Grassy Creek Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,187,904 (2023)
• Total Assets: $19.5 million
• Grant Range: Varies; average grant ~$132,000
• Number of Awards: 9 (2023)
• Geographic Focus: National and international (U.S., with projects from Maine to Florida)
• Application Process: No public application; invitation only/preselected organizations

Contact Details

Website: http://www.grassycreekfoundation.org/
Email: info@grassycreekfoundation.org
Office Address: 350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 6720, New York, NY 10118
Mailing Address: 221 N Hogan St # 403, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: 917-477-3882

Overview

Founded in 2011 by Blake and Chad Pike, the Grassy Creek Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation with approximately $19.5 million in assets. The foundation takes a venture capital-style approach to philanthropy, focusing on "high risk, high reward" investments in underfunded conservation and education causes. Their mission is to make high-impact contributions with metrics-based success requirements for continued funding. The foundation operates with a selective, hands-on approach, seeking opportunities with significant multiplier effects on capital invested. Leadership emphasizes "total support" and "maniacal involvement" in the projects they fund. The foundation supports environmental conservation, wildlife protection, education innovation, and the arts.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Environmental Conservation & Wildlife Protection

• Wild salmon conservation and recovery programs
• Ocean and river health initiatives
• Marine debris cleanup and prevention
• Opposition to open net pen aquaculture
• Water quality and fisheries protection

Education Innovation

• University career services and student support programs
• Education-related initiatives at partner institutions

Arts

• Select arts programs and organizations

What They Fund

The foundation backs "high impact partners" including leading national and international NGOs, institutions, and enterprises across public and private sectors. They emphasize:

• Projects with significant multiplier effects
• Initiatives with mitigated implementation risks
• Organizations with strong management teams
• Programs with shared vision and aligned interests
• Innovative, creative conservation solutions
• Metrics-based, measurable outcomes

Past Grant Recipients

• North Atlantic Salmon Fund (NASF)
• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)
• Bonefish and Tarpon Trust (BTT)
• Downeast Salmon Federation
• Ocean Aid 360
• Oda Foundation
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• GD Radio
• Atlantic Salmon Federation

Example Grant Purposes (from recent filings)

• $23,542 for expenses related to attending NASCO conference, supporting wild salmon conservation efforts and assisting in starting a global aquaculture campaign
• $14,872 for expenses related to supporting and participating in marine debris cleanup events in Florida and the Bahamas
• $1,771 for expenses related to supporting the Honors Carolina Career Services Office at UNC

Geographic Scope

The foundation supports projects across multiple U.S. states including Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Massachusetts, Maine, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, and Virginia, with particular focus on coastal and river ecosystems.

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel (as of 2024 filings):

• Ian Huschle - Trustee (Compensation: $50,000)
• Lisa N. Rauck - VP of Finance and Programming (Compensation: $135,125)
• Kateryna Rakowsky - Executive Director (served until April 2024; Compensation: $62,019)

Note: Kateryna Rakowsky served as Executive Director from January 2018 to April 2024, and previously as Program Director from April 2016 to January 2018. She has since moved to Ad Van Philanthropic Advising.

Leadership Philosophy: The foundation describes its involvement as "total support. Some would even call it maniacal involvement!" This hands-on, entrepreneurial approach emphasizes deep partnership with grantees rather than passive funding.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Grassy Creek Foundation does not have a public application process. According to their IRS Form 990-PF filing, the foundation "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are awarded through trustee discretion to organizations identified and selected by foundation leadership based on strategic priorities and existing relationships within the conservation and education sectors.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable for public applications. The foundation operates on its own timeline for identifying and funding preselected organizations.

Success Rates

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept public applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept public applications. Continued funding for existing grantees is contingent on "metrics-based success" as stated in their mission.

Application Success Factors

Since the Grassy Creek Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations cannot apply directly. However, understanding what the foundation values in its partnerships can provide insight:

Strategic Approach:

• High Risk, High Reward: The foundation explicitly seeks "high risk, but with potential for high reward" projects. They are willing to invest in innovative, unproven approaches if the potential impact is significant.

• Multiplier Effect: Projects must demonstrate potential for impact beyond direct intervention. As stated on their website, they seek "opportunities with the potential for a significant multiplier effect on capital invested."

• Strong Management: The foundation prioritizes "strong management teams who share our vision and have a strong alignment of interest" and where "implementation risks are mitigated."

• Metrics-Based Success: All continued funding requires demonstrable, measurable success. The foundation's mission emphasizes "metrics-based success as requirements for further funding."

• De-risking Strategy: The foundation views its role as taking on early-stage risk, then helping successful projects transition to other funders. The Peter Gray Hatchery project is cited as a "success story of proper risk investment that was de-risked and passed on" to subsequent funders.

Project Examples That Align With Their Approach:

1. Peter Gray Hatchery Program (East Machias River, Maine): Supported innovative, unorthodox salmon hatchery methods developed by Peter Gray. The foundation funded this high-risk project through its initial phases, viewing it as a "last chance for salmon in the US."

2. Orri Fund: Commercial conservation agreements to reduce mixed stock netting of North Atlantic salmon, demonstrating market-based conservation solutions.

3. Ghost Trap Rodeo (Florida Keys): Collaborative marine debris removal project with Ocean Aid 360, combining direct conservation action with education and awareness.

4. Global Aquaculture Campaign: Support for NASF's educational outreach on marine impacts of open net pen aquaculture, demonstrating willingness to fund advocacy and systemic change efforts.

Thematic Priorities:

• Water and river health, particularly salmon conservation
• Marine conservation and ocean health
• Innovative conservation methods and technology
• Projects with education and awareness components
• Programs opposing harmful aquaculture practices

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation cannot be applied to directly; they only fund preselected organizations
• Venture Capital Approach: They operate like venture capitalists in philanthropy, taking calculated risks on high-impact projects
• Metrics Matter: Demonstrable, measurable success is required for continued funding—this is not a long-term general support funder
• Early-Stage Focus: The foundation sees its role as supporting innovative projects through early, risky phases, then helping them transition to other funders
• Deep Partnership Model: Expect "maniacal involvement" if funded—this foundation is hands-on and actively engaged with grantees
• Conservation Innovation: Projects must demonstrate innovative approaches, not just continuation of established programs
• Selective Portfolio: With only 9 grants in 2023 totaling ~$1.2M, they maintain a highly focused, curated portfolio of investments

References

• Grassy Creek Foundation official website: http://www.grassycreekfoundation.org/ (accessed January 2026)
• Grassy Creek Foundation mission page: http://www.grassycreekfoundation.org/mission (accessed January 2026)
• "Grassy Creek Foundation: High Risk, High Impact," The Wading List: https://www.thewadinglist.com/grassy-creek-foundation/ (accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Grassy Creek Foundation (EIN 45-6614724): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/456614724 (accessed January 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report for Grassy Creek Foundation: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/grassy-creek-foundation (accessed January 2026)
• Grantmakers.io Profile - Grassy Creek Foundation: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/456614724-grassy-creek-foundation/ (accessed January 2026)
• Philanthropy New York - Grassy Creek Foundation: https://philanthropynewyork.org/redhen/org/9306 (accessed January 2026)