Since its creation, the foundation has focused on environmental conservation, initially supporting land acquisition and organizations with environmental programs. Over time, its goals evolved to include urban revitalization and sustainability, environmental education, and community health.
The grant program emphasizes environmental education, environmental health, smart growth, and sustainable communities. It supports various grant types, including operating support, program support, internships, scholarships, camperships support, and capital campaign support. The foundation prefers annual fund requests in the spring, makes multi-year grants, and observes a funding pause after a multi-year grant cycle, except for operating grants. Trustees meet thrice annually without formal deadlines for requests.