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The Marisla Foundation

Annual Giving
$36.7M
Grant Range
$3K - $7.5M
Decision Time
3mo

The Marisla Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $36,703,000
  • Success Rate: Highly competitive - only a small number funded from hundreds of proposals
  • Decision Time: 2-3 months after quarterly deadline
  • Grant Range: $3,000 - $7,500,000
  • Median Grant: $65,000
  • Geographic Focus: Environment (California, Northwest Mexico, Hawaii, Chile, Western Pacific); Human Services (Orange County and Los Angeles only)

Contact Details

Website: https://online.foundationsource.com/public/home/marisla

Email:

Phone: (800) 839-5316 (Foundation Source technical support)

Address: Laguna Beach, CA

Overview

Founded in 1986 by Getty Oil heiress Anne Earhart (originally as the Homeland Foundation), The Marisla Foundation is a private, non-operating charitable institution based in Laguna Beach, California. With approximately $20.6 million in assets, the foundation awarded $36.7 million through 202 grants in 2023. The foundation operates two primary program areas—Environment and Human Services—plus a Special Interests category for Board-invited proposals. The Environment Program focuses on marine and coastal biodiversity conservation and toxic chemical reduction, while the Human Services Program addresses the needs of women in crisis in Southern California. Anne Earhart was awarded the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in 2019, and her philanthropy has helped preserve 4.5 million square miles of ocean. The foundation currently provides funding to more than 600 nonprofits addressing global environmental challenges and regional social issues.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Environment Program: $20,000 - $7,500,000 (most grants $20,000-$100,000)

  • Marine and coastal biodiversity conservation in California, Northwest Mexico, Hawaii, Chile, and the Western Pacific (Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia)
  • Toxic chemical reduction and solutions to health and environmental threats from chemicals
  • Sustainable ecosystem management projects
  • Applications accepted quarterly through online portal

Human Services Program: Varies (focused on Southern California)

  • Women's physical, emotional, and mental health
  • Housing stability and homelessness prevention
  • Addiction treatment services
  • Domestic violence support
  • Vocational training and economic empowerment
  • Limited to Orange County and Los Angeles only

Special Interests: Board invitation only

Priority Areas

Environment:

  • Marine and coastal biodiversity conservation
  • Protection of ocean habitats and resources
  • Rainforest preservation (Latin America, Southeast Asia, American West)
  • Toxic chemical exposure reduction for humans and wildlife
  • Sustainable ecosystem management
  • River and watershed conservation

Human Services (Southern California only):

  • Crisis intervention for women
  • Mental and emotional health services
  • Housing stability programs
  • Domestic violence prevention and support
  • Addiction recovery services
  • Economic and vocational development for women

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals
  • Political candidates or activities supporting political campaigns
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • Human Services projects outside Orange County and Los Angeles
  • Projects with indirect costs/overhead exceeding 15% of direct costs
  • Multiple applications from the same organization within a 12-month period

Governance and Leadership

Anne G. Earhart - President and Founder Anne Earhart, a Getty Oil heiress, founded the Marisla Foundation in 1986. She was awarded the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in 2019 for her significant contributions to environmental conservation and social causes. On her philanthropic philosophy, Earhart has stated: "I knew when I inherited a large sum of money, that some good should come of it." She emphasizes supporting organizational sustainability: "I want the organizations to be doing what they do best and not spending their time fundraising. I consider keeping the lights on and the rent paid the best way to support those organizations."

Herbert M. Bedolfe III - Executive Director Bedolfe previously served as a founder of ocean sustainability organization Oceana and was Chairman of the Board from 2002 to 2008, bringing significant marine conservation expertise to the foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Marisla Foundation uses an online application system exclusively through Foundation Source. Hard copy or emailed proposals will not be reviewed, and letters of inquiry (LOIs) are not required or accepted.

Application Windows (two months each):

  • Q1: November 15 - January 15 (Board decision in March)
  • Q2: February 15 - April 15 (Board decision in June)
  • Q3: May 15 - July 15 (Board decision in September)
  • Q4: August 15 - October 15 (Board decision in December)

Deadline Time: Midnight Eastern Standard Time (9:00 PM Pacific) on closing dates

Process Steps:

  1. Complete eligibility quiz during an open application window
  2. Submit online application at www.fsrequests.com/marisla
  3. Applicants can save drafts and edit proposals until the deadline
  4. Board reviews applications and makes decisions quarterly

Key Requirements:

  • 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status required
  • Indirect costs/overhead may not exceed 15% of direct costs
  • Applications must be submitted within designated two-month windows
  • Only one application per organization per 12-month period

Decision Timeline

  • Applications reviewed quarterly by the Board of Directors
  • Expect response approximately 2-3 months after the funding deadline
  • Notifications sent through the Foundation Source system
  • The foundation is currently funding few new grantees as they adjust annual funding to sustainable levels

Success Rates

The foundation describes its funding as highly competitive:

  • Hundreds of proposals received each year
  • Only a small number funded out of hundreds of applications
  • 202 grants awarded in 2023 from hundreds of submissions
  • Average grant: approximately $100,000
  • The foundation notes it "only has the capacity to fund a small number of requests out of the hundreds of proposals it receives each year"

Reapplication Policy

  • The foundation will not review more than one application per year (any 12-month period) from any organization
  • Exception: Organizations serving as fiscal sponsors of nonprofits may submit multiple applications for different sponsored projects
  • Unsuccessful applicants must wait a full year before reapplying
  • The foundation strongly discourages multiple applications from one organization, including chapters or field offices

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Own Guidance:

  1. Concise and Straightforward Approach: The foundation "appreciates a straightforward and concise approach to its applications." The application process is intentionally "short and concise."

  2. Make Your First Impression Count: "The online application is the first and most often the only way to communicate the objectives and activities of your organization and project." Since the foundation does not require LOIs or accept additional communications, your application must be comprehensive yet concise.

  3. Overhead Discipline: Ensure indirect costs do not exceed 15% of direct costs—this is a firm requirement, not a guideline.

  4. Geographic Alignment: For Environment Program applicants, ensure your project falls within the foundation's specific geographic focus areas: California, Northwest Mexico, Hawaii, Chile, or the Western Pacific (Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia). For Human Services, projects must be in Orange County or Los Angeles.

  5. Mission Alignment with Leadership Values: Anne Earhart's quote reveals her priority: "keeping the lights on and the rent paid." The foundation values supporting organizational sustainability and operational capacity, not just project funding.

Examples of Funded Work:

Recent major grants demonstrate funding priorities:

  • Orange County Community Foundation: $7.5M for general support (largest grant, showing commitment to regional impact)
  • Oceana Inc: $2.3M for general support (marine conservation)
  • Hawaii Community Foundation: $1.3M for general support (regional environmental work)
  • Palau Conservation Society: $25,000 for Ngerikiil River watershed work (specific Pacific Island marine conservation)
  • Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center: Support for Rogue River protection (regional ecosystem protection)
  • Friends of the Los Angeles River: Local restoration work (urban waterway conservation)

The mix shows the foundation supports both established organizations (Nature Conservancy, Resources Legacy Fund receiving millions annually) and smaller regional groups doing targeted work.

Strategic Considerations:

  • The foundation is currently "funding few new grantees" while adjusting to sustainable funding levels—first-time applicants face particularly steep competition
  • Multi-year general operating support appears favored over restricted project grants based on recent major awards
  • Organizations demonstrating direct connection to priority geographies and ecosystems have clear advantages
  • The foundation values organizational stability and efficient operations (15% overhead cap reflects this)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Timing is Everything: Only one shot per year—choose your application window strategically and ensure your strongest possible proposal. Applications submitted outside the four two-month windows will not be considered.

  • Geography Matters Critically: Environment grants must align with specific regions (California, Northwest Mexico, Hawaii, Chile, Western Pacific). Human Services limited strictly to Orange County and Los Angeles. No exceptions documented.

  • Emphasize Organizational Sustainability: Anne Earhart's philosophy prioritizes "keeping the lights on and the rent paid." Frame your request around building organizational capacity and sustainability, not just project execution.

  • First-Time Applicants Face Steep Odds: With "few new grantees" being funded currently and hundreds of proposals competing for approximately 200 grants annually, organizations without prior Marisla funding should ensure exceptional mission alignment before applying.

  • Operational Efficiency Required: The 15% indirect cost cap is non-negotiable. Ensure your budget reflects lean operations and efficient program delivery.

  • General Support Over Project Grants: Recent major awards ($7.5M, $2.3M, $2.1M, $1.3M) were all for "general support," suggesting multi-year operational funding may be preferred over restricted project grants for established partners.

  • Marine Conservation is Core Mission: For environmental applicants, marine and coastal biodiversity conservation represents the foundation's primary emphasis—projects protecting ocean resources, coastal ecosystems, or addressing marine threats align most strongly with founder priorities.

References

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