New to green giving?

We’ll help you get started

Whether you would like to start funding environmental initiatives or want to grow and develop your existing giving, we are here to help. Over 300 foundations, family offices, high level individual donors and advisors take part in the network. Among our ranks are some of the most experienced and strategic philanthropists in the UK, providing advice and sharing knowledge on the most efficient and results-orientated approaches to tackling environmental issues.

Below we introduce key questions and topics to help your green giving, including how the environment links with your existing funding, what impact you could have and how EFN, our members and our partners can help you start or grow your environmental giving.

EFN is fully funded by our members and our support services are free.

Start giving now

We support individual donors, trusts, foundations, advisors and family offices to start or grow their environmental funding. We know that climate change and nature loss can seem overwhelming, but we are here to guide you through various ways to start or grow your giving and direct you to useful resources and helpful partners.

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How environmental issues affect all giving

The environment links with all aspects of our lives – our health, well-being, fresh air, food, water, energy and economic prosperity. Almost any social cause you might care about, from poverty alleviation to human rights, is entwined with environmental issues. The climate crisis and nature loss are stress multipliers and exacerbate existing inequalities across our societies. If we are to tackle these challenges and ensure a healthy, fair future for this generation and the next, far more funding is needed for the environment and the multiple causes it intersects with.

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The impact of environmental giving

We know that the urgency and scale of environmental challenges can seem overwhelming, but philanthropy has a vital role to play in solving them. Philanthropic funding is society’s most flexible capital that can be deployed quickly, take risks, and test out solutions. It’s exactly the sort of funding that is urgently needed in the face of environmental challenges.

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Resources

Further reading for new funders

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.

Six pairs of hands scoop earth with a small plant with lots of round leaves in each one. The hands are a mix of brown and black skin tones.

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.

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.

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.

A white man stands in front of a wall of post it notes, ideas and a big mind map.

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.

Membership

Join EFN

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.

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Events