Major Giving Circle
A dedicated new funding collective for individuals and families united in the fight against climate change
What is it?
In its founding year, 23 members each contributing a minimum of $50,000 annually, raising a critical $1.2 million to put towards high-impact climate interventions in 2024. The campaigns we fund are changing the national conversation on climate by empowering communities, countering misinformation and building the overwhelming public support needed for rapid, just climate solutions.
Heading into our second year, we’re taking on new members who bring fresh leadership, new perspectives, and critical funding to the fight for a safe climate future.
Why now?
The fossil fuel industry's grip on power is delaying critical climate action. Their influence on policy and deliberate misinformation campaigns are undermining trust in renewable energy and harming communities on the frontlines. The future of our planet hangs in the balance.
Groundswell's MGC is a powerful response to this crisis. By uniting philanthropists who care deeply about climate action, we are supercharging advocacy that strengthens the voices of those most affected by climate change and the energy transition, creating the political and social momentum needed to break free from fossil fuels.
Grant winners in 2024
We’re so proud to be supporting these 12 game-changing organisations in our inaugural year.
Each group is working tirelessly to pull on the levers of change. But what's truly exciting is the synergy that exists between these groups and how they amplify each other's impact.
Expert-led grant making
Australia's leading climate strategists and systems thinkers form our Major Giving Circle's Advisory Committee. Their extensive experience in advocacy, community engagement, campaigning, energy transition, philanthropy and policy has shaped our strategic objectives and grantmaking approach, and guide all grant decisions.
Join us in making history
A philanthropic investment at this critical juncture is not just a donation – it's a strategic intervention in Australia's climate future. Your contribution will be pooled with other like-minded philanthropists, creating a force for change that is far greater than the sum of its parts.
Together we will:
Fund effectively: our funding decisions are informed by Groundswell’s track record of impact success and guided by an Advisory Committee of leading climate experts, ensuring maximum impact for every dollar.
Develop climate funding knowledge: members actively participate in the selection of grant winners and are invited to learn more deeply about climate on immersive fellowship trips.
Build community: members will connect with impact-focused peers and gain exclusive access to organisations working on the frontlines of climate solutions.
Our members
Many thanks to the families who have come onboard so far:
SALT Catalyst
The Tony Foundation
Mamoma Foundation
Green Eyes Foundation
Kate and Paul Saunders
Jack and Robert Smorgon Families Foundation
The Dusseldorp Forum
5Point Foundation
And more! As we grow our membership base, here’s what we’re hearing from people on joining:
“We are motivated by the urgency of the climate crisis and desire to do more. As well as Groundswell's track record of amazing work in the climate space and ability to mobilise a group of interesting, kind and inspiring people to take climate action.”
Groundswell Giving operates both as a sub-fund of Australian Communities Foundation ABN 57967620066, as well a separate DGR1 registered charity Groundswell Giving Ltd ABN 86 660 758 985.