Mission Statement

"The Mission of The Sierra Club Foundation is to advance the preservation and protection of the natural environment by empowering the citizenry, especially democratically-based grassroots organizations, with charitable resources to further the cause of environmental protection. The Sierra Club is the vehicle through which The Sierra Club Foundation generally fulfills its charitable mission."

Foundation History

In 1960, during The Sierra Club Foundation's first year of operation, donors entered the details of their gifts in a small canvas register by hand, and the year's assets amounted to $3,797. Things have changed since then. In 2000, The Foundation managed more than $85,000,000 in assets, including trusts and endowments.

Working as a funding resource for the environmental community, The Foundation offers its services in receiving, administering, and disbursing funds for tax-exempt charitable, scientific, literary, and educational purposes both to the Sierra Club and to other environmental organizations and projects. Subject to federal tax codes that clearly define the activities with which we can assist, The Foundation is precluded from supporting electoral activities and can expend only a small part of its resources on influencing legislation. While The Foundation is autonomous and is governed by its own Board of Trustees, it works closely with the Sierra Club in pursuing its program and goals.

Full listing of all Sierra Club Foundation Trustees and Executive Directors