Virgin Unite

Virgin Unite was founded in 2004 as the non-profit foundation of the Virgin Group, to unite people and entrepreneurial ideas to create opportunities for a better world. Since launch, together with some great partners, Virgin Unite has inspired and incubated a number of wonderful collaborations – like The Elders, Ocean Unite (now ORRAA), Carbon War Room (now merged with RMI), The B Team, Caribbean Climate Smart Accelerator, Unite BVI and 100% Human at Work – which have spurred much-needed change in the world. We continue to catalyse radical collaboration to challenge the unacceptable as we work for a world where all the planet and all people thrive.

Geographic Focus

Global

Programme Areas

We do philanthropy the Virgin way – that means being a positive disruptor, taking risks, entering spaces that are underfunded or overlooked, and uniting unlikely allies to multiply impact. Our mission is to unite people and entrepreneurial ideas to tackle the world’s most urgent challenges. Whether addressing injustice, reimagining business, or protecting the planet, our approach remains the same: take risks, back the bold, and never act alone. Unlike many traditional non-profit foundations, Virgin Unite doesn’t focus on a single issue. Instead, we look to challenge unacceptable issues or drive systems change in areas that aren’t getting enough attention, mobilising our community, partners, and their resources towards supporting the cause. Crucially, we don’t focus on a particular geography or issue, instead looking to be a positive disruptor in areas where we think we can specifically make a difference due to our unique approach, or because others aren’t currently giving the issue the attention it needs. We act as a positive disruptor by incubating and launching new non-profit initiatives. These organisations address a gap where systemic change is needed and eventually go on to thrive independently, with continued support from Virgin Unite. As of 2024, Virgin Unite has led and supported the incubation of 22 non-profit initiatives – including The Elders, The B Team, Ocean Unite (now ORRAA), Carbon War Room (now merged with RMI), Caribbean Climate Smart Accelerator, Unite BVI, and Planetary Guardians. We also look to embrace the same bold and innovative spirit that Virgin uses to change business for good and apply it to the world’s toughest challenges. This means working with businesses, and backing entrepreneurs, that drive positive social, environmental and economic benefits for people and the planet .A key component of Virgin Unite is our Constellation – a network and community of over 3,500 high net-wealth individuals, philanthropists, business leaders and entrepreneurs who convene to co-create solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems.