Incorporated in 1985, the Conservation, Food and Health Foundation seeks to promote the conservation of natural resources, improve the production and distribution of food, and improve health in the developing world. The foundation helps build capacity within developing countries in its three areas of interest with grants that support research or projects that solve specific problems.

The foundation supports projects that demonstrate strong local leadership; promote professional development in the conservation, agricultural, and health sciences; develop the capacity of local organizations; and address a particular problem in the field. Preference will be given to projects that address underfunded issues and geographic areas. Grants are awarded in three focus areas: conservation, food, and health.

1) Conservation: Conservation grants are awarded to projects that help improve ecological and environmental conditions in the developing world. The foundation supports field research and related research activities, training, and technical assistance efforts that help conserve viable ecosystems and protect biological diversity in developing countries; and that train local leaders in conservation and protection of resources, with an emphasis on technical and scientific training.

2) Food: Food grants support focused efforts to improve access to food for consumption in developing countries. Areas of interest include projects that promote or develop specific sustainable agriculture practices with the potential to advance science and practice in other countries; explore and refine innovative education and training interventions for small scale food producers and farmers; and advance new approaches to the control of pests and diseases affecting important food crops in developing countries.

3) Health: The foundation supports public health programs and projects that are preventive rather than curative in nature, including research, technical assistance, and training projects that address health promotion, disease prevention, family planning, and reproductive health; and that increase the understanding and treatment of tropical diseases.

Grant amounts are determined on a project-by-project basis. The average grant amount is $20,000.