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The Kingfisher Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.5M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $524,574 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $150,000
  • Geographic Focus: North America and Western Pacific

Contact Details

Website: https://kingfisherfoundation.org/
Email: info@kingfisherfoundation.org
Phone: Not provided
Address: 3701 Sacramento Street, No 207, San Francisco, CA 94118

Overview

Founded in 1998, The Kingfisher Foundation is a California-based private foundation with assets of approximately $2.3 million and annual giving of over $500,000. The foundation operates on the belief that "people, businesses, and wildlife thrive when our planet's oceans, lakes, rivers, and wetlands are healthy and resilient." The foundation's mission focuses on restoring and preserving marine fish populations through reducing illegal, destructive, and economically unviable fishing practices. In 2020, the foundation expanded its focus to include East Asian art history. With fewer than 15 grants awarded annually, Kingfisher takes a highly selective approach to funding, working exclusively with preselected organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Environmental Grants: $10,000 - $150,000 (focuses on data governance and environmental information systems)
  • Art History Grants: $10,000 - $150,000 (initiated in 2020, supports North American institutions studying East Asian art)

Priority Areas

  • Marine fisheries and freshwater ecosystem resilience
  • Data governance structures for environmental management
  • Regulatory clarity for environmental information use
  • East Asian art history research and preservation
  • Projects that foster stakeholder engagement and understanding of complex systems

What They Don't Fund

  • New technology development
  • Production of new data or data platforms
  • Scientific research
  • Films or books
  • Unsolicited proposals

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Kristine Dattels
Legal Counsel: George T. Argyris (Partner at Farella Braun & Martel LLP)

The foundation operates with a small team and maintains close ties to the San Francisco law firm Farella Braun & Martel LLP. George Argyris, who counsels clients on matters related to family wealth preservation and philanthropic activity, appears to have a founding or governance role in the foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Kingfisher Foundation explicitly states they "do not accept unsolicited proposals" and only make contributions to "preselected charitable organizations." All grants are made through invitation only or trustee discretion.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation partners with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) on the Fisheries Innovation Fund, which provides one avenue for organizations working in sustainable fisheries to potentially connect with Kingfisher's funding priorities. Organizations may inquire via email at info@kingfisherfoundation.org, though unsolicited proposals are not accepted.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available

Success Rates

The foundation awards fewer than 15 grants annually (11-12 grants typical in recent years) from their preselected pool of organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only process

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated philosophy and funding patterns:

  • Stakeholder Engagement Focus: The foundation emphasizes that "eighty percent of the job is understanding how people work" rather than just technological solutions
  • Systems Thinking: Projects should demonstrate understanding of complex social and environmental systems
  • Data Governance Emphasis: For environmental grants, focus on practical changes to improve how agencies find, integrate, and use high-quality environmental information
  • Geographic Alignment: Environmental projects should primarily focus on North America and Western Pacific regions, with priority given to California
  • Novel Ideas: The foundation uses "small amounts of money to explore novel ideas" that improve environmental information use
  • Partnership Potential: Consider alignment with NFWF's Fisheries Innovation Fund initiatives

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation only: Do not submit unsolicited proposals - the foundation works exclusively with preselected organizations
  • Small but strategic: With fewer than 15 grants annually ranging from $10,000-$150,000, the foundation takes a highly selective approach
  • Focus on information systems: Environmental projects should emphasize data governance and regulatory clarity rather than new technology or research
  • Human-centered approach: Projects must demonstrate strong stakeholder engagement and understanding of human processes
  • Partnership pathway: Organizations working in sustainable fisheries may connect through NFWF's Fisheries Innovation Fund
  • California priority: While funding extends across North America, California-based projects appear to receive priority consideration
  • Dual program areas: Consider whether your work aligns with either environmental data governance or East Asian art history

References

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