VoLo Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $27 million (2025)
Total Giving Since 2014: $83 million
Grant Range: $100,000 - $6,000,000 (multi-year)
Average Grant Size: ~$239,000
Number of Grants: 42 grants/113 projects (2025)
Geographic Focus: National (US-based 501(c)(3) organizations); 57% Florida-based, 39% other US states, 4% international
Application Process: Pre-selected organizations; 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, approximately 70% of the foundation's funding supports climate-related initiatives. As of 2025, VoLo has awarded more than $83 million in grants since inception, distributing $27 million in 2025 alone across 113 projects. The foundation is sustained entirely through the support of its founders and does not accept donations. VoLo Foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024, having supported 97 programs that year, helping to reduce millions of tons of global emissions and impact hundreds of thousands of lives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

VoLo Foundation operates three primary program areas:

1. Environment/Climate Solutions (37% of 2025 grants)

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

2. Health (portion of 63% allocation)

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

3. Humanitarian & Community Building (portion of 63% allocation)

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

Special Programs:

VoLo VISTA Award - Annual $25,000 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
Florida-based initiatives: 57% of 2025 grants supported Florida organizations
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: Organizations 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)
Organizations 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 recognized data scientist known for predictive modeling 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 programs and online presence)

Nicole - Climate Action Program Officer and Director of Events

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

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

For Organizations Seeking Support:

Review VoLo's program areas and recent grantees on their website's Programs & Partners page
Contact the foundation via their contact page at https://volofoundation.org/contact/ or call 561-832-9292
Send introductory letters describing your organization and alignment with VoLo's mission
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, organizations 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 2025 conference featured 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 organizations 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.

Florida Climate and Environmental Sector - With 57% of funding going to Florida organizations, participation in Florida-based climate, environmental, and health sector events may increase visibility.

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. In 2025, the foundation made 42 grants across 113 projects, suggesting some grants support multiple projects within a single organization or initiative.

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 rigor 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 (announced March 2025)

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

Florida Connection Matters

With 57% of grants supporting Florida organizations, demonstrating Florida impact or operations may strengthen applications, though the foundation does fund nationally.

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 emphasizes 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: Approximately 70% of funding goes to climate solutions. If your work intersects with climate (even if not the primary focus), emphasize 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.
Florida organizations have an advantage: Over half of grants support Florida-based work. If you operate in Florida, emphasize your local impact and connections.
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

VoLo Foundation Official Website - https://volofoundation.org/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
VoLo Foundation Mission Page - https://volofoundation.org/mission/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
VoLo Foundation Contact Page - https://volofoundation.org/contact/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
VoLo Foundation 10 Years Anniversary - https://volofoundation.org/10-years/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
Cause IQ - VoLo Foundation Profile - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/volo-foundation,472415681/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
Inside Philanthropy - VoLo Foundation Grant Profile - https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-v/volo-foundation (Accessed December 22, 2024)
Candid Foundation Directory - VoLo Foundation - https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?collection=grantmakers&activity=result&key=3591444 (Accessed December 22, 2024)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - VoLo Foundation - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/472415681 (Accessed December 22, 2024)
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)
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)
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)
Jupiter Magazine - "The Vogels Put the Earth First" - https://www.jupitermag.com/the-vogels-put-the-earth-first/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
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)
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)
VoLo Foundation VISTA Award Page - https://volofoundation.org/vista/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
VoLo Foundation Climate Correction Conference - https://volofoundation.org/climate-correction/ (Accessed December 22, 2024)
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)