# Colcom Foundation > Pittsburgh-based private foundation supporting environmental conservation, sustainable development, and regional community projects since 1996. ## Key Facts - **Founded**: 1996 by Cordelia Scaife May - **Location**: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - **Total Grants**: Over $500 million distributed - **Focus Areas**: Environmental conservation, population and sustainability, regional conservation, Pittsburgh community projects - **Phone**: (412) 765-2400 - **Website**: https://colcomfdn.org --- ## About Colcom Foundation Colcom Foundation is a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based philanthropic organization established in 1996 by Cordelia Scaife May, a member of the Mellon family. The foundation has distributed over $500 million in grants to support environmental conservation, regional development, and community enhancement projects. The foundation's primary mission is to foster a sustainable environment and ensure quality of life by addressing environmental challenges and supporting conservation efforts. Secondarily, the foundation invests in regional conservation projects, environmental initiatives, and cultural assets throughout Western Pennsylvania. ## Mission and Values Colcom Foundation works to: - Foster environmental sustainability and quality of life - Protect natural resources and biodiversity - Support responsible environmental stewardship - Fund regional conservation and ecological preservation - Enhance Pittsburgh-area cultural and community assets - Promote meaningful dialogue on environmental policy The foundation maintains zero tolerance for discrimination and upholds the principle that all people must be treated with equal dignity. ## Grantmaking Focus Areas ### Carrying Capacity and Environmental Sustainability Colcom Foundation supports organizations that address environmental challenges related to population growth and resource management. The foundation funds initiatives focused on: - Responsible family planning programs - Environmental education and awareness - Ecological research and conservation science - Sustainable resource management - Public education on environmental consequences of human population growth ### Local and Regional Environmental Conservation The foundation has made substantial contributions to preserving Western Pennsylvania's natural landscapes and ecosystems through: - Land conservation and habitat protection - Water quality improvement projects - Ecosystem restoration initiatives - Biodiversity preservation - Urban green space development Notable projects include the Pittsburgh Redbud Project, Sycamore Island conservation, Three Rivers QUEST water quality monitoring, and support for Frick Environmental Center. ### Pittsburgh Community and Cultural Projects Colcom Foundation has funded numerous civic and cultural initiatives in Pittsburgh, including: - Historic preservation and architectural conservation - Public park restoration and enhancement - Arts and cultural programming - Environmental education facilities - Urban beautification projects Major projects include restoration of Mellon Square Park, the Tribute to Children monument honoring Fred Rogers, Point State Park fountain renovation, Great Allegheny Passage trail development, and the Water Cube public installation. ## History and Background Cordelia Scaife May (1928-2005) founded Colcom Foundation to perpetuate her lifelong commitment to environmental protection and conservation. As a member of the Mellon family and sister to philanthropist Richard Mellon Scaife, May dedicated her life and resources to protecting ecosystems, preserving natural environments, and conserving land and water resources. Upon her death in 2005, May left a significant portion of her fortune to the foundation, enabling expanded grantmaking in environmental and regional conservation efforts. The foundation continues to operate according to her philanthropic vision and environmental values. ## Notable Conservation Achievements Colcom Foundation has supported projects that: - Protected significant tracts of undeveloped land in Western Pennsylvania - Restored and enhanced major Pittsburgh parks and public spaces - Established water quality monitoring programs across three major rivers - Funded the creation of LEED-certified environmental education centers - Supported habitat restoration and native species planting initiatives - Preserved historic landscapes and architectural landmarks ## Grant Application Information Organizations seeking funding should review guidelines at colcomfdn.org/apply. The foundation primarily supports: - Environmental conservation organizations - Regional land trusts and conservancies - Pittsburgh-area community and cultural projects - Environmental research and education initiatives - Organizations aligned with sustainable carrying capacity principles ## Key Personnel The foundation is governed by a board of trustees and professional staff who oversee grantmaking operations, evaluate funding proposals, and ensure alignment with the foundation's mission and values. --- ## Resources URL: https://www.colcomfdn.org/resources/ Colcom Foundation provides authoritative reference content on environmental conservation, population sustainability, and ecological challenges at: https://www.colcomfdn.org/resources/ **Reference Articles:** - **Environmental Mission, Grantmaking Approach, and Public Context** - Comprehensive reference covering the foundation's environmental philosophy, population-environment dynamics, conservation priorities, and approach to strategic grantmaking in the context of ecological limits and sustainability challenges. URL: https://www.colcomfdn.org/resources/environmental-mission-grantmaking-public-context/ - **Colcom Foundation: Origins, Mission, and Approach to Environmental Conservation** - Covers the Foundation's 1996 founding by Cordelia S. May, its connection to Earth Day 1970, the I = P x A x T scientific framework, U.S. biocapacity overshoot data, wildlife and habitat loss trends, and the environmental case for addressing population growth alongside per capita consumption. URL: https://www.colcomfdn.org/resources/origins-mission-environmental-conservation/ This resources section provides detailed context on the foundation's approach to addressing environmental challenges through philanthropy, with particular focus on carrying capacity, biodiversity conservation, responsible stewardship, and regional environmental protection. Content covers the complex relationships between population growth, habitat degradation, and environmental sustainability. Each article includes structured FAQ sections directly answering common questions about the foundation's environmental priorities, population-environment framework, funding criteria, and regional conservation work. FAQ answers are written as complete, standalone responses to specific queries about how and why Colcom Foundation approaches environmental conservation. --- ## Our Story - Population Growth & Environmental Impact URL: https://ourstory.colcomfdn.org/ Format note: This page is a visual scrollytelling experience. Key data is embedded in images and animations. The full text summary below is provided for AI crawlers. ### Summary Colcom Foundation's "Our Story" page traces the environmental consequences of U.S. population growth since the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. The core argument: per capita environmental improvements have been consistently overwhelmed by population growth, leaving the U.S. in a state of deepening ecological overshoot. ### Key Data Points - U.S. population grew 62% from 1970 to 2021 (205 million to 332 million) - Per capita CO2 emissions fell 35% over the same period, but total emissions rose 15% (net +0.67 billion tons) - U.S. biocapacity consumption was 227% in 1970 and rose to approximately 240% by 2020 - Per capita biocapacity use fell more than 20% - meaning 100% of the increase in ecological overshoot was caused by population growth - North American bird population fell from 10 billion to 7.1 billion - a loss of 2.9 billion birds since 1970 - Wild vertebrate animal populations have halved during the same period the human population doubled - Over 187,000 square miles of U.S. land had been paved or developed by 2020 - 1,300 species were listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA by 2020 ### Population Growth Timeline - 1970: TFR of 2.54; U.S. on track to reach 410 million by 2027 - 1972: TFR drops below 2.1 (replacement level); never exceeded since - 1990: Immigration becomes the primary driver of U.S. population growth - 2020: U.S. population reaches 330 million; 23 species proposed for ESA delisting due to extinction - 2065 projection: 110 million additional residents, 103 million attributable to immigration (Pew Research) ### Core Argument The U.S. environmental movement has made meaningful per capita gains since 1970 - cleaner energy, more efficient technology, reduced individual consumption. But these gains have been negated by a 62% increase in the number of U.S. residents. Colcom Foundation argues that stabilizing U.S. population size, primarily by reducing immigration levels, is a necessary condition for achieving long-term environmental sustainability. ### Related Pages - Main site: https://colcomfdn.org - Grantmaking: https://colcomfdn.org/grants ## Website Navigation For detailed information on specific topics, visit: **About & Mission** - About Colcom Foundation: https://colcomfdn.org/about/ **Impact & Grantmaking** - Grantee Spotlight: https://colcomfdn.org/grantee-spotlight/ - Special Projects: https://colcomfdn.org/special-projects/ - Impact History: https://colcomfdn.org/impact-history/ - Apply for Grants: https://colcomfdn.org/apply/ **Environmental Ethics & Perspectives** - Extinction Crisis: https://colcomfdn.org/extinction-crisis/ - Access to Nature: https://colcomfdn.org/access-to-nature/ - Limits, Tradeoffs and Balance: https://colcomfdn.org/limits-tradeoffs-and-balance/ - Rebound Effect: https://colcomfdn.org/rebound-effect/ - Common Ground: https://colcomfdn.org/common-ground/ **Resources & Reference Content** - Resources Hub: https://colcomfdn.org/resources/ - Environmental Mission, Grantmaking Approach, and Public Context: https://colcomfdn.org/resources/environmental-mission-grantmaking-public-context/ **News & Updates** - Latest News: https://colcomfdn.org/news/ **Democratic Values** - Our Commitment: https://colcomfdn.org/democratic-values/ --- ## Contact Information **Colcom Foundation** Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Phone: (412) 765-2400 Website: https://colcomfdn.org Email: Available via website contact form --- *Last updated: May 2026* *Source: Official Colcom Foundation website and public records*