Another champion in the arena of environmental conservation is Sierra Club Foundation. Formed in 1960, this public charitable organization is based in San Francisco, California. The group is known for their motto “To help educate, inspire and empower humanity to preserve the natural and human environment”.

Instead of acting directly on environmental issues, the group uses its funding to finance and sponsor the efforts of several organizations that are deemed environmentally friendly. These grantees have undergone a rigid filtering process by the board of members from Sierra before they started receiving the much needed funds to start their research. There are three key focuses that Sierra has considered in their efforts to make the world a better place: litigation, training and public education. Through these categories they are able to finance the best environmental projects that are waiting to be tapped. Some of the organizations they have sponsored include, the Climate Recovery Partnership, the Sierra Club Outdoors, Environmental Justice and Community Partnership and the Environmental Law Program among others.

As a public charitable institution, Sierra generates the funds they sponsor from various resources. Among these are from private foundations and individual donors. They also generate funds through fundraising and other activities. Because the group is registered as a public charity, the organization is governed by a Board of Directors and is tax exempted. According to Charity Navigator, the group has over $100 million in assets. 90% of the funds they collect are allocated to multi-year campaigns that entails millions of dollars to be invested. Historically, Sierra has funded hundreds of works that range from small local projects to long term researches.

David Brower is the man behind the creation of this organization. Currently, there are 16 independent individuals who are taking part of the group’s board of directors. These individuals are headed by their chairman, Larry Keeshan.