Gaia Fund - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,502,500 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly specified
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $50,000
• Geographic Focus: Northern California (14 counties)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.gaiasf.org/

Email: allison.domicone@thirdplateau.com (Allison Domicone, Director)

Address: 44 Montgomery Street, Suite 1040, San Francisco, CA 94104-4602

Management: Gaia Fund is staffed and managed by Third Plateau

Overview

Gaia Fund is a San Francisco-based family foundation established in 1995 by Christine Russell and Mark Schlesinger, who serve as its sole trustees and set grantmaking priorities. With approximately $40 million in net assets, the foundation has distributed over $26.5 million in grants since inception. In 2024, Gaia Fund awarded grants totaling $1,502,500 to 70 organizations.

The foundation focuses on three main areas: fostering the transition of California's food and farming system to sustainable practices that integrate organic farming, environmental stewardship, profitability, and social equity; supporting San Francisco programs that strengthen the connection of Jews to their heritage and community; and preserving democratic principles including fair elections, representation for all, and equal opportunity for political participation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Project Grants: $5,000 - $50,000 (finite funding needs or seed funding for new initiatives)
• General Support Grants: Unrestricted operating support to aligned organizations
• Multi-Year Grants: Two to five-year grants with annual installments

Application Windows: December 15 - February 15 and May 15 - July 15

Priority Areas

Sustainable Agriculture (Highest Priority)

• Organic farming practices and certification
• Climate-smart agriculture
• Farmland conservation and access
• Equity initiatives for immigrant and beginning farmers
• Sustainable food production, distribution, and consumption
• Agricultural education and training

Jewish Community Programs (San Francisco Focus)

• Programs that foster and strengthen connection to Jewish heritage and community
• Ensuring relevance and continuity of Jewish tradition

Effective Democracy

• Increasing voter turnout, especially for low-propensity-voting segments
• Protecting and promoting voting rights and electoral security
• Promoting fair and representative electoral maps
• Minimizing the influence of money in politics

What They Don't Fund

• Unsolicited requests for programs outside funding interests
• Projects outside California
• Projects outside designated 14 Northern California counties (lower priority)
• Capital and endowment campaigns (lower priority)

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Christine H. Russell - Director and President (Co-founder, 1994)
• Mark L. Schlesinger - Director, CFO, and Secretary (Co-founder, 1994); Managing Trustee who runs the Fund "more or less full-time"

Staff:

• Susan R. Clark - Director of Programs; over twenty years experience leading impact-driven teams
• Allison Domicone - Director (Third Plateau contact)

Mark Schlesinger noted: "I think we envisioned this would be the family business we would share with our children."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Two-step application process through online grants management portal:

1. Initial Inquiry: Submit during open application windows (December 15 - February 15 or May 15 - July 15)
2. Full Proposal: By invitation only after initial inquiry review

Eligibility: Must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt or have fiscal sponsor

Geographic Priority: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, and Yolo counties

Important: Communication about pending inquiries is discouraged. The Fund reserves the right to decline inquiries if applicants fail to follow instructions.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Fund contacts applicants as necessary during review.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

• Unsuccessful applicants: Must wait at least two years after last grant before reapplying
• Organizations funded for 5+ consecutive years: Minimum two-year hiatus required before new consideration

Application Success Factors

Mission Alignment: Projects must clearly demonstrate alignment with one of three priority areas, with sustainable agriculture receiving highest priority. Successful projects show how they simultaneously address organic practices, climate change mitigation, resource protection, biodiversity, and social equity.

Geographic Specificity: Clearly articulate California location and impact in the 14 priority Northern California counties. Projects outside these counties receive lower consideration.

Systems-Level Impact: The Fund values projects addressing systemic change in agriculture and food systems, not just individual farm operations. Organizations like California FarmLink (farmland access) and CCOF Foundation (organic certification systems) exemplify this approach.

Equity Integration: Projects supporting immigrant farmers, beginning farmers, and underserved communities align well. Urban Adamah's integration of Jewish tradition with sustainable farming and social action demonstrates successful multi-dimensional impact.

Process Adherence: The Fund explicitly states it will decline inquiries if instructions aren't followed. Submit only during designated windows and avoid unsolicited follow-up.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Focus on sustainable agriculture projects that demonstrate multiple concurrent benefits (food production + climate + biodiversity + equity)
• Clearly articulate your presence and impact in the 14 priority Northern California counties
• Follow application instructions precisely - submit only during open periods and avoid unsolicited communications
• Consider multi-year program planning as the Fund offers two to five-year grants
• General operating support is frequently awarded to well-aligned organizations
• Plan for sustainability - consecutive funding is limited to five years before requiring a hiatus
• Projects bridging multiple interest areas (e.g., Jewish community + sustainable agriculture) may have competitive advantage

References

1. Gaia Fund official website, https://www.gaiasf.org/, accessed February 25, 2026
2. "About the Fund," Gaia Fund, https://www.gaiasf.org/about-the-fund/
3. "How to Apply," Gaia Fund, https://www.gaiasf.org/how-to-apply/
4. "General Guidelines," Gaia Fund, https://www.gaiasf.org/grants-program/
5. "Sustainable Agriculture," Gaia Fund, https://www.gaiasf.org/sustainable-agriculture/
6. "Effective Democracy," Gaia Fund, https://www.gaiasf.org/effective-democracy/
7. Gaia Fund Profile, Instrumentl, https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/gaia-fund
8. Gaia Fund Profile, Cause IQ, https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/gaia-fund,943215541/
9. "Charity Begins at Home," E Magazine (Mark Schlesinger interview)
10. Susan R. Clark LinkedIn profile
11. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Form 990 data