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The Everglades Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$1.4M
Grant Range
$20K - $0.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,440,856 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Yearly grant cycle
  • Grant Range: Varies by program ($20,000-$30,000 for research grants; amounts for organizational grants not specified)
  • Geographic Focus: Florida Everglades ecosystem (national reach for research fellowships)

Contact Details

Main Office: 18001 Old Cutler Road, Suite 625 Palmetto Bay, FL 33157

Phone: (305) 251-0001

Website: www.evergladesfoundation.org

Pre-Application Contact: Grant seekers' first step is to contact the foundation for a pre-proposal discussion before submitting anything in writing. Contact via phone or website.

Research Grants Contact: naguirre@evergladesfoundation.org (for ForEverglades Research Enhancement Grants)

Overview

Founded in 1993, The Everglades Foundation is the only non-profit organization solely committed to protecting and restoring America's Everglades through science, advocacy, and education. Operating as a 501(c)(3) public charity, the Foundation awarded $1.44 million in grants across 20 awards in 2023. Led by CEO Eric Eikenberg since 2012, the Foundation employs PhD-level scientists and maintains a respected position as a trusted resource for Everglades restoration. The Foundation's Board covers administrative and fundraising expenses separately each year, allowing 100 percent of donations to go directly to program support. In 2024, the Foundation celebrated record-breaking restoration funding levels, with $1.165 billion pledged for Everglades restoration—the largest amount ever for a single year. The Foundation has received recognition through major donor support and growing national reach for its research fellowship program.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

ForEverglades Research Enhancement Grants

  • Amount: Up to $30,000 for 12-month research enhancement grants
  • Eligibility: Full-time graduate students (especially PhD candidates) enrolled in any U.S. academic institution
  • Focus: Research related to the Everglades ecosystem including earth sciences, biological sciences, engineering, geography, planning and resources management, economics, policy, and social sciences
  • Application: Annual cycle via online application (forevergladesapplication.submit.com)
  • History: Over $2 million awarded to 96+ graduate students over 17 years
  • Recent Recipients (2024): Florida International University, Cornell University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Georgia Southern University, University of California-Davis, University of Pennsylvania

General Organizational Grants

  • Amount: Not publicly specified; past grants have ranged from $120,000 to over $1 million over multi-year periods
  • Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizations
  • Focus: Projects of one year or less that raise public awareness about key Everglades issues
  • Application: Yearly grant cycle; accepts unsolicited applications after pre-proposal discussion
  • Past Recipients: Audubon Florida, Florida Oceanographic Society, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Captains for Clean Water, Sierra Club

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds projects that:

  • Raise awareness about Everglades restoration efforts through communication, community mobilization, and grassroots organizations at local, state, and national levels
  • Support advocacy campaigns to influence policymakers and media about specific restoration projects and desired outcomes
  • Broaden the base of support for Everglades restoration among businesses, landowners, hunters, and other environmental stakeholders
  • Generate measurable outcomes that advance Everglades restoration
  • Promote collaborative efforts rather than competitive approaches
  • Align with organizations holding congruent philosophies on Everglades restoration

What They Don't Fund

  • Lobbying activities
  • Indirect costs
  • Projects that do not significantly focus on the Florida Everglades ecosystem
  • Multi-year projects (organizational grants limited to one year or less)

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership

Eric Eikenberg, Chief Executive Officer (Since 2012) Eric Eikenberg leads a team of renowned scientists, experienced educators, policy experts, and professionals across all foundation functions. Prior to joining the Foundation, Eikenberg served as chief of staff to former Florida Governor Charlie Crist and former U.S. Representative E. Clay Shaw, Jr., who authored the landmark Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. He has been recognized as one of "The Achievers" by Miami Today (2024), "Florida Power 100" by City & State Florida (2023), and "Florida's 500" by Florida Trend (2022-present).

Key Quote: "Everglades restoration is a bold, bipartisan effort that is working and worth the investment. America's Everglades is the source of freshwater for millions of people."

Carlos M. de la Cruz, Jr., Board Chairman Born in Philadelphia and raised in Madrid, Spain, Carlos de la Cruz brings extensive experience in M&A, start-ups, and operations in the beverage and automobile industries. He served as President of Eagle Brands, Inc. (the exclusive Anheuser-Busch wholesaler for Miami-Dade and Monroe counties) for nearly ten years. He has also served as Chairman of the Board of Ransom Everglades School and Our Kids of Miami-Dade and Monroe. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Boston College and an M.B.A. from the University of Miami.

Key Quote: "Restoring and protecting the Everglades is the No. 1 issue we need to care about for the sake of our children and our children's children."

Board Structure

The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors that includes major donors and community leaders committed to Everglades restoration. The board covers administrative costs separately, ensuring all donated funds go to programs.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Organizational Grants:

  1. Pre-Proposal Discussion (Required): Contact the Foundation first before submitting anything in writing. Call (305) 251-0001 or use the website contact form.
  2. Pitch Your Project: Propose a project that will take one year or less and raise public awareness about key Everglades issues.
  3. Demonstrate Alignment: Show how your organization holds congruent philosophies on Everglades restoration.
  4. Submit Application: Follow up based on pre-proposal discussion guidance.

For ForEverglades Research Enhancement Grants:

  1. Check Eligibility: Confirm you are a full-time graduate student at a U.S. institution conducting Everglades-related research.
  2. Complete Online Application: Submit via forevergladesapplication.submit.com (applications typically open annually).
  3. Submit Letters of Reference: Letters must be submitted within the application form or emailed to naguirre@evergladesfoundation.org by the application deadline.
  4. Note: Incomplete applications will not be evaluated.

Decision Timeline

  • Grant Cycle: Annual cycle for both organizational and research grants
  • Specific Timeframes: Not publicly specified; varies based on pre-proposal discussions and application cycle timing
  • Notification: Award recipients are announced publicly via the Foundation's website and press releases

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. The Foundation made 20 awards in 2023 and 17 awards in 2022 across all grant programs.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation accepts unsolicited applications and operates on a yearly grant cycle. No specific restrictions on reapplication are documented, though organizational grants are limited to one-year projects, requiring new applications for continued support.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Mission

The Foundation exclusively supports protection and conservation efforts for the Florida Everglades. Projects must significantly focus on the Everglades ecosystem and demonstrate clear connections to restoration goals.

Measurable Outcomes

The Foundation explicitly seeks organizations that "strive to generate measurable outcomes." Successful applications should include specific, quantifiable results and clear metrics for success.

Collaborative Approach

The Foundation values collaboration over competition. Applications should demonstrate how the project will work with other stakeholders, build consensus, and complement (rather than duplicate) existing efforts. As stated on their website, "Foundation-supported grant programs allow collaboration instead of competition with several non-profit organizations."

Public Awareness Focus

For organizational grants, projects should raise public awareness about key Everglades issues. The Foundation prioritizes communication efforts, community mobilization, and grassroots organization work that influences policymakers, media, and diverse stakeholder groups.

Pre-Proposal Engagement

The required pre-proposal discussion is critical. This step allows the Foundation to guide potential applicants and ensures alignment before formal submission. Organizations that engage early and follow Foundation guidance are more likely to succeed.

Examples of Funded Work

Recent organizational grant recipients include:

  • Audubon Florida: Received over $1 million (2018-2021) for Everglades conservation work
  • Florida Oceanographic Society, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Captains for Clean Water: All received grants for Everglades-related projects
  • Sierra Club: Received $120,000 grant in 2018

Research grants have supported diverse topics across universities, with increasing geographic reach demonstrating the Foundation's growing national influence.

Relationship Building

The Foundation is described as "an engaged funder" that encourages organizations to reach out with questions. Building a relationship through the pre-proposal process and demonstrating understanding of the Foundation's collaborative philosophy is essential.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Pre-proposal contact is mandatory: Do not submit a written application before having a pre-proposal discussion with the Foundation. This initial conversation is your opportunity to align your project with their priorities.
  • Focus on measurable outcomes: Clearly articulate specific, quantifiable results your project will achieve for Everglades restoration.
  • Emphasize collaboration: Position your organization as a collaborative partner that complements existing efforts rather than competing with other groups working on Everglades issues.
  • Keep projects to one year or less: Organizational grants are limited to one-year timeframes, so design discrete, achievable projects.
  • Avoid lobbying and indirect costs: The Foundation does not support these activities, so budget accordingly.
  • Demonstrate public awareness impact: Show how your project will reach policymakers, media, businesses, or diverse stakeholder groups to build broader support for restoration.
  • 100% program funding model: Remember that all donations go directly to programs, reflecting the Foundation's commitment to maximizing impact—position your project as worthy of this direct investment.

References

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