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Islands Foundation

Annual Giving
$14.6M
000

Islands Foundation (Islands Fund)

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $14,600,000 (2023)
  • Average Grant Size: $189,610
  • Assets: $242 million (2024)
  • Grant Count: 77 awards annually (2023-2024)
  • Geographic Focus: National (Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and others)
  • Application Method: No public application process

Contact Details

Mailing Address:
Islands Fund c/o John Munn
3019 Duportail St # 240
Richland, WA 99352-6103

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website, email address, or published phone number for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Islands Foundation (also referred to as Islands Fund) was established in June 1995 as a private family foundation. With total assets of approximately $242 million and annual charitable disbursements of $16.5 million, the foundation represents one of Washington state's significant environmental funders. The foundation is governed by the Gulick family and gives primarily for conservation and the environment, with additional focus on children and youth services, education, and natural resources. The foundation operates across multiple states, funding initiatives in diverse geographic areas from Alaska to New York. Revenue is generated primarily through investment activities, with approximately 24% from dividends and 76% from asset sales. The foundation consistently directs 89-92% of its annual expenses toward charitable disbursements.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Islands Foundation operates as a private foundation making grants through trustee discretion rather than through formal grant programs. Based on available data:

  • Average Grant Size: $189,610
  • Annual Grant Count: Approximately 77 awards per year
  • Total Annual Giving: $14.6 million
  • Application Method: Invitation only / trustee discretion

Priority Areas

The foundation's primary funding focus includes:

  • Environmental Conservation: Primary funding priority
  • Natural Resources: Protection and stewardship
  • Children and Youth Services: Supporting young people
  • Education: Educational initiatives

Geographic Scope: The foundation supports projects across multiple U.S. states, including Alaska, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Idaho, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia. Cities supported include Anchorage, Aspen, Bainbridge Island, and New York, among others.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. As a private foundation without a public application process, funding decisions are made at the discretion of the board of trustees.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

  • Rick S. Werner
  • George G. Gulick
  • E. Leeds Gulick
  • Lydia Gulick
  • Graeme Gulick
  • Shelby Luce
  • James Flaggert (Compensated Director - $60,000 annually)

The foundation is managed by the Gulick family as a private family foundation. James Flaggert is the only compensated board member, serving in an administrative or advisory capacity.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Islands Foundation does not have a public application process.

This is a private family foundation that makes grants through trustee discretion and board-directed giving. The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals or letters of inquiry. Grants are awarded based on the board of trustees' independent identification of organizations and projects aligned with the foundation's environmental conservation mission.

Getting on Their Radar

While the Islands Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, understanding their funding patterns may be helpful:

  • Board-Directed Giving: The foundation's trustees identify and select grantees independently based on their knowledge of the environmental conservation sector
  • Geographic Spread: The foundation has demonstrated willingness to fund projects across multiple states, suggesting board members have diverse geographic interests and connections
  • Focus on Environment: Strong alignment with environmental conservation and natural resource protection appears to be the consistent thread across their grantmaking

Given the private nature of this foundation and lack of public contact mechanisms, organizations seeking funding should focus on strengthening their visibility and reputation within the environmental conservation sector broadly, as this foundation's trustees appear to identify and approach organizations rather than respond to inquiries.

Application Success Factors

Since the Islands Foundation operates without a public application process, success factors differ from traditional grant applications:

For Organizations Seeking Funding:

  • Environmental Conservation Alignment: The foundation's primary and consistent focus is environmental conservation and natural resource protection. Organizations with strong track records in this area appear most likely to be on the foundation's radar.

  • National Scope: The foundation has funded initiatives across at least 12 states, suggesting they are not limited to local or regional work and may support national or multi-state conservation efforts.

  • Established Organizations: Private foundations making grants through trustee discretion typically fund organizations with established reputations and proven track records rather than newer or emerging groups.

  • Relationship-Driven Grantmaking: As a family foundation, grants may be influenced by personal connections, board member interests, and relationships within the environmental conservation community.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, letters of inquiry, or public grant applications. Do not attempt to submit an application.

  • Invitation-Only Grantmaking: Grants are made at the discretion of the board of trustees who independently identify and select organizations to fund.

  • Environmental Focus: The foundation's clear priority is environmental conservation and natural resource protection, with some additional support for youth services and education.

  • Significant Resources: With $242 million in assets and $14.6 million in annual giving, this is a substantial funder, but access is limited to organizations the board chooses to support.

  • Average Grant: At approximately $189,610 per grant, this foundation makes moderately sized to large awards, suggesting they fund established organizations with significant programs rather than providing small seed grants.

  • Family Foundation: Governed by the Gulick family, this foundation's priorities and relationships reflect the values and connections of the founding family.

  • Focus on Sector Reputation: Rather than pursuing this foundation directly, organizations should focus on building strong reputations and visibility within the environmental conservation sector where they may come to the attention of foundation trustees.

References

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