The Will J. Reid Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Long Beach, California that was founded in 1955. ¹ The group donates to organizations that support left-of-center advocacy on issues relating to environmentalism, criminal justice, immigration, and media. It also donates to social and cultural centers, such as art centers and theaters, as well as food banks and homeless shelters. ^{2 3 4}

Environmental Grantmaking

The Will J. Reid Foundation has donated to environmental organizations including, the GrassRoots Recycling Network, The Ocean Foundation,  Cool Effect, and First Nations Development Institute.  ^{2 3}

GrassRoots Recycling Network

GrassRoots Recycling Network, now called Zero Waste USA, is a network of organizations which advocate an economy that creates zero waste. ⁵ In 2022, the Will J. Reid Foundation granted GrassRoots Network $5,000. ²

The Ocean Foundation

The Ocean Foundation is an environmental grantmaking organization which works to restore marine life. ⁶ In 2022, the Will J. Reid Foundation donated $25,000 to the Ocean Foundation for a project focused on conserving Baja wetlands. ⁷

Cool Effect

Cool Effect is a nonprofit which aims to reduce carbon emissions by selling carbon credits to companies and individuals. ⁸ In 2021, the Will J. Reid Foundation paid Cool Effect $1,522 for general operations. ³

First Nations Development Institute

First Nations Development Institute is a nonprofit which focuses on issues relating to Native American communities. One major issue it focuses on is expanding the amount of land which is controlled by Native Americans through the Stewarding Native Lands program. ⁹ In 2021, the Will J. Reid Foundation granted the Institute $10,000 for general operations. ³

Other Grantmaking

Planting Justice

Planting Justice is an organization which works to reduce criminal recidivism through its community garden programs. The program hires recently released criminals and gives them full-time jobs. ¹⁰ In 2022, the Will J. Reid Foundation gave Planting Justice $5,000 for general operations. ²

Centro Legal de la Raza

Centro Legal de la Raza is a nonprofit which provides legal services for immigrants facing deportation, worker-protection violations, and tenancy law violations. ¹¹ In 2022, the Will J. Reid Foundation granted Centro Legal $10,500 for general operations. ²

Allied Media Projects

Allied Media Projects is a network of media outlets, based in Detroit, that endorses the belief that America is rife with systemic racism, white supremacy, and systemic oppression. The Project works to care for the planet and “dismantle supremacist systems.” ¹² In 2022, the Will J. Reid Foundation granted Allied Media Projects $25,000 for its Decolonizing Wealth Project. ²

 

1. “Will J. Reid Foundation Profile: Commitments & Mandates .” Pitchbook. Accessed December 31, 2024. https://pitchbook.com/profiles/limited-partner/65364-94.
2. Will J. Reid Foundation, Form 990-PF, 2022, Part XIV.
3. Will J. Reid Foundation, Form 990-PF, 2021, Part XIV.
4. Will J. Reid Foundation, Form 990-PF, 2020, Part XIV.
5.  “About.” Zero Waste USA. Accessed July 8, 2024. https://zerowasteusa.org/about/#history.
6.  “Pro Esteros.” The Ocean Foundation. Accessed July 8, 2024. https://oceanfdn.org/projects/pro-esteros/.
7.  Will J. Redif Foundation, Form 990-PF, 2022, Part XIV.
8. “About Us.” Cool Effect. Accessed July 8, 2024. https://www.cooleffect.org/about-us.
9. “Stewarding Native Lands.” First Nations Development Institute. Accessed July 8, 2024. https://www.firstnations.org/our-programs/stewarding-native-lands/.
10. “Holistic Re-Entry.” Planting Justice. Accessed July 8, 2024. https://plantingjustice.org/pages/what-we-do/holistic-re-entry.
11.  “Litigation.” Centro Legal de la Raza. Accessed July 8, 2024. https://www.centrolegal.org/litigation/.
12. “About.” Allied Media Projects. Accessed July 8, 2024. https://alliedmedia.org/about.