The climate crisis could break the disaster philanthropy model — what can donors do about it?

Why It Matters

Climate-related disasters are becoming more frequent, resulting in an ever-greater need for humanitarian relief and recovery funding. But experts say the quickened pace of climate-related calamities is leading to donor fatigue and stressing the global capacity for recovery.

“Accelerated action” can harm more than it helps, development experts say

Why It Matters

The urgency of the climate crisis puts immense pressure on global development sector actors to act quickly on issues of poverty, equality and climate change — which can end up creating more problems for the world’s most vulnerable.

How Greta Thunberg helped one Quebec foundation get hooked on funding social movements

Why It Matters

Foundations have finite resources and big social policy objectives. A new report from the Broadbent Institute argues funders can make bigger strides on their social policy goals by funding social movements than they can through lobbying or research alone.

“Giving crumbs of space and time isn't enough”: young environmental leaders chime in on COP27

Why It Matters

Youth-led environmental organizations are leading some of the most ambitious and passionate climate action initiatives around the world. Bringing their momentum to the international stage means prioritizing meaningful youth engagement in global climate decisions.

Ivey Foundation to ‘spend down’ $100M endowment focusing on economy-based climate solutions. Decision offers big opportunity, but also risk of 'drowning out' other approaches.

Why It Matters

The climate crisis is urgent and the Canadian philanthropic ecosystem has billions in capital that can help. Choosing to spend down offers the Ivey foundation the chance to dramatically accelerate the environmental sector’s work to ensure a liveable future. It also gives the foundation the power to pick winners within the environmental movement, shaping what narratives are dominant and whose voices are heard loudest.

Dr. Theresa Tam says climate change is the single biggest threat to human health on the planet. Here’s what social purpose organizations can do right now

Why It Matters

Canada is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world. Those changes will bring with them a host of profound healthcare challenges, from brutal heat waves to more frequent disease outbreaks - and social purpose organizations play a critical role in Canada’s healthcare system.