Pisces Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The San Francisco-based Pisces Foundation names climate and energy, water conservation and environmental education as its areas of grantmaking interest.
IP TAKE: This funder works globally, but a significant portion of funding, particularly in the areas of water conservation and education, stays in California. Grantees tend to be innovative organizations or groups involved in advocacy or policy development in the foundation’s areas of interest.
The Pisces Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals or post RFPs on its website. However, prospective grantees may email the foundation with general inquiries.
PROFILE: The San Francisco-based Pisces Foundation was co-founded in 2006 by Bob and Elizabeth “Randi” Fisher. Bob Fisher is one of the three sons of Donald and Doris Fisher, the couple who co-founded the Gap Inc. clothing company. The foundation makes grants “to accelerate to a world where people and nature thrive together,” and prioritizes innovative projects in early stages of development and collaborative efforts toward conservation. Its current grantmaking initiatives are climate and energy, environmental education and water. The Pisces Foundation is not affiliated with Pisces, Inc., the Fisher family’s investment management company.
Grants for Climate Change and Clean Energy
The Pisces Foundation’s climate and energy grants support initiatives to reduce “black carbon, methane and hydrofluorocarbons” as part of the broad effort to “keep global temperature under critical thresholds.” Grants have also supported organizations that run public awareness campaigns about “super pollutants.” One recent grantee, the Clean Air Task Force, which helps governments and utilities adopt and implement clean energy production, including advanced nuclear and bioenergy. Another recent grantee is the Brazil-based Institute for Climate and Society, which “promotes prosperity, justice and low carbon development.” Recent grants for climate change and clean energy have also gone to the Berkeley Lab Foundation, the ClimateWorks Foundation, the Environmental Defense Fund and Indians for Collective Action.
Grants for Marine and Freshwater Conservation
The Pisces Foundation’s water conservation priorities include:
The improvement of water management in urban areas and on farms,
The development of sustainable water policy
The sharing of best practices in water conservation and management.
Most grantmaking in this area goes to organizations operating in the U.S., and grantees tend to receive multi-year support. The Alliance for the Great Lakes uses funding to support its awareness, policy development and active conservation programs. Another grantee, American Rivers, “protects and restores damaged rivers” through advocacy and field work. The foundation also supports San Francisco Baykeeper, which advocates for conservation and protection of the San Francisco bay and its ecosystems.
Grants for Environmental Conservation and Justice
Environmental conservation is not one of the foundation’s three main areas of funding, but a significant portion of its grantmaking falls into this category. Grantmaking in this area supports a broad range of causes and environmental projects. Grantees include the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, the Marin Agricultural Land Trust and the National Parks Foundation, among others.
Grants for K-12 Education
The Pisces Foundation names environmental education for K-12 students as one of its main areas of grantmaking focus. In this area, the foundation supports organizations that create and deliver innovative environmental education curricula, as well as in-school and out-of-school environmental education programs. A large proportion of grantmaking in this area is directed at organizations operating in the state of California. The California Academy of Sciences has received over $8 million in recent years to develop in- and out-of-school programs for elementary schools students. Another grantee, Center for Ecoliteracy supports the adoption of curricula and sustainable practices at schools across California. Other environmental education grantees include the Children and Nature Network, Education Outside, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the National 4-H Council and Outward Bound California.
Important Grant Details:
The Pisces Foundation makes between $10 and $20 million a year in grants. Grants range anywhere from $5,000 to over $1 million depending on the size and scope of the funded projects. The foundation’s average grant size is about $75,000. The foundation maintains a database of past grantees and its recent tax filings on its website.
This funder does not accept unsolicited proposals, but general inquiries may be directed to foundation staff via email or telephone at 415-364-3760.
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