Edwards Mother Earth Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,905,712 (2024)
• Total Assets: $30.4 million
• Grant Range: $50 - $440,888
• Number of Grants: 50 (2024), 74 (2023)
• Geographic Focus: Primarily WA, OR, CA (with some work in AR, AZ, CO, ID, IL, MO, OH)
• Application Type: Invitation-only

Contact Details

Website: https://edwardsmotherearth.org
Email: info@edwardsmotherearth.org
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Mailing Address: Foundation Source, 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809

Overview

The Edwards Mother Earth Foundation (EMEF) was established in Washington state in 1997 as a private family foundation by original donors Bob and Jane Edwards. With assets of $30.4 million and annual giving of approximately $1.9 million, EMEF seeks to enhance the sustainable and diverse quality of life by addressing global climate disruption. The foundation awards grants in three primary areas: Agroforestry, Climate Wise Building, and Energy Efficiency. Beyond traditional grantmaking, EMEF provides program-related investments and impact investment funding to support climate mitigation strategies. The foundation concluded its Energy Efficiency Policy Program in 2019 after an 11-year run that achieved major increases in utility energy efficiency programs across eight states.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Agroforestry Initiatives: $400,000-$470,000 (multi-year strategies to catalyze U.S. agroforestry adoption, invitation-only)
• Climate Wise Building: $100,000+ (green building and renewable energy initiatives, invitation-only)
• Energy Efficiency: Historical program concluded 2019 (focused on utility policy development)

Priority Areas

• Climate change mitigation through agroforestry practices
• Multi-partner collaborative strategies
• Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) initiatives
• Policy development for systems change
• Underserved community engagement

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly published, funding is limited to climate disruption solutions through their three focus areas, with geographic emphasis on the western United States.

Governance and Leadership

Andrew M. Bell - Secretary, President, Director. Retired high school humanities teacher who describes the foundation's mission as "enhancing the sustainable and diverse quality of life by addressing global climate disruption."

Brian E. Rayl - Director, President

Additional Directors include Johanna M. Bell, Lauren Bell, Otis Bell, Penelope Bell, Bryce Edwards, Patricia Ann Guenther (VP), Tawny Keene, and Eric Rayl.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Applications are by invitation only. Organizations can submit brief inquiries through the foundation website explaining alignment with EMEF priorities. An eligibility quiz may be used as a screening tool for invitations.

Getting on Their Radar

• Submit brief, well-crafted inquiries demonstrating strong alignment with agroforestry or climate-wise building priorities
• Connect through existing grantees or partners, particularly those involved in agroforestry work
• Participate in the Catalyzing Agroforestry Grant Program administered by Virginia Tech (EMEF-supported)
• Engage with Gordian Knot Strategies when RFPs are issued for specific initiatives

Decision Timeline

Not publicly documented; varies by program and alignment with priorities.

Success Rates

Not publicly available, though invitation-only process suggests higher success rate than open applications.

Reapplication Policy

No specific policy documented; maintain contact and continue demonstrating alignment with evolving priorities.

Application Success Factors

• Multi-year, multi-partner approach: EMEF explicitly seeks "bold, multi-year, multi-partner strategies" - single organization projects rarely succeed
• Clear climate impact metrics: Quantify carbon sequestration, energy savings, or emissions reductions
• JEDI integration: Include "focused partnerships with QTBIPOC farms and organizations" as EMEF has made this a priority
• Policy leverage potential: Show how project influences broader systems change, as "EMEF's focus on policy helped leverage broader meaningful changes"
• Agroforestry expertise: Focus on five primary practices (alley cropping, forest farming, silvopasture, riparian forest buffers, windbreaks)
• Innovation and scalability: Demonstrate "aspirational thinking" and replication potential
• Network connections: Relationships with existing grantees like ICAST (funded since 2016) or Propagate Ventures help visibility

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Build relationships first: Don't apply cold; submit compelling inquiry then cultivate connection through existing grantees or partners
• Agroforestry is current priority: Since energy efficiency program ended in 2019, agroforestry dominates funding
• Think collaborative: Single-year, single-organization projects unlikely to succeed
• Emphasize climate metrics: Every project must demonstrate global climate disruption mitigation
• Consider indirect routes: The Catalyzing Agroforestry Grant Program through Virginia Tech may be better entry point for smaller projects
• West Coast focus but national reach: While emphasizing WA, OR, CA, EMEF has funded agroforestry in 18+ states
• JEDI is core: Environmental justice and underserved community engagement are essential, not optional

References

1. Edwards Mother Earth Foundation Official Website. https://edwardsmotherearth.org/ (Accessed February 2026)
2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Edwards Mother Earth Foundation. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/911789783
3. Instrumentl 990 Report - Edwards Mother Earth Foundation. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/edwards-mother-earth-foundation
4. Cause IQ - Edwards Mother Earth Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/edwards-mother-earth-foundation,911789783/
5. ICAST - Edwards Mother Earth Foundation Champion. https://www.icastusa.org/emef/
6. Catalyzing Agroforestry Grant Program. https://www.catalyzingagroforestry.org/cagp