The Harder Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,500,000 (as of 2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only process)
• Decision Time: 8 weeks
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies

Contact Details

Website: www.theharderfoundation.org
Phone: 239-649-0565
Email: info@theharderfoundation.org
Address: 5051 Castello Drive, Suite 11, Naples, FL 34103
Grants Portal Contact: Alyssa at theharderfoundation.org

Overview

The Harder Foundation was established in 1955 by Del Harder, a Ford Motor Company executive who rose from humble beginnings. Following Harder's death in 1973, the foundation underwent a transformative reorientation under Nathan "Barry" Driggers, refocusing on conservation and environmental protection. Since the 1970s, the foundation has dedicated itself to protecting public forests and wildlands, rivers and watersheds, and nearshore marine ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies. With total assets of $36.2 million and an annual grant budget of $1.5 million, the foundation takes a focused approach to grantmaking in specific geographies where they believe they can make meaningful impact.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Project Grants: For projects protecting ecologically valuable resources with clear, concrete results
• General Operating Support: For prior grantees with proven track records (rare exceptions for urgent new initiatives)

Priority Areas

• Salmon habitat protection from headwaters to tidewaters
• Grizzly bear conservation and connectivity in the Northern Rockies
• Public lands protection at state and federal levels
• Environmental policy advocacy
• Clean energy transitions and climate-related conservation

Geographic Focus: Washington (especially Olympic Peninsula and Coast), Oregon, Idaho, Western Montana, limited South Central Alaska

What They Don't Fund

• Agriculture issues
• Toxics
• Transportation
• Urban environment issues
• IRS 509(a)(3) supporting organizations
• Political candidates
• Direct lobbying

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

• John Driggers (President)
• Betsy Buffington (first new trustee in 25+ years, joined 2023)
• Jay Herbst
• Del Langbauer (founder's grandson)
• Bob Langbauer (VP Treasurer)

Program Staff:

• Cathy Lehman - Senior Program Officer (Olympic Peninsula/Washington Coast)
• Tim Stevens - Northern Rockies Program Officer (Grizzly bear focus)

President John Driggers emphasizes "grant making that requires deep focus and ongoing commitment to geographies where we feel we can truly make a difference."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Harder Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited letters of inquiry or proposals. Program staff actively engage with the environmental community and seek proposals from potential grantees based on trustee-set priorities. Invited applicants use an online grants management portal.

Decision Timeline

Two annual grant cycles:

• Spring Cycle: Proposals due mid-June, decisions early July
• Fall Cycle: Proposals due mid-October, decisions early November

Success Rates

Not publicly available due to invitation-only process

Reapplication Policy

No formal reapplication process; organizations must be re-invited

Application Success Factors

For invited organizations, the foundation seeks:

• Complete proposals using their Grant Proposal Checklist
• Clear articulation of goals and organizational capacity
• Projects producing "clear, concrete results" protecting significant ecological resources
• Strong alignment with geographic priorities
• Focus on grassroots environmental activism
• Collaborative approaches with other funders
• Long-term impact on biodiversity and ecosystem health

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only: Build visibility in Pacific Northwest/Northern Rockies conservation community to get noticed
• Geographic specificity critical: Must work in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Western Montana, or South Central Alaska
• Priority alignment essential: Focus on salmon, grizzly bears, or public lands protection
• Track record matters: General support primarily for proven partners
• Results-oriented: Emphasize measurable ecological outcomes
• Stable funding: $1.5M annual budget suggests limited capacity for new grantees
• Long-term relationships valued: Foundation maintains consistent partnerships over time

References

• The Harder Foundation Official Website: https://theharderfoundation.org/ (Accessed February 12, 2026)
• The Harder Foundation - History: https://theharderfoundation.org/our-story/
• The Harder Foundation - Officers and Staff: https://theharderfoundation.org/about/officers-staff/
• The Harder Foundation - For Grantees: https://theharderfoundation.org/for-grantees/
• The Harder Foundation - President's Message Fall 2023: https://theharderfoundation.org/presidents-message-fall-2023/
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Harder Foundation: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/386048242
• Cause IQ - Harder Foundation Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/harder-foundation,386048242/
• GuideStar - Harder Foundation Profile: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/38-6048242