March 06, 2023 This Small but Mighty Research Hub Is Expanding. Here’s Who’s Helping Make That Happen March 06, 2023/ Paul Karon Since 1963, Salk Institute scientists have been advancing our knowledge of cancer, aging, infectious disease and more. With a new seven-year, $750 million fundraising goal, the aim is to grow both its facilities and research ranks.Read More
December 21, 2022 Green Heavyweights: The Nation’s 25 Largest Environmental Grantmakers December 21, 2022/ Michael Kavate 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.Read More
November 30, 2022 A Half-Dozen Top Climate Programs Are Led by Alumni of This Think Tank. Why Is That? November 30, 2022/ Michael Kavate Veterans of the World Resources Institute hold positions across climate philanthropy, including leading six top programs. Here are a few reasons that may be — and why that prevalence concerns some in the field.Read More
November 14, 2022 What Have Philanthropies Pledged So Far During the UN Climate Summit? November 14, 2022/ Michael Kavate This year’s United Nations climate summit, known as COP27, has played host to a number of philanthropic announcements, some more substantive than others. Here’s a breakdown.Read More
November 08, 2022 Foundations and Governments Pledged $1.7 Billion to Indigenous Land Protection. How Are They Doing? November 08, 2022/ Michael Kavate A pledge to help Indigenous people protect the world’s tropical forests is moving millions, but so far, most of the money isn’t going to Indigenous-led groups. Participants call it “quite alarming” and hope to see that change.Read More
October 31, 2022 Climate Funding Surged Last Year Thanks to Pledges from Billionaires and Major Foundations October 31, 2022/ Michael Kavate A new report from ClimateWorks Foundation shows a 25% increase in philanthropic support for climate change mitigation between 2020 and 2021. It’s a welcome development, but the momentum must continue.Read More
October 03, 2022 What Are Conservation, Pollution and Ag Funders Looking For Right Now? Fundraisers Weigh In October 03, 2022/ Michael Kavate 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.Read More
February 16, 2022 IP Briefing: What's Going on With Philanthropy on Climate Change and Clean Energy? February 16, 2022/ IP Staff Climate change is the most pressing issue of our time—but even after some landmark recent pledges, it’s still receiving only a small share of philanthropy. Who’s funding what as the clock ticks louder and the stakes get higher?Read More
January 14, 2022 This New Global Conservation Fund Aims to Move Dollars Directly to Indigenous Groups January 14, 2022/ Michael Kavate Indigenous peoples have long received less than 1% of climate finance—with most such funding going to international NGOs. In the wake of two billion-dollar-plus pledges, a new fund is looking to change that reality.Read More
December 16, 2021 Eight Questions for Danielle Deane-Ryan, Director of Equitable Climate Solutions at Bezos Earth Fund December 16, 2021/ Michael Kavate Jeff Bezos’ $10 billion fund hired a respected veteran of philanthropy and climate justice for a key position in November. Danielle Deane-Ryan discusses what drew her to the role and her views on the state of climate philanthropy.Read More
December 08, 2021 What We're Learning From the Latest List of Bezos Earth Fund Grantees December 08, 2021/ Michael Kavate Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ $10 billion fund has released the names of a new crop of grantees, giving fresh insight into the fund’s priorities and approach. Here’s our take on the latest details.Read More
December 02, 2021 The American Billionaires Most Engaged in the Climate Fight December 02, 2021/ Michael Kavate Climate change was a relatively small niche in philanthropy for years, but has been gaining traction among the country’s wealthiest donors. Here are some of the billionaires who are most involved in the issue. Read More
November 11, 2021 Having a Hard Time Keeping Up with All the Recent Climate Pledges? Here’s a List November 11, 2021/ Michael Kavate The recent U.N. climate change summit and the U.N. General Assembly before that prompted quite a few billionaires and foundations to announce new philanthropic commitments. We’ve collected the most notable ones here.Read More
November 03, 2021 Another Big Pledge from Bezos: What We Know About a Commitment to Land and Food Systems November 03, 2021/ Michael Kavate COP26 in Glasgow has unleashed a flurry of philanthropic commitments, and one of the biggest came from Jeff Bezos. Here’s what we know and don’t know about a $2 billion pledge toward land restoration and food systems.Read More
October 06, 2021 Tackling Global Food Security at a U.N. Summit Raises Funding—and Dissenting Voices October 06, 2021/ Liz Longley Last week’s U.N. Food Systems Summit drew thousands of stakeholders and major financial commitments, including from the Gates Foundation. But it also stoked a heated debate over solutions to global hunger.Read More
September 28, 2021 Recapping a Big Week in Green Funding: a $5 Billion Pledge, Major Divestment News and More September 28, 2021/ Michael Kavate Climate Week brought major developments in environmental philanthropy, including a massive biodiversity pledge, a divestment milestone, and new investment funds for the climate-conscious. Here’s what you need to know.Read More
September 13, 2021 The Bezos Earth Fund’s Latest Grants Favor Environmental Justice Veterans and Federal Action September 13, 2021/ Michael Kavate The latest round from Jeff Bezos’ $10 billion fund prioritized environmental justice, including three scholars and activists whose decades in the field have helped shape the movement. Here’s where this $203.7 million will go.Read More
September 13, 2021 Getting to Know the Bezos Earth Fund: 8 Questions for President Andrew Steer September 13, 2021/ Michael Kavate Andrew Steer directs one of the newest and biggest climate philanthropies on the planet: the $10 billion Bezos Earth Fund. We spoke to him about the fund’s latest gifts, its approach to philanthropy and its priorities going forward.Read More
March 12, 2021 Who’s Helping Bezos Give Away $10 Billion? Seven Things to Know About the Earth Fund’s New CEO March 12, 2021/ Michael Kavate Here’s what we know about Andrew Steer, the former World Resources Institute head who has been selected to help the Amazon founder give away an unprecedented $10 billion to climate causes by 2030.Read More
December 10, 2020 Tree Planting Was Hot This Year—and Hotly Debated. Who’s Funding it, and Does it Make Sense? December 10, 2020/ Michael Kavate Tree planting took the spotlight in climate change discourse this year, both celebrated as an untapped solution, and criticized as a distraction. We take a closer look at who is funding the push for more trees, along with the pros and cons.Read More