The Russell Family Foundation Grants $1.7M to 11 Community Organizations for Environmental Education and Food for Climate Solutions

Funding supports youth programs, sustainable practices, equitable food systems, and more

March 31, 2025 (Gig Harbor, Wash.)— The Russell Family Foundation (TRFF) today announced $1.7 million in grants and investments to support community organizations advancing environmental education and sustainable food systems across Western Washington. This includes $67,000 in grants through its Environmental Education (EE) program and $1.6 million in grants and investments through its Food for Climate Solutions (FCS) program.

Four organizations serving Pierce, South King, Kitsap, Thurston, Jefferson, and Mason Counties are the recipients of the $67,000 one-year EE grant renewals, supporting their efforts to inspire future leaders in sustainability and stewardship. These grants aim to expand youth programs that foster environmental stewardship, provide outdoor environmental education experiences, and provide high-quality environmental education opportunities that promote lifelong learning and awareness of urgent environmental issues.

“By focusing on interactive, hands-on education, we are empowering the next generation to take action on environmental sustainability,” said Kathleen Simpson, CEO of TRFF. “The Environmental Education program makes these opportunities accessible to youth in the community and fosters a deeper understanding of sustainability practices, encouraging them to become advocates for the environment.”

The Foundation further approved $1.3 million in grants from the FCS portfolio, supporting organizations focused on farmland stewardship, enhancing the sustainability of farm businesses, empowering farmers, strengthening regional food system infrastructure, and advancing organic and regenerative farming practices. The FCS grants include funding for six organizations, each contributing to critical initiatives that strengthen our regional food system infrastructure, provide farmers with essential resources and technical support, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Complementing these efforts, the Foundation has made a $250,000 FCS impact investment in Dirt Capital, which supports regenerative farmers across the country through innovative farmland transition solutions, ensuring affordability and access to land for sustainable agriculture. These investments aim to strengthen food systems in Western Washington by empowering farmers and enhancing local food networks.

“Through our Food for Climate Solutions program, we are committed to taking a whole-systems approach that promotes sustainable food production and equitable access to education and resources,” said Fabiola. “By investing in organizations focused on supporting small and medium size farmers, we’re transforming food systems for farmers, communities, and the environment to ensure to ensure a healthier future for all.”

Environmental Education grants include:

Lakewold Gardens, $15,000
Lakewold Gardens provides intentional encounters with nature’s life-changing power, fostering peace, creativity, and healing in our communities. In partnership with the Clover Park School District, its Deep Discovery program will engage fifth-grade students through hands-on learning while they explore and learn in their garden.

Mason Conservation District, $25,000
The Mason Conservation District’s Environmental Education Program aims to inspire and educate youth to become environmental stewards. Their primary goals include fostering a deep connection between students and the natural world, promoting environmental sustainability, and encouraging active participation.

Northwest Natural Resource Group, $12,500
Northwest Natural Resources Group works with landowners to improve the health of forests across western Washington and Oregon and promote the practice of “ecological forestry.” The grant will support the expansion of its ecological forestry education program in 2025 by formalizing a certificate program, training educators, broadening access to resources, and engaging new audiences to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

Wild Society, $14,500
Wild Society is helping their community members experience and marvel in the beauty of their own backyard. Based in western Washington, this wilderness education nonprofit provides hikes and other events centered around love of the natural world.

Food for Climate Solutions two-year grants include:

Community to Community, $100,000
Funding will support the development of the Otro Mundo Agroecology Center (Another World Agroecology Center) and continue to support Cooperativa Tierra y Libertad in advancing sustainable practices, empowering worker-owners, and fostering a self-determined food system through infrastructure expansion, crop cultivation, cooperative development, environmental sustainability, and safety initiatives.

Kulshan Carbon Trust, $100,000
Kulshan Carbon Trust (KCT) is accelerating local adoption of natural environmental solutions in Northwest Washington that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, sequester carbon, regenerate ecosystems, and revitalize rural economies. They use community engagement, technical support, collaborative supply chain development, and market incentives to support small landowners in implementing environmentally friendly practices.

Puget Sound Restoration Fund, $90,000
Puget Sound Restoration Fund (PSRF) focuses on restoring living marine habitats and native species, such as Olympia oysters, bull kelp, and pinto abalone. PSRF also works to re-forge connections with healthy marine resources through restoration actions, shellfish gardening, and community events. Funding will expand its Sea to Feed initiative, which collects and repurposes seaweed to create nutrient pathways from shellfish farms to upland farms. In partnership with the Nisqually Indian Tribe, this effort integrates seaweed collection, drying, and distribution for use as a soil amendment and livestock feed additive, connecting marine and agricultural ecosystems.

Washington Water Trust, $100,000
Washington Water Trust (WWT) protects and restores rivers and streams across Washington to ensure healthy salmon and other wildlife habitats and support thriving communities. WWT restores water rivers and streams by working directly with farmers, Tribes, conservation districts, irrigation districts, and agencies. They have helped to improve approximately 20 watersheds and dozens of streams throughout the state. Funding will continue to support their efforts to restore freshwater flows and build environmental resilience by demonstrating recycled water for irrigation in partnership with farms, tribal communities, and local stakeholders in Western Washington.

Food for Climate Solutions five-year grants include:

Pierce Conservation District, $500,000
Pierce Conservation District (PCD) conserves and restores Pierce County’s natural resources, benefiting urban and rural communities. PCD’s urban and rural agriculture program, Harvest Pierce County, invests in people to foster and sustain an equitable and healthy community-based food system. Funding will support their expansion of Harvest Pierce County programming, specifically addressing systemic barriers for historically excluded communities in agriculture.

Viva Farms, $500,000
Viva Farms is a farm business incubator and training program established in 2009. They operate 119 acres, two locations in Skagit County and one in King County, Washington. They aim to empower aspiring and limited-resource farmers by providing bilingual training in holistic, organic farming practices and access to land, infrastructure, equipment, marketing, and capital. Funding will allow the organization to sustain its mission to expand farmers’ resources, increase food production, and generate significant economic and community impact. Funding will be allocated to essential staff time and program execution to ensure the organization’s resilience in an evolving landscape.

Food for Climate Impact Investment:

Dirt Capital, $250,000
Dirt Capital supports regenerative farmers in the U.S. by facilitating innovative farmland transitions through fair, long-term lease-to-own, and customized arrangements that provide secure expansion and defined ownership pathways. The fund also limits future farmland appreciation to ensure affordability while partnering with mission-aligned organizations to make land more accessible and provide technical assistance. Dirt Capital tailors investments to farmers’ needs, generating multiple revenue streams.

For more information on EE, please visit here. For more information on FCS, please visit here. You can also browse our grants here and our investments here.

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