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Better Natures Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Better Natures Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$784k
Granted FY2025still arriving
32
Grants FY2025still arriving
11
States reached
$50k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0194% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2022 to 2024.

Environment$411kAnimals$329kEducation$140kPhilanthropy$140kInternational$57kScience & Tech$50kFood & Nutrition$40kHuman Services$40kOther$0
02FY2025 · 32 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k2 grants · $14k
  • $10k–50k27 grants · $620k
  • $50k–250k3 grants · $150k
$25,000
Median grant
11
States reached
$15M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
AFRICIAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION$50,000
WILDAID$50,000
ROCKY HILL COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL$50,000
EMPOWERS AFRICIA$40,000
OCEAN CONSERVANCY$40,000
Individual grant recipient$30,000
ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND$30,000
FOUNDERS PLEDGE$30,000
NATURE CONSERVANCY (RHODE ISLAND)$30,000
CORAL REEF ALLIANCE$25,000
RI COMMUNITY FOOD BANK$25,000
REEF ENVIROMENTAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION$25,000
AMICA CENTER FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS$25,000
THE CLIMATE REALITY PROJECT$25,000
RAINFOREST TRUST$25,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY23–25, $70k) land where the poverty rate runs at 15%, against an area that typically sits at 9%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 9%CHILDRENS FRIEND: $20k → 14%CHILDRENS FRIEND: $20k → 14%INN0CENCE PROJECT: $10k → 17%INN0CENCE PROJECT: $10k → 17%INNOCENCE PROJECT: $10k → 17%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

WA
IL
WI
NY
MA
RI
CA
CO
VA
DC
FL
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

91%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$1.8M · 28 repeat orgs$174k to everyone else

28 repeat relationships: 26 still active in FY2025, 2 since wound down; 5 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

28
10

Total granted

$1.8M
$93k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+11%
+40%

Still filing today

86%
50%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 89% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $81k went to new ones.

50%100%’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’22’23’24’25
AnimalsEnvironmentInternationalEducationHuman ServicesYouth DevelopmentOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • WI
    WILDAID INC
    4× · 2022–2025 · $156k · revenue +203%
  • RH
    ROCKY HILL COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
    3× · 2023–2025 · $150k · revenue +2%
  • OC
    OCEAN CONSERVANCY
    3× · 2023–2025 · $130k · revenue +0%

Funded once

  • IG
    Individual grant recipient
    one grant, 2023 · $25k
  • CF
    CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW INCgraduated
    one grant, 2023 · $25k · revenue +40%
  • MC
    MARINE CONSERVATION BIOLOGY INSTITUTE
    one grant, 2023 · $10k · revenue -11%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Conservation International Foundation

Ci works to spotlight and secure the critical benefits that nature provides to humanity.

Environment
2
World Wildlife Fund Inc

Wwf's mission is to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on earth. (continued on schedule o)

Environment
3
Asociacion Interamericana Para La Defensa Del Ambiente

To strenghten people's ability to guarantee their individual and collective right to a healthy environment, via the development, implementation, and effective enforcement of national and international law.

Crime & Legal
4
Friends of the Earth

Friends of the earth strives for a more healthy and just world by defendng the environment and human health while advancing social and economic justice by conducting research and education, transforming the economy so it protects the…

Environment
5
Rainforest Foundation Inc

The purpose of rainforest foundation us is to support indigenous peoples and forest communities in their efforts to secure their lands, protect their environment, and uphold their rights.

Environment
6
Conservation Law Foundation Inc

Conservation law foundation, inc. (clf) protects new england's environment for the benefit of all people and future generations. we use the law, science, and markets to create solutions that preserve and restore our natural resources,…

Environment
7
Rare

Rare inspires change so people and nature thrive.

Environment
8
Environmental Investigation Agency

To establish and promote programs to protect the global climate, forests, wildlife and the natural environment, through research, advocacy, and investigation.

International
9
Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide

Educational & charitable. to provide legal and scientific information to public interest attorneys and scientists in numerous countries.

—
10
Faunalytics

Empower animal advocates with research, insights, and strategies that maximize their effectiveness to end animal suffering.

—
11
National Caucus of Environmental Legislators

The national caucus of environmental legislators empowers a nonpartisan network of legislative champions to protect, conserve, and improve the natural and human environment.

Education
12
Resource Renewal Institute

The resource renewal institute facilitates the creation, development and implementation of practical strategies to solve the entire complex environmental problem by addressing it comprehensively.

Environment
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Wildaid Inc; the most unlike its peers is Children's Friend and Service. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

34 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2026.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2026, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 34 of the 44 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

1
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
7
Early backer (in before they grew)
34/34
Grantees still filing
21/34
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

WILDAID INC: $156,000 · AnimalsWILDAID INCAFRICAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION INC: $100,000 · AnimalsAFRICAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATI…Defenders of Wildlife: $80,000 · AnimalsDefenders of WildlifeANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND INC: $70,000 · AnimalsANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND…CREATURE CONSERVE INC: $38,000 · AnimalsCREATURE CONSERVE INCAMICI CANNIS: $30,000 · AnimalsAMICI CANNIS+2 more: $15,000 · AnimalsOCEAN CONSERVANCY: $130,000 · EnvironmentOCEAN CONSERVANCYTHE ALLIANCE FOR CLIMATE PROTECTION: $75,000 · EnvironmentTHE ALLIANCE FOR CLIMAT…OCEANA INC: $75,000 · EnvironmentOCEANA INCTHE CORAL REEF ALLIANCE: $75,000 · EnvironmentTHE CORAL REEF ALLIANCEENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND INCORPORATED: $55,000 · EnvironmentENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE F…EARTHJUSTICE: $20,000 · EnvironmentOUR CHILDREN'S TRUST: $20,000 · EnvironmentROCKY HILL COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL: $150,000 · OtherROCKY HILL COUNTRY DAY SCHOOLIndividual grant recipient: $85,000 · OtherIndividual grant recipientRI COMMUNITY FOOD BANK: $65,000 · OtherRI COMMUNITY FOOD BANKNATURE CONSERVANCY (RHODE ISLAND): $60,000 · OtherNATURE CONSERVANCY (RHODE ISLAND)Individual grant recipient: $25,000 · OtherREEF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION: $50,000 · OtherREEF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOUNDA…FREEDOM FROM RELIGION FOUNDATION INC: $45,000 · OtherFREEDOM FROM RELIGION FOUNDATION IN…Physicians Committee for Responsible Med: $40,000 · OtherPhysicians Committee for Responsibl…PROVIDENCE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM: $30,000 · OtherCAPITAL AREA IMMIGRANTS' RIGHTS COALITION: $25,000 · Other+11 more: $101,000 · Other+11 moreEMPOWERS AFRICA INC: $96,500 · InternationalEMPOWERS AFRI…THE UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS INC: $75,000 · InternationalTHE UNION OF …RAINFOREST TRUST: $65,000 · InternationalRAINFOREST TR…CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW INC: $25,000 · InternationalCENTER FOR IN…FOUNDERS PLEDGE INC: $170,000 · PhilanthropyCHILDREN'S FRIEND AND SERVICE: $40,000 · Human ServicesTHE INNOCENCE PROJECT INC: $30,000 · Human ServicesONEGOAL: $50,000 · Youth Development
Animals$489,000Environment$450,000Other$676,000International$261,500Philanthropy$170,000Human Services$70,000Youth Development$50,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetFOUNDERS PLEDGE INC: $170,000 over 3y, 0.3% of budgetWILDAID INC: $156,000 over 4y, 0.6% of budgetROCKY HILL COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL: $150,000 over 3y, 0.4% of budgetOCEAN CONSERVANCY: $130,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetAFRICAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION INC: $100,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetEMPOWERS AFRICA INC: $96,500 over 4y, 0.6% of budgetDefenders of Wildlife: $80,000 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetTHE ALLIANCE FOR CLIMATE PROTECTION: $75,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetTHE UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS INC: $75,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetOCEANA INC: $75,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetTHE CORAL REEF ALLIANCE: $75,000 over 3y, 0.6% of budgetANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE FUND INC: $70,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetRAINFOREST TRUST: $65,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND INCORPORATED: $55,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetONEGOAL: $50,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetREEF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION: $50,000 over 2y, 0.5% of budgetFREEDOM FROM RELIGION FOUNDATION INC: $45,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetCHILDREN'S FRIEND AND SERVICE: $40,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetPhysicians Committee for Responsible Med: $40,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetCREATURE CONSERVE INC: $38,000 over 2y, 25% of budgetAMICI CANNIS: $30,000 over 3y, 1.7% of budgetTHE INNOCENCE PROJECT INC: $30,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetPROVIDENCE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM: $30,000 over 3y, 0.4% of budgetCENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW INC: $25,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetMY STUFF BAGS FOUNDATION: $20,000 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetEARTHJUSTICE: $20,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetOUR CHILDREN'S TRUST: $20,000 over 1y, 2.5% of budgetHETERODOX ACADEMY: $17,500 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetMARINE CONSERVATION BIOLOGY INSTITUTE: $10,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetPROVIDENCE ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetRIVMA COMPANION ANIMAL FOUNDATION: $10,000 over 1y, 5.4% of budgetGREAT PLAINS CONSERVATION FOUNDATION: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

The Rhode Island Comm…Marin Community Found…Gs Donor Advised Phil…National Philanthropi…Shell USA Company Fou…The Bank of America C…Morgan Stanley Global…Jpmorgan Chase Founda…The Pfizer Foundation…Vanguard Charitable E…American Online Givin…Paypal Charitable Giv…
The Rhode Island Community FoundationRI15.1× affinity5 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Rhode Island Community Foundation · Marin Community Foundation · Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund for Wealth Management Inc · National Philanthropic Trust · Shell USA Company Foundation · The Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc · Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc · Jpmorgan Chase Foundation · The Pfizer Foundation Inc · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · American Online Giving Foundation Inc · Paypal Charitable Giving Fund

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Better Natures Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Better Natures Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 30%2%8%17%30%funder's share of their income ↑0%23%45%68%90%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    3get no government money at all
    3report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–90%
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
    05Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to Better Natures Foundation?

    Find your warmest path to Better Natures Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

    Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 44 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Better Natures’ filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home