Broad Reach Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $31 million (2024), expanding to $43 million (2025)
Success Rate: Not publicly available
Decision Time: Varies by program area
Grant Range: $500,000 - $12,100,000
Average Grant: $1,411,667
Geographic Focus: Primarily California and Maine
Total Assets: $263 million (2024)

Contact Details

Website: https://broadreachfdn.org/
Address: 230 Congress Street, 12th Floor, Boston, MA 02110-2464
EIN: 95-4861421
Note: The foundation is launching its first full website in summer 2025

Overview

The Broad Reach Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2001 in Boston, Massachusetts. With assets of approximately $263 million as of 2024, the foundation promotes human coexistence and healthy ecosystems, championing underrepresented viewpoints that lead to sustainable change. After operating quietly for its first twenty years, the foundation hired its first program staff in 2022 and an inaugural Executive Director in 2023, marking a significant expansion in its public-facing presence. The foundation awarded 465 grants in the past year, representing $31 million in 2024 with plans to increase to $43 million in 2025. Historically, Broad Reach Foundation made its grants through Donor Advised Funds (DAF), but starting in 2024, the foundation began direct grantmaking and is reducing reliance on DAFs over time.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation uses a mix of competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) and invite-only proposal intake processes that vary by program area. Grants include a blend of general operating support, multi-year funding, and project-specific support.

Grant Range: $500,000 - $12,100,000 (with an average grant of $1,411,667)

Priority Areas

The Foundation's grantmaking priorities include:

Toxic Chemical Reform: Supporting efforts to reduce and eliminate harmful chemicals
Climate Change: Addressing climate impacts and promoting climate resilience
Ocean Resilience: Protecting marine ecosystems and ocean health
Healthy Ecosystems: Supporting biodiversity and ecosystem protection
Indigenous Rights: Championing Indigenous-led environmental justice and sovereignty
Food Justice & Nutrition: Promoting equitable access to healthy food
Careworker Rights: Supporting workers in care industries
The Arts: Funding artistic and cultural initiatives
International Human Rights & Diplomacy: Supporting fundamental human rights and democratic practices
The State of Maine: Special focus on Maine-based initiatives

The foundation prioritizes social justice, cultural and natural resource protection, and environmental health, with a high commitment to safeguarding fundamental human rights and democratic practices.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations aligned with their strategic priorities.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is comprised of three members of the Richards family:

Carol Richards - President
Peter Richards - Treasurer (described as someone who "promotes human coexistence and healthy ecosystems, and champions underrepresented viewpoints that lead to sustainable change")
Adam Richards - Secretary

Staff

Erin H. Kahn - Executive Director (hired in 2023). Kahn is a private foundation executive with 25 years of experience in the philanthropic sector, with previous roles at The Russell Family Foundation, Raikes Foundation, and the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington. Annual compensation: $76,154
Andrea J. Perry - Program Director
Elizabeth V. Hands - Senior Program Officer (manages grants pipeline and has developed relationships with over 100 grant partners, consultants, thought leaders, and philanthropic colleagues)

Grant Decision-Making Structure

Grant decision-making is typically delegated to grant committees for each program area. Some committees are comprised of board members and senior advisors, while others are comprised of external leaders who bring community and subject-matter expertise.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

The foundation uses a mix of competitive RFP and invite-only proposal intake processes that vary by program area. Organizations are typically identified and invited to apply through:

Strategic alignment with foundation priorities
Relationships developed through grant committees
Recommendations from board members, senior advisors, and external subject-matter experts
Donor Advised Fund partnerships (historically, though this is being phased out)

As of 2024, the foundation is transitioning from making grants through Donor Advised Funds to direct grantmaking, which may evolve their approach to identifying and supporting organizations.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by program area and grant committee structure. The foundation recommended 465 grants in the past year, suggesting an active and ongoing review process throughout the year rather than fixed deadlines.

Success Rates

The foundation awarded 465 grants representing $31 million in 2024. Specific success rates and total applications received are not publicly available given the invite-only nature of their grantmaking.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented. Given the foundation's invitation-only approach, reapplication would likely depend on continued strategic alignment and relationships with grant committees.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, understanding what they fund provides insight into their priorities:

Examples of Funded Projects

The foundation has supported Indigenous-led environmental justice efforts through partnerships with First Nations Development Institute, which received $220,000 from the Broad Reach Fund. Since 2018, the foundation has awarded $858,000 in direct funding to tribal communities and organizations.

Specific 2020 grant recipients included:

Blackfeet Nation - to develop narrative reports on the history of oil and gas leasing in the Badger Two Medicine
Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe - for ongoing support of protest encampments and litigation to protect the Garcia Pasture, a sacred site threatened by Texas LNG projects
Diné Citizens Against Ruining Our Environment - to support opposition of oil and gas drilling in the Chaco Canyon area
Pueblo Action Alliance - protecting Pueblo cultural sustainability by addressing environmental and social impacts
United Tribes of Bristol Bay - raising awareness to protect Bristol Bay from the Pebble Mine Project
Magpie Buffalo Organizing - working to protect sacred sites in the Black Hills region from mining
Dooda (No) Helium Extraction - opposing extraction in Navajo Nation lands through community education

Strategic Alignment Factors

Based on funded projects and stated priorities, successful grants demonstrate:

Community-Led Approaches: The foundation prioritizes Indigenous-led and community-based initiatives, particularly in environmental justice
Underrepresented Viewpoints: The foundation champions perspectives that lead to sustainable change, supporting grassroots organizations opposing extractive industries
Systems Change: Focus on toxic chemical reform, climate change, and ecosystem protection suggests interest in systemic solutions
Geographic Focus: Strong emphasis on Maine and California, though they support initiatives in other regions
Multi-Year and General Operating Support: The foundation provides flexible funding including general operating support and multi-year commitments
Social Justice Integration: Environmental work is viewed through a social justice lens, connecting cultural preservation, human rights, and ecological health

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Invitation-Only: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications; organizations are identified through strategic processes and relationships
Significant Expansion: The foundation is rapidly expanding from $31 million (2024) to $43 million (2025) in grantmaking, suggesting increased capacity
Transition Period: The shift from Donor Advised Funds to direct grantmaking (starting 2024) represents an evolving approach that may create new opportunities
Expert-Led Committees: Grant decisions involve external subject-matter experts and community leaders, not just board members
Substantial Grants: With an average grant of $1.4 million and a range up to $12.1 million, this is a major funder for organizations that align with their mission
Maine & California Focus: Geographic concentration provides clear targeting for organizations in these states
Indigenous Rights Priority: Strong track record of supporting Indigenous-led environmental justice, particularly regarding extractive industries and sacred site protection
Website Launch: The foundation is launching its first full website in summer 2025, which may signal increased public engagement and potentially new pathways for organizational discovery

References

Research accessed December 23, 2025