About Us

Our History

The Volgenau Foundation (TVF) was established in 1994 as an operating foundation fostering conservation of natural resources and the education of children. As of 2016 it is primarily a grantmaking foundation.

The Volgenau Foundation Phillips Creek Farm
The Volgenau Foundation Phillips Creek Farm

Board of Directors

  • Ernst Volgenau, President
  • Lisa Volgenau*, Vice President and Board Director
  • Lauren Volgenau-Knapp*, Vice President and Board Director
  • Jennifer Volgenau Wiley*, Vice President and Board Director
  • Chris DeCardy, Board Director
  • Jonathan Kaledin, Executive Vice President and Board Director

Staff

  • Andi Pearl, Executive Director
  • Julie Kennedy, Foundation & Grants Administrator

*Given their expertise in areas in which the Foundation funds, family members Lisa Volgenau, Lauren Volgenau-Knapp, and Jennifer Volgenau Wiley serve in both board and programmatic roles for the foundation. They have a deep, longstanding interest in developing and maintaining relationships with foundation partners and serve as primary points-of-contact for a portfolio of grantees. Lisa, Lauren, and Jennifer also provide sector leadership and represent TVF at numerous conferences and coalitions.

Our Grantmaking

The Volgenau Foundation supports only pre-selected organizations.

Philanthropic Priorities

Board Opportunity Fund: The Volgenau Foundation reserves five percent (5%) of anticipated total giving for unforeseen opportunities and/or emergencies.

Our Mission

Protecting our planet and serving our society by supporting…

Conservation

The Volgenau Foundation believes that preservation of the environment is essential to the survival of life on our planet and that people are inspired and enriched by nature.

1. Mitigation of human impacts on the environment — TVF supports organizations that mitigate negative human impacts on the environment through activities that (1) protect and restore land, water, and air resources or (2) protect wildlife, especially species threatened by human activity.

2. Place-based conservation – TVF supports conservation strategies that benefit local economies, enrich local communities, and protect environments in places that have significance for our trustees.

3. Analysis of research to identify solutions – TVF supports the analysis of past, current, and ongoing research, especially analysis that leads to action that addresses our conservation goals.

A few of our Conservation grant recipients:

Clicking the logos below will take you to that organization's website. However, additional content for many of our grant projects will be added to our website soon. Please check back frequently for updates.

Alaska Conservation Foundation
Defenders Of Wildlife
Earthjustice
Greater Yellowstone Coalition
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
New England Aquarium
Plastic Solutions Fund
Potomac Conservancy
Shark Conservation Fund
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
The Nature Conservancy
Wildlife Conservation Society
Yellowstone To Yukon Conservation Initiative

Education

We believe that children are the future of our society and deserve to grow up in a safe environment that provides for their physical, ethical, and educational needs.

1. Ethical and academic education of disadvantaged children and families – TVF supports nonprofits that engage organizations, families, and children in activities that enhance academic success and promote ethical leadership. We support programs that enhance the education and health of parents to help them create successful families.

2. Environmental education – TVF encourages programs that inspire and elevate children by connecting them to nature and helping them understand their place on the planet and their relationship to its natural wonders and wildlife.

3. STEM education -- TVF supports programs that focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education (STEM) and organizations provide scholarships to students who study and apply STEM disciplines for the improvement of our society.

A few of our Education grant recipients:

Clicking the logos below will take you to that organization's website. However, additional content for many of our grant projects will be added to our website soon. Please check back frequently for updates.

Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys
Capital Partners for Education
Friends Of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Living Classrooms
Meadowland Botanical Gardens
Nature Bridge
The Ocean Foundation
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Wolf Trap Park Foundation for the Performing Arts

Classical Music

We believe that human lives are enriched by exposure to the arts, specifically classical music, which inspires the human soul and has stood the test of time.

1. Classical music dissemination -- TVF supports organizations that preserve and offer classical music for the enjoyment and enrichment of the public.

2. Classical music education -- TVF supports music education in our schools and other institutions, especially in underserved communities.

A few of our Music grant recipients:

Clicking the logos below will take you to that organization's website. However, additional content for many of our grant projects will be added to our website soon. Please check back frequently for updates.

From The Top
Levine School of Music
National Symphony Orchestra