About

PROTEUS FUND is a publicly supported foundation based in Amherst, Massachusetts that supports organizations working to advance social justice and the common good. Proteus envisions a nation where public policy and leadership are based on progressive values of equality, freedom of expression, participatory democracy, community, justice, human rights, and respect for the environment.

Proteus is best known for state-based grantmaking collaboratives comprised of foundations and individual donors who pool their resources in order to support unified funding strategies. We provide other philanthropic services, including management and consulting services to individual donors and private and family foundations. Our programs prioritize learning for donors - through research and analysis, strategic discussions, docket preparation, donor meetings and briefings, and site visits with key organizations and leaders - enabling funders to extend their impact and achieve their goals by supporting the most effective work in the field.

Since 1994, Proteus has awarded $44 million to organizations committed to social justice and public interest advocacy, supporting their work to follow the trail of money in politics, increase civic participation by underrepresented constituencies, advocate for environmental justice, develop alternative national security policy proposals, work for peace, secure a just media environment and democratic media policy, and protect and extend human rights. Proteus Action League, our affiliated §501(c)(4) grantmaking organization, enables us to extend the impact of our social justice grantmaking.