We are a private foundation whose mission is to foster
community-based conservation of landscapes and seascapes and the
bio-cultural diversity found in these places. We recognize that the
natural and cultural values of landscapes and seascapes are inextricably
linked, and that indigenous and local communities play a fundamental
role in their stewardship.
We were established in 1982 by the founder of New England Biolabs, Inc., Donald Comb.
A molecular biologist, Don is inspired by the diversity of life on
Earth and the power of local community. Don created the foundation with
the simple, yet powerful premise, that by thoughtfully investing in the
work of people living and working in areas of high biodiversity, we can
make an important contribution to conservation.
Thematic Areas
We support communities in the stewardship of
their landscapes and seascapes and the associated bio-cultural
diversity, ecosystem services, and food-ways. We welcome inquiries from
community-based nonprofit organizations working toward:
- Conserving biological diversity (terrestrial and marine).
- Sustaining cultural diversity (linguistic diversity, as well as traditional knowledge systems and practices).
- Maintaining ecosystem services (water, soil, and carbon sequestration).
- Supporting food sovereignty and economic vitality of local communities.
- In the marine environment, sustaining healthy reefs and fisheries.
In addition, in coastal communities along the North Shore of
Massachusetts, we support projects in the area of artistic expression,
with an emphasis on those focusing on the environment and social change.
Approaches
We support community-based
projects that seek to meet their objectives in a variety of ways. Among
the kinds of approaches we support are those concerned with:
-
Creating and/or ensuring effective management and governance of
protected areas, including Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), in particular
where governance is led by communities (e.g., Indigenous Peoples’ and
Community-Conserved Areas and Territories [ICCAs]).
-
Ecological restoration involving native species. Priority will be
given to those efforts linked to existing conservation areas already
valued by communities (for example, a project to re-establish a forested
buffer zone near a sacred grove).
- Providing enhanced and alternative local livelihoods, including sustainable agriculture and value-added products to support local economies.
- Environmental education that draws on indigenous and local traditions and language to address present-day problems.
- Use of the arts and other innovative methods to convey social and environmental messages.
- Fostering civic engagement of communities through creative facilitation and other methods of stakeholder involvement (such as, public meetings and community-mapping exercises).
Grant Restrictions
New England Biolabs Foundation grants are limited to organizations
that hold charitable status in their country. Eligible organizations
must operate on a not-for-profit basis and stand by a mission to benefit
local communities.
We do not typically fund:
- Art projects beyond the North Shore of Massachusetts
- Capital endowments, renovations, or building funds
- Conferences or travel grants
- Disease-specific initiatives or medical research
- Private schools
- Production of videos, movies, or books
- Religious activities
- Routine operating cost of institutions
- Scholarships, fellowships, and internships
- Services concerning the elderly, the needy, or the handicapped
- Species-specific projects
Further, we cannot make grants to individuals.
Moreinfo: http://www.nebf.org/what-we-fund/funding-priorities
