OVERVIEW: The Waverley Street Foundation is a spend-down funder that plans to distribute $3.5 billion in grants to organizations working in the areas of regenerative agriculture and renewable energy by 2035. Grantmaking prioritizes but is not strictly limited to community-based organizations in California.
IP TAKE: The Waverley Street Foundation is a major philanthropic vehicle of Laurene Powell Jobs and has quickly become one of the world’s largest climate funders. As reported at Inside Philanthropy, Waverley’s ambitious goal of spending billions by 2035 has necessitated rapid growth and an evolving grantmaking strategy. As of 2024, Waverley was making hundreds of millions in grants annually, had a full-time staff of 15, and was still “growing,” according to a spokesperson for Waverley. Among major climate funders, Waverley distinguishes itself with its emphasis on supporting frontline, community-based organizations, as well as large re-grantors like Climate Imperative that support such organizations. In a statement to IP, Waverley’s president, Jared Blumenfeld, said, “Waverley Street Foundation is built upon the belief that community-level, place-based change is paramount in addressing climate change — and we’re meeting this crisis with the urgency it demands.”
Waverley is not a particularly accessible funder, and it does not accept unsolicited grant inquiries. Its current focus is California organizations, though it’s possible this strategy will change over time. Waverley’s website specifies that “our near-term focus is on creating regenerative agriculture and renewable energy momentum in California, while we build our understanding and local capacity in countries critical to the climate challenge.” This funder has honed its grantmaking to focus on regenerative agriculture and renewable energy, with a strong focus on grassroots and community-led efforts grounded in social justice. Waverley includes information about select grantees at its website, but does not host a full grants database. Grantseekers working in its specific areas of interest may find some success networking with staff on Linkedin.
PROFILE: Based in Palo Alto, California, the Waverley Street Foundation was founded by Laurene Powell Jobs in 2021 and represents a commitment of over $3.5 billion to “invest in community innovations that are igniting the next chapter of climate action from the ground up.” Its stated giving priorities are regenerative agriculture and renewable energy, and the foundation aims to “cultivate health, justice and joy” by working with community-led groups. Grantmaking is global in scope but prioritizes the state of California.
Grants for Clean Energy
Waverley’s renewable energy focus area targets initiatives for clean energy transition that protect the health of communities and spark economic growth and opportunity.
- One recent grant supported the work of the Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund, which collaborated with United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, North Dakota to install solar power and train students in the technology.
- Another grantee, the SELCO Foundation, aims to bring solar solutions to rural agricultural areas in India.
- Other grantees include the Climate Imperative, Clean Future Forum, Potential Energy Coalition, the Environmental Collaboratorty at Drexel University and the Rural Climate Partnership.
Grants for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems
Regenerative farming is Waverley’s second major grantmaking area. Giving focuses on community-based programs that “increase crop yields, reduce costs, and improve resilience to climate change.”
- The foundation has provided support to the Chef Ann Foundation, which aims to bring healthy food and sustainable practices to school cafeterias across the country.
- In Sonoma, the foundation has made grants to Earthseed Farm, a “14-acre solar-powered organic permaculture farm” that honors Afro-Indigenous culture and practices.
- Other regenerative agriculture grantees include the Agroecology Fund, Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, Rural Climate Partnership, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and the National Young Farmer’s Initiative.
Important Grant Details:
The Waverley Foundation’s grants typically range from $1 million to tens of millions, representing multi-year commitments to its grantee partners. Most grants, however, fall in the $1 million to $2 million range.
- The foundation has committed to spending down a total of $3.5 billion toward its grantmaking goals by 2035.
- The Waverley Foundation primarily supports organizations based in the United States. Outside of the U.S., its grantmaking mainly centers around India and Latin America, along with global partnerships and large re-grantors.
- At this stage in its development, the foundation is not accepting unsolicited proposals or requests for funding.
- For additional information about its grantmaking, see the foundation’s Work page, which features profiles of grantee organizations.
Grantseekers may reach out via the foundation’s contact page. The foundation’s team page features links to staff members’ LinkedIn pages, which provides an additional means of networking with this funder.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
LINKS: