Heinz Endowments Dismisses Head of Environmental Program

In an unexpected move, the Heinz Endowments dismissed its longtime head of environmental grant making, indicating there might be a significant change to one of the charity’s leading priorities, writes the Associated Press.

In an e-mail sent to Heinz grantees last week, Caren Glotfelty, the former director of the environmental program, said her last day is August 8. While she declined to comment on her departure, Ms. Glotfelty told reporters in an e-mail that the board “is moving in a different direction with regard to the Environment Program,” which forms a significant part of the endowment’s grants. For example, in 2011 Heinz gave out about $67-million in grants, of which the environmental program constituted $7.8-million.

Heinz President Bobby Vagt will serve as acting environmental program director after Glotfelty’s departure, according to her e-mail. Mr. Vagt is also a corporate board member of Houston-based Kinder Morgan, which owns the nation’s largest natural gas pipeline and storage network.

The Heinz Endowments has been a strong source of funds for scientists and environmental groups who study or oppose the boom in shale gas drilling, commonly called “fracking,” but has drawn criticism recently for its decision to partner with major drilling companies such as Shell and Chevron in an attempt to reduce environmental impact by creating voluntary industry standards.