Conservation
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This $50 Million Funding Challenge Seeks Solutions for a Resilient and Sustainable Gulf Coast
The Gulf Futures Challenge — launched by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine through Lever for Change — aims to help the Gulf region thrive through science, engineering and medical knowledge.
Why Philanthropy Should Recommit to America’s National Parks
Guest author Will Shafroth calls on private donors to build on the progress they’ve already made toward protecting and preserving “our common ground.”
Billionaire Climate Donors’ Interest in Food and Agriculture Is Surging. That’s Helped This Fund Soar
The Agroecology Fund awarded just over $10 million in its first decade. Now, with a prescient mission that appeals to many big climate donors, the regrantor’s getting new commitments at $9 million and $10 million a pop.
A Look at Eight Major Conservation Regrantors Based in the Global North
As part of a larger trend toward intermediary-based environmental funding, conservation regrantors based in the Global North and focused on the Global South are growing rapidly. Here are the major players.
A Year and a Half After Its Founder’s Passing, Robertson’s Green Program Looks Abroad
Now led by Julian Robertson’s heirs, the foundation has overhauled its environmental strategy to put money directly in the hands of local organizations outside the U.S.
Funding for a Better Farm Bill Has Been Sparse and Inconsistent. Is That Changing?
Much of the country’s agriculture policy hinges on the U.S. farm bill, but related funding is limited and overly focused on the reauthorization every five years. There are, however, some major new players entering the space.
How Many Green Groups Won Support in MacKenzie Scott’s First Open Call?
At least 12% of the donations made under Yield Giving’s first open call for applications went to green groups, with environmental justice a major focus. Here’s where the money went.
Post-WeWork, the Neumanns Are Still Billionaires. Whatever Happened to Their Philanthropy?
Before being forced out of the company, Adam and Rebekah Neumann signaled some big philanthropic aspirations. They’re still very wealthy; did they continue giving?
What Happened to Laurene Powell Jobs’ and Leonardo DiCaprio’s Once-Ambitious Green Group?
Launched with fanfare in 2019, Earth Alliance promised to ally billionaire dollars and celebrity clout against the threats of climate change and biodiversity loss. Now, the initiative is virtually defunct. Here’s what we know.
How the Head of Holdfast Collective Is Giving Away Patagonia’s Profits
It’s been a little over a year since the Chouinard family donated their stake in Patagonia to a series of trusts that will donate the company’s profits. In this in-depth conversation, Holdfast Collective’s Greg Curtis explains how it works.
More Funding is Flowing to Support Indigenous Peoples. How Much Is Making it to the Front Lines?
Thanks in part to a $1.7 billion pledge, more funding than ever is going toward Indigenous peoples and their critical role in climate and land protection. New research shows relatively little goes directly to groups on the ground.
Green Funders Show Improvement on Diversity, But More Than Half Still Don’t Share Data
Many environmental funders still did not share their diversity data with the sector’s annual report card from Green 2.0. Respondents did show gains, though board diversity declined.
With Food Systems in the Spotlight at COP28, Philanthropy Tries to Build Momentum
For the first time, food systems and sustainable agriculture are a major focus at this year’s U.N. climate summit. Here’s a rundown of the philanthropic commitments and ambitions that have emerged.
Three Key Green Giving Trends Underlined by New Ocean Funding Report
Our Shared Seas’ new overview of funding for marine area-based conservation highlights dynamics we’ve seen across environmental philanthropy, including the heightened role of regrantors and billionaires.
The Kendeda Fund is Writing its Last Checks — and the Last Chapter of a 30-Year Story of Giving
Diana Blank’s foundation is winding down this year, having moved over $1 billion to the environment, rights of women and girls, and more. Family and staff recount Kendeda’s history and explain how and why it’s spending down.
Funder Spotlight: How the Kalliopeia Foundation Supports Ecological and Community Regeneration
Established in 1997, the Kalliopeia Foundation supports organizations committed to ecological and spiritual renewal. We take a closer look at the Inverness, California-based foundation and its founder, Barbara Sargent.
A Grassroots Legal Empowerment Organization Attracts Global Climate Justice Dollars
Namati trains paralegals who can work as grassroots climate justice and land rights advocates in their own communities. It’s an approach that has garnered attention from big names in philanthropy.
Why This Texas Billionaire Is Giving Big for Biodiversity Science in the Lone Star State
Low-key philanthropist Stephen Winn, a Dallas-based investor and tech businessman, and his family have committed $50 million to help the University of Texas at Austin sharply expand ecology and climate research in the state.
Tracking Green Regrantors: Who’s Funding in the Amazon, Brazil and Beyond?
Billionaires and big foundations, often from abroad, may be the megafauna of Amazon philanthropy, but there’s also a growing array of regrantors, intermediaries and grantmaking nonprofits to note.
Billionaires Are Backing Brazil and the Amazon. What Do Locals and Longtime Funders Think?
A wave of new commitments from foreign billionaires has some Amazon conservationists and activists feeling hopeful. But they’re also voicing concerns about where and how the money’s flowing.
AI for the Planet: How One of the World’s Biggest Tech Firms Is Backing AI-Powered Climate Science
Google.org is putting artificial intelligence at the center of its current efforts to foster innovation in climate research. It’s something of a return to form for a corporate funder that previously focused heavily on COVID response.
Bezos Pledges $50 Million a Year for Urban Greenery, With a Focus on Communities of Color
The Bezos Earth Fund’s latest big move seeks to develop urban green space in disadvantaged communities. The grantee list so far is dominated by groups working close to the ground and led by people of color.
Save the Bees, Bats and Butterflies: How Rotary International Is Making Pollinators a Priority
Birds, bats, bees and other insects play an integral role in global food systems, biodiversity and climate. This membership-based organization and its foundation are working to protect and restore pollinators.
The Schmidt Ocean Institute Cracks the Champagne on One of the World’s Largest Research Vessels
Eric and Wendy Schmidt’s ocean science outfit has been helping scientists study the sea since 2009. The organization recently launched an advanced new science vessel, and it’s free to scientists.
The Growth of Green Regrantors: Tracking an Evolving Ecosystem of Funding Intermediaries
With more dollars heading toward environmental issues, we’ve seen an explosion of pooled funds seeking to help donors engage with complex problems and front-line communities. IP’s taking stock of this important space.
Seven Questions with Anna Lappé, Incoming Head of the Global Alliance for the Future of Food
The author and food movement leader will lead this 27-member group in transforming global food systems. She’s wary of philanthropy’s history but sees “huge potential.”
The Evolution of the Woodcock Foundation: A Progressive Family Funder Branches Out
As this family foundation heads into its third generation, it’s backing social enterprises, taking on new issue areas, and exploring practices like impact investing and trust-based philanthropy.
Gordon Moore’s Philanthropy Was Rooted in a Fundamental Optimism About Science and Tech
Computer technology pioneer Gordon Moore died last week at age 94. His legacy includes the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation — and a dedication to the idea that scientific progress can change the world.
New Study Underscores Longstanding, Persistent Biases in Green Grantmaking
A new study from pioneering environmental justice researcher Dr. Dorceta Taylor reaffirms funding imbalances that those in the movement have lamented for years.
Can Philanthropy Curb the Growing Threat of Wildfire? West Coast Funders Are Giving It a Shot
For a century, communities in the Western U.S. have worked hard to prevent and extinguish wildfires. But residents may have to learn to get along with a certain amount of fire. A few funders are navigating this tricky territory.
