The Lincoln Ellsworth Foundation
This organization is a private foundation dedicated to providing general funding to a variety of causes, with a strong emphasis on animal welfare, wildlife conservation, and environmental initiatives. It supports organizations such as animal shelters, wildlife conservation centers, and educational institutions, reflecting a commitment to both community service and cultural enrichment. The foundation primarily serves recipients in the nonprofit sector, including museums and educational nonprofits, indicating a broad interest in supporting diverse community needs.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Established nonprofits, especially in animal welfare, wildlife/environmental conservation, museums or education, with an existing relationship or local presence in the foundation's home state.
Good Fit
- • Organizational mission in animal welfare, wildlife conservation, environment, museums, or education.
- • Existing relationships or introductions to trustees, board members, or mutual funders.
- • Operations or programs based in the foundation’s home state or a demonstrated service footprint there.
- • A request for general operating support or unrestricted funding at the scale of typical grants (~$5K–$35K).
- • Track record of prior or neighboring funder support suggesting credibility to the trustees.
Geography
Observed giving is heavily concentrated in the foundation's home state (about 77% of dollars) but grants were made across seven states in the latest year, indicating a primarily state-level footprint with some out-of-state awards.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows 19 distinct grantees (and similar counts in prior years) with a mix of returning and new recipients, indicating a broad and diverse recipient set rather than a tiny closed circle.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of turnover exists (five new recipients in the latest year), so new entrants do appear occasionally, but the foundation explicitly states it funds only preselected applicants and has no public application route, which limits clear access for unfamiliar applicants.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
