Bonneville Environmental Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $16,573,750 (2024)
Success Rate: Not publicly available
Decision Time: Not publicly available
Grant Range: Varies by program
Geographic Focus: Primarily Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming), with water projects across the U.S.
EIN: 93-1248274

Contact Details

Address: 1500 SW 1st Ave, Suite 710, Portland, OR 97201

Phone: 866-233-8247

Overview

Founded in Portland, Oregon in 1998 by environmentalist Angus Duncan, the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) is a national nonprofit that operates at the nexus of water, energy, and climate solutions. With approximately $49.6 million in annual revenue (2023), nearly 70% of which comes from government grants, BEF functions primarily as a fiscal intermediary and program administrator rather than a traditional foundation. In 2024, BEF awarded 77 grants totaling $16,573,750 to environmental organizations working on watershed restoration, renewable energy, and climate solutions. The organization has received significant recognition, including being selected to administer over $160 million in EPA Solar for All grants across Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, and a $31.6 million grant from Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund. Under CEO Todd Reeve's leadership since 2011, BEF has developed over 500 corporate-funded environmental water stewardship projects across the U.S. and internationally.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

BEF operates as a grant-making intermediary rather than a traditional foundation with open application processes. Their grant-making occurs primarily through:

Water Restoration Programs: Grants support watershed restoration projects grounded in best available science, including native revegetation, flow restoration, and ecosystem healing projects.

Solar for All Programs (EPA-funded): BEF administers substantial EPA funding to deliver residential solar to low-income, tribal, and disadvantaged communities in Idaho ($56 million), Montana ($43.7 million), and Wyoming ($30.2 million).

Zero Emission Vehicle Innovation Grant Program: Eligible applicants include consumer-owned utilities and Tribal utilities or Tribal governments located within service territories of Bonneville Power Administration utilities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, or Montana.

Community Solar Projects: Support for solar projects with consumer-owned utilities, particularly in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.

Recent Grant Recipients (2023)

Organizations that received grants from BEF include:

American Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel
Council for Watershed Health
River Partners
Forterra
National Audubon Society
Ecostudies Institute
The Climate Center

Priority Areas

Water Stewardship: Watershed restoration projects, environmental flow restoration, native habitat restoration, and water conservation initiatives

Renewable Energy: Solar energy development for low-income communities, community solar projects, small-hydro and biomass demonstration projects

Climate Solutions: Carbon reduction projects, natural-based solutions, responsible agriculture initiatives

Environmental Justice: Projects serving low-income, tribal, and disadvantaged communities

Pacific Northwest Focus: Projects within Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming receive priority, though water projects span nationally

What They Don't Fund

BEF does not typically provide direct funding for watershed restoration and conservation work from unsolicited applicants. They function primarily as an intermediary, receiving large government and foundation grants and then distributing funds to partner organizations through structured programs rather than open application processes.

Governance and Leadership

CEO: Todd Reeve (serving since 2011, with BEF since 2000, starting as director of the watersheds program)

Todd Reeve is also the Founder of Business for Water Stewardship (BWS) and co-creator of Change the Course, a national water restoration campaign founded in partnership with National Geographic and Participant Media. With over 20 years of experience, he has led work with companies to understand business risk related to water issues and has overseen the development of more than 500 corporate-funded environmental water stewardship projects.

Quote from CEO Todd Reeve: "We're always looking for catalytic and transformational projects that ultimately will achieve many different co-benefits and scale up impacts related to water and carbon along with habitat and communities."

Staff Size: Approximately 40 employees

Organizational Values

Partnership: BEF believes they can accomplish more by bringing people together across all sectors of society

Innovation: Recognizing that the scope and pace of change needed demands innovation

Knowledge: Seeking out and valuing diverse perspectives, embracing new ideas, and pioneering new approaches

Adaptability: Evolving, adapting, and applying lessons learned to constantly improve results

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important: Bonneville Environmental Foundation does not have a public application process for general grant funding.

BEF operates primarily as a fiscal intermediary and program administrator, receiving large grants from government agencies (particularly the EPA), foundations, and corporations, then distributing those funds to partner organizations through structured programs. Their grant-making typically occurs through:

Pre-existing partnerships and relationships with environmental organizations
Structured government programs they administer (like Solar for All)
Corporate partnerships for water stewardship and carbon reduction projects
Strategic initiatives where they identify and approach potential grantees

For Watershed Restoration Funding: According to BEF's FAQ, they "typically do not fund watershed restoration and conservation work directly but may be able to help you gain access to resources for your watershed work by facilitating partnerships that are attractive to potential donors or connect you with local entities that can assist you in accessing funding."

For Specific Programs: Some programs like the Zero Emission Vehicle Innovation Grant Program and Solar for All have specific eligibility criteria and application processes, typically for utilities, tribal governments, or specific geographic regions.

Getting on Their Radar

BEF primarily works through established partnerships and networks rather than accepting unsolicited proposals. Based on available information about how BEF operates:

Regional Focus Areas: If your organization works in the Willamette Valley region specifically, BEF may be able to connect you with resources through their Collaborative Contract Grow program. For projects outside this area, they may connect you with local entities and initiatives that fund native revegetation projects.

Water Stewardship Network: BEF maintains extensive relationships with funders, agencies, and NGOs designing and implementing environmental water stewardship projects. Organizations working in water restoration may benefit from engaging with BEF's Business for Water Stewardship initiative.

Corporate Partnerships: BEF has a 15+ year history of corporate water partnerships (including with Danone North America and others). Organizations that can demonstrate corporate partnership potential or fit within existing corporate sustainability initiatives may find opportunities.

Contact for Exploratory Conversations: Organizations can reach out to info@b-e-f.org to inquire about potential partnerships or connections to funding opportunities, though this should be understood as exploratory networking rather than a grant application.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable due to the lack of a public application process. Grant-making occurs on BEF's timeline based on their receipt of government grants and corporate partnership agreements.

Success Rates

Not available. Given the invitation-based nature of their grant-making, traditional success rate metrics do not apply.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the lack of a public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since BEF does not accept unsolicited applications, success in securing funding depends on strategic positioning:

Geographic Alignment: Projects in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming—particularly within the Pacific Northwest—align with BEF's core focus areas. CEO Todd Reeve noted BEF's focus on "catalytic and transformational projects."

Multiple Co-Benefits: BEF prioritizes projects that achieve "many different co-benefits and scale up impacts related to water and carbon along with habitat and communities" (Todd Reeve). Projects should demonstrate measurable environmental benefits across multiple dimensions.

Scientific Grounding: BEF supports "watershed restoration projects grounded in the best available watershed science," indicating that strong scientific methodology and data-driven approaches are valued.

Corporate or Utility Partnerships: Many of BEF's grants flow through corporate water stewardship initiatives or utility partnerships. Organizations that can participate in these structured partnerships may have better access to funding.

Environmental Justice Components: Given BEF's substantial investment in Solar for All programs targeting "low-income, tribal, and disadvantaged communities," projects serving these populations align with current strategic priorities.

Relationship Building: BEF's model emphasizes "long-term relationships with education, corporate, utility and philanthropic partners" and first understanding partners' "goals and needs." Organizations should approach BEF as potential partners rather than as grant applicants.

Demonstrated Capacity: Grant recipients like River Partners, Forterra, and National Audubon Society are established environmental organizations with track records. BEF appears to fund organizations with proven capacity to execute large-scale environmental projects.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No Public Application Process: BEF is not a traditional grantmaker; they do not accept unsolicited proposals. They function as a fiscal intermediary distributing government and corporate funding through structured partnerships.
Focus on Pacific Northwest: While water projects span nationally, BEF's strongest geographic focus is Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, particularly for renewable energy initiatives.
Government Program Administrator: Much of BEF's current grant-making flows through their administration of EPA Solar for All programs ($160+ million) targeting low-income communities—these have specific eligibility criteria.
Partnership-Driven Model: Success requires building genuine relationships with BEF as a potential partner organization rather than approaching them as a funding source. Todd Reeve emphasizes BEF "builds long-term relationships" and focuses on understanding partners' goals.
Multiple Co-Benefits Required: Projects must demonstrate "catalytic and transformational" potential with impacts across water, carbon, habitat, and community dimensions—single-issue projects are unlikely to receive support.
Intermediary Role for Watersheds: For watershed restoration work, BEF explicitly states they function more as a connector to other funding sources rather than a direct funder—consider approaching them for facilitation and partnership development.
Corporate Water Stewardship Opportunities: Organizations with potential to participate in corporate water stewardship initiatives (similar to Danone's 15-year partnership) may find the most direct pathway to collaboration and funding through BEF's Business for Water Stewardship program.

References

Date Accessed: December 25, 2025