Getty Oil heiress Anne Earhart created the Marisla Foundation (formerly known as the Homeland Foundation) in 1986.¹ The foundation, based in Laguna Beach, California, aims to support human and health service organizations, but dedicates the largest majority of its grants towards environmentalist issues, namely influencing ocean conservancy and clean energy regulation that will increase government oversight.

In addition, the Marisla Foundation contributes to progressive and Democratic-aligned activist groups like the Center for American Progress and Media Matters for America while Earhart personally funnels millions of dollars to support Democratic political candidates who will support environmental regulations.²

In 2015, the foundation’s assets totaled over $54 million.³

Founding

Anne Earhart, daughter of George Getty and granddaughter of oilman Jean Paul Getty, is a philanthropist and Democratic political donor based in Laguna Beach, California. She inherited $400 million when Texaco bought Getty Oil in 1986 and, in the same year, established the Marisla Foundation.⁴ Earhart continues to serve as President and the main source of funding for the foundation, funneling over $49 million in asset contributions in 2015.⁵

Overview

The Marisla Foundation’s website lists three key program areas – human services, environment, and special interests.⁶

The foundation invests heavily in environmental issues, especially relating to marine conservation, energy and climate, and toxic chemicals. Grantees include Nature Conservancy, Ocean Legacy Fund, and the Resources Legacy Fund. The foundation also supports international environment issues in Northern Mexico, South America, and in the Pacific Ocean.⁷

The foundation has given funds to the liberal think tank Center for American Progress which recently came under scrutiny for its lack of donor transparency from left-wing activists, corporations, and foundations, including the Marisla Foundation.⁸ In addition, through personal giving, Earhart supports liberal political organizations like Organizing for Action and super PAC Priorities USA Action, which were created to campaign in support of the agenda of former President Barack Obama.⁹

Board and Key Staff

Anne Earhart serves as President of the Marisla Foundation.¹⁰ In 2019, she was awarded the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. ¹¹

Herbert Bedolfe is the Executive Director of the Marisla Foundation.  Prior to this, he served as a founder of ocean sustainability group Oceana founders and had served as Chairman of the Board for the organization from 2002 to 2008. ¹²

Sara Lowell is director of he Marisla Foundation. ¹³

1. “California Rainmakers #42: Anne G. Earhart.” California Watch. Accessed April 8, 2017. http://rainmaker.apps.cironline.org/donors/anne-g-earhart/.
2. “The Oil Company Heiress Devoting Her Wealth To Oceans.” Inside Philanthropy. Accessed April 8, 2017. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2014/5/23/the-oil-company-heiress-devoting-her-wealth-to-oceans.html.
3. “The Marisla Foundation – 990 Form.” GuideStar. Accessed April 8, 2017. http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2015/330/200/2015-330200133-0d231a90-F.pdf.
4. “California Rainmakers #42: Anne G. Earhart.” California Watch. Accessed April 8, 2017. http://rainmaker.apps.cironline.org/donors/anne-g-earhart/.

5. “The Marisla Foundation – 990 Form.” GuideStar. Accessed April 8, 2017. http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2015/330/200/2015-330200133-0d231a90-F.pdf.
6. The Marisla Foundation. Accessed April 8, 2017. https://online.foundationsource.com/public/home/marisla.
7. “The Oil Company Heiress Devoting Her Wealth To Oceans.” Inside Philanthropy. Accessed April 8, 2017. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2014/5/23/the-oil-company-heiress-devoting-her-wealth-to-oceans.html.
8. Cohen, Rick. “Has CAP Been Compromised by Corporate Concerns?” Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly. June 14, 2013. Accessed May 26, 2017. https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2013/05/24/has-cap-been-compromised-by-corporate-concerns/.
9. “The Oil Company Heiress Devoting Her Wealth To Oceans.” Inside Philanthropy. Accessed April 8, 2017. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2014/5/23/the-oil-company-heiress-devoting-her-wealth-to-oceans.html.
10. “The Marisla Foundation – 990 Form.” GuideStar. Accessed April 8, 2017. http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2015/330/200/2015-330200133-0d231a90-F.pdf.
11. “Earhart, Anne G.” Carnegie Corporation of New York. Accessed October 25, 2022. https://www.medalofphilanthropy.org/anne-g-earhart/ 
12. Herbert M. Bedolfe, III.” Oceana. Accessed October 25, 2022. https://usa.oceana.org/people-partners/herbert-m-bedolfe-iii/
13. note]”The Marisla Foundation – 990 Form.” GuideStar. Accessed April 8, 2017. http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2015/330/200/2015-330200133-0d231a90-F.pdf.