Conservation, Food, and Health Foundation Overview
The Conservation, Food, and Health Foundation is dedicated to supporting projects and research initiatives aimed at improving the environment, food production, and public health across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Middle East. It provides grants to foster sustainable development and tackle issues that affect local and regional communities, particularly in underfunded areas.
Types of Support
The Foundation funds applied research, pilot projects, new initiatives, training, and technical assistance with an emphasis on:
- Generating local or regional solutions to environmental and human challenges
- Advancing local leadership and promoting professional development in the conservation, agricultural, and health sciences
- Building the capacity of local organizations and coalitions
- Addressing challenges in the field, particularly in underfunded geographic areas
The Foundation aims to provide seed money to promising projects and individuals, helping them establish a track record that can attract major funding in the future.
Fields of Interest
The Foundation’s key areas of interest within conservation, food, and health include:
Conservation
The Foundation supports projects that promote environmental conservation through:
- Field research and advocacy
- Protecting biodiversity and preserving natural resources
- Mitigating the effects of climate change
- Building local capacity and fostering local, regional, and international partnerships
- Engaging indigenous communities and local organizations in conservation efforts
Food
In the food and agriculture sector, the Foundation focuses on:
- Sustainable agricultural practices
- Building small-scale farmer capacity
- Advancing farmer research and partnerships
- Developing environmentally sound methods for pest and disease control in crops
- Promoting indigenous food sovereignty
- Improving food security and resilience to climate change
Health
In health, the Foundation supports:
- Reproductive health and family planning initiatives
- Community-level disease prevention and health promotion
- Addressing mental and behavioral health
- Environmental health, including pollution
- Zoonotic and neglected tropical diseases
- Nutrition and health initiatives
Key Priorities
The Foundation gives priority to projects that:
- Advance the field and build local capacity
- Promote systems change and influence public policy
- Have the potential to replicate and benefit people beyond the local context
Eligibility
The Foundation supports local, state, and regional organizations in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Middle East, as well as upper-income organizations working with local partners in these regions. Eligible organizations include:
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Nonprofit organizations
- Civil society organizations
- Community-based organizations
- Colleges, universities, and academic institutions
Ineligible organizations: Government agencies and religious organizations can be project partners but are not eligible for direct funding.
Ineligible Projects
The Foundation does not typically fund:
- Overhead or indirect project costs
- General operating support
- Direct aid (e.g., food, health, or humanitarian aid)
- Eco-tourism projects
- Buildings or capital improvements
- Projects that are intended for private gain
Grant-Making Policies and Procedures
- Grant Size: Grants typically range from $25,000 to $50,000 per year.
- Grant Duration: Most grants are awarded for one or two years. Renewal for second-year funding requires a satisfactory progress report.
- Application Rounds: The Foundation accepts applications twice a year:
- Spring Round: Concept applications due January 1, proposal deadline February 15, awards announced July 1
- Fall Round: Concept applications due June 15, proposal deadline August 15, awards announced December 1
- Reporting Requirements: Final reports are due within one year of receiving funding. Progress reports are required for multi-year projects.
Deadlines for 2025-2027
- Grant Round 1 (Spring):
- Concept Application Deadline: January 1
- Proposal Invitation: January 15
- Proposal Deadline: February 15
- Grant Awards: July 1
- Grant Round 2 (Fall):
- Concept Application Deadline: June 15
- Proposal Invitation: July 15
- Proposal Deadline: August 15
- Grant Awards: December 1
Contact Information
For inquiries or further information, please contact:
Conservation, Food & Health Foundation
c/o Prentice A. Zinn, Administrator
GMA Foundations
2 Liberty Square, Suite 500
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Phone: 617-391-3091
Email: [email protected]
This funding opportunity is ideal for organizations and individuals working on projects that can make a tangible impact in conservation, food security, and public health in developing regions.
