Environment & Sustainability
The Greater Sum Foundation helps environmental nonprofits grow their impact through a combination of funding and capacity-building opportunities. Every organization is carefully vetted for leadership, measurable impact, and long-term sustainability before receiving support through our Virtual Incubator and nonprofit development programs.
Investing in Environmental Stewardship
Our social responsibility calls us to uphold sustainability and stewardship for the benefit of people and the planet. According to the UN Environment Programme, nearly 8 million plant and animal species are threatened with extinction, and humanity is using Earth’s resources faster than they can regenerate. The organizations we support advance environmental sustainability through conservation efforts, reducing waste and emissions, and promoting regenerative practices like gardening and farming.
How The Greater Sum Identifies and Strengthens Nonprofit Organizations
We pursue a mission-aligned approach to identify and support high-potential nonprofit organizations working to advance environmental sustainability. Beyond funding, we invest in each organization's growth through capacity-building support, including access to subject matter experts, skilled interns, cohort-based learning, and strategic mentorship.
Our process includes:
Evaluating leadership strength and organizational sustainability
Reviewing program design, outcomes, and community impact
Assessing innovation and long-term scalability
Supporting selected organizations through our Virtual Incubator Program
Providing mentorship, funding access, and strategic guidance
Our Featured Organizations Creating Impact
For The Love of Primates, EST. 2019
For The Love of Primates holds a mission to create a sanctuary for retired primates, For the Love of Primates has coordinated with the zoological specialist Ursa International and the firm Centripetal Works to create conceptual designs for a 59-acre primate sanctuary in Ohio. They host an active blog in which they emphasize the growing importance and necessity of having a sanctuary, highlight talks and podcasts about animal welfare, and encourage donations for their mission. By the start of 2024, the nonprofit raised $17,000 toward their mission.
Heroic Gardens, EST. 2018
Heroic Gardens is guided by the belief that we should offer veterans more than simple gratitude, Heroic Gardens supports veterans’s mental and physical health through therapeutic horticulture, in which practitioners guide veterans in-person and virtually to work with plants and nature. Heroic Gardens has hosted over 100 in-person classes, providing more than 800 hours of instruction, with a total of 298 veterans participating.
Lab Renew, EST. 2022
Lab ReNew aims to reduce waste and increase sustainability in laboratories by promoting water and energy conservation practices, connecting labs with premier recycling partners, and collaborating with green chemistry providers for modern chemical catalogs. For each individual lab, Lab ReNew provides personalized planning and training, as well as documented results with i2SL & MHL certification tools. Centered in Boston, Lab ReNew has reduced carbon by 9526 tons, waste by 125 tons, and saved 78,840 gallons of water.
Sustainable Access, EST. 2022
The Sustainable Access Foundation (SAF) invests in community success and removes barriers to access by providing funding, improving farming techniques, and strategizing for sustainability. With the firm belief that change makers in their communities already know what’s necessary to succeed, the SAF listens to and devises solutions with the changemakers.
As of 2026, SAF has impacted more than 2000 families, 10,000 individuals and 4 businesses. In addition, SAF has provided 1000+ hours in training and mentorship created 300+ jobs, and formed 15 partnerships.
Empower Nonprofit Leaders. Transform Children's Futures.
Your donation helps The Greater Sum Foundation fund and strengthen nonprofits creating lasting environmental impact. Together, we can help organizations build healthier communities and a more sustainable future.