.php/about (Accessed January 2025)
Island Foundation - Contact Information: https://islandfdn.org/contact (Accessed January 2025)
Island Foundation - 2024 Grant Awards: https://islandfdn.org/index.php/2024_grant_awards (Accessed January 2025)
Island Foundation - 2023 Grant Awards: https://islandfdn.org/index.php/2023_grant_awards (Accessed January 2025)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Island Foundation Inc (EIN 04-2670567): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/42670567 (Accessed January 2025)
Candid Foundation Directory - Island Foundation Inc: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=RAMI001 (Accessed January 2025)
InfluenceWatch - Island Foundation: https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/island-foundation/ (Accessed January 2025)
National Center for Family Philanthropy - Denise Porché Profile: https://www.ncfp.org/people/denise-porche/ (Accessed January 2025)