Funding interests
As of July 2021, the Gosling Foundation no longer accepts unsolicited proposals. For the time being it continues its work with organizations and projects that it has supported in the past.
The Gosling Foundation’s primary focus is supporting projects that enhance and expand the capacity of nature organizations. The funding streams described on this page outline some of our key areas of interest.
However, these are not rigid categories. If you have an innovative idea to increase the impact of your nature organization, we invite you to pitch it to us. Please see the Other Proposals section below.
Proposals can be submitted at any time and are considered at least quarterly: January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1. Please email submissions to the Foundation’s executive director: skozak@goslingfoundation.org.
Main funding streams
Better Organizations for Nature
Expanding and enhancing the capacity of nature organizations
For several years, the Foundation has been working to bring the perspectives and practices of “Engagement Organizing” to the nature and land trust sector. Organizations seeking to enhance their effectiveness through people-powered initiatives are invited to learn more and apply
Passport to Nature Festivals
Recruiting supporters and generating income for nature organizations through events
Inspiring people to protect nature starts with helping them to enjoy and appreciate it. Nature festivals are one way of building that appreciation. We’re particularly interested in proposals that use the “Passports to Nature” model, which involves organizing a series of local and regional events over several months. This approach expands organizational capacity by making connections with people, recruiting supporters to your cause and generating revenue by selling advertising space in program booklets. Learn more and apply.
Other funding interests
Land Acquisition, Protection and Restoration
Protecting ecologically significant areas
The Foundation provides limited amounts of strategic support to protect lands of ecological significance through acquisition and other means. Properties under consideration must have a designated ecological status (e.g., Important Bird Area and Biodiversity Area, Key Biodiversity Area, etc.). Learn more and apply.
Plant Protection through Technology
Applying GRIPP technology for plant protection
Breakthroughs in plant propagation technology at the Gosling Research Institute for Plant Preservation (GRIPP) now make it possible to take specimens from threatened species and multiply them quickly, in large numbers, so they can be reintroduced into the wild. The Foundation will entertain requests for support for ecological restoration projects that apply GRIPP technology. Learn more and apply
Nature Inspires Climate Action
Piloting projects to shrink carbon footprints
The Foundation supports pilot projects that promote natural solutions to climate change or reduce the carbon impact of nature organizations and motivate their supporters to do the same. For example National Farmers Union of Ontario, Kitchen Table Climate Meetings help members take appropriate action. One-page proposals can be emailed to the Foundation’s executive director: skozak@goslingfoundation.org. Please include:
- a description of your proposed project
- how the proposal fits within the mandate of the Foundation
- how the project will strengthen your organization when complete
- innovative and/or strategic elements of your proposal
- resources being sought and those already secured
- Registered Charitable Tax number (or that of your partnering organization)
- An electronic copy of your last annual report, if available
Other Proposals — Have an idea not covered in the categories above?
We are always open to innovative projects that are relevant to our mandate. One-page proposals can be emailed to the Foundation’s executive director: skozak@goslingfoundation.org. Please include:
- a description of your proposed project
- how the proposal fits within the mandate of the Foundation
- how the project will strengthen your organization when complete
- innovative and/or strategic elements of your proposal
- resources being sought and those already secured
- Registered Charitable Tax number (or that of your partnering organization)
- An electronic copy of your last annual report, if available
If we are interested in your proposal, we’ll request more details.