ABOUT EGA

A Brief History

The Environmental Grantmakers Association (EGA) was formed with twelve member foundations from across the United States. In 1987, a group of environmental grantmakers met in Washington, D.C. to discuss common interests and to learn about each other's specific programs. As a result of the enthusiasm generated at this meeting, plans were made for future meetings, grants lists exchanged, and a directory of foundation program interests was published. Subsequent meetings reaffirmed this interest for increased communication among grantmakers through EGA. Today, our members represent over 225 foundations from North America and around the world.  EGA is an affinity group of the Council on Foundations.

Mission

The mission of EGA is to help member organizations become more effective environmental grantmakers through information sharing, collaboration and networking. EGA’s vision is one of an informed, diverse, collaborative network of effective grantmakers who are supporting work toward a sustainable world. Recognizing the importance of diverse perspectives, the organization values ecological integrity, justice, environmental stewardship, inclusivity, transparency, accountability and respect, balancing pragmatism with the long view.

Three strategic goals have been identified to achieve the mission and vision:

• Achieve an active, satisfied, and more effective membership
• Serve and enhance the field of environmental philanthropy
• Sustain financial stability, appropriate staff, and governance to assure a cost effective, healthy EGA that meets its programmatic goals.

Board of Directors

• Tracy Austin, Mitsubishi Corporation Foundation for the Americas
• Heidi Binko, WestWind Foundation
• Gretchen Bonfert, The McKnight Foundation
• Stuart Clarke, Town Creek Foundation (chair)
• Anisa Kamadoli Costa, The Tiffany & Co. Foundation (vice-chair)
• Jon Cracknell, JMG Foundation
• Danielle Deane, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
• Michelle DePass, Ford Foundation (secretary)
• Aileen Lee, Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation
• Pete Myers, Jenifer Altman Foundation
• Mike Pratt, Scherman Foundation (treasurer)
• Marni Rosen, Barbara Smith Fund
• Larry Shapiro, Rockefeller Family Fund