A home for grassroots ecological work
We help small groups protect the places they love, and have since 2009.
Fertile Ground Conservancy gives small ecological projects a legal and financial home, and lends a hand to groups defending the places they love. Volunteers run everything, so we keep things simple and take on a few groups at a time.
Fiscal sponsorship
Your project can use our nonprofit status to receive tax-deductible donations and apply for grants, without starting a nonprofit of its own. We handle the money and the paperwork.
Learn moreCampaign help
Practical help for groups protecting a specific place: reading agency documents, writing public comments, and planning next steps.
Learn moreVolunteer-run
We have no paid staff. Every gift goes to the basic costs of fiscal sponsorship and campaign help.
Support the workWhat brings you here?
Choose the one that fits best.
I have a project that needs a nonprofit home
Fiscal sponsorship lets your project take donations and apply for grants without starting its own nonprofit.
I'm working to protect a specific place
We can help you read agency documents, write public comments, and plan your next steps.
I want to support this work
Gifts pay for the basic costs of fiscal sponsorship and campaign help.
I'm not sure, or I have a question
That's fine. Tell us what you're working on and we'll point you the right way.
How fiscal sponsorship works
Your project runs under our nonprofit. Donors give to us for your project, we keep the records, and the money goes to your work, minus a small administrative fee.
01 Apply
Tell us what your project does, who is involved, and how you plan to raise money. The form has 10 questions, and 6 are required.
Have ready: a short description and a rough budget.
Go to the application
02 Talk with us
We read every application and usually reply within three weeks. Then we set up a call, or email if you prefer, to make sure it is a good fit.
03 Start receiving funds
We sign a simple agreement. After that, donations and grants for your project come through us, and we send you clear financial reports.
Everything sponsorship includesProjects we've sponsored and run
Since 2009 we've given a home to grassroots projects across the western United States and beyond, and run a few of our own.
- Mountains and Waters AllianceZen practice and ecological engagementCurrent
- Rural Watch Africa InitiativeAgroforestry and restoration in NigeriaCurrent
- Protect Thacker PassMining resistance in NevadaPast
- Pinyon-Juniper AllianceForest defense in the Intermountain WestPast
- Sovereign Housing ProjectWith the Ahousaht First Nation, British ColumbiaPast
- Viveros FarmUrban permaculture and educationPast
- Good Grief GroupClimate grief and communityPast
- Earth at RiskConference series in the San Francisco Bay Area, with videos2010 to 2014
- Indigenous and Women of Color RiseGathering in Seattle, with video2019
Why we do this
The living world matters for its own sake, not only for what it gives people. We call this biocentrism.
Meet the people behind FGCGet in touch
Every option reaches the same small team.
PO Box 11262
Eugene, OR 97440
We can send it as large print, plain text, or a printed letter, or talk it through on a call. If you need another language, ask and we'll see what we can do. Read our accessibility statement.