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Conservation Law Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$0.4M
Grant Range
$8K - $0.1M

Conservation Law Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $387,236 (2023)
  • Number of Awards: 12 grants (2023)
  • Grant Range: $7,500 - $115,949
  • Geographic Focus: New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont)
  • Total Assets: $36,586,667 (2023)
  • Annual Revenue: $16,528,889 (2023)
  • Charity Navigator Rating: 4 stars (100% score)

Contact Details

Overview

Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) is the oldest regional environmental advocacy organization in the United States, founded in 1966 by New Hampshire attorney Ben Nason to oppose the development of Mount Greylock in Western Massachusetts into a ski resort. Headquartered in Boston with offices in all six New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont), CLF uses law, science, and market-based solutions to protect New England's environment.

CLF operates as a public charity with approximately $36.6 million in total assets and 140 employees. Their primary function is environmental litigation and policy advocacy rather than grant-making. However, they distribute approximately $387,000 annually in grants to partner organizations working on collaborative environmental projects. The organization has received significant recognition, including a 4-star (100%) rating from Charity Navigator for financial health, accountability, and transparency.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

CLF's grant-making is limited and primarily supports collaborative environmental advocacy efforts:

  • Environmental Litigation Partnerships: $36,893 - $115,949 (grants to partner organizations like Natural Resources Defense Council and Earthjustice for joint litigation efforts, such as the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument campaign)
  • Research & Policy Partnerships: ~$50,000 (grants to academic institutions like MIT for municipal and community-based partner awards)

Note: CLF's grant-making appears to be strategic and project-specific rather than open to public applications.

Priority Areas

CLF focuses its work across five integrated program areas:

  1. Clean Energy & Climate Change: Moving New England toward 80% reduction in carbon emissions and net-zero by 2050
  2. Clean Air & Water: Protecting waterways, combating acid rain, and addressing stormwater runoff
  3. Healthy Oceans: Sustainable fisheries management, marine environmental protection, protecting endangered species like North Atlantic Right Whales
  4. People & Justice: Environmental justice for communities historically burdened by pollution
  5. Healthy Communities: Local food systems, combating sprawl, forest protection

What They Don't Fund

Based on their organizational focus, CLF likely does not fund:

  • Organizations working outside New England
  • Projects unrelated to environmental protection and advocacy
  • General operating support for unrelated causes
  • Individual grants or scholarships

Governance and Leadership

President

Bradley M. Campbell - President and Chief Executive Officer since September 2015

Campbell brings over 30 years of experience shaping environmental policy. His previous roles include:

  • Regional Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mid-Atlantic Region (Clinton administration)
  • Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
  • Associate Director, White House Council on Environmental Quality
  • Trial Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice (1990-1995)

Under his leadership, CLF has taken on major oil companies (Exxon, Shell, Gulf Oil) for climate impacts and helped pass climate laws in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Maine.

Board of Trustees

  • Chair: Sara Molyneaux
  • Vice Chairs: David W. Ellis, Ph.D., Whitney Hatch, Paul Lee, Peter Nessen
  • Treasurer: Andy Falender
  • Clerk: Dr. Thea James

The Board includes 24 additional trustees and meets quarterly. Members serve three-year terms.

Advisory Council

Chaired by Jenny Y. du Pont with 20 members providing organizational guidance.

State Advisory Boards

CLF maintains separate advisory boards in each New England state to guide regional cases and activities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

Conservation Law Foundation is primarily an operating nonprofit that conducts its own environmental litigation and advocacy programs. Their limited grant-making appears to be:

  • Invitation-only: Grants are made to strategic partner organizations
  • Project-specific: Funding supports collaborative campaigns and litigation efforts
  • Relationship-based: Grant recipients are typically established partners in the environmental advocacy community

There is no publicly available grant application portal, guidelines, or deadlines.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on CLF's operational model, organizations interested in potential collaboration should consider:

  1. Joint Litigation Opportunities: CLF partners with organizations like Natural Resources Defense Council and Earthjustice on major environmental cases. Organizations with complementary legal expertise in New England environmental issues may find collaboration opportunities.

  2. Research Partnerships: CLF has funded academic institutions (MIT) for specific research projects. Academic researchers working on climate adaptation, marine conservation, or environmental policy in New England may be relevant partners.

  3. Environmental Justice Coalitions: CLF's focus on environmental justice and community impact suggests potential interest in community-based organizations in affected New England neighborhoods.

  4. Contact: Organizations may reach out via e-info@clf.org or 617-350-0990 to explore potential partnerships, though there is no guarantee of funding opportunities.

Recent Grant Recipients (Known)

  • Natural Resources Defense Council: $115,949 (Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument)
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): $49,976 (Municipal and Community Based Partner Award)
  • Earthjustice: $36,893 (Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument)

Application Success Factors

Since CLF does not have a public grant application process, the following factors may influence partnership and funding decisions:

  1. Geographic Alignment: Projects must focus on New England (all six states covered by CLF offices)

  2. Programmatic Fit: Alignment with one of CLF's five program areas: Clean Energy & Climate Change, Clean Air & Water, Healthy Oceans, People & Justice, Healthy Communities

  3. Collaborative Potential: CLF appears to fund partners on joint litigation and advocacy efforts rather than independent projects

  4. Strategic Value: Grants support CLF's broader advocacy campaigns, particularly in climate litigation and marine conservation

  5. Track Record: Known grant recipients (NRDC, Earthjustice, MIT) are established institutions with strong reputations in environmental work

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • CLF is primarily an advocacy organization, not a foundation: Their limited grant-making (~$387,000 annually) is secondary to their $16+ million operating budget for litigation and advocacy programs

  • No public application process exists: Funding is invitation-only and project-specific, typically supporting collaborative campaigns with established partners

  • Focus on partnership rather than grant applications: Organizations seeking to work with CLF should explore collaboration opportunities on litigation, research, or policy advocacy rather than expecting traditional grant funding

  • New England focus is essential: All CLF work is concentrated in the six New England states

  • Strong financial and governance standards: CLF's 4-star Charity Navigator rating (100%) indicates rigorous financial management and transparency

  • Contact for collaboration inquiries: e-info@clf.org or 617-350-0990

  • Alternative approach: Organizations seeking environmental funding in New England may have better success applying to the foundations that fund CLF (such as Jeremy and Hannelore Grantham Environmental Trust, Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund, Park Foundation) which have established grant programs

References

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