Conservation Law Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Not applicable (operating nonprofit, not a grantmaking foundation)
• Geographic Focus: New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont)
• Total Assets: $36,586,667 (2023)
• Annual Revenue: $16,528,889 (2023)
• Total Expenses: $21,259,975 (2023)
• Charity Navigator Rating: 4 stars (100% score)

Contact Details

• Website: www.clf.org
• Phone: 617-350-0990
• Email: e-info@clf.org
• Address: 62 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02110
• Press Contact: Mike Naughton (press@clf.org)

Overview

Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) is the oldest regional environmental advocacy organisation 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. CLF is not a grantmaking foundation. Its primary function is environmental litigation and policy advocacy. The organisation's $21.3 million annual expenses support direct legal work, research, and campaigns rather than grants to other organisations. While CLF occasionally collaborates with partner organisations on joint litigation efforts and may provide limited project-specific support, it does not operate a grantmaking programme open to public applications.

The organisation has received significant recognition, including a 4-star (100%) rating from Charity Navigator for financial health, accountability, and transparency.

Funding Priorities

CLF does not operate a public grantmaking programme. The organisation is an operating charity that conducts its own environmental litigation and advocacy work.

Priority Areas

CLF focuses its work across five integrated programme areas:

1. Clean Energy & Climate Change: Moving New England towards 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

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 organisational 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 an operating nonprofit that conducts its own environmental litigation and advocacy programmes. CLF does not accept grant applications.

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

Collaboration Opportunities

Organisations interested in potential collaboration with CLF should consider:

1. Joint Litigation Opportunities: CLF partners with organisations on major environmental cases. Organisations with complementary legal expertise in New England environmental issues may find collaboration opportunities.

2. Research Partnerships: 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 organisations in affected New England neighbourhoods.

4. Contact: Organisations may reach out via e-info@clf.org or 617-350-0990 to explore potential partnerships, though CLF does not offer grant funding.

Key Takeaways

• CLF is an advocacy organisation, not a foundation: CLF does not operate a grantmaking programme. Its $21+ million annual budget supports direct litigation and advocacy work.

• No public application process exists: CLF does not accept grant applications.

• Focus on partnership rather than funding: Organisations seeking to work with CLF should explore collaboration opportunities on litigation, research, or policy advocacy rather than expecting 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 enquiries: e-info@clf.org or 617-350-0990

• Alternative approach: Organisations 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 programmes.

References

• Conservation Law Foundation Official Website - Accessed December 2025
• Charity Navigator - Conservation Law Foundation Rating - 4-star (100%) rating
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Conservation Law Foundation - Form 990 filings
• Instrumentl 990 Report - Conservation Law Foundation - Grant data and financial analysis
• Cause IQ - Conservation Law Foundation - Grant recipient information
• Conservation Law Foundation Governance Page - Board and leadership information
• Bradley Campbell Bio - CLF Website - Leadership information
• InfluenceWatch - Conservation Law Foundation - Organisational background