With nearly four decades of experience, I help donors and foundations execute grantmaking programs designed for impact and results.


Kicking the Tires

Strategic analysis of your current program, kicking the tires, posing questions and helping you make adjustments in approach if needed


Convening for Collaboration

Convening your grantees and/or related stakeholders to help ensure maximum collaboration and synergy around shared goals


Coaching

Coaching to clarify your vision, hopes, and approach to change and from there, to collaboratively craft a grantmaking strategy and program


Addressing the Polycrisis

Holistic analysis and program development exploring the inter-related challenges of climate change, fragile democracies, rise of conflict, loss of non-human species, displaced people and rising migration, racism, extreme inequality, artificial intelligence and the role of our economic norms and structures in propelling the polycrisis. I can only do this in partnership with others so that together, we see the larger system and dynamics at play.


Grant Recommendations

Crafting an impact framework and grant recommendations for addressing the climate and related threats

“Betsy Taylor's deep knowledge of the environmental field as well as her excellent process and facilitation skills ensured a successful planning retreat for the Stranahan Foundation. We are grateful to Betsy for the critical role she played in helping us both educate and engage multiple generations in exploring and defining pathways for making a difference with our ecological grant making!”

— Pam Howell-Beach, CEO, Stranahan Foundation

Maine Community Foundation

Volgenau Foundation

Janelia Foundation

Town Creek Foundation

Merck Family Fund

Energy Foundation

Children's Investment Fund Foundation

Stranahan Foundation

European Climate Foundation

Flora Family Foundation

Ottinger Foundation

Stern Family Fund

Patricia Chernoff Charitable Trust

Louise Ottinger Charitable Trust

Individual Anonymous Donors

Maine Community Foundation Volgenau Foundation Janelia Foundation Town Creek Foundation Merck Family Fund Energy Foundation Children's Investment Fund Foundation Stranahan Foundation European Climate Foundation Flora Family Foundation Ottinger Foundation Stern Family Fund Patricia Chernoff Charitable Trust Louise Ottinger Charitable Trust Individual Anonymous Donors

Clients

Recent Grants

The grants posted below were made at my recommendation by two donor-advised funds at the Maine Community Foundation and by the Janelia Foundation. I do not accept unsolicited fundraising proposals on behalf of these clients.

Advancing Equitable Nature Based Climate Solutions


Featured Grantee

Savanna Institute

Savanna Institute is working in exceptional ways with farmers, policy-makers and scientists to lay the groundwork for widespread agroforestry adoption in the United States. Inspired by the native savanna ecosystems that once covered much of this region, the Savanna Institute conducts research, education, and outreach to support the growth of diverse, perennial agroecosystems with engagement of diverse caretakers of the land. Agroforestry is a critical pathway to mitigation, resilience, food security, habitat for biodiversity and rural workforce development.

savannainstitute.org

  • Buffalo Nations Grasslands Alliance

    General support of efforts to establish a Conservation Trust Fund and to prioritize projects for grasslands protection and restoration on tribal lands that address the needs of current and future generations.

  • Carbon 180

    For advocacy to leverage federal funds and for communications in support of agroforestry in the United States.

  • Rewild Your Campus

    To empower students and young leaders to conserve and restore campus lands and to advance organic, pesticide-free land care at universities and colleges.

  • The Nature Conservancy

    For development of strong plant nurseries and plant material to meet the growing demand for agroforestry seeds and saplings and for education of policy makers on the ecological benefits and rural development advantages of adding trees to crop and livestock systems.

  • Interlace Commons

    To help provide technical assistance to farmers and demonstrate the potential of agroforestry practices for carbon sequestration, biodiverse landscapes, and rural economies in New York and New England.

  • World Wildlife Fund

    To work with ranchers and First Nation tribes to protect and restore short and mixed grass prairies in five U.S. states and on tribal lands

  • Southeastern Grasslands Institute

    To purchase two trucks and a tractor and to advocate for National Park Service funds for grasslands restoration.

  • Missouri Prairie Foundation

    To engage policy makers, investors and the public to protect, expand, and steward the prairies and grasslands of Missouri.

  • Yale School of the Environment

    For support of a master’s level student to help advance Yale’s agroforestry research and applied forestry technical assistance work.

  • National Arbor Day Foundation

    For the Tree City USA Program, including a tree ordinance builder tool and related technical support to cities

  • Western Reserve Land Conservancy

    For the Cleveland Tree Coalition and efforts to expand tree planting and tree care in low-income communities largely devoid of green canopy.

  • American Forests

    For a national Tree Equity Initiative, addressing the rising threats of extreme heat in low-income inner city neighborhoods

  • The Morton Arboretum

    For the Chicago Region Trees Initiative and the Oak Ecosystem Recovery Plan

  • Urban Sustainability Directors Network

    For the Center for Regenerative Solutions (CRS) to develop health-benefit metrics for urban heat management related to inner-city tree planting and tree care programs. (New write up for Urban Sustainability Directors Network)

  • Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association

    For support of soil health programming and technical assistance to farmers in Maine and New England, working to advance climate mitigation, resilience, and organic, healthy food for all.

  • Carbon Cycle Institute

    To advance regenerative agriculture in California through technical assistance, partnerships, advocacy, and communications.

  • Quivera Coalition

    For the Carbon Ranch Initiative which builds the capacity of producers, land managers, and technical service providers to implement and monitor land management practices focused on mitigation of and adaptation to climate change.

  • Mad Agriculture

    For support of technical assistance and outreach to farmers and ranchers in the midwest, intermountain west and southeastern United States.

  • Croatan Institute

    To help seed a new Opportunity Pool to demonstrate new ways of financing regenerative agriculture and ensuring land access for lower income farmers of color.

  • Rodale Institute

    For support of field-based research trials that demonstrate the superior capacity of regenerative practices in diverse landscapes to sequester carbon, retain water, bolster resilience, raise yields, and provide habitat for biodiversity.

  • The Climate Center

    To advocate for natural carbon sequestration practices, policies and outcomes in California as a model for other states.

  • California Climate & Agriculture Network

    For the National Healthy Soils Policy Network to advance regenerative agriculture policies and practices at the state level.

  • Foodshed Capital

    To provide financing to BIPOC farmers and create a more equitable and regenerative agriculture system.

  • Potlikker Capital

    To support farmers of color in advancing self-determination, food security and regenerative agriculture.

  • National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

    To advance policies and education in support of regenerative agriculture and to challenge food and petrochemical corporate control of farm policies.

  • Real Food Media

    To advance communications in support of pesticide-free and regenerative food systems.

  • Colorado State

    For the Soil Carbon Solutions Center and a meta-analysis of research demonstrating the ecological and health benefits of regenerative farming practices.

Advancing Climate Justice, Clean Energy, And The Phase Out Of Fossil Fuels


  • CHISPA Arizona

    For general support of efforts to engage and empower the Latino community in support of improved air quality, inner city tree equity, land conservation, civic engagement, and voter protection programs.

  • Liveable Arlington

    For grassroots advocacy to challenge pervasive fracking that threatens the health and wellbeing of the community.

  • Georgia Conservation Voters Education Fund

    To engage and empower low-income citizens in advocating for a healthy environment and protection of voting access and rights.

  • The Center for International Environmental Law

    To train and deploy lawyers and legal fellows worldwide to challenge proposals to expand fossil fuel production and related infrastructure.

  • Protect Our Winters

    To galvanize athletes and outdoor enthusiasts to advocate for renewable energy, electric vehicles and efforts to phase out fossil fuels.

  • The Climate Initiative

    To support and empower teenagers to take a role in the struggle for climate and environmental solutions.

  • Third Act

    To support and empower senior citizens to take a role in the struggle for climate and environmental solutions.

  • Natural Resources Council of Maine

    To advance climate solutions in Maine.

  • 350Vermont

    To advance climate solutions in Vermont.

  • Institute for Policy Studies

    For a research project on the fossil fuel industry.

  • Columbia Riverkeeper

    For outreach, education and advocacy to push back against proposals for new fossil fuel infrastructure in the Pacific Northwest

  • Boston College

    For a pilot project advancing a low-carbon, low-consumption economy rooted in a four day work week.

  • Climate, Science and Awareness

    To advance scientific research and education of policy makers and the general public about the rapidly intensifying threats of climate disruption and about policy solutions.

  • International Rescue Committee

    To address the impacts of climate disruption and droughts in East Africa, caused disproportionately by the United States and its per capita fossil fuel consumption.

Promoting Peace


  • Public Citizen Foundation

    To support a broad coalition of groups working to shift federal budget priorities from excessive military spending to funding for human and social needs such as healthcare, childcare, public education, and housing.

  • Project on Government Oversight

    To monitor and report on waste and fraud in government spending for military and nuclear contracts and to shed light on the revolving door between former Pentagon officials, major defense corporations, and members of Congress.

  • Watson Institute for International & Public Affairs at Brown University

    To support the Costs of War Project which conducts and publishes research to facilitate debate about the ongoing consequences of the United States post-9/11 wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere; the costs of the U.S. global military footprint; and the domestic effects of U.S. military spending.

  • Global Zero

    For general support of movement building and advocacy to abolish nuclear weapons.

  • Physicians for Social Responsibility

    For the campaign to abolish nuclear weapons.

I work with a limited number of philanthropic clients and only accept clients who are aligned with my values and who share my overriding sense of urgency. I am not available for fundraising contracts. I work best with those who actively listen, bring a sense of humility and a willingness to take risks, and those working for transformational change.