The Volgenau Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The Volgenau Foundation is a private foundation in McLean, Virginia. In tax year 2024 it gave $13.4 million in 60 grants; the typical grant was $112,500 and the largest $4.1 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$13.4 million
- Number of grants60
- Typical grant$112,500
- Largest grant$4.1 million
- Assets$166 million
- New grantees24%
Giving in 2024 was up from $11.4 million the year before.
24% of its 2024 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $11.4 million | 51 | $155 million |
| 2024 | $13.4 million | 60 | $166 million |
How to apply
The Volgenau 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 The Volgenau Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 16 states, the most to Virginia.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 7 | $4.6 million |
| District of Columbia | 12 | $1.9 million |
| California | 12 | $1.7 million |
| Montana | 7 | $1.6 million |
| New York | 3 | $850,000 |
| Maryland | 4 | $475,000 |
| Alaska | 2 | $350,000 |
| Colorado | 2 | $350,000 |
| Massachusetts | 2 | $350,000 |
| West Virginia | 1 | $300,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Volgenau Climate Initiative | 2 payments toward 2023 3-year pledge | $4.1 million |
| Plastic Solutions Fund A Sponsored Project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advi | Plastic solutions fund | $500,000 |
| Center for Large Landscape Conservation | Catalyzing landscape conservation and connectivity in the u.s. | $400,000 |
| Greater Yellowstone Coalition | Protecting the engine of the ecosystem: greater yellowstone wildlife migrations | $400,000 |
| National Parks Conservation Association | Protecting national park wildlife | $400,000 |
| Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative | General operating support - connecting and protecting wildlife habitat | $400,000 |
| Naturebridge- West Coast | Naturebridge access, growth and leadership | $350,000 |
| Appalachian Trail Conservancy | Preserving a.t. Landscape connectivity through collaborative conservation and resource stewardship | $300,000 |
| Indigenous Led A Project of Wild Foundation | Rising to the challenge of our collective planetary crises: the case for indigenous-led conservation | $300,000 |
| Land Trust Alliancecbfn | To advance nature-based climate solutions through land conservation | $300,000 |
| Alaska Wilderness League | Protecting america's arctic | $250,000 |
| Defenders of Wildlife | Protecting alaskas biodiversity and restoring imperiled species | $250,000 |
| Earthjustice | Dam free by 2030 | $250,000 |
| Shark Conservation Fund A Project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors | Protecting the world's sharks and rays | $250,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy of California | Jack and laura dangermond preserve - the nature of discovery | $250,000 |
| The Wyldlife Fund | Pooled migration fund | $250,000 |
| American Prairie Reserve | Wild sky program support in 2025 | $200,000 |
| New England Aquarium | Saving the na right whale: understanding and mitigating anthropogenic threats and fostering recovery | $200,000 |
| Wildlands Network | Improving habitat connectivity and red wolf science to advance population recovery | $200,000 |
| Alaska Conservation Foundation | Alaska mining impacts network/northern latitudes partnership | $175,000 |
| Trustees for Alaska | Fighting climate change by keeping oil and gas in the ground and protecting public lands in alaska | $175,000 |
| Defenders of Wildlife | Recovering two icons of wild america, the florida panther and the mexican gray wolf | $150,000 |
| From the Top | Be the change: from the top at 25 | $150,000 |
| National Marine Sanctuary Foundation | Understanding and mitigating anthropogenic threats to our national marine sanctuaries | $150,000 |
| National Symphony Orchestra (Nso) of the John F Kennedy Center for the Perf | The national symphony orchestras young peoples concerts | $150,000 |
| River Partners | Restoring california river corridors: essential habitat connectivity for wildlife recovery | $150,000 |
| Smithsonian Institute | Responding to conservation challenges for threatened/endangered species: swift fox, red wolf & coral | $150,000 |
| National Marine Sanctuary Foundation | Ecology & vulnerability of top predators in stellwagen bank national marine sanctuary | $125,000 |
| People and Carnivores | Expanding resources for expanding grizzly and black bears | $125,000 |
| Smithsonian Institute | Virginia grassland bird initiative (vgbi) | $125,000 |
| Arc A Project of See (Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs) | Ensuring sustained investment in the next-generation of wildlife connectivity infrastructure | $100,000 |
| Audubon California A State Program of the National Audubon Society | Network of conserved lands and waters for birds in california and the pacific flyway | $100,000 |
| Endangered Species Coalition | Rocky mountain wolf and grizzly protection and recovery | $100,000 |
| Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region | Maritime e-STEM voyages and kingman and heritage islands | $100,000 |
| Northern Chumash Tribal Council | Chumash heritage national marine sanctuary designation 2024 | $100,000 |
| Piedmont Environmental Council | Rappahannock-rapidan conservation initiative | $100,000 |
| Point Blue Conservation Science | Protecting iconic wildlife | $100,000 |
| Potomac Conservancy | Potomac headwaters conservation project | $100,000 |
| Project Coyote | Coexisting with carnivores | $100,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy of California | Thriving wetlands for birds: science to support improving and expanding habitat | $100,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Ernst Volgenau
- Lisa Volgenau
- Lauren Volgenau-Knapp
- Jennifer Volgenau Wiley
- Chris Decardy
- Jonathan Kaledin
- Andrea Pearl
Questions people ask
Does The Volgenau Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Volgenau Foundation give?
$13.4 million in tax year 2024, across 60 grants, with a typical grant of $112,500.
Who runs The Volgenau Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Ernst Volgenau (President), Lisa Volgenau (Director and VP, Environment), Lauren Volgenau-Knapp (Director and VP, Environment) and Jennifer Volgenau Wiley (Director and VP, Administration) among 7 officers and trustees.
What does The Volgenau Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly environment and conservation, education and arts and culture.