Roger I. and Ruth B. MacFarlane Foundation Grant Program

The Roger I. and Ruth B. MacFarlane Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) foundation that conducts its philanthropy through a structured and highly selective grantmaking process led by its Executive Director and Trustees. The Foundation does not operate an open, publicly accessible grant competition; instead, it primarily identifies and invites organizations to apply. Its mission-driven funding reflects a commitment to supporting impactful initiatives that address pressing societal and environmental challenges, with a strong emphasis on thoughtful stewardship of resources and measurable outcomes. The Foundation organizes its grantmaking into two distinct categories. Category Two grants represent the Foundation’s largest investments, typically ranging from 200000 to 250000 dollars. In the current funding cycle, these grants are focused specifically on climate change and environmental protection. Funded initiatives may include efforts that promote the transition to a clean energy economy, reduce carbon emissions through policy or innovation, protect and restore ecosystems, and engage frontline communities in environmental stewardship. This category reflects a strategic priority to address long-term sustainability and environmental resilience through systemic and community-based solutions. Category One grants are smaller awards, ranging from 25000 to 75000 dollars, and support a broader range of issue areas aligned with Trustee interests. These have historically included education, health, housing, immigrant rights, and programs supporting women and girls. Unlike Category Two grants, Category One funding is distributed throughout the year and is more flexible in scope. However, similar to Category Two, these grants are typically extended to organizations identified internally rather than through unsolicited applications. Eligibility for funding is primarily limited to nonprofit organizations, particularly those operating within the United States. The Foundation emphasizes programs that serve U.S.-based populations, although it has funded U.S.-based nonprofits conducting work internationally. The selection process is highly competitive and relationship-driven, with most applicants entering the pipeline through direct invitation. While the Foundation does accept Letters of Inquiry, it receives approximately one thousand annually and funds fewer than one percent, indicating a very low probability of success for unsolicited submissions. The application process for invited organizations typically begins with identification in the spring for Category Two grants, followed by proposal invitations in early summer and funding decisions made in the fall. Category One grants do not follow a fixed cycle and may be awarded at any time during the year. For organizations choosing to submit a Letter of Inquiry, the Foundation requires a two- to three-page document outlining organizational background, leadership contact details, mission and impact, annual budget, and a clear description of the proposed use of funds, including target population and expected outcomes. There are no explicitly stated matching requirements, cost-sharing obligations, or formal evaluation criteria published by the Foundation. However, the emphasis on impact, alignment with strategic priorities, and demonstrated organizational capacity suggests that proposals are assessed based on relevance, effectiveness, and potential for measurable outcomes. Letters of Inquiry must be submitted via email directly to the Executive Director, Amy Dominguez-Arms, and organizations should be aware that the Foundation aims to be transparent about the limited likelihood of funding while remaining open to learning about impactful work across the nonprofit sector.

Focus on strong alignment with foundation priorities and demonstrate measurable impact, especially in environmental or community-focused work