Zennström Philanthropies
/OVERVIEW: The Zennström Philanthropies supports human rights organizations working around the world, and works to improve the health of the Baltic Sea’s aquatic ecosystem.
IP TAKE: This funder is not transparent regarding its grantmaking activities, guidelines and eligibility requirements. Nor is it accessible, making it a tough nut to crack. Grantseekers can contact foundation staff for more information, but they may not be responsive, given the time difference and prioritization of U.K.-based organizations. This is a laser-focused funder, so if your work doesn’t closely align here, this may not be the right fit.
PROFILE: Created in 2007, the Zennström Philanthropies was established by Niklas Zennström, founder of the venture capital firm, Atomico and Skype, and his wife Catherine, who is deeply involved with Human Rights Watch and serves as vice chair of its international Board of Directors. Zennström Philanthropies, which is located in the United Kingdom, works to “improve the health of the Baltic Sea.” Grantmaking centers on human rights issues and preservation and restoration of the Baltic Sea.
Grants for the Environment, Marine and Freshwater
Zennström’s environmental grantmaking entirely focuses on conservation and restoration of the Baltic Sea, “one of the most threatened major bodies of water in the world.” Zennström believes that the predominant issue affecting the Baltic Sea is largely centered on eutrophication, which causes “dead bottoms, algae blooms, fish mortality, and poor water transparency.”
The foundation takes a cross-functional approach and conducts it’s work in collaboration with “researchers, governmental institutions, other non-profit organisations, the private sector, and entrepreneurs.” Zennström suggests that because eutrophication, which is primarily caused by excess phosphorus, is the most severe pressure on the ecology of the Baltic Sea, it prioritizes focusing on reducing phosphorus levels.
Zennström addresses this work through another organization founded by Niklas Zennström, Race for the Baltic, a nonprofit whose sole mission is to improve the health of the Baltic Sea. Among the projects Race for the Baltic supports is Port Project, which focuses on the handling of dry bulk fertilizers in ports, Baltic Fish Project, which uses local fish to combat eutrophication, Horse Manure Project, which helps reduce leakage of nutrients into the Baltic Sea from this source, and, finally, the Baltic Sea City Accelerator Project, which works with municipalities, solutions providers, researchers and investors “to identify cost-effective, smart and innovative solutions to address local water and wastewater management challenges.”
Grants for Human Rights
Zennström Philanthropies previously listed a dedicated program to human rights, which aimed to “[p]romote, respect and strengthen the principles and values of human rights, and the rule of law.” Areas of specific focus included preventing the further closure of civic space, protecting the foundations of open democracies and changes in policy and practice in governments and holding human rights abusers accountable. However, that program has since closed. Given that Zennström still lists human rights as a giving interested, but 990s reflect a total emphasis on the environment, it is unclear if Zennström will return to supporting human rights work.
Important Grant Details:
Zennström Philanthropies does not accept unsolicited grant applications or requests for funding. Grants tend to range between $50,000 and $500,000. Grants have supported organizations in the U.K., Sweden and Washington D.C., but appear to be very limited.
This funder offers capacity-building and technical assistance program support, as well as cash grants and in-kind gifts.
While Zennström Philanthropies does not list annual reports or offer transparency into where it gives, Race for the Baltic does.
For organizations that this funder does support, organizations must have been round for at least two years, with at least two years of annual reports and audited accounts.
While Zennström Philanthropies has not provided an easy way to get in touch, Race for the Baltic has. However, we’ve found an email addresses listed in their filings: info@zennstrom.org.
PEOPLE:
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LINKS:
CONTACT:
50 New Bond Street
London W1S 1BJ
United Kingdom
(Phone) 20 7190 0220
