Foundations join by signing one of the Philanthropy For Climate commitments, depending on their geographic location and the scope of their work.

The growing climate emergency presents a serious risk to philanthropic pursuits everywhere. All foundations can and must play a role in unlocking more and better climate philanthropy.

Addressing the immense scale of the climate crisis demands a whole-sector, ecosystemic, and collaborative approach that transcends individual efforts and geographic borders. This requires strategies which are aligned and coordinated locally, nationally, regionally, and globally. Through locally led but globally coordinated commitments, the Philanthropy For Climate movement supports making connections horizontally and vertically across the field to mobilise philanthropic action.

Philanthropy For Climate takes a unique approach to climate philanthropy by encouraging foundations to think about two key things:

1. An interconnected lens, exploring how the climate emergency impacts, and is impacted by their existing areas of work;
2. A multi-pillar approach, exploring the various levers for change available to them for more systemic action.

The movement is underpinned by transparency and accountability, requiring signatories to reflect on and report the actions they have taken to live up to their commitment. This recognises the urgent need for more data sharing and storytelling that showcases how change can happen, as a way to shift mindsets, inspire greater action, and raise ambition.

Whatever their mission and field of expertise, all organisations with philanthropic resources can play a role in addressing this emergency. Philanthropy cannot just fill gaps: As a sector, we need to engage in the transformation of mindsets and practices of philanthropy in abating the climate crisis. Together, we must step into our role as enablers, engage in partnerships, align all our assets and work with shared values, and raise our collective voice. There is no time to waste.

Global coordination and collaboration on climate is central to Philanthropy For Climate, and harnesses the capacity of philanthropy support organisations – key infrastructure organisations dedicated to supporting and strengthening diverse forms of philanthropy – as powerful catalysts for mobilising philanthropic action. The Philanthropy For Climate movement is spearheaded by several national and regional philanthropy commitments and the International Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change. Foundations are invited to sign the most relevant commitment, depending on their geographic location and the scope of their work. 

International Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change (International Commitment) was launched in 2021 and is hosted globally by WINGS and coordinated in Europe by Philea through its European Philanthropy Coalition for Climate.

In the United Kingdom, the Funder Commitment on Climate Change is hosted by the Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF). (Established in 2019).

In France, the Coalition française des fondations pour le Climat is led by Centre Français des Fonds et Fondations (CFF). (Established in 2020).

Fundaciones por el Clima, is led by Asociación Española de Fundaciones (AEF) in Spain. (Established in 2020).

The Canadian Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change is a joint initiative of Community Foundations of Canada, Environment Funders Canada, Philanthropic Foundations Canada, and The Circle on Philanthropy in Canada. (Established in 2021).

Grupo de Institutos Fundações e Empresas (GIFE) hosts the Compromisso Brasilero da Filantropia sobre Mudanças Climaticas. (Established in 2023).

Assifero hosts the Dichiarazione d’impegno di Fondazioni ed Enti filantropici sul cambiamento climatico in Italy. (Established in 2023).

In the Arab region, The Arab Foundations Forum (AFF) is the host for the Arab Regional Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change. (Established in 2024).

The Polish Donors Forum leads the Polish Deklaracja organizacji społecznych na rzecz klimatu, Social Organisations for Climate. (Established in 2024).

The Independent Philanthropy Association of South Africa (IPASA), hosts the South African Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change. (Established in 2025).

The Portuguese Foundation Centre hosts the Portuguese Foundations Commitment for Climate Action. (Established in 2025)