Thomas O Brown Foundation
The organization is a private foundation dedicated to environmental conservation, with a strong focus on the preservation of national parks and wildlife. Its mission emphasizes the protection and conservation of natural landscapes, including efforts to maintain park lands, wildlife habitats, and specific ecosystems such as the Palouse region and redwood forests. The foundation primarily supports organizations that work towards these conservation goals, reflecting a commitment to enhancing public access to natural areas through trails and non-motorized transportation. Its funding activities span various states, with a notable emphasis on national parks and wildlife preservation initiatives.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Mid‑sized conservation nonprofits or park foundations working on national parks, land conservation, or regional trail/park projects with established track records and existing relationships into the conservation community.
Good Fit
- • Clear mission alignment with national parks, land or wildlife preservation.
- • Project or program scale in the roughly $10k–$60k range.
- • Existing relationships or introductions to trustees or current grantees.
- • Geographic relevance to states the fund has supported (for example Montana, DC, WY, CO, WA, CA, MI, ID).
- • Ability to accept restricted/project grants and report outcomes.
Geography
Observed grants covered nine states in the latest year and the foundation consistently funds out‑of‑state conservation organizations rather than restricting giving to its home state, indicating a multi‑state/national footprint.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funded 11 distinct recipients in the latest year (and 13–14 in prior years), across a range of independent conservation and park organizations rather than a single captive beneficiary.
New Applicants
The fund declares it supports only preselected applicants and there is no public website or submission route; while three new recipients appeared in the latest year, the majority of grants went to returning grantees, so unsolicited applicants are unlikely to enter the portfolio without introductions.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
