Robert & Patricia Switzer Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately $1.1 million
• Success Rate: Highly selective (20 fellows from hundreds of applicants annually)
• Decision Time: 5-6 months (Fellowship); 4 months (Leadership Grants)
• Grant Range: $500 - $60,000 (Fellowship: $17,000; Leadership Grant: up to $60,000)
• Geographic Focus: New England and California only

Contact Details

• Website: www.switzernetwork.org
• Email: info@switzernetwork.org
• Phone: (207) 338-5654
• Address: P.O. Box 293, Belfast, ME 04915
• Fellowship Inquiries: laine@switzernetwork.org
• Executive Director: sarah@switzernetwork.org

Overview

Founded in 1986 by Robert and Patricia Switzer following the sale of their daylight fluorescent chemicals company, the Robert & Patricia Switzer Foundation is a family foundation with approximately $17 million in assets. Based in Belfast, Maine, the foundation identifies and nurtures environmental leaders through academic fellowships, project grants, and professional development programs. Since inception, it has built a network of over 750 Switzer Fellows committed to creating positive environmental change.

In 2018, the foundation updated its strategic priorities to explicitly emphasize building an inclusive environmental community with a stronger focus on social equity and diversity. The foundation operates four grant programs, with the flagship Switzer Environmental Fellowship serving as the gateway to all other funding opportunities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Switzer Environmental Fellowship: $17,000 - Open to graduate students in New England and California; 20 fellows selected annually (application deadline: early January)
• Leadership Grants: Up to $60,000 - For nonprofits/agencies employing Switzer Fellows in leadership roles (concept letters: August/September and February cycles)
• Professional Development Fund: Up to $2,000/year - For Switzer Fellows attending conferences and training
• Network Innovation Grants: Currently suspended

Priority Areas

• Environmental science, policy, and conservation
• Environmental justice and disproportionately affected communities
• Social equity as core element of environmental work
• Interdisciplinary approaches
• Applied, results-oriented problem-solving
• Leadership development of early-career professionals

What They Don't Fund

• International students (US citizens, permanent residents, DACA recipients, refugees/asylees only)
• Online graduate programs
• PhD candidates without 3 years completed or qualifying exams passed
• Pure research projects without applied focus
• Work outside New England and California (for Fellowship)
• Foundation employees, trustees, or family members

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Sarah Reed (2006 Switzer Fellow)

Board of Trustees includes:

• Michael Billingsley (Nuveen Green Capital)
• Dawn Chavez (Environmental Leadership Program)
• Dave Switzer (family member)
• Multiple Switzer Fellow alumni

The Board is notably composed primarily of Switzer Fellows, reinforcing the foundation's community-led approach. A Fellows Advisory Committee provides additional guidance on policy and programs.

Quote from Sarah Reed: "The Switzer Foundation believes that talented and committed individuals can make change in the world, and we invest in supporting their continued leadership and professional development."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Fellowship (open to new applicants):

• Online application via website
• Opens: Late October
• Deadline: Early January
• Required: Essay (2-3 pages), 2 recommendations, resume, transcripts, short-answer questions
• Virtual interviews in May

Leadership Grants (Switzer Fellows/partner organizations only):

1. Contact foundation first (required)
2. Submit 1-2 page concept letter
3. If invited, submit full proposal with matching funds

Decision Timeline

• Fellowship: Applications close January → Interviews May → Decisions June
• Leadership Grants Cycle 1: Concept letters Aug/Sept → Decisions December
• Leadership Grants Cycle 2: Concept letters February → Decisions May

Success Rates

Highly competitive - 20 fellowships awarded from hundreds of applicants annually. The foundation notes "only the most active, committed and focused individuals will compete successfully."

Reapplication Policy

No explicit restriction on reapplication. Contact laine@switzernetwork.org to confirm continued eligibility.

Application Success Factors

The foundation explicitly states what differentiates successful applicants:

1. Social equity must be central: Demonstrate how environmental work directly addresses systemic inequities - not as an add-on but woven throughout
2. Applied focus required: Seeks real-world environmental change, not pure academic research
3. Leadership over scholarship: Evaluates leadership potential, collaboration, and innovation more than grades alone
4. Essay is critical: "The written essay is the best way for the foundation to gauge commitment"
5. Preparation matters most: Review evaluation rubric, attend info sessions, connect with Fellow alumni by December 15

For Leadership Grants:

• Contact foundation before submitting (required)
• Joint development between Fellow and organization essential
• Matching funds strongly expected
• Must be new initiative or significant role elevation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic restriction is absolute: Only students at institutions in CT, MA, RI, VT, NH, ME, or CA eligible for fellowship
• Equity integration is mandatory: Applications treating environmental and social issues separately are less competitive
• Fellowship is the gateway: All other programs restricted to Switzer Fellows - securing fellowship opens long-term support
• Partnership model for Leadership Grants: Organizations must collaborate with a Switzer Fellow from inception
• Staff welcomes early contact: Particularly for Leadership Grants - early conversation encouraged
• Narrow application windows: Leadership Grant concept letters have specific 2-3 week submission periods
• Alumni network advantage: Foundation encourages prospective applicants to connect with current Fellows for guidance

References

1. Robert & Patricia Switzer Foundation Official Website: https://www.switzernetwork.org (accessed February 2026)
2. Fellowship Application Information: https://www.switzernetwork.org/fellowship/become-fellow
3. Grant Programs Overview: https://www.switzernetwork.org/network/grant-programs
4. Leadership Grants Guidelines: https://www.switzernetwork.org/network/grants/leadership-grants
5. Mission and Values: https://www.switzernetwork.org/about-foundation/mission-vision-values
6. 2025 Fellow Cohort Announcement: https://www.switzernetwork.org/fellowship/meet-2025-switzer-fellows
7. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (EIN 34-1504501): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/341504501
8. Annual Reports: https://www.switzernetwork.org/about-foundation/annual-reports