The Yogi Foundation Grantmaking Philosophy

For philanthropy to create a better world, it must change the way we think.

At The Yogi Foundation, we believe meaning, perspective, and possibility are not fixed—they evolve through curiosity, connection, and experimentation.

We support creative collaborations that shift perspectives and innovate across science, art, and culture. Our projects enable learning, promote questioning, and invite curiosity – into not just the way things are, but also the way they could become.

A grower and a filmmaker exploring the cultural life of an everyday plant. A climate scientist and a musician composing soundscapes that make environmental data felt, not just known. A youth organizer and an elder herbalist co-authoring a living archive of roots, rituals, and resilience.

We believe possibility emerges when different ways of seeing meet. Through shared experience and creative collaboration, we support work that offers something honest—something that can be felt, questioned, and carried forward.

‍

What We Look For...

We’re most inspired by projects that:

• Align with our mission and values
• Deliver meaningful benefit to communities, ecosystems, or cultural narratives
• Invite new voices, create dialogue, or model new ways of being
• Include a storytelling or engagement component to help amplify impact

We believe storytelling is part of how impact happens—not just how it’s communicated. When people see, feel, and understand the work, they care more deeply—and that’s where transformation begins.

‍

‍

To ensure our resources have the greatest impact...

Proposals with the following characteristics would be considered out of scope:

• Lack a pathway for community participation, shared learning, or broader resonance
• Focus solely on operational costs without a clear narrative or public benefit component
• Do not include a plan for storytelling, visibility, or creative engagement