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Sustainable Markets Foundation

Annual Giving
$8.4M
000

Sustainable Markets Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8.4 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Varies by program
  • Geographic Focus: National/International (U.S.-based, focus on environmental advocacy)

Contact Details

Address: 40 W 37th St, Room 1000, New York, NY 10018

Contact: Att: Jay R. Halfon (Director/General Counsel/CEO)

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website and does not accept unsolicited grant applications.

Overview

Founded in 2002, the Sustainable Markets Foundation (SMF) is a New York-based 501(c)(3) public charity that operates as both a grantmaker and fiscal sponsor for environmental advocacy organizations. Despite its name suggesting it's a foundation, SMF is organized as a public charity. With total assets of $44.2 million and revenue of $39.2 million as of 2023, the organization has experienced significant growth from $4.3 million in annual revenue in 2011 to nearly $48 million in 2024.

SMF's mission focuses on promoting environmental protection, energy efficiency, consumer protection, health and safety, and good government. The foundation serves as a strategic fiscal sponsor, providing both grants and administrative support to environmental advocacy organizations working to restrict fossil fuel development and promote clean energy transitions. The organization has established itself as a key player in environmental philanthropy, channeling resources to grassroots and national advocacy groups focused on climate action.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

SMF operates through trustee-directed grantmaking rather than open application programs. In 2023, the foundation made 107 grants totaling $8.4 million, and in 2024 made 79 grants totaling $14.9 million. Grants are made to support environmental advocacy organizations aligned with SMF's mission.

Priority Areas

Pollution Prevention: Research and public education on bold action to prevent pollution, including dissemination of materials through media, online platforms, and public events.

Clean Energy and Just Transition: Public education about the need for a safe and healthy energy sector, including equitable transitions that protect workers, communities, and economies.

Environmental Conservation: Research and education on protecting the environment, conserving natural resources, recycling, and preservation of clean air, water, and natural ecosystems.

Climate Advocacy: Support for organizations working to address climate change through policy advocacy, including restrictions on natural gas production and fossil fuel exploration.

Known Grant Recipients

  • 350.org (fiscal sponsorship and grants)
  • Action Center for Race and the Economy
  • Alliance for Climate Education
  • Center for Media and Democracy
  • Oil and Gas Action Network
  • Frack Action (historical)
  • Artists Against Fracking (historical)

SMF also serves as the charitable partner for environmental journalism site DeSmog.

What They Don't Fund

Information about specific exclusions is not publicly available, but the foundation's focus is clearly on environmental advocacy, climate action, and fossil fuel restrictions.

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel

Elizabeth Hitchcock, President: Also serves as a Public Health Advocate for U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG) and the U.S. PIRG Education Fund, bringing expertise in public health and environmental advocacy to the foundation's leadership.

Jay R. Halfon, Director/General Counsel/CEO: Previously served as executive director of the New York Public Interest Research Group. Halfon also serves on the boards of 350.org, Earthworks, and the Park Foundation, demonstrating strong connections within the environmental advocacy sector.

John Richard, Vice President

Steve Kleinberg, Secretary/Treasurer

Notably, none of these officers reported compensation in recent filings, suggesting volunteer or minimal-compensation leadership structure.

Funding Sources

SMF itself receives substantial funding from major environmental foundations including:

  • Tides Foundation
  • New Venture Fund
  • Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors
  • Silicon Valley Community Foundation
  • MacArthur Foundation
  • Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
  • Ford Foundation ($400,000 in 2024, $550,000 in 2023)
  • Rockefeller Brothers Fund ($55,000 grants in 2023 and 2024 for Global Gas and Oil Network)
  • Park Foundation (over $600,000 in 2013 for anti-fracking organizations)
  • Rockefeller Foundation ($750,000, 2022-2024)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Sustainable Markets Foundation operates through trustee discretion and strategic partnerships rather than accepting unsolicited grant applications. The foundation does not maintain a public website or published application guidelines.

Grants are awarded through board decisions and the foundation's role as a fiscal sponsor, where it provides both financial and administrative support to environmental advocacy organizations. Organizations currently receiving support appear to have established relationships with the foundation or its leadership.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's leadership connections and board affiliations, potential grantees may benefit from:

Network Through Environmental Sector: Jay Halfon serves on the boards of 350.org, Earthworks, and Park Foundation. Organizations working within these networks or attending events where these organizations are present may have opportunities to build awareness.

Focus on Anti-Fossil Fuel Advocacy: The foundation has a documented track record of supporting organizations working on natural gas restrictions, fracking opposition, and fossil fuel policy advocacy. Organizations with strong work in these areas align with SMF's demonstrated priorities.

Connect Through U.S. PIRG Network: President Elizabeth Hitchcock's role at U.S. PIRG suggests connections to the public interest research group network may be relevant.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available due to the absence of a public application process.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation made 107 grants in 2023 and 79 grants in 2024, but application numbers are not relevant given the invitation-only nature of the grantmaking.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the absence of a public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since SMF does not accept unsolicited applications, the key factors for receiving support appear to be:

Alignment with Environmental Advocacy Mission: Organizations must be working directly on environmental protection, climate action, fossil fuel restrictions, or clean energy transitions. The foundation's grantmaking demonstrates a clear preference for advocacy-oriented work rather than purely educational or scientific research.

Strategic Value as Fiscal Sponsorship Candidate: SMF operates significantly as a fiscal sponsor, providing both grants and administrative support. Organizations seeking fiscal sponsorship that align with SMF's mission may have opportunities, though the selection process is not publicly documented.

Connection to Foundation Leadership Networks: The foundation's board members sit on multiple environmental organization boards, suggesting that relationships and reputation within the environmental advocacy sector are important factors.

Focus on Policy and Advocacy: Known grant recipients (350.org, Oil and Gas Action Network, Center for Media and Democracy) are advocacy-focused organizations working on policy change rather than service delivery or direct environmental work.

Track Record in Anti-Fossil Fuel Work: Historical support for Frack Action and Artists Against Fracking, along with support for the Global Gas and Oil Network, indicates a strong preference for organizations actively opposing fossil fuel development.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists – SMF operates through trustee discretion and strategic relationships rather than competitive grant applications
  • Fiscal sponsorship is a key model – Organizations seeking both funding and administrative support may be of particular interest to SMF
  • Focus on advocacy over service delivery – Grant recipients are primarily advocacy organizations working on policy change
  • Anti-fossil fuel focus is paramount – The foundation has a clear track record supporting organizations working to restrict natural gas, fracking, and fossil fuel development
  • Leadership connections matter – Board members' affiliations with 350.org, Earthworks, Park Foundation, and U.S. PIRG suggest these networks are important pathways
  • Scale matters – With grants ranging up to $14.9 million in total annual giving, SMF supports both grassroots and national-level advocacy organizations
  • Strategic alignment with major funders – SMF receives funding from Rockefeller, Ford, and MacArthur foundations, suggesting alignment with these funders' priorities may be beneficial

References

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