Islands Fund
Preselected recipients only
Islands Fund is a private foundation in Boise, Idaho. In tax year 2024 it gave $16.2 million in 81 grants; the typical grant was $70,000 and the largest $2.4 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$16.2 million
- Number of grants81
- Typical grant$70,000
- Largest grant$2.4 million
- Assets$350 million
- New grantees9%
Giving in 2024 was up from $14.6 million the year before.
9% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, so most of its money goes to organizations it already funds.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $14.6 million | 77 | $319 million |
| 2024 | $16.2 million | 81 | $350 million |
How to apply
Islands Fund 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.
What Islands Fund funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 14 states, the most to Washington. It also paid $580,000 in 3 grants to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 34 | $6.8 million |
| Colorado | 8 | $2.6 million |
| Vermont | 3 | $1.4 million |
| California | 10 | $1.1 million |
| Montana | 4 | $1.1 million |
| New York | 7 | $895,000 |
| West Virginia | 1 | $800,000 |
| Idaho | 4 | $370,000 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $200,000 |
| North Carolina | 1 | $135,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle Foundation | Donor advised fund | $2.4 million |
| Aloha Foundation | 5 permanently restricted endowments | $1.4 million |
| Nature Conservancy (Co) | 777 dakota partnership stewardship endowment | $1.0 million |
| Nature Conservancy (Mt) | Northern great plains land protection and grassbank 2.0 | $850,000 |
| Nature Conservancy (Co) | Youth education and outreach, and southern high plains conservation | $830,000 |
| Future Generations University | General operations and permanent leadership endowment | $800,000 |
| Nature Conservancy (Wa) | Conservation and stewardship for wa state | $600,000 |
| Colgate University | Hudson scholarship fund and aizawa fund for overseas study (equal split) | $500,000 |
| Outdoorsforall | Financial aid and general program support | $500,000 |
| Yellowstone to Yukon | Private lands acquisition fund | $500,000 |
| Big Sur Land Trust | Youth outdoor programs, ferrini ranch project and endowment | $450,000 |
| Special Olympics Wa | Program support for disabled athletes | $360,000 |
| Aspen Center for Environmental Studies | Children's education fund and rock bottom ranch endowment | $300,000 |
| Islandwood | Youth environmental education programming | $300,000 |
| Skagit Land Trust | Youth engagement programs and samish river wetlands project | $285,500 |
| Hamlin Robinson School | Scholarships/financial aid and endowment | $275,000 |
| San Juan Preservation Trust | North shore orcas island conservation easement | $259,097 |
| Int'l Mtn Biking Assoc (Imba) | Trails & towns, trail accelerator and education | $250,000 |
| O'Dea High School Foundation | Financial aid endowment | $250,000 |
| Sun Valley Museum of Art | Education endowment | $250,000 |
| National Parks Conservation Association | Pacific northwest programs for veterans | $200,000 |
| Wa Trails Association | Youth programs | $175,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of the Great NW | Teen council and education programs | $160,000 |
| North Cascades Institute | Mountain school and youth leadership adventures | $150,000 |
| Thacher School | Financial aid fund | $150,000 |
| Trail Blazers | Scholarship fund | $150,000 |
| Treehouse | Graduation success and summer camp scholarships | $150,000 |
| Bird Note | Bird note 2025 productions and distribution | $135,000 |
| Dartmouth College | Outdoor programs office for dartmouth outing club | $100,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Mar Monte | Y-led program | $100,000 |
| Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers | Young stewards program | $100,000 |
| Trail Blazers | General operating support | $100,000 |
| Trout Unlimited | Ending mine contamination and wenatchee beaver project | $100,000 |
| Snow Leopard Conservancy | Programs, per proposal | $94,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue | Summer camp scholarships | $85,000 |
| Mearth | Environmental stewardship education | $85,000 |
| Audubon Society | Conservation projects in puget sound and sagelands and education programs | $75,000 |
| Teller Wildlife Refuge | Conservation in the classroom program | $75,000 |
| Wilderness Land Trust | Pacific northwest programs | $75,000 |
| Arboretum Foundation | Environmental education programs for schools | $70,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Rick S Werner
- George G Gulick
- E Leeds Gulick
- James Flaggert
- Lydia Gulick
- Shelby Luce
- Graeme Gulick
Questions people ask
Does Islands Fund accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Islands Fund give?
$16.2 million in tax year 2024, across 81 grants, with a typical grant of $70,000.
Who runs Islands Fund?
Its 2024 filing lists Rick S Werner (Director), George G Gulick (Director), E Leeds Gulick (Director) and James Flaggert (Director) among 7 officers and trustees.
What does Islands Fund fund?
Based on its grants, mainly environment and conservation, education and youth programs.