A Rising Tide Climate & Environmental Giving 2021 - Report by Groundswell Giving and Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network
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A Rising Tide Climate & Environmental Giving 2021 Report by Groundswell Giving and Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network
A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021
Table of
Contents.
Introduction
5
International
6 Trends
Australian
7 Trends
Changing Australian Attitudes
Growth in Environmental
Organisations
A David vs Goliath Challenge
Case Studies
13 Stephen Pfeiffer
The Myer Foundation
Clare Herschell
Alan Schwartz AM
Bella Wiggs
Organisations
21 Supporting Climate &
Environmental Giving
Groundswell
Australian Environmental
Grantmakers Network
Impatience Earth
Conclusion
24 2
INTRODUCTION
A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021
“Right now, we’re facing a
manmade disaster of global scale
- our greatest threat in thousands
of years. If we don’t take action, the
collapse of our civilizations and the
extinction of much of the natural
world is on the horizon. But the
longer we leave it, the more difficult
it’ll be to do something about it”
Sir David Attenborough, A Life on Our Planet
3
Acknowledgment
of Country.
Wherever we are in this country, we acknowledge
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the
first inhabitants and the traditional custodians of
the lands where we live, learn and work. We pay our
respects to the Elders past and present, for they hold
the memories, the traditions and culture.
Authors.
Anna Rose
Co-founder, Groundswell Giving
Bella Wiggs
Engagement Strategist, Groundswell Giving
Daisy Barham
Environmental Philanthropy Manager, AEGN
4
INTRODUCTION
A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021
Introduction.
Global acceptance of climate change, and the Increasingly, other grant makers are having the same
fundamental impact it will have on our lives, is idea. In Australia, as reports from the Australian
driving a profound shift in philanthropy. Academy of Science, CSIRO, and Australia’s top
scientists consistently deliver consensus of the
Larry Kramer, president of the William and Flora threat our environment faces, many foundations
Hewlett Foundation and the former Dean of Stanford are introducing climate and environmental funding
Law School, is a leader in global philanthropy. He for the first time. Others are prioritising climate as
explains that any philanthropic success has relied their sole area of giving. There is a growing trend
on a stable climate, and this in turn makes climate- of philanthropists spending-down the entirety of
focused giving an urgent priority: their funds by 2030 (rather than perpetuating their
foundations for many decades, giving only around 5%
“Everything non-profits and foundations have each year), resulting in a massive contribution during
achieved and everything we hope to do has been what scientists call “the critical decade”; the time we
possible only because we could assume a relatively have remaining to turn things around.
stable physical and social environment that makes
long-term planning, investment, and commitment Australia is home to a host of environmental and
feasible… the social and political and environmental climate organisations that are doing extraordinary
circumstances that have made our work and work. Some are longstanding and have proud
progress possible [have begun to fall] apart… as a histories of thought leadership in these areas
result of climate change. over many decades. Thanks to the resourcing
of philanthropy, there is a proliferation of new
“The damage to our planet is already burdening organisations in the climate space, filling much-
our political and economic systems, but these needed gaps.
stresses will grow exponentially in the coming
years — ravaging the lives of our children and their In response, donors are connecting and sharing
children for many generations unless we act to information like never before across platforms like
mitigate climate change now. One needn’t believe the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network
that global warming will cause the end of civilization (AEGN) and Groundswell. In many cases this is driven
as we know it to recognize the crushing demands by younger family members, taking leadership with
it will put on our physical, economic, political, and both their own futures and their family’s legacy in
social systems, with devastating consequences for mind.
everyone.
We hope you find this report an inspiring call-to-arms
“This is profoundly, unfathomably, maddeningly showcasing the growth in climate and environmental
shortsighted. Any grant maker who just chugs along philanthropy, and the urgent need to build on the
on the same issues without addressing climate is, momentum.
truly, fiddling while the world burns — particularly
given the certainty that whatever short-term
progress is made through these efforts will be lost if
climate change continues unchecked.”
5
INTERNATIONAL TRENDS
A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021
International
Trends.
In 2019 the total philanthropic contributions towards In February 2020 Jeff Bezos established the Bezos
climate action worldwide was US $5-9 billion, but it is Earth Fund which pledged US $10 billion.7 Since then,
less than 2%, out of a total of US $730 billion of global the Fund has awarded US $100 million each to the
philanthropic giving.1 World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Nature Conservancy,
the Environmental Defense Fund, the Natural
While 2% is clearly not enough, the good news is Resources Defense Council, the World Resources
that globally there is a trend towards greater climate Institute, and grants of between US $10 and $50
philanthropy. Philanthropy is rising to the challenge. million to other organisations.
Even before the ‘critical decade’ to decarbonise In a report released this year on international
the global economy was underway, the Children’s climate philanthropy the US-based ClimateWorks
Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) in 2018 pledged Foundation noted the trends towards increased
US $500 million until 2023 towards climate action.2 giving, and made the case that this has already made
This was a commitment made along with 29 other an impact. The authors write: “A decade ago, the
philanthropic funds at the Global Climate Action world was on a path toward a 4°C global temperature
Summit (GCAS) that totalled US $4 billion. This increase.8 Now, thanks to combined government,
group is now on track to exceed this commitment to private sector, and philanthropic actions, those
grant US $6 billion by 2025.3 warming projections have decreased to roughly
3°C.”9
In 2019, global furniture juggernaut, IKEA, invested
US $220 million on renewable energy, forest However, philanthropy needs to continue to raise
protection and replantation projects.4 In April 2021, its ambition and the flow of grant funding to avoid
IKEA substantially increased its commitment to catastrophic climate tipping points.
climate action, pledging a further US$1.2 billion over
the next five years to fund climate projects “to reduce “While philanthropic resources alone cannot
greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris match the trillions of dollars in investment needed
Agreement.”5 to decarbonise the global economy, philanthropy
has a unique and critical role to play… Philanthropy
Also in 2019, innovative financial services company, can increase global ambition, support innovative
Quadrature Capital, established a new philanthropic solutions, scale proven mitigation strategies, and
vehicle focused on climate. The Quadrature Climate drive collaborative actions.”10
Foundation will give US$100 million per year over this
critical decade until 2030, “making it one of the most
ambitious pledges in the industry.”6
1
https://www.climateworks.org/report/funding-trends-climate-change-mitigation- 7
https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2020/11/how-jeff-bezos-spending-
philanthropy/ his-10-billion-earth-fund/616977/
2
https://ciff.org/news/2018-annual-report/ 8
World Bank Group. Turn down the heat: why a 4°C warmer world must be avoided
3
https://ciff.org/news/philanthropies-commit-to-sustained-collective-action-in- (English). Washington, D.C.: World Bank Group, December 2012
response-to-the-climate-emergency/ 9
Climate Action Tracker. Warming Projections Global Update - December 2019.
4
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/28/ikea-to-invest-220-million-to-make-it-a-climate- NewClimate Institute and Climate Analytics, December 2019
positive-business.html 10
https://www.climateworks.org/report/funding-trends-climate-change-mitigation-
5
https://ikeafoundation.org/story/1-billion-commitment-climate-action/ philanthropy/
6
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-10/hedge-fund-s-bosses- 6
pledge-100-million-a-year-to-save-planet
AUSTRALIAN TRENDS
A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021
Australian
Trends.
Changing Australian
Attitudes
Australians are concerned about climate change and Older Australians are moving in the same direction.
these concerns are directly reflected in the growth of New research from National Seniors Australia16 found
climate and environmental charities. Many long term that 85% of older Australians believe climate change
climate and environmental philanthropists are being is occuring, and 60% already invest in some form
joined by a growing number of new foundations and of renewables. Climate action also features in their
philanthropic families. These newcomers have begun thinking about legacy and making bequests.
funding projects to accelerate action on climate
change for the first time in the most recent financial Many philanthropists are realising the climate crisis
year. threatens to undermine progress on the other issues
they care about. The Morris Family Foundation,
Climate change concern is increasing across all age for example, is a multi-issue focused foundation
groups and this is impacting the funding of climate that has increasingly supported giving to climate
and environmental efforts now and will even more so and sustainable agriculture, including Farmers for
in the future. Climate Action, Greenpeace, The Next Economy and
ClimateWorks, Hayley Morris explains:
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC)
Australia Talks national survey of 60,000 Australians “We came to the conclusion that if we can’t
in 202111 shows 81% of people think we should do effectively tackle global warming, then progress on
more to tackle climate change, 74% think the Federal every other important issue becomes impossible.
Government is doing a bad job12, and between 2019 We try to make targeted philanthropic investments
and 2021 there was a 10.6% increase in how much that are large enough, so that with partners and
more Australians would personally be willing to collaborators we can leverage greater resources to
spend each year to help prevent climate change.13 meet the most urgent climate challenges, including
decarbonising our electricity sector, ending
Young people have made climate change their deforestation and shifting to regenerative food
priority issue for a number of years.14 It is expected systems.”
this will see a significant surge in climate-focused
giving, as the intergenerational transfer of wealth
flows from grandparents, to parents and their
children. Australia is expecting a wealth transfer of 11
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-23/what-is-the-abc-australia-talks-national-
$2.6 trillion from 2021 - 2040, $1.1 trillion of this will survey-casey-briggs/13355948
12
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-19/do-we-need-to-do-more-to-combat-
transfer over the next ten years.15 climate-change/13400838
13
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-22/australia-talks-top-20-biggest-changes-
since-2019/100212980
14
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7990191/
15
https://www.philanthropy.org.au/images/site/publications/Advocacy/Blueprint_to_
Grow_Structured_Giving_Report_Final.pdf
16
https://nationalseniors.com.au/news/featured-news/protecting-your-legacy 7
AUSTRALIAN TRENDS
A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021
Growth in
Environmental
Organisations
Concern over environmental and climate issues is Increase in revenue of Australia’s biggest climate
reflected in the growth in the revenue of climate and environment advocacy groups over the last
and environmental advocacy organisations. There two years
are around 1000 environmental charities on the TOTAL REVENUE (AUD)
register of environmental organisations (REO). CHARITY NAME 2019 2020
Most are small and run largely by volunteers.
World Wide Fund For Nature 31.4M 80.4M
Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission
Australia
(ACNC) data shows that over 840,800 Australians
The Sunrise Project Australia 10.0 M 28.1M
volunteered with environmental charities in 2018.
Greenpeace Australia Pacific 18M 21.6 M
ACNC data also shows that environmental charities
Limited
are much more reliant on donations and bequests
for revenue than most charities due to having lower Australian Conservation 15.5M 15.0M
revenue from government grants and fee-for- Foundation Incorporated
service arrangements. The Wilderness Society 11.5M 12.2M
Climate Council 3.8M 6.2M
Australia’s six biggest climate and environmental TOTAL 92.9M 163.5M
advocacy groups listed below show a positive story
All data has been sourced from the Australian Charities and Non-for-profits
Commission.
World Wide Fund for Nature has experienced led bushfire response interventions, and 15
the largest growth of all climate and environmental threatened species rapid assessments and recovery
advocacy nonprofits. People and organisations interventions. Examples include, a partnership with
across Australia and around the world responded Great Eastern Ranges for swift bushfire landscape
to the devastating 2020 bushfires with exceptional restoration involving the volunteer planting efforts
kindness. For example, WWF-Australia received of 23 community groups, with 13,700 stems planted,
160% more support in FY20 than the year prior. and 28 threatened species to benefit from the
This extraordinary generosity has already enabled investment longer term as planting continues, and a
WWF-Australia to collaborate with hundreds of partnership with Google, for a national camera sensor
organisations to deliver innovative and impactful project that will measure the impact of the bushfires
projects across the nation, including much needed and inform future recovery responses.
capacity boosts for 13 animal shelters, 12 Indigenous-
8
AUSTRALIAN TRENDS
The Sunrise Project, the Australian-born now the private sector.
A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021
global network of changemakers working to drive In 2016 their Executive Director was the inaugural
the transition beyond fossil fuels more than doubled recipient of an innovative new form of climate
in size from around $12.5m in 2019 to around philanthropy from the US based Climate
$28m in 2020. The Sunrise Project is unlike other Breakthrough Project, established by the David
organisations in that its network-oriented model and Lucile Packard Foundation in partnership with
sees it playing a role in driving campaigns as well the Oak Foundation, the IKEA Foundation, the JPB
as regranting to partner organisations. It typically Foundation, and the Good Energies Foundation. This
re-grants around two-thirds of its revenue to smaller untied grant of US$6 million over three years enabled
partner organisations, to deliver on its mission in a The Sunrise Project to develop, incubate and scale a
collaborative way. global finance program. This program has secured
major shifts from many of Australia’s and the world’s
Sunrise has played a key role in the fossil fuel largest financial institutions including insurance
divestment movement as well as campaigns to companies, banks and major asset managers like
support communities on the front lines of coal and BlackRock.
gas expansion that threatens landscapes, water,
biodiversity and climate. Their work has also resulted Having started in 2012, The Sunrise Project is now a
in significant policy reforms to hasten the transition to significant global organisation with over seventy staff
clean energy, particularly by state governments and and programs spanning Europe, the US, and Asia.
Greenpeace Australia Pacific has driven notable time, we were able to work with Greenpeace to
wins on climate and environment over the last few leverage the Dawn Wade Foundation’s contribution
years, significantly boosted by a number of major a number of times over to secure more resources, to
philanthropic investments. CEO David Ritter says: drive the campaign to achieve even greater impact.”
“Catalytic philanthropic gifts have enabled us to
achieve significant outcomes in collaboration with Another of Greenpeace’s collaborative campaigning
other groups, including driving big oil away from the efforts was focused on preventing deep sea oil
Great Australian Bight and securing commitments drilling in the Great Australian Bight, a precious
from some of Australia’s best known brands to shift to marine ecosystem off the coast of South Australia.
100% renewable electricity.” This campaign was supported by the Wiggs Family
Foundation. Director Peter Wiggs says:
Greenpeace’s REenergise campaign called on
Australian’s leading companies to switch to 100% “Our foundation looks to partner in projects that
renewable electricity. In explaining his reasons for have a demonstrable, and if possible, immediate
giving to the REenergise campaign, Greenpeace impact. Greenpeace’s intervention in the proposed
donor Darrell Wade, Chair of the Dawn Wade oil drilling in the Great Australia Bight was in
Foundation, said: our view a perfect investment. By sailing the
Rainbow Warrior into the proposed drilling area,
“We were motivated by having been there really they garnered the necessary media and political
from the beginning, seeing how the logic of the attention to highlight the absurdity of destroying
project took shape - and giving feedback and a crucial ecosystem for at best, a very marginal
input along the way. We saw the opportunity economic project. Without Greenpeace, Australia
in REenergise, that by investing to enable and the world ran the very real risk of losing a
Greenpeace’s campaign potential, it would unique marine environment. For the Wiggs Family
be possible to achieve significant real cuts in Foundation, we were ecstatic to be a part of a very
greenhouse gas emissions by securing commitments real win for the environment.”
to shift to renewables, by major corporations. In
making an extra commitment at precisely the right
9
AUSTRALIAN TRENDS
The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) in 2015, more than 1 million Australians have now
A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021
is the national advocacy organisation for climate been mobilised including conservative-identified
and nature. Established in 1965, ACF has led or members of the community. A third of ACF’s
collaborated to achieve some of Australia’s landmark new supporters live in regional Australia, while a
environmental outcomes. This includes the end further third are evenly distributed throughout the
of whaling in Australian waters, a permanent ban aspirational outer suburbs of Melbourne, Brisbane
on mining in the Antarctic, and more recently, the and Sydney.
creation of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to
fast track renewable energy investment. ACF now has 43 trained community groups focused
on local electorate advocacy, particularly in the
ACF has also grown significantly, particularly in the country’s eastern states. This has enabled them
past five years. ACF’s regular giving donations have to directly pressure local Members of Parliament,
increased, as has the size of individual gifts, but it is engage the community in awareness-raising
the growth and diversity of ‘people power’ that is activities, and activate trusted messengers in the
most significant. Starting with 80,000 supporters community to influence decision-makers.
The Climate Council has almost doubled in income conversation during the Black Summer bushfire
from FY19 to FY20 and is on track for sustained crisis, which was demonstrated by their prolific media
growth by the end of FY21. Since its inception presence generating more than 10,000 media items.
fundraising has been a part of Climate Council’s Additionally, ELCA ensured climate change was front
DNA. Launched as a result of the abolition of the and centre of the Bushfire Royal Commission’s final
Australian Climate Commission by the Abbott report. When the Royal Commission was announced,
Government in 2013, the Climate Council raised climate change featured in 12% of media coverage,
over $1m in what was, at the time, Australia’s largest but at the report’s release it featured in 39%.
ever crowdfunding campaign. This inception was
also supported by some of Australia’s leading The Climate Media Centre supports dozens of
philanthropists. Since then the Climate Council has organisations and hundreds of individuals taking
become Australia’s leading climate communications climate action - like the community energy groups
organisation. building people-powered renewable projects, or
the pensioners installing solar and batteries on their
The Climate Council’s flagship programs like the homes to save cash - to broadcast their successes as
Cities Power Partnership, Emergency Leaders for far and wide as possible. All up, the Climate Media
Climate Action, and the Climate Media Centre have Centre has supported the development of more than
had significant impacts. The Cities Power Partnership 53,000 news items.
is now Australia’s largest local government network,
representing over 50% of the Australian population,
working towards dramatically reducing emissions and
building sustainable and resilient communities.
Emergency Leaders for Climate Action (ELCA)
played a significant role cutting through the national
10AUSTRALIAN TRENDS
A David vs Goliath
Challenge
Despite the increase in revenue of some of fossil fuel industry, the comparison is stark. Take
A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021
Australia’s biggest environmental advocacy groups, the top five coal companies with operations in
solving the climate crisis remains a David and Australia, for example. They have a combined global
Goliath battle. revenue of AUD $421 billion. Coal production in
Australia for these producers generated revenue of
In 2019 environmental charity revenue in Australia approximately AUD $27.1 billion in 2020. The income
was AUD $862 million - this represents only 0.5% of the top six climate organisations, represents only
of total Australian charities revenue.17 Australia’s 0.6% of the revenue that the top five coal companies
six largest climate and environmental advocacy made from selling the most polluting fossil fuels in
organisations (see table below) secured AUD $93m 2020.
in 2019 representing 11% of environmental charity
revenue and 0.06% of total charity revenue. Similarly, the top five gas producers in Australia
reported a combined global revenue of AUD
Increased climate giving has greatly improved the $653.75 billion in 2020. Of this, AUD $34.98 billion
ability of environmental advocacy organisations relates to their Australian revenue - the income
to secure climate action from governments and of the top six climate organisations is only 0.5% of
corporations across Australia , yet their resources this in comparison. The five largest greenhouse gas
remains a drop in the ocean compared to the polluters in Australia disclosed revenue of AUD
resources and finances of the companies that resist $35.03 billion for 2020, the income of the top six
it. climate organisations was only 0.5% of this.
When viewing the figures of environmental The growth in climate giving shows the willingness
advocacy organisations against those of the of concerned Australians to put their money into
2020 Australian Revenue (billion AUD)
Top 5 gas producers
Top 5 coal producers
Top 5 CO2 polluters
Top 6 climate NGOs
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
11
17
Analysis of ACNC 2019 Annual Information Statement DataAUSTRALIAN TRENDS
addressing the climate crisis. Environmental and The table below indicates the peak fossil fuel
A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021
climate organisations have expanded their efforts lobby groups have at least $80 million per year
to deliver action on climate change. But these available on top of what fossil fuel companies spend
growing contributions are still dwarfed by the themselves.
resources invested by the fossil fuel companies and
the mining lobby into delaying climate action. Fossil Fuel Lobby Group Income
Income of fossil fuel industry lobby groups
While detailed figures of exactly how marketing and
INCOME (AUD)
lobbying funds are spent and by whom are hard to LOBBY GROUP 2019 2020
come by, Michael West’s 2017 investigation of the Minerals Council of Australia 20,019,173 20,493,782
financial statements of the Minerals Council showed
NSW Minerals Council 8,203,742 8,595,023
revenues of more than $200 million over the past
Queensland Resources Council 9,248,795 10,951,198
11 years — spiking at $35 million, $32 million and $37
APPEA 11,933,807 8,133,833
million in 2010, 2011 and 2012 when the group was
Coal21/ LET Australia 32,655,222 31,865,885
busy fighting the mining tax, the carbon tax and the
TOTAL 82,060,730 80,039,721
Renewable Energy Target.
In 2010, the Minerals Council spent $22 million
on an advertising campaign against the Minerals In her book The Carbon Club, journalist Marianne
Resource Rent Tax — a key factor in ousting then Wilkinson writes extensively about the web of
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and overturning the tax. money and influence that has underpinned
Australia’s inability to make significant progress on
Mining billionaire Clive Palmer spent AUD $83 climate change over the past decade.
million at the last federal election on his United
Australia Party’s negative advertising campaign It is clear that the trend of increased climate giving
against political parties that were promising voters must continue if the environment and climate
stronger climate commitments. movement are going to continue making progress
against these headwinds.
12CASE STUDIES
A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021
Case
Studies:
Stephen
Pfeiffer
Although he has donated to charities for many years, slavery, genocide, plagues, decline of resources,
Stephen Pfeiffer is new to climate philanthropy, war, nuclear weapons. Some societies survived and
beginning his giving journey into the area in the 20- thrived after such threats, perhaps emerging even
21 financial year. stronger, whilst others suffered terribly, declined or
disappeared almost entirely.”
Stephen spent most of his career working in
education, including as a student recruitment officer “What we face today, anthropogenic climate
at the University of Melbourne. For nine years, change, may be the greatest existential threat
however, he worked as a high school history and that humanity has ever faced. What is required
English teacher. therefore, I believe, is a total response, perhaps
similar to that of the war-economies of the
“As a history teacher, I was able to develop a combatant nations in the World Wars – the
breadth of knowledge of different societies from mobilisation of all available people and resources
around the world and from different eras. What I to achieve the ‘final victory’, which for us in the
learnt was that civilisations and cultures have faced 2020s is the rapid transition to a carbon-zero global
existential threats before: invasion, colonisation, economy.”
13CASE STUDIES
A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021
“With this in mind, philanthropy feels like so much Shortly into this new journey, and after conducting
more than just ‘service to the community’ or ‘giving a little research, he joined both the Australian
back’. To me, it has a pivotal role to play on a global Environmental Grantmakers Network (AEGN) and
stage – preventing catastrophic climate change and Groundswell. Both organisations have been a big
protecting all life on this planet”. part of his journey.
Stephen was the recipient of a family inheritance, “I’ve met all my networks in climate action through
following the hard work of previous family the AEGN,” he says. The AEGN linked Stephen with
generations and the economic boom of the second other members who were able to advise on who to
half of the 20th century. talk to about different philanthropic vehicles, ethical
investing, and important climate organisations.
When he first received this inheritance, he felt
intimidated and disconnected. “I was just starting my Being new to climate philanthropy and not knowing
career as a teacher and I didn’t want anything to do who to fund and support, joining Groundswell was
with it. I was more than happy to live off my teacher’s an invaluable opportunity for Stephen. “Groundswell
salary and focus my efforts on planning classroom has allowed me to find out about the many climate
lessons and marking students’ assessments.” action groups and organisations out there on
the frontline, fighting for climate justice and to
Initially he saw himself as the custodian of this decarbonise the Australian economy.
inheritance, whose role was to nurture its growth and
to pass it on to future generations. “We need more people with the capacity to
give, to join the climate philanthropy movement
However, amid the growing urgency to act on the urgently. Yesterday was too late. And if you’re new
climate crisis, Stephen’s attitude shifted. to climate philanthropy like me, join the AEGN
and Groundswell. They will help you find the
“What is the point of investing money for future organisations to fund who will help us achieve a
generations, if they have been sentenced to a world carbon-zero society and preserve our biodiversity”.
that has been irreparably damaged by catastrophic
climate change, or a world with no future at all?”
After completing his role at the UNSW Business
School, Stephen made the decision to devote all his
time and energy towards climate action. This includes
philanthropy, sustainable investing, and his day-to-
day work.
14CASE STUDIES
A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021
Case
Studies:
The Myer
Foundation
The Myer Foundation has a long history in public awareness) to effect systems-level change.
environmental funding but substantially increased Current grantees include The Next Economy,
its commitment towards climate action and Farmers for Climate Action, Original Power, the
sustainability 15 years ago. At that time, it funded Investor Group on Climate Change, Environmental
an extensive study into how philanthropy could Defenders Office and the Australian Youth Climate
help address climate change, finding that there Coalition. In parallel with its grantmaking strategy,
was a need for an independent institution designed two years ago The Myer Foundation began a
to bridge the gap between climate research and process to transition its investment portfolio to
action. As a result, in 2009 The Myer Foundation ESG (environment, social, governance) aligned
in partnership with Monash University founded investments, and today it has more than 90% of its
ClimateWorks. Since then, ClimateWorks has had an corpus in ESG aligned funds.
enormous impact on making the goal of a net-zero
carbon economy the new normal in Australia. To have any hope of achieving the economic,
environmental and social transition required to
While The Myer Foundation has continually achieve net zero by 2050 enormous strides must
supported ClimateWorks since it was established be made towards developing implementable and
more than a decade ago, it now leverages impact by accountable carbon reduction plans within the next
funding a range of organisations that take discrete five years. To help facilitate an accelerated and at
but complementary approaches to effecting systemic scale transition in Australia, The Myer Foundation
change. The rationale behind this ‘portfolio’ approach believes that philanthropists should look to
is that there is no single strategy by itself that will significantly increase their funding towards climate
move every stakeholder fast enough to achieve 50% action and align investment portfolios along ESG
emissions reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2050. principles.
Organisations supported by The Myer Foundation
employ the levers of political, financial and corporate
influence, public policy reform, building social
movements, strategic litigation and developing
community capacity (including via education and
15CASE STUDIES
A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021
Case
Studies:
Clare
Ainsworth
Herschell
Clare comes from a multi-generation philanthropic of the planet’s rapidly melting glaciers, and had an
family. She began her professional career in the “aha moment” - a sudden appreciation of the short
not-for-profit sector in areas including poverty and window required for real action on climate change.
injustice, gender equity, First Nations youth, and the She wanted to share this ‘aha’ moment with others,
arts. As Next Generation Development Manager and conceived an opportunity to take a cohort
at the Art Gallery of NSW, Clare set up the Atelier of Australian leaders (including philanthropists,
Group: a membership program for Next-Gen donors, business leaders, social and cultural influencers)
pooling funds to support new acquisitions and to the world-class Heron Island Research Station,
outreach projects. She donated AUD $1,800 per year to learn about the impacts and solutions to climate
of her own salary to Atelier - a signal to her fellow change first hand on the Great Barrier Reef, with
donors that “I believe in this so much, I’m donating some of Australia’s best scientists, ecologists and
myself”. energy experts.
In 2017, Clare gained control of a trust set up by her Clare was able to galvanise the trip’s participants
parents. By now, Clare had a young family of her and its partnership with the Climate Council by
own, with two children. She had recently watched underwriting part of the costs. She believed that for
the documentary Chasing Ice, a multiyear chronicle a relatively small investment that there would be an
16CASE STUDIES
A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021
enormous return. Because of its success, three Heron action - sometimes spending down her capital.
Island trips have been run to date and participants Recently, she was advised to save some of her income
have included some of Australia’s best known to reinvest, with a view towards ‘growing the pot’ -
identities and household names. The evidence has she responded, “What’s the point of having a bigger
shown that people have taken the experience into pot on a dead planet?”
their own circles of influence to create a growing
ripple effect of climate action. Clare’s philanthropy focuses on risk capital and
resource building to grow the climate movement,
In the early days of her philanthropic journey giving it visibility and capacity. She also recently
into ‘major giving’ (resourced by the trust) Clare brought on a sustainability expert as one of
responded to a lot of the funding requests sent her financial advisors, to ensure that the trust’s
through the Australian Environmental Grantmakers investments were aligned with her giving.
Network (AEGN) email list, granting AUD $5,000 to
20,000 amounts on an ad hoc basis. This provided Examples of organisations she has supported include
her a straight-forward way to be a climate funder. Groundswell, Climate Council, Seed, Original Power,
Farmers for Climate Action, Psychology for a Safe
In the wake of the catastrophic bushfires of Climate, Surfers for Climate, Australian Marine
2019/2020, Clare recognised there was a new Conservation Society, Greenpeace, Grata Fund,
audience of climate-alarmed people who would be Australian Parents for Climate Action, the Next
interested in funding climate action, if only they knew Economy and the student climate strikes.
how.
She says: “We have to prioritise funding climate right
Clare wanted to expand the visibility and reach of now, because the solutions exist and time is of the
climate groups doing highly strategic and impactful essence. Literally the only thing missing is funding,
work, to a new pipeline of donors beyond the AEGN. which is crazy. It’s like saying 12 months ago that
This responded in part to the growing recognition we have a COVID vaccine but we can’t raise the
that climate change is not just an environmental money for it. Climate inaction is a very real threat to
issue but a human issue, as well as creating space for humanity.”
climate funders at a smaller entry level.
Subsequently, Groundswell Giving was co-founded,
Image credit - Cloudy Rhodes
Australia’s first giving circle for climate advocacy,
with Clare funding the overheads. Groundswell is
now in its second year of operations and has raised
over AUD$650,000 to date for strategic climate
advocacy.
“Working professionally in the climate space now,
I recognise the urgency: you can’t spend every day
being exposed to the stuff that we see and learn and
not recognise that time is of the essence.”
Clare describes her giving strategy as “aggressive”
because “we don’t have much time left before the
world risks climate tipping points”. Her short term
strategy in this ‘critical decade’ is to donate up to half
of the income from her portfolio back into climate
17CASE STUDIES
A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021
Case
Studies:
Alan
Schwartz AM
Alan Schwartz AM is one of Australia’s most 2004. Initially the focus was “arts, scholarship and
respected philanthropists and the former Chair of innovation”. In 2014 he became Chair of Philanthropy
Philanthropy Australia. He describes his professional Australia. The role was a turning point for his
life as having transitioned from “entrepreneur and understanding of the power of advocacy. He vividly
business builder” to “active investor, philanthropist recalls a conversation with John Daley, the founding
and social activist”. And now he has his sights firmly CEO of the Grattan Institute:
set on climate action.
“He said to me, the government spends $250
As the son of holocaust survivors, the values instilled billion a year, give or take, philanthropy would be
in Alan during his early years were focused on family 2% of that. He said the only way you can make
and security. Growing up on a farm, he remembers philanthropy actually make a difference is to
being concerned about air pollution when he influence the way that $250 billion is spent. To me
and his family came into the city to sell milk and that was a massive revelation.”
eggs. As a University student he felt his horizons
broadening. He started to think more broadly about As Chair of Philanthropy Australia, Alan focused
his responsibilities to his community, society and the on advancing the philanthropic sector as a whole.
world. He increased the peak body’s efforts in policy and
advocacy to support the expansion of philanthropy
After achieving success in business, Alan and his wife itself. At the time, climate change was not at the
Carol set up a philanthropic foundation, Trawalla, in forefront of his mind. He says “there were too many
18CASE STUDIES
A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021
moving parts to think about climate change being He understands why philanthropists have been
an issue… there were just so many issues in our unsure about funding in climate advocacy, in the
incredibly diverse membership.” past, preferring to instead put their efforts behind
smaller, easier problems. “When you fund small
After he finished his term with Philanthropy Australia, things you can immediately see change and that’s
Alan embarked on a personal journey to more deeply what makes policy and advocacy so hard.”
understand the power of measurement to solve the
world’s problems. Another conversation, this time But he points to the fact that climate advocacy is
with Oxford University’s Professor Eric Beinhocker, already achieving wins, and can speak from personal
proved a turning point. The professor explained that experience. This year he was part of the successful
when it came to climate change, we could have all campaign against the University of Newcastle’s
the measurements in the world but it wouldn’t affect decision to appoint former Nationals MP and
the drivers of inaction to solve the problem. Alan then Whitehaven Coal Chair Mark Vaile as Chancellor.
understood that the ability to measure something is He added his name to an open letter alongside other
very different to the ability to create the political will high-profile philanthropists stating that Mark Vaile’s
to change institutional frameworks and policy. appointment meant they could not donate to the
university in the future. Less than a week after the
At first Alan’s interest in climate change was more letter was published in the Newcastle Herald and
intellectual and detached. But as he read more, the received widespread media attention as part of a
penny dropped about the full extent of the threat. larger backlash from staff and students, the university
“I became increasingly alarmed,” he says. “I realised released a statement confirming Vaile had advised he
that this was something that was existential.” intended “not to proceed” with the appointment.
He recommends other philanthropists who haven’t A deep thinker and talented writer, Alan is also using
yet got their head around the scale of the climate his writing to make the case for stronger action to
crisis and its solutions start reading to expand their address the climate crisis. He has written for the
knowledge. His top 3 book picks are Ross Garnaut’s Griffith Review and is currently researching a second
“Superpower”, Bill Gates’ “How to Avoid A Climate article for the Harvard Business Review.
Disaster” and Saul Griffith’s “Electrify: An Optimist’s
Playbook for Our Clean Energy Future.” His recent op-ed in The Australian called for carbon
pricing to be put back on the table as a policy option.
Since then, Alan has become one of the most In that article he wrote: “we are living in dangerous
influential voices within the Australian philanthropic times for our civilisation. These times call for
sector advocating for other foundations to follow his moral courage and steadfast resistance against
lead in entering the world of climate funding. the ascendancy of short-term, narrow or private
His climate philanthropy is focused on advocacy and interests.”
driving government policy change. As he says, “it’s
too big to do bits and pieces.”
19CASE STUDIES
A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021
Case
Studies:
Bella
Wiggs
Bella Wiggs is a 24-year-old woman determined world (literally) meant, and even more exciting to be
to make the biggest impact she can on climate and involved in the process. I get so much energy through
environmental challenges, using her time, talent, and working in the climate space professionally.”
treasure.
Bella works at Groundswell and is also doing an
It wasn’t always this way. While she was in school, internship at Social Ventures Australia. She is Co-
Bella says she didn’t think a great deal about climate Chair of Philanthropy Australia’s New Gen network
change. Her family’s philanthropy was focused on and a member of the Mosman Council Climate
different areas. Action Community Consultative Committee. She
recently finished a role at Coalition for Conservation.
Bella’s appointment to Director of the Wiggs Family
Foundation coincided with starting university - a “I hope that others realise the opportunity cost of
steep learning curve across a broad range of issues. not acting, and instead, do everything they can to
It was other philanthropic peers, including through support the solutions – be it advocacy, invention,
Philanthropy Australia’s New Gen network, who innovation or investment – before the window for
pointed her in the direction of the climate crisis. real action closes.” She believes once the penny
drops, there is no going back for anyone, and people
“At that stage I caught up on the science and will move from apathy to action accordingly.
through my reading very quickly decided that Her advice for those yet to experience that moment
keeping global warming below 2°C was not only the on their giving journey is to “pick up any book
most pressing issue of my own lifetime, but the most written by an Australian climate scientist. There is
important matter that has ever, and conceivably will nothing to lose from learning. The good news is that
ever, present itself to humankind.” In that financial when inevitable alarm ensues, a remedy is already
year, the Wiggs Family Foundation’s giving to there.”
climate went from 0%, to 30% of their corpus.
Bella explains that becoming involved with climate
change solutions energised her. “It was exciting to
have finally had the ‘penny drop’ on what saving the
20ORGANISATIONS SUPPORTING CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING
Organisations
Supporting Climate
& Environmental
Giving
Groundswell
Australia’s first giving
circle set up to fund high-
impact climate advocacy,
starting from $20 a week.
Groundswell is Australia’s first giving circle funding include organisations at the front-line of the climate
climate advocacy. It was founded by three friends: crisis like Emergency Leaders for Climate Action,
Anna Rose, Clare Ainsworth Herschell and Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network, Farmers for
Arielle Gamble during the Black Summer fires in Climate Action, Indigenous Peoples Organisation and
2019. Advisors including the Myer Foundation’s the Climate and Health Alliance. Groundswell believes
sustainability and environment program manager that by working together, we can create a healthy, just
Jane Thomas and First Nations advisors Lille Madden and sustainable world.
and Karrina Nolan.
Since 2019, Groundswell has raised over AUD
4.89 million Australians have been identified as $600,000 and directly granted AUD $280,000 to
feeling alarmed about the climate crisis16, yet climate advocacy groups. The upcoming June grant
many haven’t yet taken action, and report feelings round will grant a further AUD $160,000. Over 450
of frustration, uncertainty and helplessness. people have financially contributed to Groundswell’s
The solutions to the climate crisis already exist; grant-giving, including a number of Australian
Groundswell helps the community accelerate them philanthropic foundations. Groundswell’s giving
by members pitching in AUD $20 a week or AUD has been accelerated greatly by a group of life-time
$1000 a year. Each time the circle’s pooled funds members, who elect to give a one-off gift of AUD
reach AUD $50,000, Groundswell gives grants to $10,000, which reflects the 10 years that remains
people and organisations tackling the root causes to take action that will have impact, and ergo the
of the climate crisis. Previous grant recipients understanding from those members that their money is
better spent now than later.
Climate Compass: Australian Audiences segmentation by FiftyFive5, Sunrise Project
16 21
and Dr Rebecca Huntley, 2019-2020.ORGANISATIONS SUPPORTING CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING
Australian
Environmental
Grantmakers
Network
A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021
The national peak body an additional AUD $50 million for climate action and
nature conservation by 2022. Not only did AEGN
for philanthropists members meet the target – they smashed it - raising
AUD $120 million in just three years!
funding climate action
and environment AEGN members’ strategic funding is changing the
world. Recent highlights include: Providing funding
protection. for Torres Strait Islander people to stand up for their
legal rights to a safe climate by taking their case
to the United Nations; empowering vulnerable
The Australian Environmental Grantmakers
communities in Melbourne to take control of their
Network (AEGN) is an independent, trusted,
electricity bills and reduce their climate pollution; and
member-based organisation founded by funders,
ending deforestation in Queensland to keep carbon
for funders. Offering a safe space for a diverse range
in the soil, provide homes for endangered koalas, and
of funders - from long established foundations
jobs for local land managers.
to modern family foundations and individual
donors - the AEGN provides an entry point for
The power of philanthropy. Philanthropy is not
philanthropists getting started in climate funding.
beholden to election cycles or shareholders. It
has the freedom to be nimble, flexible, innovative,
With a mission to grow effective climate
and independent. By working in partnership with
philanthropy and transform Australia’s contribution
powerful and effective community organisations,
to the climate crisis, more and more philanthropists
philanthropy can hold the keys to turn this critical
are joining the AEGN network. From humble
decade around for the planet and for generations to
beginnings in 2008 the AEGN has now grown to
come.
over 175 members who share a vision for a future
Australia that cares for people AND for the planet.
If you are ready to join a funding network that is
so much larger than the sum of its parts, then join
AEGN members are doing extraordinary
Australia’s premier donor network for high impact
things together. In 2017 the AEGN launched the
climate philanthropy.
Environmental Giving Pledge with the aim of raising
22ORGANISATIONS SUPPORTING CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING
A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021
Impatience The Sunrise
Earth Project
The UK’s Impatience Earth’s team of climate and
philanthropy experts provide pro bono advice to
Global finance and
donors seeking to support organisations, ideas energy regranter
and individuals working to address the climate
crisis. Impatience Earth is sponsored by one of the The growth of climate philanthropy around the
world’s largest climate donors, enabling them to world has led to the emergence of a number of ‘re-
work pro bono with their clients to explore these granting’ organisations that act as intermediaries
areas and find their own philanthropic space as between large foundations and NGOs.
we work towards climate justice and a sustainable Organisations like the US-based ClimateWorks
future. Whether a client’s interest is in transforming Foundation and the European Climate Foundation
food or energy systems, developing technologies play a key role in building confidence of donors,
or supporting civil movements, creating green jobs focussing funding behind research based
or improving air quality, working on land or on sea, strategies, and enabling increased giving.
there are many incredible opportunities for funding
alongside fellow climate donors at Impatience The Sunrise Project has developed a similar model
Earth. at the intersection between philanthropy and social
movements although it is more actively involved
in driving and implementing campaigns than most
regranting organisations. The Sunrise Project
operates similar to a managed fund for investing -
where a single grant is ‘invested’ in a wide range of
organisations in pursuit of an overall strategy and on
the advice of experienced staff.
The Sunrise Project typically works with larger
donors but freely shares its analysis and staff
capacity to advise new climate donors on aligned
grantmaking, helping to build capacity within the
climate funding community.
23CONCLUSION
A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021
Conclusion.
The world’s most highly regarded scientific body Irrespective of your funding capacity and area of
on climate change released a report in 2018 interest there is a role for you to play in ushering
concluding the Earth only has a decade before the in a world where action on climate change makes
climate hits irreversible tipping points. peoples’ lives materially better – not just tomorrow,
but today.
The urgency of this mission is driving a fundamental
shift in Australian, and global, philanthropy. Around Every day hundreds of Australians are choosing to
the world funders recognise that an investment fund climate action.
in climate action today is a down payment on the
safety of our collective futures. Whilst climate By joining Groundswell or the Australian
change is complex and its impacts broad and far Environmental Grantmakers Network you can join a
reaching, funding climate action is simple, and growing community of funders who are walking the
accessible for most Australians. talk.
The climate movement is ready to scale up. The The best antidote to despair is action. So get started
Australian community is demanding action like today.
never before. Renewable energy is now cheaper
than coal. The solutions are at our fingertips. With
greater philanthropic support we can leverage this Find out more at:
incredible momentum for lasting change. GroundswellGiving.org
AEGN.org.au
“Earth’s greatest threat is the belief
that someone else will save it”
Robert Swan - polar explorer turned environmentalist
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