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F Felix Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.1M
Grant Range
$2K - $0.0M

F Felix Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $129,000 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $3,656,048 (2024)
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $32,000
  • Number of Grants: 5-13 annually
  • Geographic Focus: Massachusetts, New York, New Mexico, Washington DC
  • Application Process: No unsolicited applications accepted

Contact Details

  • Address: 6 University Drive, Suite 206, Amherst, MA 01002
  • Phone: (413) 225-5973
  • Website: None
  • Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The F Felix Foundation is a private independent foundation established in December 1999, currently headquartered in Amherst, Massachusetts. With total assets of approximately $3.66 million, the foundation distributes around $129,000-$194,000 annually through a small number of targeted grants.

The foundation's giving is focused primarily on environmental and climate-related causes, including carbon pricing initiatives, rainforest protection, and environmental justice. Secondary areas of interest include education, human services, animal welfare, and peace-building. The foundation operates with no employees and relies on contracted administrative services for its operations.

Under the leadership of President Jesse Mazer, the foundation maintains a selective approach to grantmaking, supporting preselected organizations rather than responding to open applications. The foundation's assets have gradually declined from approximately $4.5 million in 2012 to the current level, while maintaining consistent annual charitable distributions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Grants are made at the discretion of the foundation's leadership to organizations aligned with their priorities.

  • Typical Grant Size: $2,000 - $32,000
  • Grant Distribution: 5-13 grants annually
  • Application Method: Invitation only / preselected organizations

Priority Areas

Based on documented grant recipients, the foundation prioritizes:

  • Environmental Conservation: Climate action, rainforest protection, clean air advocacy
  • Carbon Pricing & Climate Policy: Organizations working on carbon pricing initiatives
  • Environmental Justice: Programs addressing environmental equity
  • Animal Welfare: Including domesticated animals and species protection
  • Education: Environmental education and related programs
  • Peace and Social Justice: Peace-building initiatives
  • Media and Communications: Including radio and environmental communications

Recent Grant Recipients (2023-2024)

  • Foundation Earth: $32,000
  • EarthAction Alerts Network: $30,000
  • Pricing Carbon Initiative: $25,000
  • All Species Project: $20,000
  • Rainforest Foundation: $20,000

What They Don't Fund

  • Grants to individuals
  • Unsolicited requests from organizations not already known to the foundation
  • Organizations outside their areas of focus

Governance and Leadership

Officers and Directors

  • Jesse Mazer - President (15 hours/week, $48,000 compensation)
  • Magdalena Mazer - Director and Secretary (0.5 hours/week, unpaid)
  • Alma Colburn - Director (0.5 hours/week, unpaid)

The foundation appears to be a family foundation with the Mazer family maintaining leadership control. The previous leadership included Robert Mazer as President and Director.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The F Felix Foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." The foundation does not maintain a website, publish application guidelines, or operate any open grant programs.

Grants are made through trustee discretion to organizations that align with the foundation's environmental, educational, and social justice priorities. The selection process appears to be driven by the personal interests and networks of the foundation's leadership.

Decision Timeline

  • Information not publicly available
  • The foundation files Form 990 annually, with recent filings in January/February

Success Rates

  • Not applicable as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications

Reapplication Policy

  • Not applicable as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications

Application Success Factors

Since the F Felix Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations may increase their chances of being considered by:

  • Mission Alignment: Working in environmental conservation, climate policy, or environmental justice
  • Track Record: Demonstrated effectiveness in carbon pricing, rainforest protection, or related environmental work
  • Network Connections: Building relationships with the foundation's leadership through sector events and shared interests
  • Geographic Relevance: Operating in Massachusetts, New York, New Mexico, or Washington DC where the foundation has historically made grants

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: The F Felix Foundation explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds
  • Highly selective: Only 5-13 grants are made annually, totaling approximately $129,000
  • Environmental focus: The strongest funding pattern is toward climate action, carbon pricing, and environmental conservation organizations
  • Family foundation: Decisions are made by a small group of family trustees
  • Small grants: Maximum documented grant is $32,000, with most grants in the $20,000-$30,000 range
  • Limited staff: The foundation operates with no employees and minimal administrative infrastructure
  • Pre-existing relationships required: Organizations must be known to the foundation to receive funding consideration

References

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