Garfield Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $710,000 (2024)
• Total Assets: $29.9 million
• Average Grant Size: $17,000
• Grant Range: Varies by initiative; network funding $1M+ annually for 5 years
• Geographic Focus: Primarily United States (with some international biodiversity work)
• Application Type: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited proposals

Contact Details

Address: 1111 Broadway, Floor 3, Oakland, CA 94607

Phone: (510) 454-9000

Email: info@garfieldfoundation.org

Website: www.garfieldfoundation.org

Overview

Founded in 1980 by George and Julius Garfield, brothers who made their wealth in the cosmetics industry, the Garfield Foundation has evolved from supporting medical and scientific research to becoming a leader in systems-based collaborative philanthropy. With assets of approximately $29.9 million and annual giving of $710,000, the foundation focuses on environmental sustainability, collaborative networks, and advancing systems change practices. The foundation pioneered the collaborative network model through the highly successful RE-AMP Network (launched 2003), which connects 160+ organizations across eight Midwestern states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This success led to their 2013 Collaborative Networks Initiative, which received 64 proposals representing 800 organizations and 60 foundations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Garfield Foundation funds in three interconnected program areas:

Collaborative Networks: Multi-year funding commitments of $1M+ annually for five years to support large-scale network initiatives. These investments cover network design and implementation, including convenings and facilitation, systems analysis, gap research, and related grantmaking.

Environmental Sustainability: Focus on global warming, biodiversity conservation, sustainable production and consumption, and urban renewal. Projects primarily within the United States, with exceptions for biodiversity conservation programs.

Advancing Systems Change Practices: Support for organizations developing innovative approaches to systems thinking and networked action for complex social and environmental challenges.

Priority Areas

• Climate change and energy policy
• Hazardous waste management and toxic substance control
• Community and economic development
• Sustainable development
• Human services and youth development
• Projects addressing root causes of entrenched problems through systemic approaches

What They Don't Fund

• The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals
• Not open to new applicants outside their strategic network initiatives

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Jennie Curtis

Senior Staff:

• Eleni Sotos, Senior Program Officer
• Motaz Attalla, Program Officer & Technical Advisor

Trustees:

• Dianne Martinez, Trustee and Secretary
• Hwei Sen Tan, Treasurer

The foundation's leadership brings extensive experience in systems thinking and collaborative approaches. Under their guidance, the Garfield Foundation has stated: "The urgency of the times demands that philanthropy embrace a new method of operating – one that takes a systemic approach to understanding complex problems and crafts a collective strategy to solve them."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Garfield Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. This is a private grantmaking foundation that works through strategic initiatives and invitation-only processes.

For their Collaborative Networks Initiative, the foundation has historically issued specific calls for proposals to selected advocate and funder collaborators. In 2013, they invited proposals from partnerships "who thought a network approach to problem solving was right for their issue."

When the foundation does issue calls, qualifying nonprofit organizations may be asked to send a brief email summarizing their project concept to info@garfieldfoundation.org. If invited to apply for a grant, the foundation provides specific proposal guidelines.

Getting on Their Radar

Engagement through existing networks: The most viable path to Garfield Foundation funding is through participation in their established collaborative networks, such as:

• RE-AMP Network: 160+ organizations working on climate and energy policy across eight Midwestern states
• Cancer Free Economy Network: 70+ members including nonprofits, labor unions, environmental justice organizations, and community groups working on cancer prevention through environmental health

Strategic partnerships: The foundation's 2013 Collaborative Networks Initiative selected proposals from partnerships that included both advocates and funders. The winning Cancer Free Economy proposal was submitted by a collaboration including the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (formerly Breast Cancer Fund), BlueGreen Alliance, Jenifer Altman Foundation, and New York Community Trust.

Demonstrated systems thinking: Organizations that have documented success using systems analysis and collaborative approaches may attract the foundation's attention through their work in the field.

Decision Timeline

For major collaborative network initiatives:

• The foundation commits to five-year funding cycles for selected networks
• Selection process involves the Collaborative Networks team, outside experts, and board deliberation
• Timeline from proposal to decision not publicly specified

Success Rates

In 2013, the foundation received 64 proposals representing 800 organizations and 60 foundations. Seven finalists were selected for board consideration, suggesting approximately an 11% rate of reaching the final selection stage.

The foundation made 20 grants in 2023, indicating highly selective grantmaking focused on strategic initiatives rather than broad open funding.

Application Success Factors

The Garfield Foundation has explicitly stated criteria for funded work. Across all program areas, the foundation favors initiatives that demonstrate:

1. Clear Path to Root Causes: Projects must address fundamental, systemic issues rather than symptoms. The foundation seeks work with "a clear path to get at root causes of entrenched problems."

2. Systems Thinking and Strategic Outcomes: The foundation supports "groups that embrace systems thinking and strategic outcomes in their program designs." This means understanding how various elements of complex problems interact and designing interventions accordingly.

3. Thoughtful and Transparent Collaboration: Organizations must be "thoughtful and transparent collaborators" - the foundation values those who can work effectively with diverse partners including other nonprofits and foundations as equals.

4. Environmental Stewardship: Projects should "support strategies that embolden widespread concern for the environment and the role of humans as caretakers of it."

5. Network-Based Approach: Based on their selection of the Cancer Free Economy Network, trustees prioritize "the strength of the partners, and their compelling vision" for addressing systemic challenges.

Six principles essential to successful networks (identified through RE-AMP experience):

• Understand the system you're trying to change
• Involve both funders and nonprofits as equals from the outset
• Design for a network, not an organization
• Invest in collective infrastructure
• Cultivate leadership across the network
• Create multiple connection opportunities while remaining adaptive with long-term vision

Model of Success - RE-AMP Network: The foundation invested $8.8 million over 10 years (2004-2013), catalyzing an additional $24 million from 25 other foundations. Results included:

• Energy-efficiency policies passed in six states
• 28 new coal plants halted
• Increased activist capacity across the region
• Shared resources and stronger inter-organizational relationships

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only model: This foundation is not accessible through traditional grant applications. Focus instead on building relationships within their existing networks or demonstrating exceptional systems-change work in their priority areas.

• Multi-year, substantial commitments: When the foundation invests, they commit deeply - $1M+ annually for five years for network initiatives. They are not a source for small, one-time grants.

• Collaborative partnerships required: Solo organizations are unlikely to succeed. The foundation seeks partnerships that include multiple advocates and funders working together with a shared systems-level strategy.

• Systems analysis is non-negotiable: Projects must be grounded in rigorous understanding of the system being changed. Generic approaches or surface-level interventions will not align with their philosophy.

• Long-term vision with adaptive implementation: The foundation expects both commitment to sustained change over years and flexibility to learn and adjust strategies based on network experience.

• Equality among partners: Funders and nonprofits must engage as equals. Traditional top-down grantmaking relationships are antithetical to the foundation's approach.

• Environmental focus remains central: Even community development and human services work should connect to environmental sustainability and stewardship principles.

References

• Garfield Foundation official website: https://www.garfieldfoundation.org/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Alliance Magazine, "Using networks to tackle complex problems": https://www.alliancemagazine.org/feature/using-networks-to-tackle-complex-problems/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Environmental Grantmakers Association, "Garfield Foundation announces the launch of a new Collaborative Network Initiative": https://ega.org/highlight/garfield-foundation-announces-launch-new-collaborative-network-initiative (Accessed January 2026)
• Stanford Social Innovation Review, "Investing in Networks Grows Impact": https://ssir.org/articles/entry/investing_in_networks_grows_impact (Accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Garfield Foundation: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/222285358 (Accessed January 2026)
• Cancer Free Economy Network: https://www.cancerfreeeconomy.org/about/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Cause IQ, Garfield Foundation profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/garfield-foundation,222285358/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Rockefeller Foundation ENGAGE, "RE-AMP: Networking climate advocates": https://engage.rockefellerfoundation.org/story-sketch/re-amp/ (Accessed January 2026)