Green South Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,472,591 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $200,000
• Geographic Focus: U.S. Southeast, especially Southern Appalachians

Contact Details

Website: greensouthfoundation.org
Phone: Not publicly listed
Email: Not publicly listed
Address: PO Box 2545, Carrollton, GA 30112

Overview

Green South Foundation Inc is a private foundation established in 2021 that funds efforts to protect the Southeast's incredible wildlife and great outdoors for future generations. With total assets of $22.9 million and annual giving of approximately $1.5 million through 29 grants, the foundation operates with a "new-venture mindset," prioritizing high-potential projects that need support getting off the ground. Founded by Roy Richards Jr., the retired CEO of Southwire Company, the foundation focuses on land conservation, climate communication, and accelerating conservation efforts across the U.S. Southeast with special emphasis on the Southern Appalachians biodiersity hotspot.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Land Conservation Program: $1,000 - $200,000 (partnerships with accredited land trusts and agencies)
• Accelerator Program: Variable amounts (supporting conservation infrastructure and technical assistance)
• Awareness Program: $25,000 - $80,000 (climate communication and environmental journalism)
• Low-Interest Conservation Loans: Up to $565,000+ (land acquisition financing, 4-year terms)

Priority Areas

• Land conservation in Southern Appalachians (Southwest Virginia to Northeast Alabama)
• Climate and environmental journalism in the Southeast
• Conservation organization capacity building
• Leadership development programs
• Technical assistance for conservation groups
• Fact-based climate communication projects
• Watershed and biodiversity protection

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, as an invitation-only foundation focused on environmental issues, they likely do not fund:

• Individual requests
• General operating support outside their focus areas
• Projects outside the Southeast U.S.
• Non-environmental causes

Governance and Leadership

Roy Richards Jr. - Founder & President: Retired CEO of Southwire Company (1987-2001), named Georgia's Most Respected CEO in 1999. Co-chair of Drawdown Georgia Leadership Council and founder of multiple environmental organizations including Nuthatch LLC.

Noel - Advisor: President of The Thorn Company, LLC. Former Land Protection Director at The Nature Conservancy's South Carolina Chapter and former CEO of Wild Dunes Associates.

Greg - Managing Director, Valentine Family Office: Provides accounting and administrative services. Former Ernst & Young tax professional with 20-year career in wealth planning.

Diogo Castro Freire - Managing Director: Leads Awareness and Accelerator Programs. Former BCG consultant in Energy Practice. MBA from Harvard, BSc from LSE.

Sarah Barr - Program Associate: Works on Awareness and Accelerator Programs. Based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Green South Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, identifying and inviting organizations to apply based on their strategic priorities. They do not accept unsolicited applications.

Getting on Their Radar

While specific pathways are not documented, organizations may increase visibility through:

• Partnership with existing grantees like Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy or Open Space Institute
• Participation in Southeast conservation networks and the Biodiversity Funders Group
• Work with accredited land trusts in the Southern Appalachians region
• Connection through Drawdown Georgia initiatives where Roy Richards serves as co-chair
• Climate journalism initiatives through partnerships like Covering Climate Now

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available - operates at trustee discretion

Success Rates

Not publicly available - invitation-only process

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly available

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's funding patterns and stated priorities:

• Geographic alignment: Projects must benefit the U.S. Southeast, with strongest preference for Southern Appalachians conservation
• New venture approach: Foundation favors innovative, high-potential projects needing initial support rather than established programs
• Partnership model: Success stories show multi-funder collaborations; ability to leverage Green South funding with other sources is key
• Conservation impact: Clear biodiversity, watershed, or climate communication outcomes aligned with foundation priorities
• Organizational credibility: All land conservation partners are accredited organizations; journalism grantees are established newsrooms
• Editorial independence: For journalism grants, commitment to complete editorial independence is non-negotiable

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Green South is invitation-only; relationship building through partner organizations is essential
• Focus areas are highly specific: Southern Appalachians land conservation and Southeast climate communication
• Foundation operates with venture philanthropy mindset - pitch innovative, scalable projects
• Low-interest loan program offers alternative funding for land acquisition projects
• Multi-funder collaborations appear standard; prepare proposals showing leverage potential
• Recent grants range $25,000-$80,000 for journalism, up to $200,000 for conservation
• Foundation values both immediate conservation wins and long-term capacity building

References

• Green South Foundation website (greensouthfoundation.org) - Accessed via web search
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Green South Foundation Inc (EIN 84-4534116)
• Instrumentl 990 Report Database - Green South Foundation Inc
• GrantExec Foundation Directory - Green South Foundation profile
• Cause IQ - Green South Foundation organizational data
• GuideStar Profile - Green South Foundation Inc
• LinkedIn profiles of Diogo Castro Freire and other staff members
• Various grant recipient websites documenting Green South support
• Conservation project announcements from partner organizations