VoLo Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $6,267,210 (2022 990-PF)
• Grant Range: $100,000 - $6,000,000 (multi-year)
• Average Grant Size: ~$239,000
• Total Assets: $93,177,726 (2022 990)
• Total Expenses: $12,185,755 (2022 990)
• Geographic Focus: National (US-based 501(c)(3) organisations)
• Application Process: Pre-selected organisations; does not typically accept unsolicited applications but accepts letters and calls from grantseekers

Contact Details

Address: 3825 PGA Blvd, Suite 1101, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410

Phone: 561-832-9292

Website: https://volofoundation.org/

Contact Page: https://volofoundation.org/contact/

Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST

Email Updates: Available via contact page signup

Overview

VoLo Foundation was established in 2014 by David S. Vogel and Thais Lopez Vogel, combining their last names to create "VoLo." The foundation's mission is to "accelerate change and global impact by supporting science-based climate solutions, enhancing education, and improving health." Initially focused on traditional philanthropic areas like education and health, the foundation pivoted after David Vogel, a data scientist and founder of multibillion-dollar hedge fund Voloridge, ran the numbers on climate change. Today, a significant portion of the foundation's funding supports climate-related initiatives. The foundation is sustained entirely through the support of its founders and does not accept donations. VoLo Foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

VoLo Foundation operates three primary programme areas:

1. Environment/Climate Solutions

• Climate change mitigation and adaptation
• Science-based climate research
• Environmental awareness and education
• Carbon sequestration initiatives
• Climate policy and advocacy

2. Health

• Hospital and healthcare facility support
• Health research
• Services for individuals with disabilities

3. Humanitarian & Community Building

• Education initiatives
• Shelter and services for homeless populations
• Community development
• Youth philanthropic education

Special Programmes:

VoLo VISTA Award - Annual prize for graduate students at US-based universities developing climate solutions applicable to Florida. VISTA stands for Vision, Innovation, Sustainability, Technology, and Action. Projects must address carbon mitigation with urgency appropriate to the climate crisis.

Priority Areas

• Climate Change: The foundation's top priority, with focus on science-based solutions
• Data-driven solutions: Strong preference for projects with measurable impact
• Multi-year partnerships: Willingness to provide sustained support (e.g., 3-year grants)
• Cutting-edge research: Support for innovative climate and health research
• Policy and advocacy: Organisations advancing climate policy and systems change
• Education: Climate education and general educational advancement

What They Don't Fund

• Donations from outside sources (foundation is sustained entirely by founders)
• Organisations not qualifying as US-based 501(c)(3) public charities under IRS code
• Projects without clear measurable impact metrics
• Initiatives lacking scientific basis (particularly for climate work)

Governance and Leadership

Co-Founders/Trustees

David S. Vogel - Co-Founder, Trustee, and Chief Scientist

• MIT graduate and internationally recognised data scientist known for predictive modelling accuracy
• Founder of Voloridge, a multibillion-dollar hedge fund
• Board Member of Environmental Defense Fund
• Brings rigorous data analysis approach to philanthropy

Thais Lopez Vogel - Co-Founder and Trustee

• Law degree from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello (Venezuela)
• Responsible for setting priorities, approving strategies, and allocating resources
• Board member at Environmental Defense Fund, American Conservation Coalition, Tiffany Circle at American Red Cross, and Water People Theater in Chicago
• Describes herself as "the bridge between what David does in the lab and everyday people"
• Quote: "You have to have both data and heart to be an effective philanthropist. Information without data is just an opinion."
• Quote on climate focus: "Climate change is a threat multiplier that directly affects all these other issues, from health to the economy to immigration. At VoLo Foundation, we've decided this is the issue that matters most, and we have the numbers to back that up."

Key Staff

Christopher - Senior Policy Analyst (10+ years advising trustees on research, policy, and strategy)

Shannon - Communications Lead (hired at foundation's launch, pioneered VoLo's communications programmes and online presence)

Nicole - Climate Action Programme Officer and Director of Events

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important Policy: VoLo Foundation makes gifts to pre-selected charitable organisations and usually does not entertain unsolicited requests for funds. However, the foundation's tax filings indicate it accepts letters and calls from grantseekers.

For Organisations Seeking Support:

1. Review VoLo's programme areas and recent grantees on their website's Programmes & Partners page
2. Contact the foundation via their contact page at https://volofoundation.org/contact/ or call 561-832-9292
3. Send introductory letters describing your organisation and alignment with VoLo's mission
4. Sign up for email updates through the contact page to stay informed about foundation activities

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a qualified US-based 501(c)(3) public charity under IRS code
• No geographic restrictions within the US
• Strong preference for science-based, data-driven approaches
• Projects should demonstrate measurable impact potential

Getting on Their Radar

While VoLo Foundation does not have a traditional open application process, organisations can increase visibility through specific channels:

Climate Correction Conference - VoLo's flagship annual conference (held each March in Orlando, Florida) convenes climate leaders, experts, and innovators. The conference features interactive workshops, expert panels, exhibits, and policy discussions. This event provides direct access to VoLo Foundation leadership and staff. The conference is designed as a net-zero event and includes bilingual sessions (English/Spanish).

Networking with Current Grantees - VoLo's website lists current grantees and partners. Building relationships with organisations already funded by VoLo may provide introductions and insights into the foundation's priorities.

Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) Network - Both David and Thais serve on EDF's board, suggesting strong alignment with EDF's approach and network.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Grant announcements suggest the foundation makes funding decisions on an ongoing basis rather than fixed cycles. Multi-year grants indicate willingness to commit to long-term partnerships.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is published. Given the pre-selected nature of grantmaking, unsuccessful initial outreach may benefit from relationship building over time rather than immediate reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Data-Driven Approach is Essential

VoLo Foundation distinguishes itself through rigorous data analysis. Thais Lopez Vogel states: "As data-driven philanthropists, we invest in solutions that work." Applications should include:

• Clear metrics for measuring impact
• Scientific evidence supporting proposed solutions
• Quantifiable outcomes (e.g., tons of emissions reduced, number of lives impacted)
• Data demonstrating why your approach is effective

Alignment with VoLo's "Data and Heart" Philosophy

The foundation balances scientific rigour with human impact. Successful grantees demonstrate both measurable outcomes and compelling human stories. As Thais notes, "you have to have both data and heart to be an effective philanthropist."

Recent Successful Grantees as Models

The CLEO Institute - Received $6 million over three years

• Women-led nonprofit focused on climate education, advocacy, policy, and resilience-building
• 15-year track record of measurable impact
• Combines top-down advocacy/policy efforts with bottom-up community-driven investments
• Thais's comment on CLEO: "CLEO's 15-year trajectory proves that top-down advocacy/policy efforts and bottom-up community-driven investments create real, measurable impact."

Environmental Defense Fund - Ongoing support

• Advancing climate action and engaging youth in conservation
• Building partisan support for climate action
• Accelerating clean energy transition through engagement with lawmakers in Florida and other states

Solutions from the Land - $100,000 grant

• Florida Climate Smart Agriculture Initiative
• Science-based agricultural approaches to climate change

Nicklaus Children's Hospital - $1 million grant

• Major health research and services institution

CLEO Institute (earlier grant) - $935,330

• Climate crisis education and advocacy

Amplio Network - $400,000

• Technology-based knowledge access to address poverty globally

Multi-Year Impact Potential

VoLo demonstrates willingness to provide sustained support through multi-year grants. Proposals should articulate long-term vision and how funding would enable sustained impact over multiple years.

Climate Urgency

For climate-related projects, VoLo emphasises solutions that match the urgency of the climate crisis. The VISTA Award criteria require projects to "address carbon mitigation efforts within a timeframe that corresponds to the level of urgency inherent with the climate crisis."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Lead with data: VoLo is a data-driven foundation. Proposals must include robust metrics, scientific evidence, and quantifiable outcomes. General statements about impact will not suffice.

• Climate is the priority: A significant portion of funding goes to climate solutions. If your work intersects with climate (even if not the primary focus), emphasise these connections and demonstrate climate impact.

• Relationship building is key: With pre-selected grantmaking, building relationships through networking with current grantees, attending Climate Correction conference, and engaging with VoLo's ecosystem is likely more effective than cold applications.

• Think multi-year: VoLo makes significant multi-year commitments (e.g., $6M over 3 years to CLEO Institute). Don't limit proposals to single-year requests if sustained funding would enable greater impact.

• Accept calls and letters: Despite the "pre-selected" language, tax filings confirm VoLo accepts letters and calls from grantseekers. Don't be deterred from reaching out professionally with a compelling case for alignment.

• Demonstrate urgency and action: The foundation values solutions that address the urgency of climate change and other challenges. Show how your work creates immediate, measurable change rather than incremental progress.

References

1. VoLo Foundation Official Website - https://volofoundation.org/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
2. VoLo Foundation Mission Page - https://volofoundation.org/mission/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
3. VoLo Foundation Contact Page - https://volofoundation.org/contact/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
4. VoLo Foundation 10 Years Anniversary - https://volofoundation.org/10-years/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
5. Cause IQ - VoLo Foundation Profile - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/volo-foundation,472415681/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
6. Inside Philanthropy - VoLo Foundation Grant Profile - https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-v/volo-foundation (Accessed December 22, 2024)
7. Candid Foundation Directory - VoLo Foundation - https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?collection=grantmakers&activity=result&key=3591444 (Accessed December 22, 2024)
8. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - VoLo Foundation - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/472415681 (Accessed December 22, 2024)
9. The Invading Sea - "VoLo Foundation celebrates 10 years of impact" - https://www.theinvadingsea.com/2024/12/26/volo-foundation-10-years-climate-change-climate-solutions-education-health-florida/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
10. Inside Philanthropy - "How a Florida Couple Is Channeling Hedge Fund Wealth to Climate Philanthropy" - https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2020-11-10-a-florida-couple-channels-hedge-fund-wealth-toward-climate-philanthropy-and-finance (Accessed December 22, 2024)
11. FIA MarketVoice - "VoLo Foundation uses data to fight climate change" - https://www.fia.org/marketvoice/articles/volo-foundation-uses-data-fight-climate-change (Accessed December 22, 2024)
12. Jupiter Magazine - "The Vogels Put the Earth First" - https://www.jupitermag.com/the-vogels-put-the-earth-first/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
13. VoLo Foundation - "David and Thais Lopez Vogel are Agents of Change" - https://volofoundation.org/press/david-and-thais-lopez-vogel-are-agents-of-change/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
14. The CLEO Institute - "VoLo Foundation Awards Multi-Year Grant to the CLEO Institute" - https://cleoinstitute.org/volo-foundation-awards-multi-year-grant-to-the-cleo-institute-to-advance-climate-leadership-and-systems-change/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
15. VoLo Foundation VISTA Award Page - https://volofoundation.org/vista/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
16. VoLo Foundation Climate Correction Conference - https://volofoundation.org/climate-correction/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
17. Solutions from the Land - "VoLo Foundation Awards SfL $100,000 Grant" - https://www.solutionsfromtheland.org/news/volo-foundation-awards-sfl-100000-grant-in-support-of-florida-climate-smart-agriculture-initiative/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)