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MEET THE CHAMPIONS

BECOME A CHAMPION

ABOUT THE INITIATIVE

MEET THE CHAMPIONS

Lawson Family Foundation

Sarah Abell

Consecon Foundation

DAVID KEITH & KIRSTEN ANDERSON

TROTTIER FAMILY

THE IVEY FOUNDATION

PETER GILGAN FOUNDATION

VOHRA MILLER FAMILY

CHISHOLM THOMSON FAMILY

ALLAN SHIFF

RONALD S. ROADBURG FOUNDATION

THE SITKA FOUNDATION

BECOME A CHAMPION

Want to become a Climate Champion?

Help us grow charitable giving to climate solutions in Canada. 

Give now:

Make a one-time donation

Make a major commitment:

Submit the Climate Champions commitment form or Contact us directly

ABOUT THE INITIATIVE

It’s time to solve climate change and help Canada transition to a prosperous, net-zero emissions economy that works for everyone. Philanthropy can help get the job done.

Climate Champions is a new initiative, facilitated by Clean Economy Fund, with the purpose of recruiting and celebrating new climate philanthropy in Canada. Its goal is ambitious and clear: to recruit $1 billion in new philanthropic pledges to climate solutions in Canada through 2035. 

How do funds get allocated?

When making a one-time donation, Climate Champions contribute to a pooled fund that is managed by Clean Economy Fund and allocated to urgent climate opportunities on an ongoing basis.

When making a major commitment, Climate Champions are responsible for allocating their own funds. The Climate Champion decides which specific solutions it wishes to support and which organizations to make gifts to. Climate Champions may also choose to use the resources and funding solutions provided by Clean Economy Fund for executing their major commitments.

How can philanthropy help solve climate change?

All of Canada’s major environmental achievements of the past three decades involved instrumental work by charities and non-profit organizations – whether research, advocacy, coalition building or public engagement. This work is fuelled by philanthropy. Similarly, climate-focused philanthropy can contribute to game-changing initiatives that make measurable progress towards a prosperous, net-zero emissions future in Canada.

What kind of climate initiatives should philanthropy support?

There is a rich ecosystem of deserving charities and non-profit organizations working on climate change in Canada. Clean Economy Fund, which facilitates the Climate Champions Initiative, has identified the following five areas where philanthropy can have a particularly big impact: (1) Clean energy & electrification, (2) Industry & economy, (3) Cities, (4) People & democracy, and (5) Policy & finance.

Why do we need a Climate Champions Initiative?

Climate-focused philanthropy in Canada is lower than in other countries. That’s not for lack of interest among Canadians. It’s simply because giving charitably to climate solutions can be a complicated experience. The Climate Champions Initiative was launched to make it easier for philanthropic champions to step up with donations and commitments, with the confidence that they will be well supported and achieve big impact.

Commitment: $70 million (2025-2031)

Brian & Joannah Lawson Family Foundation

Why climate philanthropy

We started our foundation in 2008 and initially focused on promoting nutrition to prevent chronic disease. Over time, our funding expanded to other parts of the food system, including the environmental impact of food production. We learned that food systems can harm the climate—or, if done well, help mitigate climate change by reducing emissions and even sequestering carbon in soil. This was a big “aha” moment for us in our journey with regenerative and organic agriculture.

Why did you decide to make your commitment to Climate Champions?

Our support for sustainable farming was always aimed at improving the food system’s climate impact. More recently, we’ve broadened our scope to address other aspects of climate change. The Climate Champions program was deeply inspiring and confirmed we were on the right path. Learning that less than 1% of Canadian philanthropy goes to climate made it clear: more funders need to step up.

Which climate solutions are you most focused on?

We focus on food systems, the energy transition, policy change, and financial systems that incentivize climate-friendly practices. These are big shifts—but they must be pragmatic, economically viable, and widely adopted to succeed. Many solutions meet these criteria. We want to help bring them to life.

What do you say to others thinking about doing climate philanthropy?

Whatever you care about—poverty reduction, food security, democracy, peace, or nature—climate change will impact it. Philanthropy can move quickly and fund critical work that falls outside public or private sector mandates. It’s one of the most impactful ways to create lasting change.

Why is climate philanthropy crucial now?

Nature is powerful and beautiful—but if we keep throwing it off balance, we risk triggering tipping points that accelerate damage. The longer we delay, the more people and ecosystems are harmed—and the harder and more costly it becomes to protect what we love.

What do you say to people who feel overwhelmed by climate change?

Every action matters. We already know what works; we just need to do more of it, faster. Change comes through the accumulation of small efforts. We must do everything we can, as soon as we can.

What inspires you to make a difference and address climate change?

We’re inspired daily by the beauty of the natural world and never take it for granted. It sustains us and gives us everything we need. We’re also encouraged by the progress already made—and the opportunity to do much more.

Sarah Abell

Who Am I?

I was born in Ontario to British parents and spent much of my early life on a dairy farm. There, I worked with animals, helped with chores, and learned the value of hard work. After Business School, I tried to work for a large agribusiness but was told I wouldn’t fit in. Now, I own 100 acres near a protected river with arable fields and grazing meadows. A neighboring farm rents both fields, and I’ve worked with them to reduce harmful spraying practices by 60%, leading to surprisingly positive results despite lower yields.

Why Climate Philanthropy?

The realization that traditional farming methods are unsustainable hit home when I saw the impact of spray chemicals on the land, river, and wildlife. The UN warns that many farming practices will lead to only 50 more harvests in some regions due to depleted soil. This decline is also contributing to the death of migratory birds and the loss of vital insects. I believe we must support regenerative farming practices that restore soil health and biodiversity. However, change requires investment, and many farmers struggle to earn enough to make this shift.

What Do You Want to Support?

I am committed to promoting regenerative farming and supporting initiatives that restore the environment while still making food production profitable. I hope to raise awareness in the food and agriculture sectors and encourage businesses, farmers, and consumers to prioritize sustainability. By investing in soil health and biodiversity, we can build a healthier future for the planet and communities.

What Would You Say to Others Interested in Getting Involved in Climate Philanthropy?

I encourage others to take action and support initiatives that align with their values. Each individual can make a meaningful difference in tackling climate challenges

Commitment: $3 Million (2025-2031)

Consecon Foundation

Who are we?

We are a family foundation based in Ontario, founded by William Burt in 2008. Today, it’s managed by his son Geoff and Geoff’s wife, Lauren.

What do you want to achieve through your climate commitment?

Our biggest climate projects often focus on technology and innovation. We believe philanthropy can accelerate climate progress by supporting the next generation of solutions—whether in energy, food, or carbon removal. These technologies often need strong public policy to scale, and that’s where we focus.

What would you say to other philanthropists thinking of granting in this space?

There’s a great community supporting all kinds of innovative projects. Start by reaching out, learning what others are doing, and see what resonates with you.

Why do you think climate granting is needed now in particular?

There’s urgency around the climate crisis, and action is needed immediately. Philanthropy can fill critical gaps the government and private sector can’t—whether that’s acting quickly, taking risks, or supporting unproven or unprofitable work.

What do you say to people who feel that climate change is a lost cause?

Even if we miss global climate targets, every step forward still matters. We need to keep making progress to put the planet in the best possible position for 2050, 2100, and beyond.

Commitment: $10 million (2025-2035)

DAVID KEITH & KIRSTEN ANDERSON

Who are we?

We make our home in Canmore, Alberta, where we try to carve out time for our shared love of climbing. We also spend lots of time in Chicago, where David works as a professor.

Why climate philanthropy?

David’s interest in climate change began back in 1988 while studying physics at grad school. That sparked a lifelong academic and entrepreneurial career working on various aspects of climate science, technology and public policy, including launching a successful company focused on capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

A lifelong nature enthusiast, Kirsten’s interest in climate philanthropy was sharpened while teaching in Alberta’s public school system, where she was told climate change didn’t belong in the classroom. That got her thinking about other ways she could spark progress on climate issues.

When David sold his company, it was clear that climate-focused philanthropy needed to be a priority for us.

What we want to support.

Our view is that climate philanthropy needs to focus on policy change. Governments have the mandate to fix climate change – they need the research, analysis, advocacy and public pressure to follow through on that mandate.

Commitment: $150 million (2023-2030)

Trottier Family Foundation

Who are we?

Our family all lives in Montréal, Québec, where Lorne Trottier initially co-founded a company specializing in computer graphics. We launched a family foundation in 2000, with two generations of Trottiers now sitting on the board of directors.

Why climate philanthropy?

Granting to climate solutions became a priority for us in 2016. We had an early success when we gave a grant that helped create the Low Carbon Cities Canada (LC3) initiative, which supports city-led efforts on climate change. That small grant quickly snowballed into a massive investment of $183 million by the federal government. That experience showed us that philanthropy can be an all-important catalyst for the climate investments we need to see from the public and private sectors.

We’ve known since 2020 that we wanted to go bigger on climate change. Knowing that our commitment could be leveraged through the Climate Champions Initiative to activate other new commitments was the clincher.

What we want to support.

Philanthropy can and must play a bigger role in addressing climate change. We want our funding to act as catalytic capital—helping to jumpstart and scale impactful projects and to de-risk innovative work.

What do you say to others thinking about doing climate philanthropy?

There is no issue today that climate change doesn’t touch. Whether it’s economic equality, food security, global stability or human health, climate change acts as a threat multiplier, making all these causes we care about even harder to solve. Regardless of what your priority charitable cause is, consider adopting a climate lens.

Commitment: $100 million (2023-2028)

IVEY FAMILY

Who are we?

We are one of Canada’s oldest family foundations, with over $100 million donated to charities since 1947. Over the last 50 years, we have increasingly granted to nature- and climate-focused programs, making our Foundation almost synonymous with environmental grant-making in Canada.

What do you say to people who feel that climate change is a lost cause?

Climate change is a daunting challenge, no question. But the solutions are now clear and there is more certainty than uncertainty regarding the actions we need to take as a society. We know what we need to do, we just need to do more of it, and faster. We should all be encouraged by the extraordinary people and organizations working on solutions across governments, the business community, Indigenous leaders, labour, academics, philanthropists and other decision makers. 

What do you think is the most underrated solution to climate change?

Electrification will be the backbone of Canada’s net-zero economy. We need more clean electricity and better integration to be able to power our clean economy.

What do you say to others thinking about doing climate philanthropy?

Solving climate change requires a fundamental re-tooling of the global economy, shifting away from fossil fuel use in favour of electrification. It is critical for Canada’s long-term economic competitiveness in a decarbonized global economy to respond to this complex challenge with a clear sense of where the future economic opportunities lie for Canada. It requires in-depth understanding, coordination, and action today.  By supporting credible climate solutions, philanthropists can have a major impact on ensuring a safe, liveable and prosperous future for Canadians.

Commitment: $100 million (2025-2035)

PETER GILGAN FOUNDATION

Who are we?

We established our family foundation in 2006. So far, we’ve committed more than $400 million to charitable initiatives that help the world transition to a more healthy, prosperous, and sustainable future. 

Why climate philanthropy?

Philanthropy has an important role to play because it can move quickly, take risks, and fill gaps left by other funding streams. As funders we can work across political stripes towards solutions, and while we can be nimble and respond to opportunities as they arise, we can also provide continuity and stay the course in dynamic times. Crucially, philanthropy can help to encourage more private sector investment in climate solutions by testing theories, providing proof of concept, and contributing risk capital.

Why we think climate granting is needed now.

The scientists that make up the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have said greenhouse gas pollution needs to peak now, and fall substantially by 2030, to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. If we are going to win this, everyone must do their part, and that includes philanthropy.

What do you say to others thinking about doing climate philanthropy?

Now is the time. Peter echoes the saying, “ours is the first generation with the tools and technology to do something about climate change and the last generation that can.”

Commitment: $5 million (2025-2035)

VOHRA MILLER FAMILY

Who are we?

We launched our family foundation in 2020 with the goal of making meaningful, systemic changes to the health of the planet and its people. The foundation principally focuses in Canada on areas including health equity, climate justice, and STEM education.

Why climate philanthropy?

Unfortunately, within months of launching our foundation, COVID-19 was unleashed on the world. As a result our climate efforts were mainly put on pause so we could focus on doing what we could to curb the pandemic and its effect on society. We know that a healthy planet and healthy people are two sides of the same coin, so recently we have returned to focusing on our more holistic goal of bettering the planet and its people.

What we want to support.

We intend to grant in areas including climate policy and litigation, clean energy adoption, as well as educating the public – especially children – on the importance and urgency of climate action.

What inspires us?

Our son. Nothing motivates us more than wanting to leave the world a little better than we found it for our son and all the children of the future.

Commitment: $15 million (2025-2035)

CHISHOLM THOMSON FAMILY

Who are we?

We started our family foundation about 10 years ago to help accelerate Canada’s transition to a clean economy.  We are based in Ontario and support organizations working across the country to enable Canada to strengthen and then meet its climate commitments.

Why climate philanthropy?

Our charitable giving started many years ago when Laurie became involved with the organic food movement and land conservation organizations in the UK and US.   Our interests broadened to include a climate focus when we became aware of the urgency of the global climate situation and the relative lack of action being taken by our federal and provincial governments. 

We believe climate, and natural systems more generally, is now one of the most important issues of our time.  It will certainly affect us in our lifetime but more importantly it will affect generations to come.  More recently, we have included our children in discussions and decision making and have been heartened by their deep interest in this area, urging us to expand and accelerate our efforts.   Any delay in taking action will only exacerbate future outcomes and make transition more difficult.

Even though climate action generally brings longer term benefits, in the short time we’ve been focussed on climate we have seen real change. That’s rewarding.

What we want to support.

We believe in a multi-faceted approach to tackling our climate situation.  It’s a systems issue.  We support innovation, financing solutions, educating Canadians broadly about nature and climate, identifying practical transition pathways and related policy implications.

What do you say to others thinking about climate philanthropy?

Solving our climate problem needs all the help it can get – every little bit counts!  We believe change can be affected by thoughtful efforts of small groups getting the right experts involved, without the need for major funding.  We’ve seen this happen.

Commitment: $1 million (2025)

ALLAN SHIFF

Who am I?

My wife, Helaine, and I had long done what we could to support important causes, including helping establish the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in Canada back in 1974. Together with ROM matching funds, Allan and Helaine also initiated the Royal Ontario Museum Climate Curatorship.

Why climate philanthropy?

Canada is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world. We can’t sit idly by when we have the opportunity to shape our collective future. I believe in the power of bringing together a new movement of engaged citizens and researchers who will be a catalyst for change.

What do you say to others thinking about doing climate philanthropy?

What happens when a sports team gets in the playoffs? All of a sudden hundreds of thousands of people – I’m one of them – get excited and talk and listen and watch. Well, hopefully we can reach that kind of situation with philanthropic contributions to climate change.

Commitment: $18 million (2025-2035)

RONALD S. ROADBURG FOUNDATION

Who are we?

Our foundation was established in 2022, a short time after the passing of our benefactor, Ronald Roadburg. We’re focused on strengthening and securing communities, including the Jewish community and other at-risk communities, supporting populations disproportionately affected by inequity, and addressing complex social issues including addictions and the climate emergency.

Why climate philanthropy?

We have a narrow window of time in which to remedy the damage done by climate change and to prevent wholesale suffering on the part of millions, if not billions, of people.  Addressing the climate emergency has been a priority focus since our inception.

What we want to support.

We hope to work in partnership with like-minded funders to help align business and governments around sustainable transitions.

What do you say to people who feel that climate change is a lost cause?

There is a tale in the Jewish tradition of Honi the Circle Maker, who one day encounters an old man planting a carob tree. Honi asks, “do you think you will live another seventy years to eat the fruit of this tree?”. The old man replies, “just as my ancestors planted carob trees for me, I am now planting them for my children”. Together we can take steps now to safeguard the future for our children and grandchildren, to the seventh generation and beyond.

Commitment: $6 million (2024-2030)

BEATY FAMILY

Who are we?

We are a family foundation, based in British Columbia, founded by Ross and Trisha Beaty in 2008.

Why climate philanthropy?

We created the Sitka Foundation to support organizations dedicated in one way or another to the conservation of nature and the protection of biodiversity. Climate philanthropy has always been a large part of what we do. Climate change affects the natural world (and vice versa) and so it’s imperative that we support a climate resilient world while also remembering our reliance on planetary health to survive, alongside non-human species. It’s all inter-related.

What do you say to someone considering climate philanthropy?

Don’t overthink things and get stuck.

What do you think is the most underrated solution to climate change?

For a threat as significant as climate change there is no one solution – they all need to be tied together. It’s hubris to believe that technology and the natural world should be siloed in our attempts to solve climate change. They have to co-inform and support one another.