OVERVIEW: The 11th Hour Project’s fosters sustainable use of water, energy, and food resources. Ecologically sound agriculture, marine conservation, and preserving the island of Nantucket, Massachusetts, are a few of its non-energy priorities. Its climate and energy program seeks to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and accelerate the use of renewable energy in the United States. It works to promote agricultural systems that are sustainable and economically just, and supports human rights projects that relate to the environment and intersect with energy, food and water systems.
IP TAKE: 11th Hour is not one of the most transparent funders out there nor is it accessible. The best bet for would-be grantees is to reach out to program staff and highlight not only how their project aligns with 11th Hour’s mission, but how it addresses the relationship between human rights and the environment. Most of its climate grants support nonprofits building cross-sector coalitions and mobilizing them to press for long-term policy and market-based reforms.
Most of its grantees are U.S. operations, with a limited number of grants each year going overseas. It also prioritizes coalition builders. While its food and agriculture grantmaking primarily centers on California, the Midwest, and the Southeast United States, its other focus areas may support efforts in other areas of the world.
PROFILE: In 2006, Wendy and Eric Schmidt established the Schmidt Family Foundation with the intent of advancing “the wiser use of energy and natural resources,” and to “empower communities to build resilient systems for food, water, and human resources.” Prior to launching the Schmidt Family Foundation, Wendy Schmidt created the 11th Hour Project. While the 11th Hour Project is a self-governing outfit, it is considered a subsidiary of the Schmidt Family Foundation. The 11th Hour Project has grown since its 2005 debut and is now a self-governing operation headquartered in Palo Alto, California. It shares the Schmidts' funding interests, and awards grants through its Energy, Food and Agriculture, and Human Rights programs.
Grants for Climate Change and Energy
The 11th Hour Project conducts grantmaking for climate change through its Energy program, which has two priorities: “challenging the development of fossil fuels and accelerating the adoption of renewable energy.” Its team seeks organizations that work towards renewable technologies, energy conservation, and upgrades to the grid infrastructure. Its grantees tend to involve environmental organizations and non-environmentalist partners, such as farmers or labor activists, all working hand-in-hand to organize concrete improvements in public policy and everyday business practice. Past grantees include PSE Healthy Energy, and the American Lung Association’s California chapter, which received funding for mobilizing the health-care community behind climate-change policy. It has also funded the California Climate and Agricultural Network, the BlueGreen Alliance, and the Catskill Mountainkeeper.
Grants for Food and Sustainable Agriculture
The 11th Hour Project supports efforts to promote Food and Agriculture systems that “improve soil, air, water, and animal and human health.” It funds policy and awareness activism that exposes “the true costs of industrial agriculture,” expands worker voice and power in agricultural communities, and promotes renewable and sustainable farming models. This focus area mainly centers around California, the Midwest, and the Southeast. Past grantees include The Common Market, Farmer Veteran Coalition, Land Stewardship Project, Southeastern African-American Farmers’ Organic Network, and Missouri Rural Crisis Center.
Grants for Human Rights
The 11th Hour Project’s Human Rights program promotes “economic development models that foster vibrant local economies, guarantee human rights, and build dignified livelihoods for all.” More specifically, 11th Hour pays particular attention to human rights projects associated with energy, food, and water systems, supporting communities affected by “destructive mining, energy, and agriculture projects” While the project does not have stated geographic priorities, it channels the majority of its human rights grantmaking toward less-developed countries like Haiti and the Democratic Republic of Congo. On occasion, 11th Hour funds human rights organizations that conduct widespread international rights efforts rather country-specific work. Grantees in this area include Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa, Groundswell International, Human Rights Watch, New Media Advocacy Project, and Virunga Foundation.
Other Grantmaking Opportunities
The Schmidt Family Foundation sometimes distributes grants that address “global sustainability challenges” through the 11th Hour Project’s Impact Investing program. This program awards Mission Related Investments (MRI) and Program Related Investments (PRI) in four key areas: climate change, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and marine technology.
Important Grant Details:
Grants range from $15,000 to about $1.25 million. To get a broader sense of the types of human rights NGOs benefiting from 11th Hour’s support, prospective grantseekers should review its grantees list. The 11th Hour does not accept unsolicited proposals or letters of inquiry.
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