Ivey Foundation’s Post

📢 Breaking news today: Canadian philanthropists pledge a record $405M for climate. THIS is the type of bold move we love to see from philanthropy in Canada. ❓What is the announcement? 💡9 families and foundations have pledged $405M for climate solutions, in what is called The Climate Champions initiative. 💡Funds will be released over the next decade. 💡 Contributors include Trottier Family Foundation, THE PETER GILGAN FOUNDATION, Ivey Foundation, Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation, Chisholm Thomson Family Foundation, Kirsten Anderson and David Keith, Sitka Foundation, Vohra Miller Foundation, and Allan Shiff. 💡 The initiative will provide funding for innovative projects to drive climate action and the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy. ❓Why is it important? Why does it matter to conservation finance? 💡 This marks the largest philanthropic contribution to climate solutions in Canadian history. 💡 We see this as an opportunity to use these funds to catalyze other investment from government and the private sector, with more courageous and visionary funding decisions. 💡 Climate Champions aims to triple climate philanthropy in Canada to over $300 million annually by 2030, just as the conservation finance community is aiming to increase nature finance five-fold to close the funding gap. 💡 We hope that the climate focus of this funding recognizes the critical role of biodiversity, and that some of the funds flow into Natural Climate Solutions that provide climate, nature, economic, social, and cultural benefits in Canada. Read more in the Canada's National Observer by Darius Snieckus: https://lnkd.in/gumT5ZZJ #COP29 #climatesolutions #naturalclimatesolutions #conservationfinance #conservation #naturefinance Bruce Lourie, C.M. Sabina Vohra-Miller Laurie Thomson Mark Gurvis Stephanie Trussler Sylvie Trottier Luke Gilgan Clean Economy Fund Eric Campbell Carolynn Beaty

"Just as nations discuss the responses to the climate crisis in terms of mitigation, adaptation and loss and damage, businesses need to address the climate crisis from multiple angles too... We advocate for placing climate resilience and community empowerment at the heart of corporate giving; enabling local leaders and existing charities with the direct experience of an area to determine the best course of action." Wise words from the CEO of GlobalGiving UK, Alex Ritchie! Read about how local leaders in the GlobalGiving community are building resilience ahead of crisis in Alex's great piece in the Green Business Journal.

Campaigners are urging Churches and faith groups to increase investment in climate solutions through a new global initiative, the Green Investment Declaration, which launches this week. Supported by UK charities Operation Noah and JustMoney Movement, the declaration aims to get signatories on the road to green investment, with the goal of having groups invest at least 5% of their assets in climate solutions within five years. Internationally, Churches manage billions of pounds of investments, with a UN Environment Programme official calling global faith groups – which collectively have trillions of dollars of assets and investments – the third largest economic power on earth. Church Investors Group’s 67 members (largely from Britain and Ireland) have combined investment assets of over £26bn. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ezwK4Sfa

Philanthropic funding for climate adaptation and resilience is on the rise. Global annual funding was at least $600 million in 2023, and it is on track to reach between $650 million and $700 million in 2024. This is according to a new report by the Adaptation and Resilience Collaborative for Funders, a group created last year at COP28 that now includes over 60 organizations and is run by the global philanthropic platform ClimateWorks Foundation.  Despite its importance, funding for the adaptation sector so far has been “grossly inadequate,” according to Jessica Hitt, associate director of adaptation and resilience at ClimateWorks Foundation. https://lnkd.in/erZ-Zudx

The #PhilanthropyForClimate movement shows it’s possible to center communities, tackle environmental justice, and create lasting change. It’s about ensuring communities—not corporations or policies alone—are the heart of the action.  But this momentum for change must continue and be driven by those who care about more than the bottom line—they care about people, the planet, and what we leave behind.  It’s time to close the gap and invest in a sustainable future—for everyone. 💬 Let’s talk about it! How are you (or your org) centering communities in your climate solutions? I'd love to learn! #ClimateAction #CommunityCenteredChange #EnvironmentalJustice 

Most of us recognize climate change as a critical challenge — But only 2% of global philanthropic funding is directed toward climate solutions!! It’s the staggering gap that raises a question: are we really putting our resources where our values are? It’s time to make a meaningful shift and invest in the future of our planet. #ClimateActionNow #InvestInOurPlanet #PhilanthropyForClimate #SustainableFuture #mayweMission

Charitable giving to climate solutions in Canada is well below the global average, less than half that in the US, and a fraction of that in the UK (per CEF analysis). This #GivingTuesday, consider contributing to Canada's amazing climate charities, which are doing critical work to build a prosperous, net-zero future. https://lnkd.in/gR58kATQ

5 ways to redefine philanthropy’s role in the fight against climate change: “A small but growing group of foundations is beginning to explore all available levers to help achieve net-zero, guided by a commitment to equitable climate action and its urgency…These organizations are participating in an active dialogue on how to redefine the role of philanthropy in the fight against climate change…” "The philanthropic community can learn together: highlighting thorny issues, balancing grant-making and investments, and engaging asset managers. Shifting trillions of dollars involves learning from each other and taking collective action." https://lnkd.in/dUX2z26b

Worcester is set to benefit from a nonprofit initiative that will offer millions to help cities reduce emissions. With the Green Worcester Plan, they're focused on accelerating their path to achieving net zero. Discover more at https://okt.to/D0BL4v.

Today, we recognize the incredible impact of philanthropy in the fight against climate change. The Globe and Mail’s story on nine leading Canadian families and foundations pledging $405M to accelerate a low-carbon economy highlights the power of philanthropy to drive meaningful change. A special thank you to the Peter Gilgan Foundation for its vision and leadership in supporting the MaRS Better Buildings Mission, demonstrating how philanthropy can inspire action and set a powerful example for others. We also extend our gratitude to the Trottier Family Foundation and Chisholm-Thomson Family Foundation for their leadership and unwavering commitment to impactful climate solutions. In times when traditional funding is stretched thin, philanthropy steps up to fill crucial gaps—absorbing risks, fostering innovation, and shaping Canada’s future. Philanthropy isn’t just about filling a funding void; it’s an act of optimism, of belief in progress. And we see this powerfully in climate action. Let’s keep pushing forward together.