Evaluating Philanthropic Investments in Toxics Reform

This is an independent evaluation of foundation grants and project-based work to reform federal, state, and corporate policy on toxics.  The Forsythia Foundation, the John Merck Fund, the Marisla Foundation, the Passport Foundation, and the Fine Fund provided support to HEFN to direct the evaluation, which was conducted by M+R Strategic Services.

For more than a decade, HEFN members shared information, discussed strategies, invested millions of dollars, and partnered in building a movement to shift from toxic to safer chemicals.  Many of the strategies pursued by these funders were aimed at passing a comprehensive federal bill to reform the U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). 

From the report: “The evaluation’s overarching conclusion is that HEFN members’ long-term strategy and investments played a critical role in TSCA reform… Advocates played a decisive role in the debate, [in] positively influencing the legislation…[and in]  keeping a focus on efforts to reform TSCA over many years.”