Climate Change and Philanthropy Infrastructure: Supporting the Ecosystem to Act
The global impact of the climate crisis, increasingly marked by deadly heatwaves, droughts, floods, and other climate-related disasters, endangers all aspects of society, particularly vulnerable groups. This makes philanthropy’s role, not only in achieving climate neutrality, but also in supporting adaptation, resilience, and broader climate action, more and more important.
Overview
The scale of the challenge calls for collective action, and philanthropy infrastructure organisations (PIOs) are integral to fostering collaboration, innovation and impact within the broader philanthropic ecosystem. This takes place in a dynamic context where the support available to foundations continues to expand in various forms including collaborative giving platforms, networks and advisory organisations.
This third edition includes 33 PIOs operating across European, national, regional and global levels. This publication provides an updated snapshot of the diverse actors that are contributing to supporting and shaping the field, including thematic and geographic networks, associations, pooled funds, consulting and advisory organisations and media entities.
The report offers practical insights for foundations and PIOs, helping them engage more deeply with climate action and maximise their impact. It underscores the importance of infrastructure in building a more connected, coordinated and climate-engaged philanthropic community.
Key takeaways
- Philanthropy infrastructure organisations (PIOs) show a strong degree of responsiveness and agility, embracing complex and multifaceted roles in a dynamic ecosystem.
- 85% of the surveyed PIOs identified “building connections” as a primary objective, clearly outlining their role in fostering collaboration, facilitating partnerships and enhancing the overall climate philanthropy ecosystem.
- PIOs perceive themselves to be enablers of more effective, coordinated and equitable climate philanthropy, ensuring that the philanthropy ecosystem is mobilised, equipped and connected, to respond to the climate crisis in meaningful ways.
- This publication serves as a directory of PIOs active on climate and whose activities include European foundations and/or PIOs and aims to support philanthropy pracitioners to navigate this dynamic ecosystem and find the support they need to increase their engagement around climate – whether they are just getting started or are ready to demonstrate leadership.
Background
The report is a product of the European Philanthropy Coalition for Climate, an initiative that connects a diverse group of foundations, philanthropy infrastructure organisations and other partners to accelerate transformational change.
By providing a snapshot of the actors supporting climate philanthropy, the European Philanthropy Coalition for Climate aims to equip foundations and PIOs, whether they are just beginning their climate journeys or are ready to demonstrate leadership, with the tools and networks they need to act.
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