Learn about grants for climate change and clean energy by browsing our curated list of top climate change funders below. Members can also research funding opportunities using the search tool for GrantFinder. Become a member.

Trends in Climate Funding

The United Nations and other global organizations have been sounding the alarm on climate change and the transition to clean energy for decades. Most recently, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change called the current climate situation a “code red for humanity” and encouraged immediate and drastic action around the world.

Despite global concern, it is estimated that less than 2% of philanthropic funding is currently dedicated to climate change action. Between 2020 and 2021, the ClimateWorks Foundation estimated that climate change giving rose 25% between 2020 and 2021, three times faster than overall philanthropic giving, according to the report, which used data from Wealth-X and Barton Consulting. That said, according to an updated report from ClimateWorks in 2022, climate change giving decreased overall, despite showing some resiliency in light of global economic conditions, falling far short of the scale needed to address the climate crisis.

In the United States, grants for climate change resilience continue to represent a small fraction of all giving (estimated at 2–3%). Despite stagnation in climate philanthropy, one positive trend to note is a 12% increase in foundation funding, which is about $3.7 billion.

Climate change funders have typically included efforts to support clean energy with a particular emphasis on methods like public engagement and advocacy campaigns that encourage the fossil fuel industry to steer investments toward clean energy.

Developing areas of climate change funding

Several new trends have developed across climate change funding. As Michael Kavate, IP’s climate journalist reports, funding rose “60% for combatting super pollutants, particularly methane, likely boosted by more than 20 philanthropies launching the Global Methane Pledge in late 2020 and committing $328 million to reducing emissions of the potent greenhouse gas.”

According to the 2022 ClimateWorks report, funding to decarbonize transportation and industry also saw increases, each rising 24%. “Despite the double-digit gains, all three sectors are still relatively small,” says Kavate, “accounting for 4% each of total foundation funding.” Other top sectors have remained unchanged, though clean electricity remains the largest climate grantmaking category (11%), followed by forests (9%) and food and agriculture (8%), which are virtually unchanged from 2021.

ClimateWorks highlights four growing areas of interest: maritime shipping, the built environment, minerals for the energy transition and corporate accountability.

Overall, climate philanthropy disproportionately funds action across the U.S. and Europe. However, Africa and India have seen the fastest growth of all regions, rising 38% and 37%, respectively, along with Latin America (15%). These three regions receive just 20% of place-based climate grantmaking, though we are seeing a gradual, if not slow, shift in climate funding for the Global South. Only time will tell if this trend continues.

Opportunities for growth in climate change funding

While many climate change funders focus on mitigating greenhouse gases and reducing fossil fuel and coal use, the climate change work of other funders centers on building green jobs, as well as building climate equity through an intersectional lens. It is unclear, however, just how many dollars are going to climate justice efforts, climate migration issues or climate adaptation funding. It remains to be seen how grants for climate change will evolve in the coming years among legacy funders and newcomers — and whether billionaires will be as generous as in years past.

Climate Change Foundation Grants

11th HOUR PROJECT

The 11th Hour Project’s climate and energy program seeks to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and accelerate the use of renewable energy, focusing on activity in the United States. Most of its climate grants go to nonprofits that are building cross-sector coalitions and mobilizing them to press for long-term policy and market-based reforms.

128 COLLECTIVE

The 128 Collective supports efforts to address climate change and promote clean energy via a variety of programs. It also funds projects focused on strengthening democracy, increasing access to work, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

776 FOUNDATION

Alexis Ohanian’s 776 Foundation has awarded fellowships for young people working toward climate change mitigation.

ADDITIONAL VENTURES

AV funds the programs Biomedical Research, Climate Action, and Community & Democracy initiatives.

ALCOA FOUNDATION

Alcoa funds organizations and programs that advocate for climate change prevention and promote sustainable solutions to reduce the impact of climate change and increase resilience.

PAUL G. ALLEN FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation supports a wide range of projects and programs related to climate change.

ALL POINTS NORTH FOUNDATION

All Points North Foundation’s grantmaking for clean energy primarily centers on all aspects of solar energy — from education to install.

AMALGAMATED FOUNDATION

The Amalgamated Foundation has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting organizations involved in climate change and clean energy over the past several years.

ARCADIA FUND

The fund prioritizes giving to protect the environment. Its climate change giving, like the rest of its environmental conservation giving, invests in onsite interventions, effective laws and policies, and competent leadership.

ARKAY FOUNDATION

The Arkay Foundation supports efforts to combat the effects of climate change and the influence of money in American politics.

ASHDEN TRUST

The Ashden Trust aims to improve the quality of life in poor communities by focusing on sustainable development and climate change.

AUTODESK FOUNDATION

Autodesk Foundation climate and energy grants focus on addressing and preventing manmade and natural disasters.

AYRSHIRE FOUNDATION

Climate change is at the forefront of its science and environmental focus area.

BANCKER-WILLIAMS FOUNDATION

The Bancker-Williams Foundation broadly invests in climate change projects in the United States and abroad.

BARR FOUNDATION

The Barr Foundation is a big fish in the pond of Massachusetts-based environmental organizations, particularly regarding the issue of climate change. Making Boston and Massachusetts more environmentally sustainable is the Barr Foundation's primary environmental goal. But some regional and national efforts get Barr's support, as well.

BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE

The Battelle Memorial Institute supports STEM education near the company headquarters in Ohio.

BENIFICUS FOUNDATION

The Benificus Foundation is the charitable vehicle of venture capitalist John Doerr and his wife, Ann Howland Doerr. The foundation’s main areas of interest are K-12 education reform and climate change.

BEZOS EARTH FUND

Bezos Earth Fund is the climate funder created by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. It supports environmental conservation and justice, climate change and clean energy, marine and freshwater restoration, and animal and wildlife preservation.

BIA-ECHO FOUNDATION

The Bia-Echo Foundation is the philanthropic vehicle of Nicole Shanahan, via which she intends to give $100 million to philanthropy by 2024. The foundation focuses on women’s reproductive longevity and equality, criminal justice reform and the environment.

MORTON K. AND JANE BLAUSTEIN FOUNDATION

The Morton K. and Jane Blaustein Foundation’s climate change grantmaking focuses on building bipartisan alliances for equitable energy and climate policymaking in the United States and grassroots organizations led by communities impacted by climate change. 

BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES

Michael Bloomberg’s foundation funds public health, environment, education, government innovation, and arts and culture. Grants for cities and urban development prioritize innovative solutions to longstanding issues that cities face.

BOEING COMPANY

The Boeing Company awards grants in 20 states and Washington, D.C. Its areas of focus vary by state, but in general, all include organizations working in the fields of environmental protection, conservation and climate change. 

BULLITT FOUNDATION

The Bullitt Foundation invests its climate change grantmaking in organizations that increase energy efficiency, replace dirty energy, promote clean energy, eliminate toxic chemicals in products, and those that help to ensure equitable climate policies.  

CALDERA FOUNDATION

The Caldera Foundation invests in organizations combating climate disruption and advocating for the sustainable use of the planet’s natural resources.

MARGARET A. CARGILL PHILANTHROPIES

Cargill supports international and community-based efforts to combat the effects of climate change on coastal, river, tropical forest and grassland communities.

CHILDREN'S INVESTMENT FUND FOUNDATION

CIFF supports activities such as phasing out coal use, increasing renewables, scaling decarbonization strategies in energy-intensive industries, and supporting large-scale land restoration activities.

CHRISTENSEN FUND

The Christensen Fund supports the rights and efforts of indigenous peoples around the world, a mission overlaps with climate justice.

CLARA LIONEL FOUNDATION

The Clara Lionel Foundation supports climate resilience, disaster relief, racial justice, global health, immigrants and refugees, and other issues of interest to the founder in the U.S., the Caribbean and other countries around the world, particularly in Africa.

CLIMATE AND CLEAN ENERGY EQUITY FUND

The Climate and Clean Energy Equity Fund supports climate change, the environment, racial equity and Indigenous rights in multiple states across the U.S.

CLIMATEWORKS FOUNDATION

The ClimateWorks Foundation supports climate change efforts through programs and grantmaking around the world.

CLIMATE EMERGENCY FUND

The Climate Emergency Fund supports climate change and environmental activism through campaigns and grants. It makes grants in the U.S. and around the world.

THE COMMONWEALTH FUND

The fund’s grants for climate change focus on promoting the decarbonization of the U.S. healthcare system.

COMPTON FOUNDATION

The Compton Foundation is a progressive funder committed to protecting the environment and curbing climate change, among other causes. It takes a unique approach to giving, making grants to groups based on two categories of work — leadership and storytelling. 

CRAIGLIST CHARITABLE FUND

CCF’s grants for environmental issues fund causes related to biodiversity, climate change, domesticated animals, and environmental education.

CROSSCURRENTS FOUNDATION

While the foundation’s giving for environmental issues is not as robust as in other areas, CrossCurrents has made grants totaling almost a quarter-million in recent years to conservation and climate change organizations.

NATHAN CUMMINGS FOUNDATION

The Nathan Cummings Foundation’s climate-related giving looks at the issue from an equity perspective through its Inclusive Clean Economy focus. The funder supports the transition to clean energy, with an emphasis on communities.

DEVON CREEK FOUNDATION

The Devon Creek Foundation’s climate and energy grants focus on energy efficiency and conservation.

ARTHUR VINING DAVIS FOUNDATIONS

Climate change grants focus on mitigation and education.

RE:WILD (Formerly the LEONARDO DICAPRIO FOUNDATION

DiCaprio’s climate change funding maintains a strong focus on renewable energy and supports organizations that work toward the global transition to renewable energy by 2050.

DONNER CANADA FOUNDATION

The Donner Canada Foundation supports the clean energy economy in Canada, but lacks a clear strategy here.

DORIS DUKE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION 

The foundation supports organizations that work toward preserving and restoring biodiversity to wildlife habitats, and preserving flora and fauna threatened by the effects of climate change or industrial pursuits. 

DROPBOX FOUNDATION

This funder gives broadly to climate change mitigation projects.

EAGLEMERE FOUNDATION

The Eaglemere Foundation’s climate change funding is broad. It considers this work both programmatic and geographic.

EARTHWATCH INSTITUTE

Earthwatch is a unique environmental funder whose grantmaking centers on climate change from a variety of angles.

EDISON INTERNATIONAL

This funder’s environmental work centers on climate change. While it supports organizations nationally, it also focuses on SoCal’s air quality, green conservation, marine and freshwater conservation, and animals and wildlife conservation. Much funding here focuses on educating the public on how to better apply conservation or climate change resilience principles to ensure a more sustainable future.

ELMO FOUNDATION

This foundation’s seemingly broad environmental giving centers on climate change mitigation.

ELSEVIER FOUNDATION

The Elsevier Foundation offers a separate science research award focusing on the relationship between sustainable chemistry and green solutions.

EMERSON COLLECTIVE

This funder’s climate change funding overlaps with its general environmental giving.

ENERGY FOUNDATION

The Energy Foundation invests in organizations that address clean energy, energy efficiency, and carbon emissions reduction.

ENTERGY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Entergy’s climate change work funds energy efficiency and renewable energy, environmental education, and community resilience and mitigation.

EPPLEY FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH

Eppley broadly supports climate change efforts, particularly through related science research.

FEDEX CARES

While FedEx does not have a grantmaking program dedicated to climate change, it intends to achieve carbon-neutral operations globally by 2040 and has earmarked more than $2 billion of initial investment to that end.

FLORA FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Flora Family Foundation's climate change grantmaking supports efforts to slow greenhouse gas emissions and reduce short-lived climate pollutants. The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funding. Grant proposals are considered by invitation only.

FORD FOUNDATION

Ford’s climate change giving comes from an inequality angle, focusing on natural resource rights of vulnerable rural communities and activities such as deforestation that contribute to climate change. Ford also supports efforts in climate change policymaking that benefit vulnerable rural populations.

FRANKEL FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Frankel Family Foundation supports both grassroots and large national and international environmental organizations.

FUTURA FOUNDATIONS

The Futura Foundation focuses its climate change grantmaking on environmental sustainability and mitigating the effects of climate change.

GIVE2ASIA

Climate change is a smaller area of grantmaking for Give2Asia, accounting for less than 10% of giving.

GLOBAL GREENGRANTS FUND

The Global Greengrants Fund invests in organizations that seek solutions to “climate chaos” and those fighting to save the planet.

LISA AND DOUGLAS GOLDMAN FOUNDATION

The Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund supports efforts to combat the effects of climate change in the Bay Area and nationally.

GRAND CIRCLE FOUNDATION

Grand Circle works with grassroots and indigenous groups to protect and preserve land and natural resources that are vital to the global struggle against climate change. It also funds clean energy work that brings solar to buildings, among other interests.

GRANTHAM FOUNDATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT

The Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment is one of the principle philanthropic vehicles of British investor Jeremy Grantham and his wife Hannelore. It focuses exclusively on environment and climate change grantmaking.

HALLORAN PHILANTHROPIES

Halloran’s climate change grants are broad and primarily conducted through its global development interests.

GEORGE HANLEY FOUNDATION

This foundation of a Chicago trader gives to sustainability and clean energy projects focused in the Midwest, particularly those involving schools.

HEINZ ENDOWMENTS

Heinz environmental grantmaking focuses on the health and sustainability of Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania; however, this also includes giving toward clean water and watershed protection.

HEISING-SIMONS FOUNDATION

The Heising-Simons Foundation supports organizations that advance sustainable climate change and clean energy solutions.

HEWLETT FOUNDATION

Hewlett is one of the biggest funders in the climate space. While much of its funding for climate change goes toward main grantee ClimateWorks, Hewlett supports other major NGOs. Hewlett is accessible to smaller groups, as well. 

HIGH MEADOWS FOUNDATION

This foundation’s climate change giving is purposefully broad, but intersects with education and business.

HIGHTIDE FOUNDATION

The HighTide Foundation, previously Overlook International, takes a broad approach to its climate-change-related funding and does not impose specific requirements.

ROY A. HUNT FOUNDATION

In the climate change space, the Roy A. Hunt Foundation focuses on affordable and renewable energy sources and reducing demand for carbon-intensive goods and services.

IKEA FOUNDATION

The IKEA Foundation promotes efforts to combat climate change, promote renewable energy and build sustainable agricultural practices around the world.

INCITE LABS

Incite Labs supports grantmaking in the environment and climate change spaces, as well as community development, work and economic opportunity, and science research. It does limited grantmaking to civic engagement organizations.

HENRY M. JACKSON FOUNDATION

The foundation prioritizes grants for climate change and clean energy, as well as work that acknowledges the link between national security and climate change.

JOCHNICK FOUNDATION

The foundation gives a handful of broadly considered grants for climate change each year.

JOYCE FOUNDATION

The Joyce Foundation invests in organizations that address energy efficiency measures in the Great Lakes region of the United States.

J.M. KAPLAN FUND

Kaplan funds organizations that advocate for the reduction of greenhouse gases, carbon pricing, and decreasing coal-generating activities.

JPB FOUNDATION

The JPB Foundation invests in climate and energy projects that benefit local communities across the United States.

MAYER AND MORRIS KAPLAN FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Kaplan Foundation's work centers on mitigating the effects of climate change, climate change education and promoting clean energy policies.

KATALY FOUNDATION

The Kataly Foundation supports racial equity and indigenous rights, environmental and climate justice, public health and economic development as these issues relate to communities of color.

KENDEDA FUND 

Kendeda tends to fly way under the radar, backed by an anonymous donor. It funds a mix of conservation, climate change and sustainable living projects, with an emphasis on building broad support. 

KR FOUNDATION

The KR Foundation invests in organizations that address the root causes of climate change.

KRESGE FOUNDATION

Kresge is one of the leading foundations funding preparation for the effects of climate change, especially as it relates to cities and vulnerable communities. Its environment program focuses on resilience and curbing the worst effects of climate change while planning for inevitable consequences.  

LAUGHING GULL FOUNDATION

This foundation’s grants for climate change broadly fund related programs in the southeastern U.S.

LAWRENCE FOUNDATION

The Lawrence Foundation supports organizations solving pressing environmental challenges. Lawrence offers project-specific and general operating support grants.

MAX AND ANNA LEVINSON FOUNDATION 

The Levinson Foundation’s Environment program supports organizations that are working toward the goal of converting from an oil economy and moving toward the development and implementation of alternative fuel sources. 

LIBERTY HILL FOUNDATION

Climate change and clean energy are the foundation’s largest areas of local involvement in Los Angeles. The foundation recognizes specific areas of the city as “environmental justice neighborhoods,” where residents suffer greater risks of developing chronic health problems because of environmental hazards.

LIBRA FOUNDATION

The Libra Foundation awards grants to organizations that approach climate change through a human rights lens.  

MACARTHUR FOUNDATION

Mac’s Climate Solutions program is concerned with limiting global warming, mainly through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. 

MADRE

MADRE partners with local women’s organizations around the world to combat the effects of climate change on their communities and livelihoods.

MARS FOUNDATION

Mars invests in a variety of climate change issues as they apply to CO2 emissions, watershed and land use.

CHARLOTTE MARTIN FOUNDATION

This foundation’s grants for climate change consider wildlife and habitat preservation.

MCKNIGHT FOUNDATION  

McKnight’s grantmaking focuses on mitigating “catastrophic global climate change.” The foundation does support global carbon pollution reduction efforts, but it has a soft spot for Upper Midwest organizations working on renewable energy technologies. 

MERCK FAMILY FUND

The Merck Family Fund focuses its climate change grantmaking on reducing CO2 emissions through the promotion and implementation of energy efficiency policies and carbon pricing mechanisms.  

MERTZ GILMORE FOUNDATION 

The foundation’s Climate Change Solutions program awards grants to organizations promoting clean energy use, developing renewable energy sources, and those that are researching and studying climate change issues.

MICHELIN CORPORATE FOUNDATION

The Michelin Corporate Foundation supports a wide range of climate change projects and organizations. It does not restrict its funding to one particular climate change issue.

MIZE FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Mize Family Foundation funds organizations that promote global environmental justice. It also funds organizations that advocate for increased diversity in the environmental movement.

GORDON AND BETTY MOORE FOUNDATION

The foundation supports projects that work to save the Amazon and to preserve the role the region plays in the Earth's climatic function. However, Moore also supports organizations that address environmental and energy issues through scientific research.  

CHARLES STEWART MOTT FOUNDATION 

Charles Stewart Mott divides its environmental funding into three parts — freshwater ecosystem conservation, international finance for sustainability and its special initiatives. The foundation addresses climate change through two subprograms of its larger Environmental program. 

FREDERICK MULDER FOUNDATION

The Frederick Mulder Foundation seeks climate change organizations that work to mitigate the threat of climate change.

MUSK FOUNDATION

The Musk Foundation is the personal philanthropic organization of Elon Musk. It makes grants to support renewable energy research and advocacy, human space exploration research and advocacy, pediatric research, science and engineering education, and development of safe artificial intelligence to benefit humanity.

NEW YORK COMMUNITY TRUST

While the New York Community Trust has traditionally supported conservation and climate change programs in New York City, it broadened its scope to regional, national and international projects in 1996 with the establishment of the Henry Phillip Kraft Family Memorial Fund.

NEW WORLD FOUNDATION

The New World Foundation invests in organizations that increase community resilience to climate change.

LAIRD NORTON FOUNDATION

The Laird Norton Foundation’s climate change grantmaking focuses on regenerative biological systems, reducing fossil fuel dependency, and promoting renewable energy.

OAK FOUNDATION

The Oak Foundation supports organizations working in an array of fields related to climate change, such as clean energy, pollution reduction, energy poverty, carbon reduction, and emissions reduction.

OCEANKIND

Oceankind makes grants to support those working in marine conservation, preservation, and restoration worldwide.

ORSKOV FOUNDATION

The Orskov Foundation’s student grants have supported projects that involve the use of clean energy in agriculture and methods for adapting agricultural practice to changing climates.

OVERBROOK FOUNDATION

The Overbrook Foundation invests in organizations that address climate change and conserve the natural environment. 

PACKARD FOUNDATION

Packard channels most of its climate funding through ClimateWorks, and it doesn't accept unsolicited proposals for climate projects. As a matter of practice, though, the substantial resources and breadth of Packard's huge Conservation and Science program means there are a variety of ways to get Packard support for climate-related work.

PARK FOUNDATION

Since 2009, Park has gradually shifted more of its funding to fighting fracking, and they don’t equivocate on goals — they want it banned. Park spreads anti-fracking grants across grassroots organizing and advocacy, research and public education. Its media funding has supported a number of reporting projects related to climate change. 

PEACE DEVELOPMENT FUND

Peace Development Fund awards grants to community-based organizations in the United States, Haiti and Mexico.

PISCES FOUNDATION

While this funder’s signature program is water, it also has a separate climate focus, and funds groups working in climate across programs. A handful of grantees receive most support in the form of large grants, but Pisces makes dozens of small grants per year, too.

QUADRIVIUM

Quadrivium’s grants for climate change primarily advocate for “bipartisan passage of a U.S. climate strategy that doubles as an economic growth strategy.”

V. KANN RASMUSSEN FOUNDATION

The V. Kann Rasmussen Foundation invests in climate change organizations whose work is both national (U.S.) and international in scope.

ROBERT RAUSCHENBERG FOUNDATION

The foundation honors Robert Rauschenberg’s commitment to the environment and makes grants for climate change through its Art + Environment program.

RESNICK FOUNDATION

This funder’s climate giving is evolving, but tends to concentrate on sustainability and conservation efforts.

ROBERTSON FOUNDATION 

The Robertson Foundation was founded by a retired hedge fund manager, and while it's a major climate funder, it's not easily accessible to grantseekers.  

DAVID ROCKEFELLER FUND

The David Rockefeller Fund supports organizations developing innovative ideas for climate change policymaking.

ROCKEFELLER BROTHERS FUND 

RBF takes a broad approach to climate change and it's not afraid of getting involved in a political fight. 

ROCKEFELLER FAMILY FUND

Recently, RFF's environmental program has focused almost exclusively on climate change. That said, other environmental projects have received support, as well. This funder is often drawn to smaller groups doing policy and advocacy work with national implications. 

ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION

The Rockefeller Foundation is tackling climate change from multiple angles, including backing high-profile policy work, scaling up clean energy infrastructure in rural communities, and adapting to the inevitable effects of climate change. 

SCHERMAN FOUNDATION

The Scherman Foundation focuses its climate change grantmaking on sustainability, a green economy, and sustainable drinking water.

SEA CHANGE FOUNDATION

The Sea Change Foundation and its international counterpart, Sea Change International, focus on policy development in the areas of climate change mitigation and clean energy production.

SEMPRA FOUNDATION

Funded by Sempra Energy, this funder invests in clean energy.

SEQUOIA CLIMATE FOUNDATION

The Sequoia Climate Foundation supports climate change and clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and environmental justice.

THOMAS AND STACEY SIEBEL FOUNDATION

Climate change grants tend to focus on home energy efficiency and the Siebel Energy Institute, a multi-university “consortium for innovative and collaborative energy research” that offers $25,000 and $50,000 research grants “to accelerate advancements in the safety, security, reliability, efficiency and environmental integrity of modern energy systems.”

SKOLL FOUNDATION 

Skoll money supports the Skoll Global Threats Fund, which includes climate change as one of five priorities. 

ALFRED P. SLOAN FOUNDATION

The foundation’s energy and environment subprogram accounts for more than half of all grantmaking stemming from the foundation’s research initiative.

SOLIDAGO FOUNDATION

The Solidago Foundation supports efforts to combat the effect of climate change on poor and minority communities.

SUMMIT FOUNDATION

The Summit Foundation supports programs that help urban leaders develop frameworks that drive environmental sustainability and climate mitigation strategies.

SURDNA FOUNDATION  

The Surdna Foundation invests in the environmental justice, climate change, and land use reform initiatives.

STARR FOUNDATION

Offers both national and international environmental and conservation grants. The Starr Foundation does not accept unsolicited letters of inquiry, preferring to investigate and invite prospective grantees to apply. 

THE STREISAND FOUNDATION

The Streisand Foundation’s grantmaking for climate change is purposefully broad and favors large organizations.

FLORA L. THORNTON FOUNDATION

This funder broadly funds climate change and environmental work.

THOUSAND CURRENTS

A significant portion of this funder’s grantmaking supports climate mitigation initiatives that promote sustainable agriculture, water management and the limitation of fossil fuel extraction from indigenous lands.

THRESHOLD FOUNDATION

Grants for climate change and clean energy stem from the foundation’s Land and Climate initiative, which is one of the foundation’s largest giving areas.

TIDES FOUNDATION

Tides has steadily supported environmental causes, including climate change and clean energy, for decades.

TOMBERG FAMILY PHILANTHROPIES

Tomberg broadly conducts grantmaking for climate change initiatives through its environmental giving.

TOMKAT FOUNDATION

This is the foundation of Tom Steyer and Kathryn Taylor, a philanthropic power couple who have jumped into the deep end of the climate change fight. It focuses heavily on clean energy, but also funds a mix of movement building, policy work and public education. 

TRAFIGURA FOUNDATION

The Trafigura Foundation conducts climate change and clean energy grants through its clean and safe supply chains initiative, focusing on “mitigating environmental and social issues caused by transportation or infrastructure at land and sea.” The foundation has also given to programs that bring clean energy to rural or underserved areas in the developing world.

TURNER FOUNDATION

Climate change and clean energy grantmaking stems mainly from Turner’s air initiative, which aims to scale clean energy technologies, emphasizing wildlife-friendly and affordable sources of energy.

UBS OPTIMUS FOUNDATION

The foundation’s Climate Change program works to “identify and help scale a range of climate solutions to create a cleaner, safer and a more equitable future for all.”

VERTUELAB

VertueLab is a nonprofit that works to address climate change by investing in, developing and supporting startups within the cleantech, or Greentech, business sector.

VOLO FOUNDATION

The VoLo Foundation seeks organizations with established programs pursuing science-based approaches to climate change solutions.

WALLACE GENETIC FOUNDATION

This foundation’s giving for climate change overlaps with its global development, conservation and sustainable agriculture work.

WALLACE GLOBAL FUND 

The Wallace Global Fund awards climate change grants to organizations mitigating environmental resource depletion due to climate change. Grant seekers can submit a letter of inquiry through the fund’s website. 

WELLCOME TRUST

The trust’s grants for climate change intersect with the climate’s relationship to and impact on human health.

WELLS FARGO

The bank made a $100 million commitment for environmental issues to be given by 2020. Grants have gone to dozens of nonprofits in annual bundles. One of two priorities is clean technology and innovation, and the corporate foundation just launched its own clean tech incubator.

WEND COLLECTIVE

The Wend Collective, co-led by James Walton, is not a traditional grantmaker. This organization makes strategic investments that pursue “pathways toward a better world.” So far, its work has prioritized climate change, recreation, youth development and social media policy.

WESTWIND FOUNDATION

WestWind is a small, Virginia-based funder. Grants primarily fund the fight against climate change, prioritizing the American South and stopping new coal plants. While somewhat regional, this funder supports groups across the United States.

WILD GEESE FOUNDATION

This funder invests in climate justice work.

WYNCOTE FOUNDATION

The Wyncote Foundation focuses its environment grants on conservation and land protection; however, the foundation funds some work addressing climate change.

YOUTH CLIMATE JUSTICE FUND

The Youth Climate Justice Fund is a single-issue funder tackling the impacts of climate change on global communities, with a primary focus on organizations founded and run by young people.

ZEGAR FAMILY FOUNDATION

Zegar’s environment program broadly supports organizations “addressing the climate change crisis to preserve and conserve […] natural biodiverse resources and sustain [the] world environment.”

ZOOM FOUNDATION

The ZOOM Foundation supports organizations working toward reversing the effects of climate change.