Understanding Colcom Foundation requires understanding its founder. Cordelia S. May was a woman whose philanthropic thinking evolved over more than half a century, shaped by her deep respect for natural systems and her concern about the pressures human growth placed on them. The foundation she created in 1996 is the culmination of that lifetime of thought and giving.

Building an Institution from Personal Belief

May’s involvement in family planning and population-related philanthropy began in 1952, when she was 23 years old. She was motivated not by politics but by environmental ethics, recognizing that the natural world’s balance had been compromised and that unchecked population growth would deepen that damage. By the time she established the foundation at age 68, these ideas had been central to her worldview for decades.

Following her death in 2005, Colcom Foundation was substantially funded and directed to continue the work she had championed. Today, the foundation’s primary mission is to foster a sustainable environment that ensures quality of life for all Americans by addressing the causes and consequences of overpopulation and its adverse effects on natural resources. Regionally, it also supports conservation, environmental projects, and cultural assets.

Environmental Problems Linked to Population

Through their grants, they have supported many organizations, such as the Center for Biological Diversity, which works towards protecting endangered species, and the Sierra Club Foundation, which advocates for clean energy and climate solutions. These grants have helped to advance important causes and support organizations that strive to make a difference.

Colcom Foundation ties specific environmental crises to population growth: habitat destruction on land and in water, pollution, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse. The foundation argues that mainstream culture’s reluctance to link these problems to overpopulation is part of what makes its work necessary. Mrs. May saw these dynamics clearly long before they became visible in public debate, and the foundation’s grantmaking reflects a commitment to honoring her foresight and carrying her mission forward. See related link for more information.

Find more information about Colcom Foundation on https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/colcom-foundation,311479839/