Sequoia Climate Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Sequoia Climate Foundation is a private foundation in Irvine, California. In tax year 2023 it gave $305 million in 187 grants; the typical grant was $1.0 million and the largest $17.9 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2023.
- Grants paid, 2023$305 million
- Number of grants187
- Typical grant$1.0 million
- Largest grant$17.9 million
- Assets$114 million
- New grantees29%
Giving in 2023 was up from $257 million the year before.
29% of its 2023 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $257 million | 171 | $78.8 million |
| 2023 | $305 million | 187 | $114 million |
How to apply
Sequoia Climate Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Sequoia Climate Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 11 states, the most to New York. It also paid $129 million in 73 grants to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 24 | $52.9 million |
| District of Columbia | 43 | $49.9 million |
| California | 20 | $49.0 million |
| Colorado | 10 | $8.2 million |
| Texas | 2 | $4.6 million |
| Massachusetts | 6 | $4.4 million |
| Delaware | 4 | $3.2 million |
| Maryland | 2 | $1.5 million |
| Virginia | 1 | $1.3 million |
| Minnesota | 1 | $750,000 |
Grants paid in 2023
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc | To support the educational activities of the energy transition | $17.9 million |
| Stichting European Climate Foundation | To provide general operating support | $15.0 million |
| Tara Climate LTD | To provide general operating support | $12.5 million |
| Climateworks Foundation | To support research and education to further climate finance efforts | $7.9 million |
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc | To support the educational activities with respect to climate diplomacy | $7.5 million |
| United States Energy Foundation | In support of climate policy planning to advance clean energy to foster public health | $7.5 million |
| Climate Lead Inc | To provide general operating support | $7.0 million |
| Meliore Foundation (Fup) | To support education with respect to the clean energy transition | $6.8 million |
| Meliore Foundation (Fup) | To support coordination on communications strategies | $6.0 million |
| The Sunrise Project Australia LTD | To support public health through clean energy and energy transition activities | $5.7 million |
| Stichting European Climate Foundation | To advance public education about clean energy | $5.6 million |
| The Regents of the University of California | In support of capacity building and climate partnerships to advance training and education | $4.5 million |
| Clasp | To provide technical assistance support in the development of energy efficiency standards | $4.3 million |
| International Sustainable Energy Foundation | To provide general operating support | $4.1 million |
| Instituto Clima E Sociedade | To provide general operating support | $3.8 million |
| International Council on Clean Transportation | To support public health through clean transportation efforts | $3.5 million |
| Stichting Foundation for International Law for the Environment (File) | To support public health through energy transition efforts | $3.5 million |
| Stichting Foundation for International Law for the Environment (File) | To support public health through energy transition efforts | $3.5 million |
| Natural Resources Defense Council | To support energy system decarbonization activities to foster public health | $3.4 million |
| Stichting European Climate Foundation | To support research and analysis on clean energy activities | $3.3 million |
| Potential Energy Coalition Inc | To provide general operating support | $3.2 million |
| United States Energy Foundation | To support clean energy policy implementation efforts | $3.1 million |
| World Resources Institute | To support carbon neutrality efforts to foster public health | $3.1 million |
| Corporation for National and Community Service | To support workforce development | $3.0 million |
| League of Conservation Voters Education Fund | To support clean energy development and education activities | $3.0 million |
| Multiplier | To support public health through the clean energy transition | $3.0 million |
| Stichting European Climate Foundation | To support public health through clean power efforts | $3.0 million |
| The Energy Foundation | To improve public health and energy security through climate mitigation activities | $3.0 million |
| The London School of Economics and Political Science | To enable research and education regarding the economics of the clean energy transition | $2.5 million |
| Fundo Brasileiro Para A Biodiversidade | To support education and technical assistance with respect to decarbonization | $2.5 million |
| United Nations Office for Project Services | To further public health by supporting the clean energy transition | $2.5 million |
| Center for American Progress | To provide educational support around climate change and environmental programs | $2.3 million |
| Avpn Limited | To accelerate reductions in greenhouse gases for the benefit of public health | $2.0 million |
| Climateworks Foundation | To improve public health through advancements to industrial decarbonization | $2.0 million |
| Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center (Feco) | To support climate collaboration and engagement efforts | $2.0 million |
| World Resources Institute | To support forest restoration | $2.0 million |
| World Resources Institute | To support public health through emissions reductions | $2.0 million |
| Natural Resources Defense Council | To support research in furtherance of the clean energy transition | $1.9 million |
| Sustainable Markets Foundation | To support climate-related education and awareness activities | $1.9 million |
| The Regents of the University of California | To improve public health through decarbonization and the clean energy transition | $1.8 million |
Officers and trustees
- C Frederick Taylor
- Jennifer Reynoso
- Christie Ulman
- Gilbert Ching
- Michelle Moersfelder
- James Jenkin
Questions people ask
Does Sequoia Climate Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Sequoia Climate Foundation give?
$305 million in tax year 2023, across 187 grants, with a typical grant of $1.0 million.
Who runs Sequoia Climate Foundation?
Its 2023 filing lists C Frederick Taylor (Director, Chair), Jennifer Reynoso (Director, Secretary), Christie Ulman (President) and Gilbert Ching (Treasurer, VP of Finance) among 6 officers and trustees.
What does Sequoia Climate Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly environment and conservation, international and education.