Felburn Foundation

Quick Stats

• EIN: 51-0234331
• Annual Giving: $2,215,833 (2023)
• Total Assets: $35,007,040
• Number of Grants: 54 grants annually (2022-2023)
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $350,000
• Median Grant: $25,000
• Geographic Focus: National (with emphasis on Florida and Columbia River region)
• Accepts Unsolicited Applications: Yes

Contact Details

Mailing Address:
Co Pkfod 2 Bethesda Metro Ctr 54
Bethesda, MD 20814-6319

Office Location:
1515 Silver Springs Boulevard, Suite 102
Ocala, FL 34470

Phone: (352) 368-6686
Telephone (MD): (301) 608-3900
Email: hendrix@felburn.org

Executive Administrator: Julie Hendrix

Overview

The Felburn Foundation was established in 1978 by J. Phil Felburn, a successful businessman and philanthropist who believed in the preservation of natural resources and saw education as the key to achieving this goal. With total assets of $35 million and annual giving of approximately $2.2 million, the foundation operates as a private family foundation that has distributed approximately $30 million in grants over its history.

Management was passed to Felburn's daughter, Ellie Schiller, a biologist and environmentalist-philanthropist who actively funded many projects until her passing in 2009. Guy Marwick then assumed the role of executive director, serving until his retirement in October 2025. The foundation maintains modest headquarters in Ocala, Florida, despite being registered in Maryland, reflecting its strong ties to Florida's conservation community.

The foundation operates on three basic beliefs: acquire, protect and perpetually maintain areas of natural significance; provide educational facilities and research funds in nature-related fields; and create an interest in the public toward the protection of sensitive and endangered natural areas. The foundation has purchased swaths of sensitive coastline along the Gulf of Mexico (including Three Sisters Springs near Crystal River), waterfalls in the Carolinas, caves in Georgia, springs in Kentucky, and 600 acres of undeveloped marshlands west of Yankeetown, Florida.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a general grant program that funds conservation, education, and environmental protection initiatives. Recent grants have included:

• Large Capital/Land Acquisition Grants: $150,000 - $350,000 (for major conservation projects and land purchases)
• Operational Support Grants: $100,000 (for ongoing operations of conservation organizations)
• Standard Project Grants: $5,000 - $50,000 (for specific conservation, education, or research projects)

The foundation makes grants on a rolling basis through written applications.

Priority Areas

Conservation & Land Protection:

• Natural resources conservation
• Land acquisition for permanent protection
• Wildlife preservation and protection
• Springs, caves, waterfalls, and coastal ecosystems
• Wildlife corridors and habitat connectivity

Environmental Education:

• Nature libraries and research facilities
• Environmental education centers and museums
• Science education programs
• Marion County Public Schools partnerships
• Research funding in nature-related fields

Geographic Priority Areas:

• Florida (particularly Nature Coast region, Silver Springs area)
• Columbia River region (Washington and Oregon)
• Southeastern United States (Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina)
• International conservation (Africa, Australia for endangered species protection)

Recent Grant Examples (2023):

• Columbia Land Trust: $350,000 for Columbia River Gorge land protection capital campaign
• The Nature Conservancy: $150,000 for 758-acre Cola River land and timber acquisition in Florida
• Columbia Land Trust: $100,000 for annual operational support
• Conservation Florida Inc: $100,000 for operational support
• Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast: $100,000 for operational support
• The Conservation Fund: grants for Florida Wildlife Corridor land conservation
• Florida Museum of Natural History: Marion County Scientist in Residence Program expansion

What They Don't Fund

While the foundation does not explicitly list exclusions, the grant history shows a clear focus on environmental conservation and education. The foundation appears to fund only 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations, as evidenced by their application requirements.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

• Larry J. White - Director, President, and Chairman (Compensation: $60,000)
• B. Kemp Floyd Jr. - Vice President (Compensation: $60,000)
• Guy "Harley" Means - Director (newest board member, joined in 2025) - Florida State Geologist and Director of the Florida Geological Survey

Staff:

• Guy B. Marwick - Former Secretary, Treasurer, and Executive Director (retired October 2025) (Compensation: $60,000). Marwick founded the Silver River Museum and served as its first executive director before leading the Felburn Foundation.
• Julie Hendrix - Executive Administrator

Foundation History: The foundation was created by J. Phil Felburn and later managed by his daughter Ellie Schiller, who served as executive director. Marwick served with distinction until his retirement in 2025, when he received the 2024 Acorn Conservation Award from Horse Farms Forever for his conservation leadership.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted in writing. The foundation accepts unsolicited applications and does not limit funding to in-state organizations only.

Application Requirements:

1. Description of the applicant organization
2. Description of the purpose or project for which funding is requested
3. Copy of the applicant's 501(c)(3) determination letter
4. Statement (in a form provided by the foundation) that grant funds will be used exclusively for tax-permissible charitable purposes

Submission: Contact Julie Hendrix at hendrix@felburn.org or (352) 368-6686 to request application materials and discuss your project.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented. The foundation makes 54 grants annually, suggesting a continuous review process rather than fixed deadlines.

Success Rates

With 54 grants awarded annually and approximately $2.2 million distributed, the foundation maintains an active grant-making program. The foundation accepts unsolicited applications, indicating openness to new organizations and projects. Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific restrictions on reapplication have been documented. Multiple organizations (such as Columbia Land Trust) have received grants in consecutive years for both capital projects and operational support, suggesting that strong performing grantees can receive ongoing support.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Foundation Philosophy: The foundation's three core beliefs should guide your application: (1) acquire, protect and perpetually maintain areas of natural significance; (2) provide educational facilities and research funds in nature-related fields; (3) create public interest in protecting sensitive and endangered natural areas. Projects that combine conservation with education appear particularly strong.

Geographic Connections: While the foundation funds nationally and internationally, there is a clear emphasis on Florida (especially the Nature Coast and Silver Springs area) and the Columbia River region. Projects in these areas or that connect to the foundation's existing conservation portfolio may have advantages.

Long-term Conservation Impact: The founder believed in permanent protection of natural resources. Projects involving land acquisition, permanent conservation easements, or endowments for ongoing stewardship align with this philosophy. The foundation has funded multi-million dollar land purchases like Three Sisters Springs ($2 million contribution).

Educational Component: Education is seen as "the key" to conservation goals. Even pure conservation projects may be strengthened by including educational components, public access, or research opportunities. The foundation has heavily invested in the Silver River Museum, research libraries, and school partnerships.

Organizational Capacity: The foundation funds both large established organizations (The Nature Conservancy, Columbia Land Trust) and smaller regional groups. Operational support grants of $100,000 suggest they value strong organizational infrastructure. Both capital projects and general operating support are funded.

Relationship Building: Contact Julie Hendrix early to discuss your project. The foundation's modest size and hands-on approach suggest that personal relationships and understanding of your organization's work matter. Guy Marwick's long tenure and deep involvement in conservation suggest they value partners who are committed to the field.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Focus on permanent protection: The foundation's philosophy centers on acquiring and perpetually maintaining natural areas—emphasize long-term conservation outcomes over short-term projects
• Connect conservation and education: Projects that protect natural resources while providing educational value align perfectly with the foundation's dual mission
• Think regionally: While national in scope, the foundation has deep roots in Florida and growing presence in the Columbia River region—regional connections may strengthen applications
• Scale appropriately: With grants ranging from $5,000 to $350,000 and a median of $25,000, the foundation funds projects of varying sizes—match your request to project scope
• Build relationships first: Contact Julie Hendrix to discuss your project before submitting a full application—this small foundation values personal connections
• Consider operational support: Unlike many foundations, Felburn provides substantial operational support grants ($100,000) to strong conservation organizations—don't limit requests to project funding
• Demonstrate stewardship capacity: The foundation acquires and maintains land itself—show you have the long-term capacity to protect what you're asking them to help fund

References

• Felburn Foundation Profile, ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/510234331 (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Felburn Foundation Profile, Instrumentl, https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/felburn-foundation (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Felburn Foundation Profile, Grantmakers.io, https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/510234331-felburn-foundation/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• "The Felburn Foundation—Small but Mighty," Ocala Style Magazine, https://www.ocalastyle.com/the-felburn-foundation-small-but-mighty/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• "Conservationist extraordinaire," Ocala Gazette, https://www.ocalagazette.com/conservationist-extraordinaire/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• "Three Sisters Springs is Saved, Manatees Will Be Saved," All-Creatures.org, https://www.all-creatures.org/articles/ar-sisters.html (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• "TNC & Partners Protect Land Essential to Florida Wildlife," The Nature Conservancy, https://www.nature.org/en-us/newsroom/cola-river-land-timber-property/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Felburn Research Library, Silver River Museum, https://silverrivermuseum.com/felburn-research-library/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)
• Felburn Foundation Profile, Foundation Directory Online (Candid), https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=FELB001 (Accessed March 3, 2026)