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The Brainerd Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The Brainerd Foundation

Its FY2020 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$3.3M
Granted FY2020
98
Grants FY2020
15
States reached
$1.0M
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its fieldRead
04Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
01FY2020 · 98 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2020

  • Under $10k50 grants · $60k
  • $10k–50k22 grants · $390k
  • $50k–250k24 grants · $1.6M
  • $250k+2 grants · $1.3M
$8,000
Median grant
15
States reached
$1.6M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
OREGON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION$1,002,374
LEAGUE OF CONSERV VOTERS ED FND$250,000
SOCIAL VENTURE PARTNERS$150,000
MONTANA CONSERVATION VOTERS ED FUND$100,000
EARTHJUSTICE$100,000
ALASKA CENTER EDUCATION FUND$75,000
ALASKA CENTER EDUCATION FUND$75,000
CENTRAL OREGON LANDWATCH$75,000
CENTRAL OREGON LANDWATCH$75,000
EARTHJUSTICE$75,000
ECOJUSTICE CANADA SOCIETY$75,000
OLCV ED FUND$75,000
TRUSTEES FOR ALASKA$75,000
NEW VENTURE FUND$60,000
MONTANA CONSERVATION VOTERS ED FUND$60,000
02The need
02

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 (FY20–20, $5k) land where the poverty rate runs at 10%, against an area that typically sits at 9%. 98% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 9%GREAT OLD BROADS FOR WILDERNESS: $250 → 12%TIDES CENTER: $5k → 10%WESTSIDE BABY: $100 → 9%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

AK
WA
ID
MT
NY
OR
CA
CO
NE
VA
MD
AR
TN
NC
DC
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.
03

Where the work is directed

The same grants placed two ways: where each recipient sits, and where its stated purpose sends the money.

About 31% of The Brainerd Foundation’s grant dollars are earmarked for a different county than the recipient’s own address.

The Brainerd Foundationlessmore of its giving
Placed by recipient address · 5.8% directed abroad (not shown)
How this is measured
Recipient view: each grant at its grantee’s ZIP, mapped to a county. Directed view: each grant at the county its stated purpose names, falling back to the recipient’s county when the purpose names no place; US grants only. A county shows only if it carries the top 95% of that view’s dollars. Purposes are read from the funder’s own 990 grant descriptions.
03Its 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
Cascadia Wildlands

Cascadia wildlands defends and restores cacasia's wild ecosystems in the forests,in the courts, and in the streets. we envision vast old-growth forests, rivers full of wild salmon, wolves howling in the backcountry, a stable climate, and…

Environment
2
Western Rivers Conservancy

Western rivers conservancy's mission is to protect outstanding river ecosystems in the western united states. continued on schedule o.we acquire land to conserve critical habitat, provide public access for compatible use and enjoyment, and…

Environment
3
Washington Wild

Washington wild protects and restores wild lands and waters in washington state through advocacy, education and civic engagement.

Animals
4
Wildearth Guardians

Wildearth guardians works to protect and restore the wildlife, wild places, wild rivers, and health of the american west.

Unclassified
5
Northwest Environmental Defense Center

Nedc's mission is to work toward a future in which the pacific northwest leads the nation in developing, implementing & enforcing strong laws and regulations that protect the environment & human health, and where our governments &…

—
6
Washington Forest Law Center

Dedicated to protecting the world's natural environment on behalf of the public by serving as a public interest law firm. refer to schedule o, part iii, line 4a, for list of litigated cases or advocacy work.

—
7
CalWild

The California Wilderness Coalition protects the natural landscapes that make California unique, providing clean air and water, a home to wildlife, and a place for recreation and spiritual renewal.

—
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
Southern Oregon Land Conservancy Inc

To conserve and enhance land in southern oregon to sustain our human and natural communities forever.

Environment
10
Environmental Law and Policy Center of the Midwest

The environmental law & policy center (elpc) is the midwest's leading public interest environmental legal advocacy and ecobusiness innovation organization, and among the nation's leaders. we develop and lead successful strategic…

Environment
11
Oregon Natural Resources Council Fund Oregon Wild

Oregon Wild works to protect and restore Oregon's wildlands, wildlife and waters as an enduring legacy for future generations.

Environment
12
Center for Environmental Law & Policy

The Center for Environmental Law & Policy is a statewide organization whose mission is to protect, preserve and restore Washington's waters through education, advocacy, policy reform, and public interest litigation.

Environment
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Environmental Integrity Project; the most unlike its peers is Emerald City Pet Rescue. 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

48 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

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 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 48 of the 74 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.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
13
Early backer (in before they grew)
48/48
Grantees still filing
41/48
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

LEAGUE OF CONSERV VOTERS ED FND: $300,000 · OtherLEAGUE OF CONSERV VOTERS ED FNDCENTRAL OREGON LANDWATCH: $160,000 · OtherCENTRAL OREGON LANDWATCHMONTANA CONSERVATION VOTERS ED FUND: $160,000 · OtherMONTANA CONSERVATION VOTERS ED FUNDOLCV ED FUND: $135,000 · OtherOLCV ED FUNDCONSERVATION VOTERS FOR ID ED FUND: $110,000 · OtherCONSERVATION VOTERS FOR ID ED FUNDECOJUSTICE CANADA SOCIETY: $75,000 · OtherECOJUSTICE CANADA SOCIETYOREGON NATURAL DESERT ASSOCIATION: $60,000 · OtherMAKEWAY CHARITABLE SOCIETY: $60,000 · OtherWILDSIGHT: $50,000 · OtherSODA MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS COUNCIL: $50,000 · OtherIDAHO CONSERVATION LEAGUE INC: $45,000 · Other+29 more: $93,090 · Other+29 moreTHE OREGON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $1,002,374 · PhilanthropyTHE OREGON COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONSOCIAL VENTURE PARTNERS: $158,000 · PhilanthropySOCIAL VENTURE PARTNERS+1 more: $50 · PhilanthropyEARTHJUSTICE: $181,500 · EnvironmentEARTHJUSTICETHE ALASKA CENTER EDUCATION FUND: $150,500 · EnvironmentTHE ALASKA CENTER EDUCAT…TRUSTEES FOR ALASKA: $75,000 · EnvironmentTRUSTEES FOR ALASKAMontana Environmental Information Center: $70,000 · EnvironmentMontana Environmental In…WASHINGTON CONSERVATION ACTION EDUCATION FUND: $60,500 · EnvironmentWASHINGTON CONSERVATION …NEW VENTURE FUND: $60,000 · EnvironmentNEW VENTURE FUNDENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY PROJECT: $25,000 · EnvironmentThe Partnership Project Inc: $25,000 · EnvironmentENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION NETWORK: $25,000 · Environment+11 more: $63,000 · Environment+11 moreTHE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA FOUNDATION: $50,000 · Education+3 more: $750 · EducationNEO Philanthropy Inc: $25,000 · Public BenefitSTATE LEADERSHIP PROJECT: $25,000 · Public BenefitTROUT UNLIMITED INC: $42,000 · Animals+1 more: $50 · AnimalsTIDES CENTER: $5,000 · Human ServicesGREAT OLD BROADS FOR WILDERNESS: $250 · Human Services+1 more: $100 · Human Services
Other$1,298,090Philanthropy$1,160,424Environment$735,500Education$50,750Public Benefit$50,000Animals$42,050Human Services$5,350

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 budgetTHE OREGON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $1,002,374 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetEARTHJUSTICE: $181,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetCENTRAL OREGON LANDWATCH: $160,000 over 1y, 15% of budgetSOCIAL VENTURE PARTNERS: $158,000 over 1y, 8.4% of budgetTHE ALASKA CENTER EDUCATION FUND: $150,500 over 1y, 5.1% of budgetTRUSTEES FOR ALASKA: $75,000 over 1y, 3.6% of budgetMontana Environmental Information Center: $70,000 over 1y, 7.4% of budgetWASHINGTON CONSERVATION ACTION EDUCATION FUND: $60,500 over 1y, 1.4% of budgetOREGON NATURAL DESERT ASSOCIATION: $60,000 over 1y, 3.1% of budgetNEW VENTURE FUND: $60,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSODA MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS COUNCIL: $50,000 over 1y, 19% of budgetTHE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA FOUNDATION: $50,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetIDAHO CONSERVATION LEAGUE INC: $45,000 over 1y, 2.1% of budgetTROUT UNLIMITED INC: $42,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetWaterWatch of Oregon: $30,000 over 1y, 3.8% of budgetENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY PROJECT: $25,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetThe Partnership Project Inc: $25,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetNEO Philanthropy Inc: $25,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION NETWORK: $25,000 over 1y, 3.8% of budgetSTATE LEADERSHIP PROJECT: $25,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetWILD HOPE INC SIERRA TREKS/LITTLEFOOT EXPEDITIONS: $17,000 over 1y, 9.1% of budgetDeschutes Land Trust: $11,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetAMERICAN RIVERS INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetCRAG LAW CENTER: $10,000 over 1y, 0.7% of budgetRENEWABLE ENERGY ALASKA PROJECT: $10,000 over 1y, 1.0% of budgetADVOCATES FOR THE WEST INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetYAAK VALLEY FOREST COUNCIL: $5,000 over 1y, 1.3% of budgetTIDES CENTER: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPUGET SOUND SAGE: $4,500 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetOREGON DESERT LAND TRUST: $1,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetUNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBALLARD FOOD BANK: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCONSERVATION NW: $400 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION: $400 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGREAT OLD BROADS FOR WILDERNESS: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetOregon State University Foundation: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetENVIRONMENTAL LAW ALLIANCE WORLDWIDE: $200 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMaris Place: $100 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTeam River Runner Incorporated: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWESTSIDE BABY: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWESTSIDE SCHOOL: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE ACTORS' FUND OF AMERICA: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNEW BEGINNINGS: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetEMERALD CITY PET RESCUE: $50 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGREATER GOOD CHARITIES: $50 over 1y, 0.0% 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.

PatagoniaorgThe Bullitt FoundationWilburforce FoundationThe Oregon Community …Seattle FoundationThe Burning FoundationResources Legacy FundImpactassetsincHarder FoundationThe Lazar FoundationAria Foundation Co Tg…Tortuga Charitable Fo…
PatagoniaorgCA33.7× affinity15 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Patagoniaorg · The Bullitt Foundation · Wilburforce Foundation · The Oregon Community Foundation · Seattle Foundation · The Burning Foundation · Resources Legacy Fund · Impactassetsinc · Harder Foundation · The Lazar Foundation · Aria Foundation Co Tg Tax & Accounting Services LLC · Tortuga Charitable Foundation

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 The Brainerd Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Brainerd Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 50%1%5%11%20%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →median 19%
  • WaterWatch of Oregon: 61% of income from government
  • Deschutes Land Trust: 46% of income from government
  • Team River Runner Incorporated: 19% of income from government
  • Oregon Natural Desert Association: 9% of income from government
  • The Oregon Community Foundation: 2% of income from government
  • Oregon State University Foundation: 0% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
5get no government money at all
10report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
1rely on government for over half their income
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.
04Through Plinth

Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

How do I get to The Brainerd Foundation?

Find your warmest path to The Brainerd 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 74 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 2020, released 2020. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Brainerd’s 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