For Advisors
We’re here to help
Whether your clients would like to start funding environmental initiatives or want to grow and develop their existing giving, we are here to support you. We know from research that your clients who are concerned about the environment are likely to want to know how to deploy all of their resources – including their investments, lifestyles, businesses and philanthropy – to take environmental action. The next generation are particularly concerned about climate change and keen to be part of the solution.
Please get in touch if you would like any help in supporting your clients on their environmental philanthropy journey. EFN is fully funded by our members and our support services are free.
Getting started
Explore this page to understand more about how the environment links with your clients’ existing funding; the impact they can have; and how EFN and our partners can provide whatever help you need to better support your clients to start or grow their environmental giving. If you are a wealth advisor, we’ve also curated some resources about giving philanthropic advice in general.
Start giving now
Discover resources to support individual donors, trusts, foundations and family offices to start or grow their environmental funding quickly and effectively.
How environmental issues affect all giving
Learn how the majority of social causes are entwined with environmental issues and why your clients should consider environmental issues in their wider giving.
Why you should talk to your clients about philanthropy
Research tells us that philanthropy is currently missing in wealth advice services, despite the desire by clients (especially the next generation) to know more. Talking to clients about philanthropy is an enormous opportunity with potentially huge financial and social benefits.
The impact of environmental giving
Learn more about the positive impact that philanthropic funding can have in tackling urgent and complex environmental challenges.
Philanthropy Impact
Find useful and robust general support on advising your clients about philanthropy.
Contact us
We can provide bespoke support (either directly or by introducing you to our partners) to help you and your clients navigate the range of environmental issues, identify the causes and impacts that are important to them, and make your clients’ giving as effective as possible.
Resources
Further reading for advisors and their clients
Where the Green Grants Went 9: Scotland Edition
In this Scotland edition of our Where the Green Grants Went 9 research, we’ve distilled what our grants dataset tells us about funding for environmental work in Scotland with two thought-provoking case studies of funders.
Strategy 2025
Our updated strategy for the period 2023-2026, where we lay out our principles for the next year, as well as our work priorities and context for 2025.
Annual report 2024
EFN’s Annual report for 2024.
The UK Overseas Territories Fund: An unparalleled opportunity for environmental philanthropy
Learn about the UK Overseas Territories Fund run by John Ellerman Foundation. The review explores the fund so far and why funders should get involved.
Exploring the role of wealth advisors in green giving
Our latest research explores the role of wealth advisors within environmental philanthropy and provides analysis and recommendations on how we can better support and leverage the work of wealth advisors to increase green giving.
Green Fundraisers Forum’s event database
A place for GFF members to share their upcoming events with EFN’s networks.
Increasing the effectiveness of environmental funder-fundraiser relationships
There is a serious shortfall in finance for the environment sector, which receives less than 9% of funding awarded by UK trusts and foundations. While one solution is to grow the available funding, another important strategy is to increase its effectiveness, ensuring maximum impact for every pound spent.
Spotlight on climate funding strategies
Active Philanthropy’s “Spotlight on Climate Funding Strategies” provides an overview of ten different ways to engage in climate philanthropy.
Climate philanthropy: a guide for action
A healthier climate future is possible—but science tells us we must move with urgency. Many climate solutions exist, and people around the world are working to discover and create new ones—but philanthropy is urgently needed to scale these efforts. Climate Lead’s Guide for Action provides a framework for getting started on climate philanthropy.
Environmental philanthropy
At NPC, we’re helping charities and funders step up their role in the transition to a post-carbon economy, working together across social and environmental areas. This guide is for anyone new to environmental philanthropy, and especially if you already fund social issues.
Where the Green Grants Went 9
In the ninth edition of our Where the Green Grants Went report series, we analyse over 6,555 grants awarded by UK trust, foundations and lottery sources to environmental causes from 2021/22. WTGGW9 includes a new section dedicated to exploring what effective philanthropy looks like and how it may be implemented by environmental funders.
Annual report 2023
EFN’s Annual report for 2023
Strategy 2024
Our updated strategy for the period 2023-2026, where we lay out our principles for the next 2 years, as well as our work priorities and context for 2024.
Learning by doing
In February 2023, the Environmental Funders Network (EFN) and Climate 2025 launched the Climate Activist Speaker Fund pilot to support young global climate activists. This publication shares insights into important elements in the approach taken during the selection process.
Supporting effective environmental action in Scotland
Our report aims help funders and environmental organisations better understand the philanthropic funding landscape, and trends, in Scotland, amplify the insights and aspirations of the leaders of environmental organisation in Scotland and showcase some of the many inspiring environmental activities.
Annual report 2022
EFN’s Annual report for 2022
Strategy 2023
Our new strategy for the period 2023-2026, where we lay out our principles for the next 3 years, as well as our work priorities and context for 2023.
Funding trends 2023: climate change mitigation philanthropy
ClimateWorks Foundation’s fourth annual report explores funding trends in climate change mitigation philanthropy from 2015 to 2022.
What the Green Groups Said 2021
This report is the third edition in our What the Green Groups Said research series, which aims to ‘take the pulse’ of the UK environment sector. The report summarises findings from a survey of UK environment group leaders completed in autumn 2021, which received responses from 116 organisations, large and small.
Annual report 2021
EFN’s Annual report for 2021
Membership
Join EFN
Wealth and philanthropy advisors are welcome to become an EFN member and join a diverse network of foundations, trusts, individual donors and advisors working to build a thriving and sustainable future. EFN membership is free and members benefit from funder-only events, spaces and opportunities – including our monthly newsletter.
Events
Get involved
EIIG Learning Session: how do you get a deal done?
At this event, hear from EIIG peers on sourcing and due diligence, what “good enough” looks like for investments and lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Stepping up: in conversation with Johan Rockström
In this “Stepping Up” session, we’ll be speaking to Johan Rockström, one of the world’s leading scientists on global sustainability, climate change, resilience and global water resources.
Global action plans: situating the work of funders within the big picture
In this session, we’ll explore the scale of issues shared in 2025’s landmark reports on climate and how this relates to funders.