About the Fund

Gaia Fund is a San Francisco-based family foundation that began awarding charitable grants in 1995. It was established by Christine Russell and Mark Schlesinger, who both serve as its sole trustees and set grantmaking priorities. The Fund’s name was taken from the earth goddess of Greek mythology, reflecting the founders’ interest in environmental issues.

As of December 31, 2003, Gaia Fund had distributed grants totaling $3,250,600, and had net assets of $11,885,330.

Funding Interests

Gaia Fund considers grant requests that fall within the following broad programmatic areas:

Environment Jewish Life

Photo Source

Specific funding interests within these broad areas, as well as geographic emphasis, can be read by clicking on the highlighted links.

Special consideration is given to organizations with annual operating budgets under $2 million.

On occasion, the Fund may award grants that either (1) do not fall within the broad programmatic areas listed above, or (2) fall within those broad areas, but do not align with our specific funding interests. Such grants are made solely at the Fund’s initiative.

Unsolicited requests for programs that don’t align with our specific funding interests will not be considered.