Marine & Freshwater
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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.
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.
How Dalio Philanthropies’ OceanX is Working to Diversify Marine Research and Teaching
In the past year, this research nonprofit has expanded efforts to diversify ocean science through new educational partnerships with HBCUs Spelman College and Howard University — with more set to come.
Five Things to Know about Walton Family Foundation’s New Executive Director
The flagship foundation of the country’s richest family has a new leader, Stephanie Dodson Cornell. Here, we hit the broad strokes of her career, plus some lesser-known facts that shed more light on her opinions and interests.
Can Philanthropy Help Decarbonize the Maritime Shipping Industry?
Global shipping is a complex, multifaceted industry that might seem daunting for philanthropists looking to make an impact on climate change. A new report makes the case for funding this critical area of emissions reductions.
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.
This Oceans Funder Has Been Protecting Sharks and Rays for 20 Years. Now It’s Expanding the Fight
The Save Our Seas Foundation is celebrating two decades of funding marine conservation and raising awareness of the growing threats to sharks, rays and ocean ecosystems. Here’s closer look at its work and a new program.
Sharks Are in Trouble. This Funder Collaborative Is Working to Protect the Oceans’ Apex Predators
The global fishing industry is pushing many shark species to extinction. The Shark Conservation Fund is pooling money and aligning efforts to protect them — and their increasingly fragile ocean ecosystems.
Green Middleweights: 25 Prominent, Mid-Sized Environmental Grantmakers
We previously compiled the top 25 green funders based on 2021 giving data. Today, we round up the next 25 on the list — a wide-ranging set of grantmakers who all gave $10 million or more to environmental causes.
Green Heavyweights: The Nation’s 25 Largest Environmental Grantmakers
We compiled a list of the top green funders in the U.S., based on the most recent full year of giving data available. One big takeaway: Living billionaires now dominate the list.
More Green Funders Than Ever Shared Diversity Data in 2022, but Most Still Avoiding the Sunlight
For six years now, Green 2.0 has been tracking the diversity of staff at environmental nonprofits and foundations. More are submitting data than ever, but overall participation — and diversity at the top — remain frustratingly low.
What Are Conservation, Pollution and Ag Funders Looking For Right Now? Fundraisers Weigh In
Fundraisers in these fields see opportunity and uncertainty, and many organizations are hiring to take advantage. Here are some major shifts they’ve highlighted in the funding landscape.
Nine Affinity Groups that Keep Environmental Giving Going — and Growing
Here are some of the key philanthropy-supporting organizations that help environmental funders connect and bring new grantmakers into the field.
Here Are Four Outdoor Recreation Companies With Environmental Grantmaking Programs
With summer around the corner, here’s a look at four outdoor companies whose grantmaking helps conserve the world’s lakes, rivers and beaches.
Risk Capital in Action: A Deep Dive into Eric and Wendy Schmidt’s Giving
In recent years, Eric Schmidt and Wendy Schmidt have ramped up giving in areas ranging from cutting-edge scientific research to developing young leaders. We unpack their many giving vehicles and philanthropic initiatives.
What Happens When Environmental Movement Leaders Make Funding Decisions?
One year in, participatory grantmaking project Mosaic offers insights into what it looks like when environmental groups direct funding. Leaders point to powerful collaborative projects and new movement infrastructure.
IP Briefing: What’s Going on with Philanthropy for Oceans and Freshwater?
The water challenges the world faces today are increasing, and disproportionately impacting poor communities. Philanthropy to address these threats is increasing, too—but will it be enough?
The Future of Climate Action Is Collaborative. Both Water and Philanthropy Are at the Center
The shifts needed to adapt our water systems during climate change will require a huge, multi-sector approach. In this guest post, leaders from the Walton Family Foundation and the Water Foundation offer a path forward.
The Giving of America’s Richest Family Can Be Hard to Track. Here Are 12 Foundations of Walton Heirs
So many Waltons, so much money. Aside from the big foundation, several heirs have their own philanthropies, and they can be hard to keep track of. Here’s a list of 12 Walton family foundations, with brief summaries of their giving.
A Decade of Ocean Philanthropy: As Threats Rise, Funding Levels Double but Remain Modest
Global philanthropic giving to ocean conservation issues doubled in the past decade, but still falls woefully short of what’s needed. A new report funded by the Packard Foundation takes a deep dive into the state of marine funding.
“Water Is Life.” In a Time of Crisis, Ocean and Freshwater Fundraisers Emphasize Interdependence
Ocean and freshwater funders are focusing on climate change, the social dimensions of water ecosystems and collaborative approaches. Fundraisers have taken heart, but are calling for more resources as crises mount.
These 3 Walton Heirs’ Foundations Are Growing, but Still Mostly Off the Radar. We Take a Closer Look
The Walton Family Foundation is the best-known philanthropy of America’s richest family. But the clan maintains many other grantmaking funds. Here’s what we know about these third-generation heirs’ low-profile foundations.
As Plastic Waste Spirals Out of Control, Foundations Struggle to Protect the World’s Oceans
Even as the pandemic briefly curtailed carbon emissions, it only accelerated the threat that plastic waste poses to the planet. Here’s how several philanthropic funders are confronting a global problem.
How a Group of Funders and NGOs Aims to Conserve 5% of the World’s Oceans
A new alliance of nonprofits and funders wants to conserve an area of the world’s oceans totaling the size of South America over the next five years. It’s the latest in a series of philanthropic efforts to expand ocean conservation.
How Funders Can Support Clean, Reliable Water for All
The United States is facing a water infrastructure crisis. In this guest contribution, the leaders of three water grantmakers call on philanthropy to do more, and offer four ways funders can help.
Can the Private Sector Save Coral Reefs and Turn a Profit? A New Global Fund Hopes So
Half of reefs have been lost in the last 30 years. Scientists say we could lose 90% of the rest in the next 30 years. A new philanthropic effort launched last month is taking an unusual approach to stopping this unthinkable extinction.
Saving the Whales: A Crowdsourced Philanthropic Project Targets Fatal Collisions
The Benioff Ocean Initiative just launched a $1.5 million project that uses sensors and data analysis to prevent fatal collisions between whales and shipping vessels. It’s the product of a crowdsourced effort to identify funding priorities.
Pandemic Hurting Fundraising? Not So Much for This Aquarium and Others
Months of shutdowns have put zoos and aquariums deep in the red. But these shortfalls haven’t derailed major capital projects that expand aquariums, institutions that appeal to donors for multiple reasons.
Hedge Fund Titan, Chinese Billionaires Partner for the Oceans. Is More to Come?
The charitable venture of the two richest men in China and an ocean exploration nonprofit backed by Ray Dalio just formed a new partnership. It could presage far greater funding to come from China’s philanthropists.
How Funders Can Work Together Toward Resilient and Equitable Systems
COVID-19 has shown us how fragile and inequitable our systems are—and how they all intersect. Water Foundation CEO Allison Harvey Turner says it’s time to align our work on clean water, climate change, public health, and more.
