OVERVIEW: The Zennström Philanthropies supports human rights organizations working around the world, and works to improve the health of the Baltic Sea’s aquatic ecosystem.
IP TAKE: This funder is not transparent regarding its grantmaking activities, guidelines and eligibility requirements. Nor is it accessible, making it a tough nut to crack. Grantseekers are encouraged to contact foundation staff for more information, but they may not be responsive, given the time difference and prioritization of U.K.-based organizations. This is a laser-focused funder, so if your work doesn’t closely align here, this may not be the right fit.
PROFILE: Created in 2007, the Zennström Philanthropies was established by Niklas Zennström, founder of the venture capital firm, Atomico, and his wife Catherine, who is deeply involved with Human Rights Watch and serves as vice chair of its international Board of Directors. Zennström Philanthropies seeks to “support and engage with organizations that fight for human rights, work to stop climate change and encourage entrepreneurship in order to protect [the] natural environment and allow those who live in it to realize their full potential.” It is located in the United Kingdom. Funding areas include human rights issues and preservation and restoration of the Baltic Sea.
Grants for Security and Human Rights
The philanthropies’ Human Rights grantmaking program aims to “[p]romote, respect and strengthen the principles and values of human rights, and the rule of law.” Areas of specific focus include preventing the further closure of civic space, protecting the foundations of open democracies and changes in policy and practice in governments and holding human rights abusers accountable.
Past grantees in this space include the Freedom Fund, which received a grant for its work to eradicate modern slavery; and the Fund for Global Human Rights, which received funding to support its work with local groups fighting for equality and justice in 25 countries around the world. To learn more about Zennström Philanthropies human rights grantees, explore its current and past grantee partners list.
Grants for the Environment, Marine and Freshwater
Zennström’s environmental grantmaking entirely focuses on conservation and restoration of the Baltic Sea, “one of the most threatened major bodies of water in the world.” It does this through another organization founded by Niklas Zennström, Race for the Baltic, a nonprofit whose sole mission is to improve the health of the Baltic Sea. Among the projects Race for the Baltic supports is Port Project, which focuses on the handling of dry bulk fertilizers in ports, Baltic Fish Project, which uses local fish to combat eutrophication, Horse Manure Project, which helps reduce leakage of nutrients into the Baltic Sea from this source, and, finally, the Baltic Sea City Accelerator Project, which works with municipalities, solutions providers, researchers and investors “to identify cost-effective, smart and innovative solutions to address local water and wastewater management challenges.”
Important Grant Details:
Zennström Philanthropies does not accept unsolicited grant applications or requests for funding.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
LINKS: