Philanthropic Foundations

Foundations contributed USD 5.4 billion internationally in 2007, 18% of which is designated to Africa and 11.5% to Asia and the Pacific. Foundations have grown exponentially in the past decade and continue to grow, even with the financial crisis, and there is no expected decline in their contributions over the forthcoming years[1]. Statistics dating back to 2006, suggest that 37.1% of international grants are consumed by global programs/vertical funds, with environment ranking second only to health as a focus issue for foundations.

Foundations channel finance to CSOs, independent and academic and research institutions and, to a limited extent, governments. The larger foundations generally have some engagement with UN organisations. Such engagement takes a variety of different forms, and many UN organisations have received small contributions for specific activities in the past. Some of the larger foundations have emerged as important contributors to areas of relevance for the UNCCD multi-donor funds for food security and climate change and for initiatives like Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

Foundations have different thematic and geographic areas of interest. A range of foundations are granting funding for projects related to for example environment, agriculture, education and other areas with direct relevance for sustainable land management.

The following provides information on philanthropic foundations relevant for UNCCD, their geographic outreach and areas of interest.

[1] Foundation Center, International Grantmaking IV: An Update on U.S. Foundation Trends, December 2008.

Africa Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) The Africa Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) is a partnership between African governments and donors such as the African Development Bank (AfDB); the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); the World Bank Group; and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).  ACBF also encompasses the Partnership for Capacity Building in Africa (... Read more
African Conservation Foundation (ACF) The African Conservation Foundation (ACF) is committed to conserving endangered species and protecting the environment in the African continent. ... Read more
Aga Khan Foundation A private development agency working in the areas of education, rural development and health. It is part of the Aga Khan Development Network. ... Read more
Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) is a public-private partnership for the empowerment of smallholder farmers. Partners include the Rockefeller Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the UK Department for International Development (DFID).... Read more
Blue Moon Fund The Blue Moon Fund is a private philanthropic foundation that provides grants to non-profit organizations. ... Read more
Christensen Fund The Christensen Fund is a private non-profit foundation with a focus on biocultural diversity. ... Read more
ClimateWorks Foundation The ClimateWorks Foundation is committed to providing financing and promoting a good policy environment for climate-related activities in the regions that have the greatest potential to reduce their emission of greenhouse gases. ... Read more
Conservation International  A global foundation engaged in the field of biodiversity conservation. ... Read more
Environmental Foundation for Africa A foundation for environmental awareness raising and capacity building in post conflict Sierra Leone and Liberia. ... Read more
Farm Foundation The Farm foundation is a public charity committed to promoting objective information in the field of agriculture, food security and rural development. ... Read more
Ford Foundation An independent non-for-profit organization providing grants and loans to initiatives for sustainable development, good governance and protection of human rights. ... Read more
Foundation for Sustainable Development The Foundation for Sustainable Development is specialized in capacity building at the community level in the fields of health, environment and economy. ... Read more
Gatsby Charitable Foundation A charitable foundation seeking to provide long-term opportunities for sustainable development in a wide range of fields, including economic development in the African continent. ... Read more
Global Canopy Programme A think-tank of scientific institutions dedicated to the promotion of policy and financial mechanisms for the conservation of biodiversity in tropical forests. ... Read more
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation A charitable foundation providing financing for biodiversity conservation initiatives. ... Read more
International Tree Foundation (ITF) The International Tree Foundation (ITF) is a UK-registered NGO that works to promote the sustainable use of forests in conjunction with partners at the community level. ... Read more
John Ellermann Foundation The John Ellermann Foundation is a grant-making trust committed to using Sir John Ellermann's legacy to finance charities in a set of focus areas, including biodiversity conservation and low-carbon energy options.  ... Read more
John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel A charitable foundation established by Pope John Paul II to provide relief to drought-affected Sahel countries. ... Read more
Korea Green Foundation Korea Green Foundation is Korea's first public foundation for environmental conservation. ... Read more
MAVA Foundation MAVA is a family-led philanthropic foundation committed to preserving biodiversity. ... Read more
McKnight Foundation International Program A family-led foundation and provider of planning, operating and project grants for food security and rural development. ... Read more
MISEREOR A Catholic charitable foundation funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), it provides financial assistance in the fields of agriculture, health and human rights. ... Read more
Mitsubishi Corporation Fund for Europe and Africa A charitable foundation established by Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation (UK) Plc, committed to protecting the environment in Europe and Africa. ... Read more
Mitsubishi Corporation Fund for the Americas A charitable foundation established by Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation (UK) Plc, it is committed to environmental protection in the Americas. ... Read more
Near East Foundation An American charitable foundation for the empowerment of communities in a group of Northern African and Middle-Eastern countries. ... Read more
Oak Foundation The Oak Foundation is a group of philanthropic organizations providing financial support to charities. ... Read more
Philip Henman Trust The Philip Henman Trust is a trust fund that provides financial support to UK-based charities working in the field of development. ... Read more
Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation A charitable foundation established by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco to protect the environment and promote sustainable global development. ... Read more
SHARE Agriculture Foundation SHARE (Sending Help and Resources Everywhere) is a philanthropic foundation for the social, economic and environmental development of rural communities. It is funded, among others, by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). ... Read more
SOS Sahel International UK A foundation established in response to the Sahel drought and famine of the 70's and 80's, it has now shifted its focus from emergency to long-term response. ... Read more
Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture A foundation established by the Swiss chemical company and producer of seeds and pesticides Syngenta, to promote rural development through innovative agricultural practices. ... Read more
The Ashden Trust The Ashden Trust is a grant-making organization that supports charities in the implementation of a wide range of development activities. ... Read more
The Asia Foundation A non-governmental organization for the implementation of pro-development activities in Asia and the Pacific in collaboration with private partners and bilateral donors. ... Read more
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation A philanthropic foundation for global poverty reduction, established by Bill Gates.  ... Read more
The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation A charitable foundation that promotes scientific progress and innovative technology together with environmental conservation. ... Read more
The Conservation, Food and Health Foundation Charitable foundation seeking to promote capacity building in the areas of conservation, food and health in developing countries. ... Read more
The Crawford Fund An Australian non-profit organization promoting research for development in developing countries. ... Read more
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation A foundation seeking to improve the life of children, both within the US and worldwide. ... Read more
The John D. and Catherine MacArthur Foundation A private and independent foundation for human rights and international justice, supporting people and institutions by means of grants and loans.  ... Read more
The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund A philanthropic endowment fund committed to financing individual species conservation activities. ... Read more
The Rockefeller Foundation A charitable foundation seeking to support domestic and international development initiatives. ... Read more
The Rufford Foundation The Rufford Foundation is an independent grant-making trust for nature conservation projects. ... Read more
The Rufford Small Grants Foundation A philanthropic foundation, independent from the main Rufford Foundation, which focuses solely on small grants for conservation programmes and pilot projects. ... Read more
The Turing Foundation A private charity working in the fields of nature conservation, art, education and leprosy control. ... Read more
The Waterloo Foundation An independent grant-making foundation seeking to provide financial support to charities, both in the UK and worldwide. ... Read more
Tinker Foundation A charitable foundation providing small grants with a geographic focus on Latin America. ... Read more
Tree Aid A philanthropic foundation engaged in community development activities, focusing on the responsible management of trees. ... Read more
Weeden Foundation The Weeden Foundation is a private charity that provides financial support to activities for the conservation of biodiversity. ... Read more

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