PRIORITY AREAS
The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation (PMAFF) makes grants in three priority areas: Conservation, Performing Arts, and Social Impact.
Conservation
The ocean sustains life on earth. Marine ecosystems foster immense biodiversity that nourishes and provides livelihoods for human communities world-wide. Moreover, the ocean regulates crucial climate processes by absorbing and storing vast amounts of carbon dioxide while simultaneously producing oxygen. Tragically, however, the ocean’s ability to perform these vital functions is imperiled by a host of human-caused threats, including climate change, habitat destruction, overfishing, and pollution.
The PMAFF Conservation program works to counteract these threats by supporting organizations, projects, and programs that conserve and protect marine biodiversity. In 2022-23, we carried out a strategic analysis to identify underfunded marine conservation fields where our investment could have the greatest impact. As a result, we focus our grantmaking on efforts to:
- Implement sustainable and effective Marine Protected Areas;
- Reform international fisheries governance;
- Conserve coral reef ecosystems;
- Conserve shark and ray species;
- Increase legal capacity dedicated to marine conservation;
- End plastic pollution; and
- Combat climate change by decarbonizing maritime shipping and building international political will for climate action.
We uphold these priorities by working closely with ocean-focused donor advised funds and funding collaboratives to award grants for ocean conservation work.
For more details regarding our priorities and our open, bi-annual grantmaking process, please review the PMAFF Conservation Program Overview.
Please note that we are currently not accepting new grant requests, unless by invitation.
Performing Arts
The PMAFF Performing Arts program supports the presentation, perpetuation, and propagation of performing arts events, focusing on classical music and theater. Grantee organizations include professional performers, presenters (including broadcasters), and educators. We are currently considering grants to the Chicago area, Cleveland, Detroit, and the Mid-Atlantic Region (from Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia, PA).
Please note that we are currently not accepting new grant requests, unless by invitation. We also do not fund dance, film, or individual commissions.
Social Impact
The PMAFF Social Impact program promotes equitable, safe, and thriving communities, particularly for low-income African, Latino/a, Asian, Arab and Native American (ALAANA) individuals. Achieving this goal requires long-term, comprehensive approaches led by those closest to the challenges and the possibilities.
The PMAFF is committed to understanding and addressing the root causes of persistent inequities for ALAANA families and communities, including the profoundly harmful impacts of structural racism and white supremacy. We fund efforts that promote access to meaningful life opportunities, such as quality education, networks of support and healing, and financial assets and employment. We also support antiracist education, organizing, and advocacy efforts that have strong potential to advance meaningful systemic change.
Public and private disinvestment has created unjust inequities in almost every realm of social, economic, and civic life of many ALAANA communities. At the same time, every neighborhood is home to creative and resilient individuals, families, businesses, and institutions. The PMAFF Social Impact program seeks to recognize both of these realities while it learns from and supports thoughtful and strategic changemakers. Our priority areas are Education, Economic Empowerment, and Justice.
For more details, please review A New Grantmaking Model for Social Impact.
Please note that we are currently not accepting new grant requests, unless by invitation.
TYPES OF SUPPORT
General Operating
These are the most flexible types of grant. Funds may be applied in any manner in which the organization sees fit, subject to its mission.
Program/Project Grants
These grants are targeted to a specific program or project. Applicants must submit a specified budget and narrative to support their applications.
LIMITATIONS
The PMAFF will not consider grant requests pertaining to:
- Religious institutions or other nonprofit organizations affiliated with a religion
- Debt reduction
- Fundraising events
- Events that will take place before the determination of an award. The PMAFF does not fund in arrears. If applying for the Spring cycle, the date of events must begin after May 15th. For the Fall cycle, events must begin after December 1st.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must have a 501(c)(3) determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service and be designated as a public charity.
If your organization does not currently hold 501(c)(3) status but is working with a fiscal sponsor, you are eligible to apply if the fiscal sponsor can provide a 501(c)(3) determination letter and a written fiscal sponsorship contract.
If you are an international organization applying for a grant within our Conservation priority area, you are also eligible to apply.
GRANT CYCLE
The PMAFF has two grant cycles per year: spring and fall. View 2024 grant cycle dates here and 2025 grant cycle dates here.