We Are Passionate About
Growing the Movement

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Growing the Movement 

The Foundation believes that conservation is a human concern - one that is complex and requires thoughtful consideration and involvement from many different perspectives. The focus of this program, which is weaved throughout all areas of the Foundation’s funding, is to promote conservation engagement across all ages, ethnicities, political associations, and interest groups. The Turner Foundation does this by:

  • Integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion to our strategies
  • Encouraging youth participation and engagement of millennials;
  • Encouraging the business community to play a leadership role in the movement; and
  • Continuing to partner with hunters, anglers and outdoor recreation organizations.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION: Research has shown that communities of color have higher exposure rates to air pollution, landfills, power plants and hazardous waste sites while having access to parks and green spaces; and climate change and water contamination disproportionately affect low-income and communities of color across the nation. The Turner Foundation seeks to resolve this overwhelming disparity by:

  • Funding grassroots initiatives led by and to assist marginalized communities of color, including indigenous communities;
  • Funding nonprofits with a mission or specific initiatives or programs focused on integrating diversity, equity and inclusion into the conservation movement;
  • Encouraging and fostering partnerships between grassroots organizations and large environmental organizations; and
  • Encouraging and supporting efforts of our grantees to diversify their staff, board, members and constituents to ensure leadership and outreach are reflective of the populations the Foundation is seeking to engage.

YOUTH PARTICIPATION: While the Foundation has long recognized that humanity’s connection to the natural world is critical for a sustainable future, there is more evidence than ever to support this idea, giving the Foundation the opportunity to further strengthen its impact in this program area.

  • Environmental Education – The Foundation funds innovative environmental education programs that promote environmental literacy (K-12) and systemic change in our schools.  
  • Connecting Youth to Nature – The Foundation funds programs focused on fostering a lasting connection between youth and the outdoors.
  • Turner Community Youth Development Initiative (TCYDI) – The Foundation aligns the funding guidelines of TCYDI with the mission of the Foundation by supporting youth development in the context of place-based conservation projects and programs in communities around Turner-owned properties.
  • T3G – The Foundation’s junior board, T3G, is comprised of third generation family members committed to carrying on the family’s philanthropic legacy and passion for conservation. Through its grantmaking, T3G promotes youth engagement through environmental stewardship and experiential learning.  

BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT: As demonstrated by our Founder and Chairman Ted Turner’s leadership, businesses can simultaneously improve people’s lives, protect and restore natural resources, address some of our world’s greatest challenges, and turn a profit. The Foundation takes great pride in advancing corporate environmental and social responsibility across the nation by helping to:

  • Encourage corporate responsibility for freshwater stewardship by engaging institutional investors and creating the tools necessary for corporations and investors to track the water footprint of their operations and supply chains and partner with conservation organizations; and
  • Advance the clean energy economy by partnering with clean energy businesses to break down barriers to energy efficiency, renewable energy and electrified transportation; and catalyzing clean energy commitments by energy-intensive businesses.