The Marisla Foundation
The Marisla Foundation is a private, non-operating foundation established in 1986 that awards quarterly grants in Environment and Human Services and a Special Interests category. The Foundation uses a FoundationSource-hosted online application portal which provides guidelines, deadlines, contact emails, and program director names.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Established 501(c)(3) organizations focused on marine/coastal conservation, broader environmental protection, or program-aligned human services (human services funding is restricted geographically and often channeled via community foundation partners).
Good Fit
- • Mission focused on ocean, coastal, or environmental conservation (including plastics reduction and coastal resilience).
- • Clear nonprofit status under 501(c)(3).
- • Willingness to apply through the FoundationSource online portal and meet quarterly deadlines.
- • Ability to accept general support or unrestricted funding and to manage mid-to-large institutional grants.
- • For human services, operating presence in Orange County or Los Angeles and familiarity with community foundation channels.
Geography
Observed grants in the latest year reached 26 states; while California receives a large share (about 44% of dollars), funding is distributed nationally across many other states.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows 194 distinct recipients and three years of activity with 159 returning recipients and 35 new grantees in 2024, indicating a broad and mostly independent recipient base despite some dollar concentration among top awards.
New Applicants
A public FoundationSource application portal, published deadlines, and program contacts exist, and the foundation added roughly 35 new recipients in the latest year, so unfamiliar organizations have a clear procedural route to apply and have been admitted into the portfolio.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
