The basis for the Foundation is the conviction that all life on Earth is interconnected, and that the planet-wide activities of industrial society are destroying the fabric of life, whereas most indigenous societies recognize and act on the reciprocal relationships between humans, other beings and their environment. The purpose of the Foundation is the protection, restoration and support of ecological health and indigenous cultures throughout the world. 

On March 11th, 1992 Flora Glenn Candler Fuller, “Glenn”, held the first meeting of The Sweetgrass Foundation at the offices of the Arden Group, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia. It wasn’t until five years later that the By-Laws were amended to include the current basis and goals for the Foundation andGlenn eloquently wrote the Mission. 

Glenn started the Foundation with $1,000,000 of Coca-Cola Stock, inherited from her father, Charles, grandson of Asa Candler Sr. who was the founder of Coca-Cola.

Glenn was a great and gentle soul with strong convictions, unparalleled intellect and heart, and a wicked sense of humor, balanced by a profound humility. She had a wide range of interests but they all held a common thread, to help humanity. Glenn never called attention to herself. She loved nature and animals and children and indigenous peoples, especially Native Americans (hence Sweetgrass*) and the Nepalese. She deeply cared about others and though somewhat shy, dined comfortably both with the President of Mexico at a stuffy club in New York City and with Sherpas high in the Himalayas of Nepal. And although she could have been philanthropic on her own, she sought other points of view to balance her own and to increase her exposure to new ideas. Her strong leadership and pure heart made everyone want to be a better person, follow in her footsteps, be kind and make the world a better place.   

On October 16th, 2006, an unspeakably sad day, Glenn died following a robust fight with cancer. For all of us at The Sweetgrass Foundation, it was one of the saddest days of our lives. But she left a legacy that we would honor; a legacy that often brings joy in small and surprising ways. She wanted her dreams to live on.  Her dreams became our dreams and vice versa. At her death, The Foundation received additional funds more than doubling the market value of the portfolio and her son, Thomas, was elected Chair.

Over the past two decades, nearly $2 million dollars of grants have been made to a wide variety of organizations that meet the goals of the Foundation. 

The Sweetgrass Foundation continues to thrive and the Trustees continue to carry on the mission of the By-Laws.  We hope to continue the great work that Glenn initiated for many generations to come. 

*Sweetgrass, is considered a sacred plant by Native Americans.   It has a sweet aromatic scent and doesn’t burn but smolders.  It is often used at the beginning of Native American prayers or ceremonies to attract positive spirits.  It is also woven into baskets as it is believed to have great power.

After an extensive period of reflection and strategic planning, we at the Sweetgrass Foundation are ushering in 2024 with a renewed sense of purpose and an evolved strategy for our granting program.

Our dedication to the mission is steadfast.

A New Approach to Partnership

In a significant shift from our previous method of accepting proposals, we are now poised to take a more proactive stance. The Sweetgrass Foundation will initiate contact with organizations, aiming to cultivate relationships that we envision lasting three years or more. This deliberate approach allows us to deepen our engagement and ensure that our contributions have a lasting impact.

Focusing Our Impact

Reflecting on our journey, we acknowledge the transition from awarding numerous small grants annually to making fewer, yet more substantial grants. This evolution in our granting strategy is designed to amplify our impact in addressing the critical and urgent challenges our planet faces.

Acknowledging Our Community

We recognize that this new direction necessitates difficult decisions, including the phasing out of support for many valuable partners we’ve worked with in the past. To those organizations, we extend our heartfelt apologies. Please know this decision was not made lightly but stems from a belief that our refined focus will enable us to make a more meaningful difference in the world’s most pressing issues. We are grateful for your understanding, support, and shared commitment to a healthier planet and a more just society. Together, we look forward to making an even greater impact in the years to come.