The Keith Campbell Foundation For The Environment Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $21,860,899 (2023)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: Approximately 6-7 weeks
Grant Range: $25 - $3,300,000
Unsolicited Grant Range: $1,000 - $25,000
Geographic Focus: Chesapeake Bay region (Maryland, Pennsylvania) and Pacific coast (California)
Total Assets: $377,320,425

Contact Details

Headquarters (Chesapeake Region):

Location: Annapolis, Maryland
Phone: 410-990-0900

Pacific Region Office:

Location: San Francisco, California
Phone: 415-722-4739

Website: www.campbellfoundation.org

Contact for Questions: Khloe Graczyk, Grants Management and Executive Assistant (Pacific Region)

Overview

The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment was established in 1998 by Keith Campbell, founder of investment firm Campbell & Co., to improve conditions in America's largest estuary systems—the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays. In 2003, the foundation expanded geographically to include California and the San Francisco Bay watershed under the leadership of Keith's daughter, Samantha Campbell, who serves as President. The foundation dedicates nearly 100% of its grant dollars to environmental causes, with total assets exceeding $377 million. In 2024, the foundation distributed over $25 million in grants supporting organizations working to create more equitable and livable communities in watershed regions. The foundation operates with a distinctive philosophy, rooted in Keith Campbell's belief that "a thriving natural environment provides strong support for the economy of a region." The foundation allocates greater than 8% of its asset base to grants annually, demonstrating a commitment to rapid capital deployment.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Unsolicited Grants (Open Application)

Maximum request: $25,000
Two funding cycles per year
For organizations that have never received a Campbell Foundation grant
Available for programs, general operating support, capacity building, and capital campaigns
Cycle 1 2026 deadline: January 23, 2026, 5 PM Pacific Time (decisions by March 13, 2026)

Multi-Year Grants (Invitation/Relationship-based)

Range: $25,000 - $3,300,000
Average: $35,000 per year
For established grant partners with ongoing relationships
Often includes general operating support

Capacity Building Grants (For Existing Grantees)

Priority given to smaller-budget organizations in current portfolio
Supports technology assessments, workspace improvements, professional development, equity training
Recognizes practical operational needs beyond program work

Chesapeake Fellowship Program

Supports individual leadership development in the Chesapeake Bay region

Priority Areas

Program Focus:

Agriculture (sustainable practices, nutrient reduction)
Cannabis
Capacity Building
Community Engagement
Drinking Water access
Water Management
Watershed Advocacy
Water Quality improvement
Land-Sea Connection (California)
Protection of Special Places (California)

Organizational Priorities:

Organizations operating 5+ years
Budgets between $1 million - $12 million
Minimum 5 funders contributing $5,000+
Leadership reflecting communities served
Focus on racial equity and underrepresented populations
Organizations engaging with and serving diverse populations
Work to dismantle systems that constrain choices and opportunities

Geographic Preferences:

California: Fresno, Kern, Kings, San Francisco, or Tulare counties
Maryland: Dorchester, Wicomico, Worcester, or Somerset counties
Pennsylvania: Lancaster and York counties
Open to proposals from any geographic area, but special interest in above regions

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not provide unsolicited grants for:

Academic or medical research
Substance recovery programs
Animal rescue
Disease research
Ecosystem restoration
Film projects
Hospitals
Individuals
Marine protected areas (outside California)
Plastic pollution
Single-species conservation

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

D. Keith Campbell - Founder and Chairman (now retired from day-to-day operations)
Samantha Campbell - President (sole compensated board member at $450,000 annually)
Kevin Campbell - Treasurer
Patricia Campbell - Director

Key Staff:

Sara Almaraz - Program Officer
Alex Echols - Program Strategist, Agriculture
Kenneth Turner - Program Director, Community Engagement
Khloe Graczyk - Grants Management and Executive Assistant, Pacific Region

Affiliations: The foundation participates in 24 affinity groups including the Environmental Grantmakers Association, Chesapeake Bay Funders Network, and Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders.

Keith Campbell maintains Honorary Trustee status at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and numerous affiliations with environmental organizations. He located his investment firm in Baltimore in 1973 based on his belief that environmental and economic health are interconnected.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Organizations That Have Never Received a Campbell Grant:

The foundation operates a competitive grantmaking program that solicits applications through two unsolicited grant cycles per year. Applications must be submitted through the foundation's grants management system only.

Required Pre-Application Steps:

Search the grants database to confirm your organization has never received a Campbell grant
Check the registered organizations list to verify status
Complete the eligibility checklist via SurveyMonkey
Use the prescreen tool (optional but recommended - takes 5-10 minutes and generates a score to help gauge likelihood of success)

Important Eligibility Rule: Organizations that have previously received a Campbell Foundation grant are NOT eligible to apply through the unsolicited process. The foundation may invite previous grantees for multi-year or relationship-based grants at their discretion.

Eligible Organizations:

US-registered 501(c)3 public charitable organizations
Educational institutions
Government agencies
Fiscally sponsored projects

Application Requirements:

Only full and complete proposals submitted through the grants management system will be reviewed
Proposals typically require 2-4 hours to complete
Only one proposal per cycle is permitted
Grants should cover future expenses to be expended within 12 months
No exceptions for late submissions; no extensions granted
Staff cannot meet with applicants prior to submission

Decision Timeline

Application to Decision: Approximately 6-7 weeks
Example: January 23, 2026 deadline → March 13, 2026 decision notification
Decisions communicated through the grants management system

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose specific success rate percentages. However:

In 2025, the foundation awarded 92 unsolicited grants from the applicant pool
In 2023, there were 402 total awards (including multi-year and relationship-based grants)
Grant volume history: 343 awards (2022), 306 awards (2021), 310 awards (2020)

Grant Award Distribution (2025 Unsolicited Cycle):

4 grants at $1,000
9 grants at $5,000
16 grants at $10,000
10 grants at $15,000
7 grants at $20,000
47 grants at $25,000 (the maximum for unsolicited grants)

Reapplication Policy

Minimum two-year waiting period for declined applicants.

Example: If declined in Cycle 1 2025, earliest reapplication is Cycle 1 2027
This waiting period is designed to allow organizations adequate time to evolve and reduce applicant burden

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented priorities and approach:

Organizational Characteristics Valued:

Operational maturity: Organizations operating 5+ years with demonstrated track record
Diversified funding: Minimum 5 funders contributing $5,000+ each
Budget sweet spot: $1 million - $12 million organizational budget
Representative leadership: Leadership that reflects the communities served
Equity focus: Programming focused on racial equity and/or Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color

Strategic Alignment:

Direct connection to water quality, watershed health, or agricultural sustainability in priority regions (Chesapeake Bay or Pacific coast)
Work that creates "vibrant, livable communities in watershed regions"
Approaches that bridge diverse stakeholders (e.g., agricultural interests and environmental concerns)
Engagement with and service to diverse populations
Efforts to dismantle systems that constrain choices and opportunities

Application Best Practices:

Use the prescreen tool to gauge fit before investing 2-4 hours in full application
Review the searchable grants database thoroughly to understand funding patterns and successful applicants
Ensure geographic alignment with priority counties (though not required)
Focus on future expenses that can be completed within 12 months
Do not submit preliminary materials or letters of inquiry—only complete applications through the system

Recent Funding Examples (2023 data):

Chesapeake Region: Chesapeake Bay Foundation ($1,010,000), Chesapeake Conservancy ($600,000), Lancaster Clean Water Partners ($505,600), ShoreRivers ($297,500), Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay ($160,500), Lower Shore Land Trust, Nanticoke Watershed Alliance
Pacific Region: Resources Legacy Fund ($5,350,000), Environmental Defense Fund ($3,000,000), Water Foundation ($450,000), Community Water Center ($200,000), Santa Barbara Channelkeeper ($25,000), Smith River Alliance, Orange County Coastkeeper ($69,000)

Capacity Building Focus: The foundation uniquely recognizes that many organizations prioritize program work over practical operational needs. They value honest assessment of needs for items like updated computers, professional development, and equity training.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

First-time applicants only for unsolicited grants: If your organization has ever received a Campbell grant, you cannot apply through the open process—wait for an invitation for multi-year funding
Two-region focus: Strongest alignment if working in Chesapeake Bay watershed or California Pacific coast regions, though other areas considered
Equity is central: Leadership reflecting served communities and programming focused on racial equity are explicit priorities
Use the prescreen tool: The 5-10 minute investment can save hours if alignment is weak
Maximum $25,000 for new grantees: Larger grants ($25,000-$3,300,000) reserved for established relationships; prove yourself first with smaller grant
Two-year wait if declined: Make your first application count; if declined, you'll wait two full years to reapply
No preliminary contact: Staff cannot meet before submission; invest time in researching grants database instead
Think beyond programs: Foundation values capacity building and general operating support, not just project funding
Environmental outcomes matter: Nearly 100% of funding goes to environmental causes—show clear connection to watershed health, water quality, or related ecosystem benefits

References

All information accessed December 2025