Builders Initiative

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $199 million (2023)
Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only model)
Decision Time: Not applicable (proactive selection process)
Grant Range: $500 - $6,000,000
Geographic Focus: Global (with special emphasis on Chicago and Midwest)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.buildersinitiative.org/

Address: 167 N Green St Ste 1600, Chicago, IL 60607

Note: Builders Initiative does not accept unsolicited proposals. Program officers proactively identify and approach potential partners.

Overview

Builders Initiative Foundation was established in 2017 by Lukas Walton, grandson and heir to Walmart founder Sam Walton, as the philanthropic arm of Builders Vision. With over $1.53 billion in assets as of 2023, the foundation distributed $199 million in grants that year to 344 organizations. Builders Initiative focuses on accelerating systemic change through strategic grantmaking in four core areas: energy transition, sustainable food and agriculture, ocean preservation, and community development (with special emphasis on Chicago). As President Bruce McNamer states, "We are still early stage. We're learning our way into this." The foundation has committed to ambitious giving, with grants nearly doubling from 2021 to 2022 and maintaining $200 million annually. In 2022, Builders Initiative announced that 90% of its $1 billion endowment is now mission-related, demonstrating founder Lukas Walton's belief that "our mission must show up in everything we do – especially in how we commit our resources."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Builders Initiative employs multiple mechanisms for grantmaking, including:

Builders Initiative Foundation (primary grantmaking vehicle)
Donor-advised funds through Chicago Community Trust (for anonymous or exceptionally large grants)
Impact-driven LLC for mission-aligned investments

Grant sizes range from $500 to $6 million, with an average grant of $237,520. The foundation makes hundreds of grants annually, supporting organizations of all sizes from grassroots community groups to major international nonprofits.

Priority Areas

1. Energy & Climate

Clean energy transition and emerging technologies
Climate equity (shifting from Midwest-focused to global approach as of 2024)
Direct air capture, clean hydrogen, long-duration energy storage, sustainable aviation fuel
Notable commitment: $150 million over five years to Breakthrough Energy's Catalyst program ($30 million annually)

2. Sustainable Food & Agriculture

Sustainable agricultural practices
Access to healthy food, particularly in Chicago
Plant-based diet promotion
Seaweed and shellfish aquaculture production

3. Oceans & Marine Conservation

Ocean and coastal ecosystem stewardship
Marine science research
Ocean health and preservation

4. Community Development (Chicago Focus)

Equity and justice initiatives
Economic and health security
Access to the arts
Environmental justice in vulnerable communities
Support for Black, Indigenous, and communities of color

What They Don't Fund

The foundation's specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but they explicitly state they only make contributions to preselected charitable organizations based on their strategic priorities in the four core areas above.

Governance and Leadership

Founder & CEO: Lukas Walton, grandson of Walmart founder Sam Walton, with an estimated net worth of $38 billion (as of April 2025). Walton and his wife Samantha launched Builders Vision publicly in October 2021.

President: Bruce McNamer, who brings extensive philanthropic experience from his previous roles as:

President and CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation
Head of global philanthropy for JPMorgan Chase Foundation
Executive Director of TechnoServe
Member of the Council on Foreign Relations

Key Staff:

Laura Gutierrez, Program Officer (Chicago region focus), previously with Chicago Community Trust

Leadership Philosophy: Lukas Walton emphasizes that "our team believes that driving impact requires that we show profits and purpose are not mutually exclusive." The foundation centers its work on the belief that "those closest to the problem are best equipped to solve it," emphasizing partnerships with organizations that have on-the-ground experience and community relationships.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Builders Initiative does not accept unsolicited proposals. The foundation operates through a highly selective, invitation-only funding model.

Program officers conduct rigorous and thorough evaluations to proactively identify potential partners. As stated on their website: "We proactively develop strategic, ongoing relationships with those closest to the problem. Given this approach, we do not accept unsolicited proposals."

The foundation utilizes impact measurement and management (IMM) to track outcomes and collaboratively crafts work with selected partners, adjusting strategies based on learning.

Getting on Their Radar

While Builders Initiative does not accept unsolicited proposals, the following funder-specific intelligence may be helpful:

Specific Program Officer for Chicago: Laura Gutierrez serves as Program Officer focusing on the foundation's Chicago region work. She previously worked at Chicago Community Trust managing strategies that supported grassroots organizations addressing safety disparities.

Sector Events: Job postings indicate that Builders Initiative staff attend public meetings, conferences, and sector events related to their focus areas. Building visibility within climate, food systems, ocean conservation, and Chicago community development sectors may increase chances of being noticed.

Geographic Visibility: The foundation has demonstrated commitment to Chicago-based organizations, including grants to Chicago Community Foundation ($2.1 million), Inner-City Muslim Action Network ($500,000), Little Village Environmental Justice Organization ($1 million), and various Chicago arts and culture organizations.

Published Grants Lists: Bruce McNamer has stated the organization expects to post a complete grants list within a year, noting "we want to err on the side of transparency." Reviewing their 990 forms through ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer or Cause IQ can reveal recent grantees and funding patterns.

Contact for Recruitment: For senior-level inquiries, Jessica Sporleder ([email protected]) has been listed as a contact for senior program officer recruitment, though this is not a grant application contact.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable – the foundation identifies and approaches organizations rather than reviewing applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable – this is an invitation-only funding model where program officers proactively select partners.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the proactive selection model. Relationships with grantees are described as "strategic, ongoing," suggesting multi-year partnerships with selected organizations.

Application Success Factors

Since Builders Initiative does not accept applications, the following factors reflect what they actively look for when identifying partners:

Proximity to the Problem: The foundation explicitly states they seek "those closest to the problem" who have "the history, relationships, know-how, perspectives, and experience to make change possible." Demonstrating deep community roots, lived experience, and on-the-ground expertise is critical.

Alignment with Strategic Priorities: Organizations must clearly align with one or more of the four core areas (energy, food/agriculture, oceans, community). Recent strategic shifts include moving from Midwest-focused climate equity to global energy technology innovation as of 2024.

Systems-Level Change Approach: The foundation seeks partners working toward "long-term positive change across markets" and "systemic solutions to societal and environmental challenges." Project-specific work should connect to broader transformation.

Openness to Collaboration: McNamer emphasizes they "collaboratively craft our work with" partners and "adjust our strategies as we learn from them." Organizations must be open to iterative partnership rather than transactional funding relationships.

Commitment to Equity: The foundation explicitly emphasizes "equity and justice" principles, particularly in community initiatives. Organizations should demonstrate commitment to addressing disparities and centering marginalized communities.

Impact Measurement Readiness: The foundation maintains commitment to "impact measurement and management (IMM)" and provides partners with IMM support. Organizations should be prepared to track and report on outcomes.

Examples of Recent Grantees (2023):

Environmental Defense Fund, Grist ($150,000), Environmental Law and Policy Center of the Midwest ($350,000) – environmental advocacy
Best Friends Animal Society ($1 million) – animal welfare with systems approach
Little Village Environmental Justice Organization ($1 million) – community-based environmental justice
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences ($367,045), Black Women in Ecology Evolution and Marine Science ($237,300) – ocean science
Chicago Community Foundation ($2.1 million) – regional philanthropy infrastructure
Academy for Global Citizenship Charter School ($400,000) – plant-based diet promotion in education
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors ($5.5 million), Walton Family Foundation ($9.5 million) – collaborative funding vehicles

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No public application process exists – Builders Initiative exclusively identifies and approaches potential partners through program officer evaluation. Building strong organizational capacity and visibility in your field is more valuable than crafting proposals.
Think systems-level, not project-level – The foundation seeks partners driving "long-term positive change across markets" and systemic transformation. Frame your work in terms of broader impact on food systems, energy transition, ocean health, or community equity.
Chicago connections matter for community work – While the foundation operates globally for environmental issues, community development grants show strong Chicago/Midwest preference. Laura Gutierrez leads this portfolio and knows the Chicago nonprofit landscape well.
Strategic priorities are evolving – The 2024 shift from Midwest climate equity to global energy technology signals willingness to pivot. Stay informed about strategic direction through their website and 990 filings.
Relationship-building is long-term – The foundation describes partnerships as "strategic, ongoing relationships" with collaborative strategy development. If selected, expect multi-year engagement rather than one-time grants.
Demonstrate proximity to solutions – The foundation's philosophy centers on funding "those closest to the problem" with "history, relationships, know-how, perspectives, and experience." Emphasize lived experience, community roots, and deep subject matter expertise.
Track their grantee networks – Organizations funded by Builders Initiative may provide clues about funding patterns and potentially serve as connectors. Review their 990 forms annually to understand who's in their portfolio.

References

Builders Initiative. "How We Give." Builders Initiative website. https://www.buildersinitiative.org/how-we-give (Accessed December 16, 2025)
Builders Initiative. "Builders Initiative | Philanthropy & Impact Investing." https://www.buildersinitiative.org/ (Accessed December 16, 2025)
Cause IQ. "Builders Initiative Foundation | Chicago, IL." https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-builders-initiative,821503941/ (Accessed December 16, 2025)
Cause IQ. "2023 Form 990 for Builders Initiative Foundation." https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/view_990/821503941/9156380b2009bf9013ca6dd870d6ef1a (Accessed December 16, 2025)
Grantmakers.io. "Profile - Builders Initiative." https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/821503941-builders-initiative/ (Accessed December 16, 2025)
InfluenceWatch. "Builders Initiative Foundation." https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/builders-initiative-foundation/ (Accessed December 16, 2025)
Inside Philanthropy. "Lukas Walton and Builders Vision: New Philanthropic Giving in America." https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/three-years-since-it-went-public-what-should-we-make-of-lukas-waltons-philanthropic-project (Accessed December 16, 2025)
Inside Philanthropy. "Who's Getting the Latest Checks from Lukas Walton's Green Grantmaking Shop?" https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2022/3/21/whos-getting-the-latest-checks-from-lukas-waltons-green-grantmaking-shop (Accessed December 16, 2025)
Inside Philanthropy. "Builders Vision." https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-b/builders-vision (Accessed December 16, 2025)
Builders Vision. "Team." https://www.buildersvision.com/who-we-are (Accessed December 16, 2025)
Builders Vision. "Laura Gutierrez, Program Officer." https://www.buildersvision.com/who-we-are/laura-gutierrez (Accessed December 16, 2025)
Builders Vision. "Lukas Walton, Founder & Chief Executive Officer." https://www.buildersvision.com/who-we-are/lukas-walton (Accessed December 16, 2025)
PR Newswire. "Builders Initiative Announces 90 percent of its $1 Billion Foundation Endowment is Now Mission-Related." August 29, 2022. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/builders-initiative-announces-90-percent-of-its-1-billion-foundation-endowment-is-now-mission-related-301626805.html (Accessed December 16, 2025)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Builders Initiative." https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/821503941 (Accessed December 16, 2025)
Instrumentl. "Builders Initiative | Chicago, IL | 990 Report." https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/builders-initiative-inc (Accessed December 16, 2025)