Established in September 2000, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life for future generations.
The Foundation’s science-based, results-driven orientation stems from the principles and interests of Gordon and Betty Moore. The Foundation operates proactively in three specific areas of focus—environmental conservation, science, and the San Francisco Bay Area—where a significant and measurable impact can be achieved. Distinct Initiatives have been created within these three Program areas. An Initiative employs a portfolio of grants that are expected to help achieve targeted, large-scale outcomes in a specific time frame.
Each Initiative is grounded in a specific theory of change (a rationale for why strategies and activities are selected and a detailed explanation of how they will produce positive transformations) which informs our grantmaking and mobilizes grantees and stakeholders to achieve shared goals. To make strides and show achievement at this scale requires strong partnerships with communities, government entities, other nonprofit organizations, and the private sector.
In addition to Initiative-based grantmaking, the Foundation is providing significant funding to Conservation International and the California Institute of Technology. These long-term funding Commitments have been made to support these two organizations on multiple projects that will lead to large-scale outcomes supporting the respective programmatic priorities of conserving the environment and fostering scientific progress.
The Foundation also awards grants for unique and opportunistic projects within our areas of focus, particularly when the potential outcome is high-impact, long-term, and measurable. Across all Initiatives, Commitments, and special opportunity grants, the Foundation’s grantees and partners seek to make positive changes in the world.
Located in the Presidio of San Francisco, once a military base and now a national park, the Foundation’s headquarters are in a historic building originally constructed in 1938 and renovated by the Foundation with an emphasis on the environment and sustainability.
Please note that the Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Instead, we fund Foundation-generated Initiatives, Commitments, and special opportunities within our areas of focus, and we make local grants through our San Francisco Bay Area program.