Quadrature Climate Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £130+ million (reported to exceed $100 million annually)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only process)
• Decision Time: Variable (invitation-only)
• Grant Range: £150,000 - £20+ million
• Geographic Focus: Global

Contact Details

• Website: qc.foundation
• Email: contact@qc.foundation
• Phone: Not publicly available
• Application: Currently invitation-only (no unsolicited applications accepted)

Overview

Established in 2019 by Quadrature Capital founders Greg Skinner and Suneil Setiya, the Quadrature Climate Foundation (QCF) is one of the world's largest climate-focused philanthropies. With over $1 billion committed since inception and annual giving exceeding $100 million, QCF operates from London as an independent charitable foundation (UK Charity No. 1187301). The foundation underwent a strategic review in 2023, embracing the “New Climate Reality” and expanding beyond emissions reduction to include significant carbon removal and climate adaptation funding. QCF is distinguished by its science-led approach, with an internal science team collaborating with leading experts to develop evidence-based funding strategies.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Core Strategic Funding: £1-20 million+ (multi-year commitments for major initiatives)
• Innovation Grants: £150,000-500,000 (12-month projects, including Climate Change AI Innovation Grants)
• Capacity Building: Variable amounts for organizational strengthening
• Application Method: Invitation-only process with organizations selected based on strategic priorities

Priority Areas

QCF operates under three strategic pillars - “Reduce, Remove, and Respond”:

Reduce: Rapid emissions reductions including:

• Black carbon reduction (targeting 35% reduction by 2030)
• Methane reduction initiatives
• Industrial decarbonization
• Energy market transformation

Remove: Carbon removal technologies and approaches:

• Fungal pathway carbon drawdown research
• Direct air capture and storage solutions
• Nature-based carbon removal

Respond: Climate adaptation and resilience:

• Protecting vulnerable communities from extreme heat
• Women's climate shock insurance programs
• Early warning systems
• Locally-led adaptation solutions

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but focus is exclusively on climate solutions with measurable impact on emissions, removal, or adaptation.

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees: Chair Jen Hooke, plus Greg Skinner, Suneil Setiya, and Neil Cosgrove

CEO: Remi Bouteille

Deputy CEO & Chief Science Officer: Greg Skinner

Advisory Board: Co-chaired by Rachel Kyte (UK Special Representative on Climate)

The foundation maintains a robust governance structure with an internal Investment Approvals Committee assessing all proposals against criteria including potential impact, public benefit, and additionality.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

QCF currently operates an invitation-only grant application process. Organizations are invited directly based on strategic alignment with QCF's priorities. They collaborate with leading researchers, practitioners, and NGOs globally to build programme strategies, conducting evidence reviews led by their internal science team. Once strategies are approved, they unlock funding envelopes and invite targeted applications.

Decision Timeline

Variable - depends on strategic review cycles and internal committee processes. Grant terms typically range from 12-30 months.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to invitation-only model. Since 2019, QCF has funded almost 150 climate organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Not specified, but ongoing partnership approach suggests continued funding for successful initiatives.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment: Organizations must align with one of QCF's three pillars (Reduce, Remove, Respond) and demonstrate clear pathways to climate impact.

Evidence-Based Approach: QCF values scientific rigor and evidence-based solutions. Their internal science team conducts thorough reviews, so proposals must demonstrate strong scientific foundations.

Additionality: QCF specifically assesses for additionality - whether funding would enable work that wouldn't otherwise happen or would happen differently.

Vulnerable Communities Focus: Since their 2023 strategic review, QCF emphasizes supporting the world's most vulnerable people affected by climate change.

Capacity for Scale: Recent grants suggest preference for initiatives with potential for significant scale and systemic impact.

Recent Funded Examples:

• $19.7 million for energy market data tracking (2023)
• $2.5 million to CVF & V20 joint multi-donor fund (2024)
• $1.3 million for fungal carbon pathway research (2024)
• Heat protection programs for 50,000 women workers in India

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-Only Access: QCF does not accept unsolicited applications - focus on building relationships and reputation in climate space
• Science-Led Philosophy: Demonstrate rigorous evidence base and scientific approach to climate solutions
• Three-Pillar Alignment: Clearly articulate how work fits within Reduce, Remove, or Respond framework
• Vulnerable Communities: Emphasize benefits to climate-vulnerable populations, particularly in adaptation work
• Partnership Approach: QCF seeks long-term partnerships and provides capacity building support beyond funding
• Scale Potential: Demonstrate pathway to significant climate impact and systemic change
• Future Opportunities: QCF is exploring Request for Proposal models and funding competitions, suggesting potential future access points

References

• Quadrature Climate Foundation official website: qc.foundation
• UK Charity Commission registration details for charity 1187301
• QCF press release: “Quadrature Climate Foundation surpasses US$1 billion in philanthropic commitments”
• QCF partner database and grant listings: qc.foundation/our-grants/partner-database
• ClimateWorks Foundation Adaptation and Resilience Fund documentation
• Various QCF program announcements and grant award notices (2023-2024)
• UK Companies House filing for Quadrature Climate Foundation (Company No. 12194319)