Mariposa Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The Mariposa Foundation funds US-based 501(c)(3) organisations working on environmental, social and economic justice, so your work should sit clearly within one of those themes to be a plausible fit.
- Most grants to organisations fall between $10,000 and $250,000, with a median of $100,000, so pitch a request in that range rather than asking for the $1,000,000 top figure, which is unusual.
- The foundation funds across the whole of the US rather than any particular region.
- It operates by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited proposals, so there is no open application route to approach cold; the best you can do is ask questions rather than submit a formal request out of the blue.
- A large share of its grant dollars goes to organisations it has already funded in recent filings, which suggests its giving is relationship-led and that new applicants may find it competitive to break into without an existing connection or invitation.
Overview
Mariposa Foundation is a US private foundation based in New York City, New York.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Mariposa Foundation supports US-based organisations that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3), with a particular focus on organisations working on environmental, social and economic justice issues. It supports this work through funding direct services, advocacy and public-awareness campaigns, community building and research. Its stated approach is to support essential, hard-to-fund work and to stimulate innovation through risk-taking and change through advocacy. It also says it respects grantees’ knowledge and experience through collaboration, learning and listening to their concerns and requests, and is committed to a future that values social, environmental and economic justice.
Themes
- Environmental justice
- Social justice
- Economic justice
Geographic Focus
U.S.
How to apply
The foundation welcomes questions but accepts proposals by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests for support.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 88% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 110 grants to organisations were $100,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- The foundation respects grantees’ knowledge and experience through collaboration, learning and listening to their concerns and requests.
- The foundation supports essential, hard-to-fund work.
- The foundation seeks to stimulate innovation through risk-taking and change through advocacy.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 15% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 88% of grant dollars went to organisations Mariposa Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 13% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 41 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $100k (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- American Museum Natural History · For donee's exempt purpose$600,0002024 tax year
- American Civil Liberties Union · For donee's exempt purpose$500,0002024 tax year
- ProPublica · For donee's exempt purpose$500,0002024 tax year
- Neo Philanthrophy · For donee's exempt purpose$250,0002024 tax year
- Natural Resources Defense Council · For donee's exempt purpose$250,0002024 tax year
- International Rescue Committee · For donee's exempt purpose$250,0002024 tax year
- New York Presbyterian Hospital · For donee's exempt purpose$200,0002024 tax year
- Planned Parenthood Federation · For donee's exempt purpose$200,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Adam T Bernard — Treasurer
- Claire Bernard — President
- Jill V Bernard — VP / Secretary
- Lewis W Bernard — Chairman
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $6,373,659 | $5,003,000 | $88,891,813 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $5,769,004 | $4,402,000 | $93,362,223 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $6,362,342 | $5,215,000 | $101,001,290 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to Mariposa Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- info@mariposafoundation.org
- New York City, New York
- mariposafoundation.org
Applying to Mariposa Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- info@mariposafoundation.org
- New York City, New York
- mariposafoundation.org