Past Programs: A History of Impact

As a public foundation, Proteus Fund develops programs and initiatives that are responsive to leading trends in philanthropy and the evolving needs of funder colleagues. The programs described below are no longer active, but demonstrate the reach of our grantmaking across a diverse range of issues.

MEDIA ACTION FUND supported the strategic use of media and advertising by state-based environmental organizations to effectively promote human health-related advocacy, research, analysis and ideas. MAF-funded advocacy advertising was an integral part of strategic environmental campaigns that focused on the release of toxic chemicals and pesticides, genetic engineering, hazardous waste, nuclear waste, landfills, Superfund and brownfields issues, occupational exposures and hazards and clean water and air issues. Although MAF completed its final grantmaking cycle in 2006, the impact of its nearly $1.6 million in grants continues to be felt. As recently as April 2, 2007, we received an email from Fred Tutman, of Patuxent Riverkeeper in Maryland, reporting the success of advocacy efforts to influence regulatory reform to avoid creating stormwater and sediment runoff damaging to the Chesapeake Bay and thanking for Proteus Fund for its support for "funding for fliers, poster, a jingle, web site, fact sheets and other outreach materials."

STUDY CIRCLE FUND was a funder collaborative designed to support and advance the growing study circle movement. While at Proteus, the Study Circle Fund supported emerging study circle projects; and established community-wide study circle projects and statewide/regional study circle projects with a particular emphasis in incorporating young people in these study circles. In early 2001 the Fund moved to the Paul J. Aicher Foundation, which also runs the Study Circles Resource Center. Between 1999 and 2001, Study Circle Fund grants totaled $1,246,300.