Foundation Funding for Environmental Advocacy

A Research Project funded by the

Nonprofit Sector Research Fund

The Aspen Institute

One Dupont Circle, N.W.  Suite 700

Washington DC 20036

Project Dates:  September 1, 2003 - October 31, 2005

J. Craig Jenkins

Dept. of Sociology

Ohio State University

300 Bricker Hall

190 N. Oval Mall

Columbus OH 43210

614-292-1411

Jenkins.12@sociology.osu.edu

Robert J. Brulle

Dept. of Culture and Communication

Drexel University

3141 Chestnut St.

Philadelphia  PA 19104

215-895-2294

brullerj@drexel.edu 

PROJECT SUMMARY:  Private foundations have long provided core funding for environmental advocacy, making the environmental movement organizationally one of the stronger sectors of contemporary civil society.  Yet critics argue that the environmental movement lacks political clout because of an overemphasis on organization-building and professional advocacy at the expense of grassroots organizing.  In our past research, we have shown that foundation funding has largely gone to moderate discourses and professionalized advocacy.  This research builds on this by addressing three questions:

• What determines foundation funding priorities?  While most foundations favor moderate discourses and professional organizations, some favor alternative discourses and grassroots strategies.  Why?  What practices are associated with these funding strategies?

• How do foundation funding priorities affect environmental advocacy? Does foundation funding actually reduce grassroots environmental activity?  How can foundations influence environmental organizations to adopt desired program activities?

• What is the policy impact of foundation funding?  What is the policy impact of the advocacy projects funded by foundations?  How can foundations modify their funding strategies to better realize their goals? 

PUBLICATIONS

Brulle, Robert J. and Jenkins, J. Craig. 2005.  “The U.S. Environmental Movement: Crisis or Transition?"  presented at the International Sociological Association Conference (RC 24) - Double Standards and Simulation: Symbolism, Rhetoric and Irony in Eco-Politics:  International Conference at the University of Bath, UK, September 2005

Brulle, Robert J., Jenkins, J. Craig (presenter), Turner, Liesel, and Carmichael, Jason, 2005. “The Organizational Development of the U.S. Environmental Movement:  Environmental Threat, Critical Communities, Resources, and Political Opportunities”, presented at the Collective Behavior and Social Movements Section session, Annual American Sociological Association Conference, Philadelphia PA, August 2005

FOUNDATION FUNDING PROJECT

GREEN MONEY PROJECT

PROJECT DATA SETS

       ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATION DATA SET PROCEDURES

       SAMPLE DATA - ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATION DATA SET

       SAMPLE DATA - TELEVISION NEWS COVERAGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS

       SAMPLE DATA - VITAL SPEECHES DATA SET

       SAMPLE DATA - STATE OF THE UNION SPEECHES DATA SET

       CODING INSTRUCTIONS - STATE OF THE UNION SPEECHES

       CODING SHEET - STATE OF THE UNION SPEECHES