The UK Overseas Territories Fund: An unparalleled opportunity for environmental philanthropy
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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.

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    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Learn 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.

    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.

    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.

    Five small wooden blocks sit on a table with different faces - one with a cross mouth, one with a sad face, one with a neutral face, one with a smiley face and one with a very smiley face.

    Funders and the finance sector – survey results

    Explore our learnings from surveying out members in May 2021. Our goal was to understand how funders approach finance-related work now, what motivates them to do more (or less) of it and what approaches they consider to be most effective.

    Healthy planet, healthy people

    The health of the environment underpins most issues of concern to philanthropists, but its connections to human health are so numerous and entwined as to be hard to ignore. This guide aims to help funders better identify the multiple connections between our health and the environment, and mobilise significantly more funds at this crucial intersection.

    Environmental funding by European foundations – Volume 6

    Read the 6th edition of this research into environmental funding by European foundations. The report analyses the 8,518 environmental grants made in 2021 by these foundations, worth a combined €1.6 billion.

    Where the Green Grants Went 8

    In the eighth edition of our Where the Green Grants Went report series, we examine over 13,000 grants awarded by UK foundations and lottery sources to environmental causes from 2016/17 – 2018/19

    A young south asian woman with long black hair is teaching gardening with four young children - one white boy with yellow wellies, a black girl in a blue jacket, a brown girl playing with flowers and a young brown boy in a checkered shirt.

    Acting on the climate crisis – why, how and the role of philanthropy

    Climate change is an existential threat to humanity and the planet we call home. We believe a key reason for inaction on climate change by potential funders is the difficulty both in understanding the issue and in finding effective solutions. This resource pack was developed to help funders overcome these challenges.

    Environmental Philanthropy: Stories to Inspire

    A collection of donors’ stories of success. Some gave a few thousand pounds to support local action. Others gave seven figure gifts and created whole new organisations and ways of working. In each case, the effect on the environment was transformative.

    Funding the future

    Active Philanthropy’s guide on how the climate crisis intersects with giving.

    Philanthropy briefing: women & the environment

    This report delves into the links between gender inequality and the environment, to bring to light the multitude of connections and garner wider support for both causes.

    Where the Green Grants Went 7

    In this seventh edition of Where the Green Grants Went, we examine over 13,000 grants awarded by foundations and lottery sources over the four-year period from 2012/13 – 2015/16, and provide insights from a survey of funders about the barriers to providing core, flexible and long-term funding.

    Where the Green Grants Went Scotland

    This first edition of Where the Green Grants Went Scotland examines grants for environmental work in Scotland from UK-based trusts and foundations, Landfill Communities Fund distributors and lottery sources over the four years from 2012-2016.

    An underwater view of some large coral and small fishes

    Forces for nature

    Welcome to stories of fifteen remarkable lives. Inside are interviews with people who have devoted themselves and their fortunes to addressing the greatest crises ever to have faced humanity: the dual prospects of climate change and ecological collapse. These people are not just forces of but forces for nature.

    What the Green Groups Said

    ‘What the Green Grants Said’ presents findings from a survey of 92 chief executives of UK-based environmental organisations.

    A grey tree outline sits on a light grey background

    A splendid torch: interviews with environmental funders

    In 2013 and 2014, we interviewed ten environmental donors about what motivates them to give, what strategies they have adopted for their philanthropy and how they ensure that their donations have the most impact possible. We think you will be inspired and motivated by what they had to say.

    Where the Green Grants Went 6

    This report is the sixth edition of Where the Green Grants Went. It looks at the grants from 180 UK-based trusts and foundations that support environmental initiatives, focusing on the financial years 2010/11 and 2011/12.

    The hands and arms of people with various skin tones high five in a circle.

    Passionate collaboration? Taking the pulse of the UK environmental sector

    This report is intended to build on the analysis of environmental philanthropy carried out for the Environmental Funders Network in the five editions of Where the Green Grants Went. This report is based on the responses to a survey of chief executives of UK non-profit environmental organisations.

    Where the Green Grants Went 5

    This report is the fifth edition of Where the Green Grants Went. It looks at the availability of grants from trusts and foundations for different types of environmental work, particularly grants made during the three financial years 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10.

    An internal vertical farm

    Food issues census

    This report provides an overview of the work that civil society groups in the UK are doing on food and farming issues, based on a survey of over 300 organisations. It is intended to inform organisations funding in this sector and to stimulate discussion for those who care about these issues.

    Where The Green Grants Went 4

    This report is the fourth edition of Where The Green Grants Went. It analyses grants data from 97 UK trusts and foundations for the financial year of 2006/07.

    Where The Green Grants Went 3

    This report is the third edition of Where The Green Grants Went. It analyses grants data from 176 UK trusts and foundations for the financial year 2004/05.

    Where the Green Grants Went 2

    This report is the second edition of Where The Green Grants Went. It looks at the grants from 35 UK-based trusts and foundations that support environmental initiatives, focusing on the financial years 2003/04.

    Where the Green Grants Went

    This report analyses the funding provided for environmental and conservation work by the grant-making trusts that actively support work of this kind. Our aim is to provide a ‘snapshot’ of the state of trust funding in the 2002-03 financial year, so as to provide some benchmark figures for the EFN.