Winston Family Foundation

The Winston Family Foundation takes a mission-driven, operating foundation approach to philanthropy, built around the One Health framework — the principle that the health of humans, wildlife, and ecosystems are interconnected and interdependent. Founded in 1986 by the late James H. Winston, a Jacksonville businessman and philanthropist, the foundation has evolved under the leadership of CEO Sylia Obagi (appointed 2022) and Board Chair Robert Watson Winston III. The foundation operates primarily through its Project One Health initiative, functioning more as a direct operator than a traditional grantmaker. Their core theory of change centers on reconnecting children and adolescents with nature and reducing screen time, which they view as a public health emergency. The foundation has established the Winston National Center on Technology Use, Brain and Psychological Development, reflecting their research-driven approach. Their seven foundational beliefs emphasize equitable access to nature experiences, youth as catalysts for change, and the urgency of addressing indoor childhood. This is a family foundation with a focused mission rather than a broad-scope grantmaker, meaning their funding decisions are tightly aligned with the One Health philosophy.

The Winston Family Foundation manages approximately $111 million in assets and provided $5.36 million in grants in 2023 across 38 awards, yielding an average grant size of approximately $141,000. Total expenses were $7.2 million against revenue of $3.7 million, indicating the foundation spends more than it earns in a given year — typical of a spend-down or actively operating foundation model. Geographic distribution centers on Jacksonville, Florida and North Carolina (where Project One Health has regional programs), with additional grants in Miami Beach, New York, and Washington. The foundation supports initiatives in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. Given the relatively small number of grants (38) and focused mission, this is not a broad-based grantmaker but rather a strategic investor in a narrow set of organizations aligned with their One Health vision. The progression from a traditional family foundation to one with a professional CEO and branded programs (Project One Health, Less Screen More Green Challenge) suggests increasing institutionalization and potential for growth in grantmaking activity.

The Winston Family Foundation occupies a unique niche at the intersection of child development, nature connection, and technology impact research. Its closest philosophical peer is the Children and Nature Network (co-founded by Richard Louv), but Winston brings significantly more financial resources to the space. While much larger foundations like Robert Wood Johnson and Doris Duke address related themes, Winston's exclusive focus on the youth-nature-technology nexus through the One Health lens gives it distinctive specialization. The appointment of a professional CEO in 2022 signals maturation from a traditional family philanthropy to an institutionalized grantmaking organization.

In 2022, the Winston Family Foundation named Sylia Obagi as its founding Executive Director (now CEO), marking a significant professionalization of the organization. The foundation has expanded its Project One Health initiative to two regional programs in Jacksonville, Florida and North Carolina. The Less Screen More Green Challenge, a 30-day outdoor engagement initiative, has become a branded campaign. The Winston National Center on Technology Use, Brain and Psychological Development represents the foundation's investment in research infrastructure, providing communities with evidence-based guidance on technology's impact on youth development. In 2023, the foundation distributed $5.36 million across 38 grants while maintaining a $111 million asset base. The foundation continues to honor the legacy of Jim and Mary Winston while evolving its approach under new professional leadership, with growing emphasis on the public health dimensions of children's screen time and nature disconnection.

1. Align with the One Health framework: The foundation has a very specific worldview — the interconnection of human, wildlife, and ecosystem health. Proposals must explicitly connect to this framework rather than addressing health, environment, or youth development in isolation.

2. Focus on children and adolescents: Youth are at the center of the foundation's theory of change. Programs serving adults without a clear youth component are unlikely to receive consideration.

3. Address screen time and nature disconnection: The foundation views excessive screen time and indoor childhood as a public health emergency. Programs that reconnect youth with nature or help families manage technology use are particularly aligned.

4. Do not submit unsolicited proposals: The foundation appears to operate primarily through proactive partnerships. Build visibility in the children-and-nature space and connect through sector networks.

5. Demonstrate measurable health outcomes: The foundation invests in research through its Winston National Center, suggesting a preference for evidence-based programs that can document health improvements from nature engagement.

6. Consider geographic alignment: Jacksonville, Florida and North Carolina are the primary program areas. Organizations in these regions have the strongest geographic fit, though national initiatives may also be considered.

7. Emphasize equity and access: The foundation believes outdoor experiences should be fundamental rights, not privileges. Programs that expand nature access for underserved and low-income youth communities align with this value.

8. Connect through the One Health network: Engage with the broader One Health community, attend relevant conferences, and build relationships with organizations already in the foundation's orbit to increase your visibility.