We partner with forward-thinking organisations fostering biodiversity and mitigating climate change.

A diverse biosphere and a stable climate are fundamental prerequisites for all life to thrive on our planet. We believe a good, just society within the boundaries of the planet is possible, and the people building it are already out there. Our job is to find them, back them, and stay close as the work unfolds.

We call this philosophy critical optimism. Not blind hope, but a conviction grounded in science, experience, and action.

OUR APPROACH

1 We focus on issues that matter deeply for biodiversity and climate but still lack the attention and resources they deserve.

That does not always mean chasing the newest idea. Work that has already shown results but lacks the resources to grow impact deserves just as much attention.

Two strategic priorities guide our work:

1 Investing in people to lead. We support communities and civil society in taking the lead in protecting nature and natural resources, and ensure communities have genuine power over the decisions that affect them and the environment their lives are intertwined with. The ecological transformation will not succeed if it belongs only to those already in the room.

2 Directing capital towards nature. We promote innovative financing models for nature action, and emphasise approaches that benefit the people on the ground.

2 We support our partners in every way we can.

How we partner

We partner with forward-thinking organisations creating profoundly better futures for the different inhabitants of the planet, from microbes to humans. With them, we build long-term partnerships based on trust, sharing expertise, opening our networks, and staying close through setbacks and breakthroughs alike.

Our role is to help our partners succeed in their mission, on their own terms. In addition to funding, we offer expertise and networks, and we learn alongside our partners about the issues, their organisations, and the role we can play.

Working with us

We do not organize open grant calls. We actively seek partnerships that align with our mission, and most of our partnerships begin through direct outreach or shared networks. However, we are open to proposals that align with the Foundation's priorities and criteria.

If you are interested in partnering with us, read more here.

3 We convene where needed.

Where alignment, shared strategy, or collective momentum is missing, we step in to convene stakeholders and help build common ground.

Beyond our core work

To further our goals, we also:

• Support, on a smaller scale, the promotion of equity and social inclusion among children and youth. We do not accept unsolicited proposals in this area.
• Invest responsibly. The management of the Foundation's assets is outsourced and guided by the board and CEO. Responsible investing advances our goals and protects our investments from risks.
• Minimize the adverse effects of our own operations. We aim to reduce the climate emissions and other environmental and social harms caused by our activities, choosing overland travel when possible, plant-based catering, and renewable energy and materials.

Photo by Mohamed Nasar