Burning Foundation Grant

The Burning Foundation is a private grantmaking organization that supports nonprofit efforts in the Pacific Northwest, specifically Washington and Oregon. With an annual funding allocation of approximately $650,000, the foundation provides support to organizations engaged in two principal focus areas: environmental conservation and teen pregnancy prevention. The foundation does not entertain requests for multi-year funding and emphasizes funding organizations with clear alignment to their stated interests. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $15,000 and may be awarded for general operating support or for specific project initiatives. In the environmental domain, the foundation prioritizes efforts to preserve and restore biodiversity-supporting habitats and areas that facilitate quiet, remote recreation. Preference is granted to local and statewide organizations—both small grassroots entities and broader conservation coalitions—that focus on ecological protection within Oregon and Washington. Notably, the foundation prefers projects that integrate into larger, functioning ecosystems rather than isolated or fragmented conservation efforts. Proposals for habitat restoration must restore habitat to its native state, and restoration in areas fragmented by agricultural use is ineligible. Additionally, the foundation excludes support for programs related to climate change, energy conservation, and environmental education, as well as applications involving land acquisition or capital projects. In the area of teen pregnancy prevention, the foundation supports evidence-based approaches implemented in schools, community clinics, or other youth-centered environments. Eligible projects must demonstrate a structured program with a defined budget, measurable outcomes, and adherence to best practices that demonstrably reduce teen pregnancy rates. While schools themselves are not eligible applicants, school-based programming may be funded if administered through eligible nonprofit organizations. The application process is structured into two annual funding cycles—Spring and Fall. For the Spring cycle, the portal for Letters of Interest (LOIs) opens on March 1, with LOIs due on the last Friday of March. Full proposals are then due on the first Wednesday of May. For the Fall cycle, the portal opens on September 1, with LOIs due the last Friday of September and proposals due the first Wednesday of November. All applicants must begin with an LOI, regardless of prior application history. Notifications regarding advancement to full proposal stage are sent at least two weeks before the full proposal due date. Applications must be completed within the same cycle in which the LOI was submitted. Eligibility is limited to organizations with valid 501(c)(3) status, specifically those designated as public charities under sections 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2). The foundation does not fund schools, universities, governmental or quasi-governmental agencies, land trusts focused on agriculture, or organizations operating outside of Washington and Oregon. It also disallows funding for productions, sanctuaries, museums, and various urban park or forest initiatives. Additionally, applicants denied in a given cycle must wait one full year before reapplying. The foundation does not provide direct contact names, phone numbers, or emails in its application materials. No PDF of the guidelines or application instructions was found. However, past grantee information from 2019 shows a wide variety of funded projects within the two focus areas, offering a useful benchmark for the types of initiatives that align with the foundation’s values and priorities. Based on its published grantmaking cycles, the next LOI deadline falls on September 25, 2026, with the corresponding proposal deadline on November 4, 2026, assuming the applicant is invited to proceed.