Climate & Environmental Giving 2021

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.

5 Introduction

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- survey-casey-briggs/13355948 $2.6 trillion from 2021 - 2040, $1.1 trillion of this will 12 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-19/do-we-need-to-do-more-to-combat- 15 climate-change/13400838 transfer over the next ten years. 13https://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/ 15https://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 are much more reliant on donations and bequests Limited 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

10 AUSTRALIAN TRENDS

A David vs Goliath Challenge A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021 Despite the increase in revenue of some of fossil fuel industry, the comparison is stark. Take 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 Data AUSTRALIAN 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 busy fighting the mining tax, the carbon tax and the Coal21/ LET Australia 32,655,222 31,865,885 Renewable Energy Target. TOTAL 82,060,730 80,039,721

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.

12 A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021 13 CASE STUDIES CASE

similar to that of the war-economies of the similar to – the Wars nations in the World combatant mobilisation of all available people and resources which for us in the achieve the ‘final victory’, to a carbon-zero global 2020s is the rapid transition to economy.” slavery, genocide, plagues, decline of resources, genocide, plagues, decline of resources, slavery, weapons. Some societies survived nuclear and war, emerging even perhaps such threats, thrived after declined or whilst others suffered terribly, stronger, disappeared almost entirely.” anthropogenic climate “What we face today, threat existential change, may be the greatest that humanity has ever faced. What is required perhaps response, therefore, I believe, is a total

Pfeiffer Stephen Stephen

learnt was that civilisations and cultures have faced before: invasion, colonisation, threats existential breadth of knowledge of different societies from around the world and from different eras. What I English teacher. English teacher. develop a I was able to teacher, a history “As education, including as a student recruitment officer nine years, at the University of Melbourne. For and a high school history he worked as however, 21 financial year. 21 financial year. spent most of his career working in Stephen Stephen Pfeiffer is new to climate philanthropy, philanthropy, climate Pfeiffer is new to Stephen the area in the 20- beginning his giving journey into Although he has donated to charities for many years, to Although he has donated

Studies: Case Case CASE 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-today work.

14 A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021 15 CASE STUDIES CASE action and align investment portfolios along ESG principles. public awareness) to effect systems-level change. effect systems-level public awareness) to include The Next Economy, Current grantees the Action, Original Power, for Climate Farmers Change, Environmental Group on Climate Investor Climate Youth Defenders Office and the Australian grantmaking strategy, Coalition. In parallel with its began a two years ago The Myer Foundation investment portfolio to transition its process to aligned ESG (environment, social, governance) it has more than 90% of its and today investments, corpus in ESG aligned funds. hope of achieving the economic, have any To and social transition required to environmental achieve net zero by 2050 enormous strides must and developing implementable be made towards next carbon reduction plans within the accountable and at an accelerated help facilitate five years. To scale transition in Australia, The Myer Foundation should look to believes that philanthropists climate significantly increase their funding towards The Myer Myer The Foundation

influence, public policy reform, building social litigation and developing strategic movements, community capacity (including via education and emissions reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2050. by The Myer Foundation Organisations supported employ the levers of political, financial and corporate is that there is no single strategy by itself that will by itself is that there is no single strategy achieve 50% fast enough to move every stakeholder funding a range of organisations that take discrete discrete funding a range of organisations that take systemic effecting to approaches but complementary approach ‘portfolio’ this behind rationale The change. While The Myer Foundation has continually While The Myer Foundation since it was established ClimateWorks supported more than a decade ago, it now leverages impact by enormous impact on making the goal of a net-zero carbon economy the new normal in Australia. in partnership with Monash University founded has had an Since then, ClimateWorks ClimateWorks. was a need for an independent institution designed was a need for an independent institution research and climate bridge the gap between to Foundation action. As a result, in 2009 The Myer sustainability 15 years ago. At that time, it funded 15 years ago. At sustainability how philanthropy could study into an extensive change, finding that there help address climate The Myer Foundation has a long history in has a long history The Myer Foundation increased funding but substantially environmental action and climate commitment towards its

Studies: Case Case A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021 16 CASE STUDIES CASE some of Australia’s best scientists, ecologists and ecologists best scientists, some of Australia’s energy experts. the trip’s participants galvanise Clare was able to Council by partnership with the Climate and its underwriting She believed that for part of the costs. a relatively small investment that there would be an of the planet’s rapidly melting glaciers, and had an of the short moment” - a sudden appreciation “aha change. window required for real action on climate moment with others, share this ‘aha’ to She wanted a cohort take and conceived an opportunity to of Australian leaders (including philanthropists, business leaders, social and cultural influencers) the world-class Heron Island Research Station, to climate and solutions to learn about the impacts to with change first hand on the Great Barrier Reef,

Clare Clare

Herschell Ainsworth Ainsworth

parents. By now, Clare had a young family of her By now, parents. own, with two children. She had recently watched Chasing Ice, a multiyear chronicle the documentary In 2017, Clare gained control of a trust set up by her In 2017, of her own salary to Atelier - a signal to her fellow her fellow - a signal to Atelier of her own salary to donors that “I believe in this so much, I’m donating myself”. Group: a membership program for Next-Gen donors, support new acquisitions and pooling funds to $1,800 per year AUD She donated outreach projects. injustice, gender equity, First Nations youth, and the injustice, gender equity, As Next Generation Development Manager arts. Clare set up the Atelier at the Art Gallery of NSW, family. She began her professional career in the family. in areas including poverty and not-for-profit sector Clare comes from a multi-generation philanthropic

Studies: Case Case A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021 Image credit - Cloudy Rhodes 17 CASE STUDIES CASE “What’s the point of having a bigger “What’s the point “We have to prioritise funding climate right prioritise funding climate have to “We She says: exist and time is of the because the solutions now, the only thing missing is funding, essence. Literally It’s like saying 12 months ago that which is crazy. we can’t vaccine but raise the we have a COVID is a very real threat to inaction money for it. Climate humanity.” action - sometimes spending down her capital. down her capital. spending action - sometimes her income of some save to advised she was Recently, pot’ - ‘growing the with a view towards reinvest, to she responded, pot on a dead planet?” and focuses on risk capital Clare’s philanthropy movement, grow the climate to resource building She also recently capacity. giving it visibility and as one of expert brought on a sustainability trust’s ensure that the to her financial advisors, with her giving. were aligned investments include Examples of organisations she has supported Council, Seed, Original Power, Groundswell, Climate for a Safe Action, Psychology for Climate Farmers Australian Marine Surfers for Climate, Climate, Fund, Greenpeace, Grata Conservation Society, Action, the Next for Climate Australian Parents strikes. Economy and the student climate Her short term Her short term “we don’t have much time left before the of the income from her portfolio back into climate climate of the income from her portfolio back into because tipping points”. world risks climate half up to donate in this ‘critical decade’ is to strategy not recognise that time is of the essence.” as “aggressive” Clare describes her giving strategy “Working professionally in the climate space now, space now, professionally in the climate “Working I recognise the urgency: you can’t spend every day stuff that we see and learn and the being exposed to advocacy. with Clare funding the overheads. Groundswell is second year of operations and has raised now in its climate for strategic date to over AUD$650,000 climate funders at a smaller entry level. funders at a smaller entry climate Groundswell Giving was co-founded, Subsequently, advocacy, first giving circle for climate Australia’s This responded in part to the growing recognition This responded in part to change is not just an environmental that climate space for issue but a human issue, as well as creating climate groups doing highly strategic and impactful groups doing highly strategic climate a new pipeline of donors beyond the AEGN. work, to how. reach of expand the visibility and to Clare wanted 2019/2020, Clare recognised there was a new 2019/2020, Clare recognised there people who would be audience of climate-alarmed action, if only they knew in funding climate interested her a straight-forward way to be a climate funder. funder. her a straight-forward be a climate way to bushfires of In the wake of the catastrophic Network (AEGN) email list, granting AUD $5,000 to to $5,000 email list, granting AUD Network (AEGN) on an ad hoc basis. This provided 20,000 amounts into ‘major giving’ (resourced by the trust) Clare ‘major giving’ (resourced into sent a lot of the funding requests responded to Grantmakers Environmental through the Australian ripple effect of climate action. ripple effect of climate her philanthropic journey In the early days of identities and household names. The evidence has identities and household into the experience have taken shown that people a growing create influence to their own circles of Island trips have been run to date and participants and participants date have been run to Island trips best known some of Australia’s have included enormous return. Because of its success, three Heron three Heron success, of its return. Because enormous A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021 18 CASE STUDIES CASE “there were too many “there too were As Chair of Philanthropy Australia, Alan focused as a whole. on advancing the philanthropic sector in policy and He increased the peak body’s efforts support the expansion of philanthropy advocacy to at the change was not the time, climate At itself. forefront of his mind. He says 2004. Initially the focus was “arts, scholarship and scholarship 2004. Initially the focus was “arts, innovation”. In 2014 he became Chair of Philanthropy Australia. The role was a turning point for his He vividly of the power of advocacy. understanding the founding recalls a conversation with John Daley, Institute: CEO of the Grattan the government spends $250 me, “He said to philanthropy would be give or take, billion a year, 2% of that. He said the only way you can make philanthropy actually make a difference is to me influence the way that $250 billion is spent. To that was a massive revelation.” Alan

AM Schwartz

After achieving success in business, Alan and his wife achieving After in Carol set up a philanthropic foundation, Trawalla, his responsibilities to his community, society and the society his community, his responsibilities to world. and his family came into the city to sell milk and the city to and his family came into eggs. As a University student he felt his horizons think more broadly about to broadening. He started in Alan during his early years were focused on family he remembers Growing up on a farm, and security. being concerned about air pollution when he As the son of holocaust survivors, the values instilled business builder” to “active investor, philanthropist investor, “active business builder” to firmly and social activist”. And now he has his sights action. set on climate respected philanthropists and the former Chair of philanthropists respected Philanthropy Australia. He describes his professional life as having transitioned from “entrepreneur and Alan Schwartz AM is one of Australia’s most Alan Schwartz AM is one of Australia’s

Studies: Case Case CASE 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.”

19 A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021 20

CASE STUDIES CASE when inevitable alarm ensues, a remedy is already alarm ensues, a remedy when inevitable there.” world (literally) meant, and even more exciting to be meant, and even more exciting to world (literally) energy through involved in the process. I get so much professionally.” space working in the climate doing an Bella works at Groundswell and is also Australia. She is Co- at Social Ventures internship New Gen network Chair of Philanthropy Australia’s Climate and a member of the Mosman Council She Committee. Action Community Consultative recently finished a role at Coalition for Conservation. “I hope that others realise the opportunity cost of do everything they can to not acting, and instead, invention, support the solutions – be it advocacy, innovation or investment – before the window for real action closes.” She believes once the penny drops, there is no going back for anyone, and people action accordingly. will move from apathy to experience that moment Her advice for those yet to “pick up any book on their giving journey is to scientist. There is by an Australian climate written is that lose from learning. The good news nothing to Bella Wiggs

have finally had the ‘penny drop’ on what saving the Bella explains that becoming involved with climate Bella explains that becoming involved with climate exciting to “It was change solutions energised her. year, the Wiggs Family Foundation’s giving to giving to Foundation’s the Wiggs Family year, 30% of their corpus. went from 0%, to climate most pressing issue of my own lifetime, but the most and conceivably will that has ever, matter important humankind.” In that financial to present itself ever, “At that stage I caught up on the science and that stage “At through my reading very quickly decided that keeping global warming below 2°C was not only the pointed her in the direction of the climate crisis. her in the direction of the climate pointed steep learning curve across a broad range of issues. steep It was other philanthropic peers, including through New Gen network, who Philanthropy Australia’s Bella’s appointment to Director of the Wiggs Family of the Wiggs Family Director appointment to Bella’s university - a coincided with starting Foundation Bella says she didn’t think a great deal about climate Bella says she didn’t think a great deal about climate focused on change. Her family’s philanthropy was different areas. It wasn’t always this way. While she was in school, It wasn’t always this way. to make the biggest impact she can on climate and impact she can on climate make the biggest to and talent, challenges, using her time, environmental treasure. Bella Wiggs is a 24-year-old woman determined determined Bella Wiggs is a 24-year-old woman

Studies: Case Case ORGANISATIONS 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.

16 Climate Compass: Australian Audiences segmentation by FiftyFive5, Sunrise Project 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

an additional AUD $50 million for climate action and The national peak body 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 AEGN members’ strategic funding is changing the and environment 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

22 A RISING TIDE - CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING 2021 23 The Sunrise Project has developed a similar model The Sunrise Project has developed social between philanthropy and at the intersection involved although it is more actively movements than most in driving and implementing campaigns Project regranting organisations. The Sunrise - a managed fund for investing to similar operates in a wide range of where a single grant is ‘invested’ on and strategy overall an of in pursuit organisations the advice of experienced staff. The Sunrise Project typically works with larger analysis and staff donors but freely shares its donors on aligned advise new climate capacity to within the build capacity grantmaking, helping to funding community. climate The Sunrise Sunrise The Project and Global finance regranter energy the philanthropy around The growth of climate of ‘re- the emergence of a number world has led to granting’ organisations that act as intermediaries between large foundations and NGOs. Organisations like the US-based ClimateWorks Foundation and the European Climate Foundation of donors, play a key role in building confidence based focussing funding behind research increased giving. and enabling strategies, ORGANISATIONS SUPPORTING CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GIVING AND ENVIRONMENTAL CLIMATE SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS

Earth. there are many incredible opportunities for funding there are many incredible opportunities donors at Impatience alongside fellow climate food or energy systems, developing technologies developing technologies food or energy systems, jobs creating green or supporting civil movements, on sea, working on land or or improving air quality, areas and find their own philanthropic space as areas and find their own philanthropic a sustainable justice and climate we work towards is in transforming future. Whether a client’s interest crisis. Impatience Earth is sponsored by one of the crisis. Impatience donors, enabling them to world’s largest climate explore these to work pro bono with their clients donors seeking to support organisations, ideas support organisations, ideas donors seeking to the climate address to and individuals working The UK’s Impatience Earth’s team of climate and and of climate Earth’s team The UK’s Impatience provide pro bono advice to philanthropy experts Earth Impatience Impatience CONCLUSION 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