Swift Foundation is a Private Foundation Supporting Cultural and Biological Diversity through Environmental Protection & the Local Stewardship of Communities around the world.
The Foundation focuses its work on communities outside of the United States where less funding is available.
The first-time grants ranges between $15,000 and $35,000.
Focus Areas
- Acknowledge and affirm the interconnected and holistic nature of addressing biological and cultural diversity.
- Recognize the connection between the presence of Indigenous Peoples and biodiversity in landscapes.
- Regard smallholder agriculture and agroecology as critical to addressing food security and climate change.
- Understand the value of sacred sites as critical to the maintenance and restoration of cultural values and the integrity of landscapes.
- Affirm the significance of connecting local level work with national, regional and international policy change.
- Support integrated approaches to problem solving and linkages between diverse programs, organizations and coalitions.
Past Grantees
- EarthRights International, Peru, $30,000: To conduct legal advocacy and provide support for Indigenous groups, threatened by unsustainable and environmentally deleterious development in the Amazon.
- International Indigenous Women’s Forum (FIMI), Global, $50,000: To strengthen indigenous women’s leadership and empowerment through leadership training, capacity building and small grants programs that promote biological and cultural diversity.
- Indigenous Environmental Network, United States and Global, $20,000: To support organizing, campaigns, advocacy, network building and policy development for Native and Indigenous Peoples working for environmental and economic justice.
Grant Guidelines
- Swift Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals.
- Most first-time grants are between $15,000 and $35,000; with exceptions for a first time grant for a particularly promising, innovative or start-up program, project or organization.
- Swift funds both one-time program grants as well as long-term partnerships. Swift Foundation strives to build trust through long-term partnerships and alliances with organizations.
- After a one-year grant Swift may consider a multi-year grant and occasionally a general support grant.
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