When Cordelia S. May died in 2005, she left behind more than a financial endowment. She left a clearly articulated philosophy about the relationship between human activity and the health of the planet one she had been developing and acting on since 1952. The institution she created to carry that philosophy forward, the Colcom Foundation, was established in 1996 when May was 68 years old.

ROOTS IN EARLY CONCERN

May’s engagement with environmental and population issues began unusually early. By age 23, she was already supporting family planning efforts, motivated by genuine concern for the natural world and its effect on human quality of life. She understood something that took decades to enter mainstream environmental thinking: that the relationship between population size and ecological stability is not incidental it is central.

She also understood the nature of incremental change. Growth that seems manageable year to year can accumulate into a force that overwhelms natural systems. This was not abstract theorizing for May. It was a practical observation that shaped her philanthropy across half a century.

THE FOUNDATION’S CORE PURPOSE

The Colcom Foundation’s primary mission is to foster a sustainable environment and ensure quality of life for all Americans by addressing the causes and consequences of overpopulation and its adverse effects on natural resources. Regionally, the foundation extends its work to conservation, environmental projects, and cultural assets.

The foundation frames its grantmaking as a direct expression of May’s humanitarian vision honoring her foresight, her dignity, and her compassion for both people and the natural world.

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.

A REFORMER’S LEGACY

The Colcom Foundation situates its founder among a tradition of reformers who were ahead of their time. Advocates for civil rights and gender equality once faced ridicule before their views became settled wisdom. May, the foundation argues, was raising urgent questions about population and ecology long before the environmental consequences she anticipated became front-page news. Her legacy is visible in the headlines of today. See related link for more information.

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