How to apply
Accepts applications
The return gives an application contact and rules, as below.
- Contact
-
Karen Wolfgang
2442 NW Market St 971
Seattle, WA 98107
(601) 342-0234
[email protected] - Form and materials
- Letters of inquiry are submitted online at https://co2foundation.org/grants/ and full proposals requested after review, within 45 days. The full proposal form is due via email within 30 days of its mailing to applicants.
- Deadlines
- One funding opportunity per year, with a soft close date 3 months after opportunity is posted.
- Restrictions
- We provide project-based seed funding to help nonprofit or academic organizations pilot projects that have the potential to deliver game-changing, scientifically sound responses to the global climate emergency. We generally have one open funding opportunity at a time; we consider letters of inquiry outside open funding opportunities, but encourage applicants to match their proposals with our current focus area. Typical grant size is between $25,000-100,000. In addition to this funding, co2 foundation supports grantees by helping to forge connections to other innovators and offering a platform for increased visibility. Funding is available to nonprofit organizations that are registered as a u.s. 501(c)(3). Eligible projects will be fully planned and ready for a proof-of-concept pilot. Note: individuals and organizations with a compelling project may also partner with a nonprofit organization as a fiscal sponsor.
Assets and giving by year
-
Tax year 2025
$2,251,048
- Grants listed
- 34
- Assets, end of year
- $5,718,718
-
Tax year 2024
$1,004,030
- Grants listed
- 27
- Assets, end of year
- $8,299,815
-
Tax year 2023
$303,580
- Grants listed
- 11
- Assets, end of year
- $1,960,134
-
Tax year 2022
$335,137
- Grants listed
- 9
- Assets, end of year
- $1,776,347
-
Tax year 2021
$159
- Grants listed
- 1
- Assets, end of year
- $4,048,576
-
Tax year 2020
$50
- Grants listed
- 1
- Assets, end of year
- $3,613,322
Grants paid in 2025
As listed on the return.
-
Climate Central IncPrinceton, NJ
Continuing sea surface temperature attribution modeling, connecting with extreme weather events. / expand our reach to new audiences with webinars, social media, and event-specific tools that will strengthen public understanding and help communities plan for and respond effectively to extreme weather events.
$190,000 -
University of Washington FoundationSeattle, WA
Assess with the use of new climate model simulations if heatwaves could be pre-emptively cooled down with targeted aerosol injection upstream from the heatwave location. / co-produce actionable predictions through a collaboration with scientists and arctic indigenous organizations -- downscale earth system models to provide locally relevant, accessible, and potentially life-saving information.
$189,744 -
Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT
Continuing yale climate connections spanish language hub work, on new platforms. / automate lifesaving extreme weather alerts and climate education during moments of increased public interest.
$145,098 -
Common GoalBrooklyn, NY
Raise awareness of climate change to a global football community and secure action from industrystakeholders.
$99,623 -
The Conversation USWaltham, MA
Continue getting extreme weather science information to the public!
$99,350 -
Grist Magazine IncSeattle, WA
2025 extremes project focused on the disaster economy a full look at the businesses, labor forces, relief funds, and more that pop up in the wake of climate-induced disasters (and how thats changing under a new administration).
$97,050 -
Northern Arizona University FoundationFlagstaff, AZ
Use existing biocrust restoration experiments to determine carbon sequestration potential of these activities.
$95,000 -
Urban InstituteWashington, DC
Provides rapid, equity-focused analysis on disasters and disaster recovery needs in the days before, and after, those events, to that expand public conversations to include key equity topics and support community advocates and policy-makers who are prioritizing these important issues.
$95,000 -
Climate FoundationSeattle, WA
Advances hectare-scale marine permaculture development, unlocking vast ocean areas for ecological restoration, sustainable resource production, and long-term carbon storage solutions.
$85,500 -
Oregon Environmental Council (oec)Portland, OR
2027 soil health summit and additional natural climate solutions rulemaking stakeholder engagement.
$84,250 -
WGBH Educational FoundationBrighton, MA
The world's rapid response extreme weather reporting team.
$76,000 -
GoodpowerCharlestown, MA
Launching a formal rapid-response content operation that ensures the truth reaches people in minutesnot dayswhen the opportunity arises.
$75,000 -
EcoadaptBainbridge Is, WA
Support 2026 national adaptation forum and virtual forum.
$73,750 -
Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (secoora)(for SCDRP)Charleston, SC
Leverage regional capacity and partnership reach to focus 2026 annual meeting and conference on delivering a structured and outcome-driven series of presentations and expert panels focused on bridging the capacity gaps challenging vulnerable communities, especially rural communities, as they prepare for extreme weather events.
$73,150 -
MongabayMenlo Park, CA
Using a solutions-based journalism approach, mongabay will explore the potential of nature-based climate solutions (NCS) for communities to withstand extreme weather events.
$71,250 -
National Council for Occupational Safety and HealthAustin, TX
As climate change and the rollback of workers rights make extreme weather more lethal, national cosh is equipping low-wage workers on the frontlines of extreme weather with storytelling tools, training, and opportunities.
$71,250 -
Tech for ChangeSan Diego, CA
Floodlight is pakistans first open-source flood mapping platform, enabling real-time, crowd-sourced data on flood risks. This project enhances its reach and functionality to improve early warning, evacuation, and public awareness saving lives and livelihoods. It offers a scalable, civic-tech solution to extreme weather aligned with co2 foundations climate resilience mission.
$71,250 -
Greater Washington Educational Telecommunications Association IncArlington, VA
The PBS news hour tipping point series creates public awareness about the links between climate change and weather while shining a light on solutions being explored to adapt, mitigate and reverse the climate crisis.
$71,250 -
Conservation Biology InstituteCorvallis, OR
2025 state of the climate report.
$66,800 -
Social Good Fund (for America Adapts)Richmond, CA
A three-episode podcast series for the adaptation and resilience (a&r) community.
$58,425 -
Point Reyes Bird ObservatoryPetaluma, CA
Connect monitoring and evaluation data across ca with widely-used carbon modeling programs, aiming to ensure that the practices being incentivized are in fact the most effective.
$50,000 -
Transmediavision USA IncBow, WA
Complete the climate restorers, a 4-film documentary series.
$50,000 -
Montana Health Professionals for A Healthy Climate (MTHPHC)Red Lodge, MT
Continue training MT healthcare professionals to understand and communicate about climate risks.
$46,771 -
Urban Ecology (for Kneedeep Times)San Francisco, CA
Researching and writing follow-up storiesfor each of the five climate extremes. / create a new community reporting network that empowers residents in underrepresented parts of the bay area to share their stories of climate resilience.
$42,750 -
Utah Film Center (for the Here Now Project)Salt Lake City, UT
Develop social release strategy for the here now project.
$38,000 -
West Virginia University Foundation Inc (for West Virginia University ExteMorgantown, WV
Create and distribute a comprehensive preparedness guide tailored for west virginia residents facing escalating flood and wildfire risks.
$34,200 -
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, MA
2025 graduate climate conference.
$27,550 -
Seattle FoundationSeattle, WA
Support climate lab, the seattle times ambitious, multi-year initiative on the climate crisis.
$25,000 -
Planning AheadDurham, NC
Host a series of trauma-informed workshops in durham, NC, equipping vulnerable residents with strategies to prepare for extreme heat and flooding.
$19,000 -
Nature Forward IncChevy Chase, MD
Develop a public awareness campaign utilizing dynamic communications, personal stories and workshops to localize and humanize the dramatic climate and health impacts of the proliferating data center industry.
$10,000 -
UnthinkableSalt Lake Cty, UT
Support the development of field-building resources after the american climate-mental health summit.
$10,000 -
Environmental Defense Fund (edf)New York, NY
This project will identify actionable strategies for disaster insurers to help lower risks, producing a report to be shared through existing networks within the industry.
$3,562 -
Chispa Arizona A Program of the League of Conservation Voters Education FunPhoenix, AZ
Gatherings and a summit to discuss/discover and then present what impacted community members want to do with ira funds.
$3,000 -
Urban Sustainability Directors Network (usdn)Sanford, NC
Resilience hubs video series: sharing community wisdom and experiences (maui and oahu).
$2,475
Approved for future payment
Approved in 2025 and not yet paid.
-
Climate Central IncPrinceton, NJ
Continuing sea surface temperature attribution modeling, connecting with extreme weather events. / expand our reach to new audiences with webinars, social media, and event-specific tools that will strengthen public understanding and help communities plan for and respond effectively to extreme weather events.
$10,000 -
University of Washington FoundationSeattle, WA
Assess with the use of new climate model simulations if heatwaves could be pre-emptively cooled down with targeted aerosol injection upstream from the heatwave location. / co-produce actionable predictions through a collaboration with scientists and arctic indigenous organizations -- downscale earth system models to provide locally relevant, accessible, and potentially life-saving information.
$9,987 -
Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT
Continuing yale climate connections spanish language hub work, on new platforms. / automate lifesaving extreme weather alerts and climate education during moments of increased public interest.
$7,500 -
Northern Arizona University FoundationFlagstaff, AZ
Use existing biocrust restoration experiments to determine carbon sequestration potential of these activities.
$5,000 -
The Conversation USWaltham, MA
Continue getting extreme weather science information to the public!
$5,000 -
Urban InstituteWashington, DC
Provides rapid, equity-focused analysis on disasters and disaster recovery needs in the days before, and after, those events, to that expand public conversations to include key equity topics and support community advocates and policy-makers who are prioritizing these important issues.
$5,000 -
Grist Magazine IncSeattle, WA
2025 extremes project focused on the disaster economy a full look at the businesses, labor forces, relief funds, and more that pop up in the wake of climate-induced disasters (and how thats changing under a new administration).
$4,835 -
Climate FoundationSeattle, WA
Advances hectare-scale marine permaculture development, unlocking vast ocean areas for ecological restoration, sustainable resource production, and long-term carbon storage solutions.
$4,500 -
Oregon Environmental Council (oec)Portland, OR
2027 soil health summit and additional natural climate solutions rulemaking stakeholder engagement.
$4,250 -
WGBH Educational FoundationBrighton, MA
The world's rapid response extreme weather reporting team.
$4,000 -
Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (secoora)(for SCDRP)Charleston, SC
Leverage regional capacity and partnership reach to focus 2026 annual meeting and conference on delivering a structured and outcome-driven series of presentations and expert panels focused on bridging the capacity gaps challenging vulnerable communities, especially rural communities, as they prepare for extreme weather events.
$3,850 -
EcoadaptBainbridge Is, WA
Support 2026 national adaptation forum and virtual forum.
$3,750 -
GoodpowerCharlestown, MA
Launching a formal rapid-response content operation that ensures the truth reaches people in minutesnot dayswhen the opportunity arises.
$3,750 -
MongabayMenlo Park, CA
Using a solutions-based journalism approach, mongabay will explore the potential of nature-based climate solutions (NCS) for communities to withstand extreme weather events.
$3,750 -
National Council for Occupational Safety and HealthAustin, TX
As climate change and the rollback of workers rights make extreme weather more lethal, national cosh is equipping low-wage workers on the frontlines of extreme weather with storytelling tools, training, and opportunities.
$3,750 -
Tech for ChangeSan Diego, CA
Floodlight is pakistans first open-source flood mapping platform, enabling real-time, crowd-sourced data on flood risks. This project enhances its reach and functionality to improve early warning, evacuation, and public awareness saving lives and livelihoods. It offers a scalable, civic-tech solution to extreme weather aligned with co2 foundations climate resilience mission.
$3,750 -
Greater Washington Educational Telecommunications Association IncArlington, VA
The PBS news hour tipping point series creates public awareness about the links between climate change and weather while shining a light on solutions being explored to adapt, mitigate and reverse the climate crisis.
$3,750 -
Conservation Biology InstituteCorvallis, OR
2025 state of the climate report.
$3,350 -
Social Good Fund (for America Adapts)Richmond, CA
A three-episode podcast series for the adaptation and resilience (a&r) community.
$3,075 -
Point Reyes Bird ObservatoryPetaluma, CA
Connect monitoring and evaluation data across ca with widely-used carbon modeling programs, aiming to ensure that the practices being incentivized are in fact the most effective.
$2,500 -
Montana Health Professionals for A Healthy Climate (MTHPHC)Red Lodge, MT
Continue training MT healthcare professionals to understand and communicate about climate risks.
$2,406 -
Urban Ecology (for Kneedeep Times)San Francisco, CA
Researching and writing follow-up storiesfor each of the five climate extremes. / create a new community reporting network that empowers residents in underrepresented parts of the bay area to share their stories of climate resilience.
$2,250 -
Utah Film Center (for the Here Now Project)Salt Lake City, UT
Develop social release strategy for the here now project.
$2,000 -
West Virginia University Foundation Inc (for West Virginia University ExteMorgantown, WV
Create and distribute a comprehensive preparedness guide tailored for west virginia residents facing escalating flood and wildfire risks.
$1,800 -
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, MA
2025 graduate climate conference.
$1,450 -
Planning AheadDurham, NC
Host a series of trauma-informed workshops in durham, NC, equipping vulnerable residents with strategies to prepare for extreme heat and flooding.
$1,000 -
Common GoalBrooklyn, NY
Raise awareness of climate change to a global football community and secure action from industrystakeholders.
$90
Where the money goes
By cause: grants to organizations we matched to the IRS list of exempt organizations, by their category.
- Education4 grants $411,64431% of the total
- Environment5 grants $266,60020% of the total
- Science and technology1 grant $190,00014% of the total
- Arts and culture2 grants $147,25011% of the total
- Social science1 grant $95,0007% of the total
- Disaster relief and public safety1 grant $71,2505% of the total
- 4 other causes4 grants $156,25012% of the total
By State
Grants to organizations with a US address, latest year.
- Washington6 grants $521,044
- California5 grants $293,675
- Massachusetts4 grants $277,900
- New Jersey1 grant $190,000
- Oregon2 grants $151,050
- Connecticut1 grant $145,098
- New York2 grants $103,185
- Arizona2 grants $98,000
- District of Columbia1 grant $95,000
- South Carolina1 grant $73,150
Officers, directors and trustees
As filed on the return, with average hours per week and pay from the foundation.
- Karen WolfgangEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Hours 40Pay $116,016
- William CalvinPRESIDENT Hours 2Pay $0
- Katherine GraubardVICE PRESIDENT Hours 10Pay $0
- Stephanie MoretTREASURER Hours 10Pay $0
The return
More foundations
- Private foundations in Washington
- Private foundations in Seattle
- Foundations that fund education in Washington
- Foundations that fund environment in Washington
- Foundations that fund science and technology in Washington
Similar foundations
Same main cause (education), giving between a quarter and four times this foundation’s where possible, nearby first.
- The Tudor Foundation 36 grants Preselected only $2,376,678 giving
- Tew Foundation 42 grants Preselected only $3,032,500 giving
- Keith & Mary Kay McCaw Family Found 62 grants Preselected only $1,615,000 giving
- Bates Family Foundation 35 grants Preselected only $1,596,500 giving
- McKinstry Charitable Foundation 322 grants Preselected only $1,512,900 giving