Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Aster Foundation Inc.

Aster Foundation Inc. is an independent charitable foundation created to strengthen the environmental movement in New Brunswick and beyond. Originating from the Aster Group Environmental Services Co-op, which set aside 10% of its profits for an environmental foundation, Aster Foundation was formed in 2017 and became a registered Canadian charity in 2020. It mobilizes individual and institutional donors who want their contributions to support local, community-based environmental work.

The foundation focuses on strategic, high-impact projects in environmental protection, conservation, education and stewardship. Its goal is to fill gaps in environmental philanthropy by funding initiatives that are under-funded or not typically supported by government programs or large grantmakers. Aster Foundation channels donations into New Brunswick’s mature and well-connected environmental sector, complementing existing instruments such as the provincial Environmental Trust Fund and the work of the New Brunswick Environmental Network.

Aster Foundation operates as a grantmaker, organizing calls for proposals, including a planned 2026 call, and reviewing projects from environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs). It aims to distribute funds proportionally to the regions from which they originate, ensuring that local giving benefits local communities and ecosystems.

The foundation has supported a range of organizations under programs such as “Building New Brunswick ENGO Capacity”. Examples include legal support and collaboration building through East Coast Environmental Law, volunteer program development with the Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance, administrative system upgrades for the Restigouche River Watershed Management Council, and digital marketing capacity development at The Gaia Project. Earlier support included monitoring and maintenance of a green roof and food forest sites by EOS Eco-Energy, improving climate resilience and community education.

Grants are targeted primarily to environmental organizations working at the community and regional level in New Brunswick, with a vision of a resilient, self-sufficient and innovative environmental movement. By providing flexible, charitable funding outside government channels, Aster Foundation helps groups build organizational capacity, experiment with new approaches, and sustain long-term stewardship initiatives. Its work supports healthier ecosystems, stronger community engagement, and greater resilience to climate change.