Resources Legacy Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $38,205,349 (2023)
• Number of Awards: 306 grants (2023)
• Average Grant Size: ~$124,853
• Grant Range: $85,000 - $3,000,000+
• Geographic Focus: Primarily California, with some national and international work
• Charity Navigator Rating: 4-Star (Score: 96%)

Contact Details

• Website: https://resourceslegacyfund.org
• Phone: (916) 442-5057
• Email: Staff use @resourceslegacyfund.org format; contact via website form
• Location: Sacramento, CA
• Contact Page: https://resourceslegacyfund.org/contact/

Overview

Founded in 2000 with initial funding from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Resources Legacy Fund (RLF) is a multi-disciplinary 501(c)(3) nonprofit that positions itself as "Architects of Environmental Progress." With 80+ staff across California and nationwide, RLF operates as a strategic intermediary organisation, connecting philanthropic funding with organisations advancing conservation goals, climate solutions, and environmental justice and equity. In its 20-year history, RLF has helped conserve over five million acres, advance new environmental approaches and policies, and generate more than $30 billion in new public funding for water, land, and ocean conservation whilst advancing social equity and climate change resilience. RLF functions both as a direct grantmaker and as a fiscal sponsor, managing large multi-year strategic initiatives and providing administrative, compliance, and programmatic support to high-impact projects.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

RLF manages several strategic funding initiatives focused on conservation, climate solutions, and environmental equity:

California 30x30 Initiative (C3I): Advances a public-private partnership with the California Natural Resources Agency to support implementation of Governor Newsom's Executive Order N-82-20, which commits California to protect 30% of the state's lands and coastal waters by 2030. The programme specifically supports California Tribes and organisations from underserved communities to enable their active participation, plus communications and public education activities to build support for achieving 30x30.

California Environmental Equity Initiative (CEEI): Seeks to strengthen California climate and environmental policies and increase public funding to address intersecting environmental, climate, social, and health issues that disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of colour. The programme supports community-driven efforts that increase access to parks, public lands, and safe drinking water and build resilience to climate change in ways that enhance justice, health, and well-being. Focus on building capacity, power, and leadership amongst younger, more ethnically diverse leaders, organisations, and coalitions.

Wildlands Acquisition Programme: Promotes permanent protection of California's wildlands through preservation of desert park and wilderness areas. The programme funds inholding acquisitions in priority wilderness areas and national parks and monuments to consolidate public land holdings for natural resource protection in the California desert, Carrizo Plain National Monument, and Eastern Sierra Nevada.

Land-Sea Connection (LSC) Programme: Launched in 2017, works to advance the long-term health and resilience of California watersheds by promoting more effective local and state policies and conservation programmes.

Ocean Defence Initiative: Works to protect marine and coastal resources.

Grant amounts vary significantly based on project scope, from tens of thousands to millions of dollars.

Priority Areas

• Land conservation and biodiversity protection
• Marine and coastal conservation
• Climate resilience and climate solutions
• Environmental equity and justice for marginalised communities
• Water resource protection and safe drinking water access
• Public lands access for underserved communities
• Capacity building for community-based organisations and Tribal communities
• Policy advocacy and public funding campaigns

RLF explicitly prioritises diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles by "directing funds to those who have been marginalised" historically.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions not explicitly documented, though RLF's focus is clearly on environmental conservation, climate solutions, and environmental justice in alignment with their mission. Projects outside these areas would likely not be considered.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

• Barton H. Thompson Jr. (Chair): Natural resources law professor at Stanford Law School and director of the Woods Institute for the Environment
• Jeanne Sedgwick (Vice Chair): Former director of Conservation and Science at David and Lucile Packard Foundation; oversaw programme growth to $100 million annually
• Steven Gaines: Dean, Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UC Santa Barbara
• Chet Hewitt: President/CEO, Sierra Health Foundation
• Kevin Washburn: Dean, University of Iowa College of Law
• Martha Kongsgaard: Co-founder, Kongsgaard-Goldman Foundation

Executive Leadership

• Phil Ginsburg (President): Leads RLF along with its partner groups Fund for a Better Future and the Shared Ascent Fund. Ginsburg brings extensive public sector leadership experience, including over two decades with the City and County of San Francisco, where he most recently served as General Manager of Recreation and Parks Department. During his tenure, he transformed the department into one of the nation's most admired urban park systems, managing a budget of over $250 million annually with a staff of more than 1,000 employees, raising over $250 million in private philanthropic funding and securing an additional $385 million in voter-approved bond initiatives. He assumed the presidency following Matt Armsby's interim service.
• Matt Armsby (General Counsel and Vice President for Policy): Provides legal oversight and sets strategic direction for RLF and affiliated organisations. Previously served as environmental law fellow at Stanford Law School and served as interim president during the leadership transition.
• Rosina Bugarin (Chief Financial Officer): Oversees accounting, budget, tax reporting, and compliance. Licensed CPA with nonprofit accounting background.
• Michael Scott (Vice President of Programmes): Directs conservation programme coordination and research. Former conservation director and executive director at Greater Yellowstone Coalition.
• Lisbeth Jakobsen (Director of Fiscal Sponsorships): Manages fiscal sponsorship relationships and coordination.

Previous Leadership

• Avi Garbow (Former President): Served as president from 2021 until stepping down in 2024. Previously served as senior counsellor to the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency during the Biden Administration and as general counsel of the EPA under President Barack Obama.
• Michael Mantell (Founding President): Launched RLF in 2000 with Jeanne Sedgwick and led the organisation until 2021.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Resources Legacy Fund does not have a traditional open application process. According to their grantmaking page: "As a general rule, RLF reaches out to potential new grantees and partners to help develop and implement programme strategies." This means RLF typically initiates contact with potential grantees proactively as part of their strategic programme development.

However, RLF also states they "appreciate opportunities to hear new ideas and meet potential partners, even if it's only for future consideration." Organisations interested in future collaboration can reach out through their contact page or by phone at (916) 442-5057.

Applicant Resources Available: For organisations invited to apply or already in partnership with RLF, the organisation provides several resources including:

• Grant Proposal Worksheet
• Grant Reporting Guidelines
• Contract Scope of Work Template
• Form W-9, Form W-8BEN
• Certificate of Exemption from Worker's Compensation
• Specialised resources for Sustainable Fisheries Fund (SFF) programme applicants

Fiscal Sponsorship Pathway: Organisations not registered as 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities may partner with RLF through fiscal sponsorship. RLF fiscally sponsors high-impact projects and organisations that align with their mission and values, providing administrative and compliance support, financial management, data systems, human resources, and legal oversight. They can manage projects of nearly any size or discrete components of them. For projects interested in using broader advocacy tools, RLF's affiliated organisation Fund for a Better Future provides 501(c)(4) fiscal sponsorship.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly specified, as grants are typically developed through strategic partnerships rather than competitive application cycles.

Success Rates

Not publicly available, as RLF's grantmaking is strategic and invitation-based rather than open competition.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the proactive, strategic nature of RLF's grantmaking approach.

Application Success Factors

Since RLF typically reaches out to potential grantees rather than accepting unsolicited applications, success in partnering with RLF depends on different factors:

Alignment with Strategic Priorities: Organisations working in RLF's core areas—California conservation, environmental equity and justice, climate solutions, and marine protection—are more likely to come onto RLF's radar.

Focus on Marginalised Communities: RLF explicitly prioritises directing funds to those who have been marginalised historically. Projects led by or serving low-income communities, communities of colour, and Tribal communities are central to RLF's mission.

Capacity for Strategic Impact: RLF describes itself as working with partners who can advance bold and impactful solutions. They seek organisations that can contribute to large-scale policy change, public funding campaigns, and systems-level transformation.

Partnership Orientation: Testimonials on RLF's website emphasise that they "think like a funder but act like an implementer." Successful partners appreciate RLF's hands-on, collaborative approach and ability to bridge philanthropic and implementation perspectives.

Policy and Advocacy Expertise: Many of RLF's programmes involve coalition-building, policy advocacy, and public funding campaigns. Organisations with strengths in these areas align well with RLF's approach.

California Focus: Whilst RLF fiscally sponsors some projects nationally and internationally, the majority of their direct grantmaking focuses on California conservation and environmental justice issues.

Building Relationships: For organisations seeking to get on RLF's radar, demonstrating expertise in conservation, environmental justice, or climate solutions through publications, coalitions, and visible work in the field increases the likelihood that RLF will reach out when developing relevant programme strategies.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Proactive Outreach Model: RLF typically initiates partnerships rather than responding to unsolicited proposals, though they welcome opportunities to hear new ideas for future consideration.
• Strategic Intermediary Role: RLF functions as both a direct grantmaker and fiscal sponsor, managing large multi-year strategic initiatives with administrative, compliance, and programmatic support.
• Environmental Justice Priority: RLF explicitly centres equity by directing funds to marginalised communities and building capacity amongst younger, more ethnically diverse leaders and organisations.
• California-Focused with Scale: Whilst primarily California-focused, RLF has generated over $30 billion in public funding and conserved over 5 million acres in 20 years, demonstrating significant leverage and impact.
• Multiple Partnership Pathways: Beyond traditional grants, RLF offers fiscal sponsorship for 501(c)(3) projects through RLF and 501(c)(4) advocacy-focused projects through Fund for a Better Future.
• High-Capacity Organisation: With 80+ staff and expertise in campaign development, policy advocacy, coalition-building, and grant management, RLF seeks partners who can contribute to systems-level change.
• Substantial Grant Sizes: With 306 grants totalling $38 million annually, RLF makes significant investments averaging ~$125,000, with grants ranging from tens of thousands to millions of dollars depending on project scope.

References

• GuideStar Profile - Resources Legacy Fund
• Cause IQ - Resources Legacy Fund
• Resources Legacy Fund Official Website
• Charity Navigator - Resources Legacy Fund Rating
• Resources Legacy Fund - Grantmaking Page
• Resources Legacy Fund - Programmes Archive
• Resources Legacy Fund - Our Approach
• Resources Legacy Fund - Our Team
• Resources Legacy Fund - What We Do
• Resources Legacy Fund - California 30x30 Initiative
• InfluenceWatch - Resources Legacy Fund
• David and Lucile Packard Foundation - Resources Legacy Fund Grantee Profile
• Instrumentl - Resources Legacy Fund 990 Report
• Hunt Scanlon Media - Potrero Group Recruits President for Resources Legacy Fund
• Resources Legacy Fund LinkedIn
• PRNewswire - Potrero Group Places Phil Ginsburg as Next President of Resources Legacy Fund
• Resources Legacy Fund - Our Story