January 24, 2024 More Funding is Flowing to Support Indigenous Peoples. How Much Is Making it to the Front Lines? January 24, 2024/ Michael Kavate 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. Read More
December 19, 2023 Green Funders Show Improvement on Diversity, But More Than Half Still Don’t Share Data December 19, 2023/ Michael Kavate 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.Read More
December 07, 2023 With Food Systems in the Spotlight at COP28, Philanthropy Tries to Build Momentum December 07, 2023/ Michael Kavate 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. Read More
December 04, 2023 Three Key Green Giving Trends Underlined by New Ocean Funding Report December 04, 2023/ Michael Kavate 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.Read More
November 15, 2023 The Kendeda Fund is Writing its Last Checks — and the Last Chapter of a 30-Year Story of Giving November 15, 2023/ Ade Adeniji 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.Read More
October 31, 2023 Funder Spotlight: How the Kalliopeia Foundation Supports Ecological and Community Regeneration October 31, 2023/ Mike Scutari 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.Read More
September 20, 2023 A Grassroots Legal Empowerment Organization Attracts Global Climate Justice Dollars September 20, 2023/ Liz Longley 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.Read More
September 19, 2023 Why This Texas Billionaire Is Giving Big for Biodiversity Science in the Lone Star State September 19, 2023/ Paul Karon 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.Read More
September 14, 2023 Tracking Green Regrantors: Who’s Funding in the Amazon, Brazil and Beyond? September 14, 2023/ Michael Kavate 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.Read More
September 07, 2023 Billionaires Are Backing Brazil and the Amazon. What Do Locals and Longtime Funders Think? September 07, 2023/ Michael Kavate 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.Read More
August 11, 2023 AI for the Planet: How One of the World's Biggest Tech Firms Is Backing AI-Powered Climate Science August 11, 2023/ Paul Karon 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.Read More
July 21, 2023 Bezos Pledges $50 Million a Year for Urban Greenery, With a Focus on Communities of Color July 21, 2023/ Michael Kavate 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. Read More
July 19, 2023 Save the Bees, Bats and Butterflies: How Rotary International Is Making Pollinators a Priority July 19, 2023/ Liz Longley 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. Read More
June 20, 2023 The Schmidt Ocean Institute Cracks the Champagne on One of the World's Largest Research Vessels June 20, 2023/ Paul Karon 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.Read More
June 08, 2023 The Growth of Green Regrantors: Tracking an Evolving Ecosystem of Funding Intermediaries June 08, 2023/ Michael Kavate 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.Read More
May 25, 2023 Seven Questions with Anna Lappé, Incoming Head of the Global Alliance for the Future of Food May 25, 2023/ Michael Kavate 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.”Read More
April 05, 2023 The Evolution of the Woodcock Foundation: A Progressive Family Funder Branches Out April 05, 2023/ Ade Adeniji 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. Read More
March 28, 2023 Gordon Moore's Philanthropy Was Rooted in a Fundamental Optimism About Science and Tech March 28, 2023/ Paul Karon 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.Read More
March 20, 2023 New Study Underscores Longstanding, Persistent Biases in Green Grantmaking March 20, 2023/ Michael Kavate A new study from pioneering environmental justice researcher Dr. Dorceta Taylor reaffirms funding imbalances that those in the movement have lamented for years. Read More
February 23, 2023 Can Philanthropy Curb the Growing Threat of Wildfire? West Coast Funders Are Giving It a Shot February 23, 2023/ Paul Karon 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. Read More