Agua Fund Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,070,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $175,000
• Geographic Focus: Mid-Atlantic (Virginia, Washington DC), Western Colorado, and Indian Country (Native American communities)

Contact Details

Address: 1010 Wisconsin Ave NW #550, Washington, DC 20007
Registered Address: 203 Milldale Hollow Rd, Front Royal, VA 22630-7305
Phone: (202) 944-9623
Email: mills@aguafundinc.org
Website: www.aguafund.org
Executive Director: Ann Mills

Overview

Agua Fund Inc was established in 2002 as a private independent foundation (originally founded in 2000 as a donor-advised fund at Tides Foundation before becoming independent in 2003). With approximately $10.4 million in assets and annual giving of over $3 million, the foundation serves as a philanthropic vehicle for Catherine Mellon Conover, an heiress to the Mellon fortune and prominent environmental advocate. Since its inception, Agua has invested over $55 million in nonprofit organizations working to improve quality of life through environmental protection, assistance to the disadvantaged, civic engagement, and promotion of democratic values. The foundation is a member of the Chesapeake Bay Funders Network and collaborates with other foundations on regional environmental initiatives. Catherine Mellon Conover is also co-founder of the environmental publisher Island Press.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Agua Fund provides general operating support grants, believing grantees are in the best position to decide how to deploy funds. All grants are made by invitation only to preselected organizations.

Environmental Conservation (Largest funding area): $5,000 - $150,000

• Focus on water quality and conservation in the six-state Chesapeake Bay watershed
• Shenandoah River watershed protection (land, water, and food issues)
• Sustainable agriculture and locally-produced food
• Gulf Coast protection in Florida
• Recent 2024 grants: Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley ($150,000), Piedmont Environmental Council ($150,000), National Wildlife Federation ($115,000), Potomac Riverkeeper Network ($106,000), Southern Environmental Law Center ($100,000)

Social Services: $5,000 - $50,000

• Vulnerable elderly in Washington, DC and Southwest Florida
• Native American health improvement
• Educational opportunities for children
• Recent grantees: First Nations Development Institute, National Congress of American Indians, Iona Senior Services, Legal Counsel for the Elderly

Civic Engagement and Voting Rights: $10,000 - $80,000

• Increasing civic participation among underrepresented groups
• Protecting voting rights
• Conservation-focused voter engagement
• Native American rights protection
• Recent 2024 grants: Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law ($40,000), Make the Road Pennsylvania ($40,000), New Virginia Majority ($75,000), PolicyLink ($80,000), Tides Foundation Movement Voter Fund ($80,000), Virginia Organizing ($60,000)

Other Areas: Disaster relief, capacity building for environmental organizations

Priority Areas

• Geographic Priorities: Shenandoah River Valley, Chesapeake Bay watershed (six-state region), Washington DC, Western Colorado, Native American communities, Gulf Coast Florida
• Thematic Priorities: Water quality and watershed protection, sustainable agriculture, elder care, Indigenous health, voting rights, civic participation, environmental advocacy
• Organizational Support: General operating support preferred; capacity building grants available
• Collaborative Funding: Active member of Chesapeake Bay Funders Network

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly documented, the foundation:

• Does not accept unsolicited applications
• Only funds 501(c)(3) charitable organizations
• Focuses exclusively on their stated priority areas
• Does not appear to fund capital campaigns, endowments, or individual scholarships

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Ann C. Mills (since November 2017)

• Compensation: $198,281 (as of most recent filing)
• Previously served as Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources & Environment at the US Department of Agriculture (2009-2017)
• Prior experience at American Rivers as senior leader
• Former chief of staff to Senator Tom Daschle and California Lt. Governor Leo McCarthy
• Legislative staffer to then-Representative Richard Durbin

Secretary: Moshe Z. Pasternak

• Compensation: $65,390

Founder/Board: Catherine Mellon Conover

• Daughter of Paul Mellon, heiress to the Mellon fortune
• Co-founder of Island Press (prominent environmental publisher, 1978)
• Environmental activist and philanthropist
• Previously married to Senator John Warner (1957-1973)

Foundation Philosophy: "We provide general support grants believing that our grantees are in the best position to decide how to deploy funds." This reflects a trust-based philanthropy approach that empowers grantees.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Agua Fund does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. All grants are made by invitation only.

Organizations interested in Agua Fund support should note:

• The foundation identifies potential grantees through its own research and networks
• Contact can be made to introduce your organization, but formal proposals are not accepted unless invited
• The foundation works with organizations it has already identified as aligned with its mission

Getting on Their Radar

While Agua Fund does not accept unsolicited proposals, organizations working in their priority areas can increase visibility through:

Chesapeake Bay Funders Network Connection: Since Agua Fund is an active member and leader in CBFN (Ann Mills has moderated discussions), engaging with CBFN activities, attending their programs, and being visible in the Chesapeake Bay conservation community may increase familiarity.

Geographic and Thematic Alignment: Organizations should be working in their specific geographic priority areas (Shenandoah Valley, Chesapeake Bay watershed, Washington DC, Western Colorado, or Native American communities) and on their core themes (water quality, sustainable agriculture, elder care, Indigenous health, or voting rights).

Peer Foundation Networks: Engaging with other foundations in the Chesapeake Bay Funders Network, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems Funders network (where Ann Mills serves on the board), or similar collaborative funding groups where Agua Fund participates.

Existing Grantee Relationships: Organizations that have strong partnerships with current Agua Fund grantees may be noticed through those networks, as the foundation often funds organizations working collaboratively on regional issues.

Contact for Introduction: While unsolicited proposals are not accepted, organizations can contact Ann Mills at mills@aguafundinc.org or (202) 944-9623 to introduce their organization. Keep introductions brief and focused on alignment with Agua's stated priorities.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As an invitation-only funder, the foundation operates on its own timeline for identifying and inviting proposals from potential grantees.

Success Rates

Not applicable. Since the foundation only invites proposals from preselected organizations, there is no competitive application process with success rates.

In 2024, Agua Fund made 70 grants totaling approximately $3.1 million. In 2023, they made 70 grants totaling $3.26 million, and in 2022, they made 72 grants.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented. As an invitation-only funder, reapplication is not relevant. However, many organizations receive multi-year or recurring support, suggesting that successful grantees are often invited for continued funding.

Application Success Factors

Since Agua Fund operates by invitation only, traditional application success factors don't apply. However, organizations can position themselves for potential consideration by:

Strong Track Record in Priority Areas: Agua Fund seeks organizations with proven expertise in water quality, conservation, sustainable agriculture, elder care, Indigenous health, or voting rights. Their 2024 grants went to established organizations like the Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley ($150,000), Piedmont Environmental Council ($150,000), and Southern Environmental Law Center ($100,000).

Geographic Alignment: Being located in or working in their priority geographies is essential. The Shenandoah River Valley is specifically named as a geographic priority. As their website states, "Local grantmaking focuses on protecting the watershed of the Shenandoah River in Virginia by addressing issues of water, land, and food."

Collaborative Approach: Agua Fund values collaboration, as evidenced by its active participation in the Chesapeake Bay Funders Network. Organizations working in coalition or partnership on regional issues align with this approach.

Mission Alignment: Organizations must clearly align with Agua's mission to "improve quality of life through support for efforts to protect the natural environment, help the disadvantaged, give voice to the underserved, and promote democratic values and full participation in civic life."

General Operating Support Philosophy: Agua Fund explicitly states they "provide general support grants believing that our grantees are in the best position to decide how to deploy funds." This trust-based approach suggests they seek organizations with strong leadership and clear strategic direction.

Multi-Year Impact: Analysis of grant patterns shows many organizations receive recurring support, suggesting the foundation values long-term relationships with effective organizations. For example, the Piedmont Environmental Council, Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley, and Potomac Riverkeeper appear as grantees across multiple years.

Vulnerable Populations Focus: For social service grants, the foundation specifically prioritizes "the vulnerable elderly in Washington, DC" and "the health of Native Americans." Organizations serving these specific populations are most likely to align with their social services funding.

Voting Rights and Civic Engagement Specificity: In the civic engagement area, Agua seeks organizations that "increase the participation in public life of underrepresented groups" and "protect voting rights," with specific interest in "conservation-focused voters" and Native American rights.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation Only: Agua Fund does not accept unsolicited proposals - all grants are by invitation only to preselected organizations. Traditional application strategies do not apply.

• Geographic Focus is Critical: The Shenandoah River Valley and broader Chesapeake Bay watershed are the primary environmental focus areas. For social services, focus is on Washington DC (elderly) and Native American communities nationally.

• General Operating Support: Agua explicitly provides general operating support rather than project-specific grants, reflecting a trust-based philanthropy model that empowers grantees to allocate funds where most needed.

• Environmental Conservation is the Priority: Environmental funding is the largest grantmaking area, with water quality and conservation receiving the most significant investments, including grants of $100,000-$150,000 to major regional organizations.

• Collaborative Funding Relationships: Active membership in the Chesapeake Bay Funders Network suggests opportunities for joint funding initiatives and visibility through collaborative networks.

• Long-Term Relationships: Grant patterns show recurring support to successful grantees, suggesting the foundation values sustained partnerships over one-time grants.

• Contact for Introduction Only: While proposals are not accepted, organizations can contact Executive Director Ann Mills (mills@aguafundinc.org) to introduce their work if closely aligned with stated priorities, particularly in the Shenandoah Valley or Chesapeake Bay region.

References

• Agua Fund official website: https://www.aguafund.org/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Agua Fund Mission page: https://www.aguafund.org/about-us/mission/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Agua Fund Grants page: https://www.aguafund.org/grants/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Agua Fund Staff page: https://www.aguafund.org/staff/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Agua Fund 2024 Grants Summary: https://www.aguafund.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Agua-Fund-2024-Summary.pdf (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Agua Fund Inc: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/113659697 (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Inside Philanthropy - Agua Fund profile: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-a/aguafund (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory - Agua Fundinc: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=AGUA002 (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Grantmakers.io Profile: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/113659697-agua-fund-inc/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• InfluenceWatch - The Agua Fund: https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/the-agua-fund/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Chesapeake Bay Funders Network - Agua Fund association: https://www.aguafund.org/professional-associations/chesapeake-bay-funders-network/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Charity Navigator - Agua Fund Inc profile: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/113659697 (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• CauseIQ - Agua Fund profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/agua-fund,113659697/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)