OVERVIEW: The Robert & Patricia Switzer Foundation supports the environment, environmental leadership, and professional development in environmental careers in New England and California.
FUNDING AREAS: Environment, environmental leadership, professional development in environmental careers
IP TAKE: This is foundation more for individuals than nonprofits, but Switzer does award grants to facilitate collaborations between fellows and nonprofits.
PROFILE: Established in 1985, the Robert & Patricia Switzer Foundation is based in Belfast, Maine. Robert Switzer and his brother launched Switzer Brothers Incorporated, which is now Glo Color Corporation, a leader in developing and producing daylight fluorescent chemicals. The founders created this foundation when the company was sold. Robert passed away in 1997 and Patricia in 2011. The foundation “identifies and nurtures environmental leaders who have the ability and determination to make a significant impact and supports initiatives that will have direct and measurable results to improve environmental quality.” Grantmaking includes environment, environmental leadership, and professional development in environmental careers.
The Switzer Environmental Fellowship serves as the foundation's core strategy for investing in environmental leaders. It chooses 20 fellows from New England and California schools to receive the fellowships. Switzer provides further grant support to its fellows through the Leadership Grant Program, Network Innovation Grants Program, and the Professional Development Fund. The leadership program awards up to $40,00 for one year to help connect nonprofits and Switzer Fellows and may support salaries and expenses of fellows to advance career goals. Innovation grants provides up to $10,000 to support collaboration among fellows. Finally, professional development grants are up to $500 and fund things like conferences and trainings.
Overall, Switzer grants are between a couple hundred dollars and $40,000. The funder shares lists of recent grant recipients on each of its program pages. Switzer’s support is limited to the New England states and California. Each of Switzer’s grantmaking programs has its own program criteria and guidelines to review.
The Switzer Foundation accepts unsolicited applications for its fellowship typically between October and January. However, only selected fellows are eligible to apply for Switzer’s other grants. Grantseekers can direct general questions to the staff at 207-338-5654 or via online form.
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