Synchronicity Earth

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £6.79M (expenditure 2024)
• Total Distributed: £23M+ since 2009
• Decision Time: Relationship-based (no open applications)
• Grant Range: Seed grants scaling to multi-year core funding
• Geographic Focus: Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America, Melanesia
• Partners Supported: 180+ organisations

Contact Details

Website: www.synchronicityearth.org

Email: info@synchronicityearth.org

Phone: 020 7581 0100

Note: Synchronicity Earth does not accept unsolicited applications. They identify partners through their own research and networks.

Overview

Founded in 2009 by Adam and Jessica Sweidan, Synchronicity Earth is a pioneering conservation funder focusing on overlooked and underfunded species, regions, and ecosystems. With over £23 million distributed to 180+ partners since inception, the charity operates on a trust-based philanthropic model that prioritises long-term, flexible funding to locally-led organisations. Their approach centres on identifying critical conservation gaps through rigorous research and building deep relationships with partners on the ground. Currently, 64% of funding goes to local or national organisations, with a target of 75% by 2027. Around 80% of partners receive core and flexible funding, allowing them to define how grants are best spent. The charity's core costs are covered by Aurum Fund Management Ltd., ensuring all donor contributions go directly to conservation work.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Synchronicity Earth operates seven core programmes designed to address critical conservation gaps:

Congo Basin Programme (launched 2017)

Pooled funding supporting 19 organisations in DRC and Cameroon working to resist destructive developments, empower forest peoples, and protect ecosystems through regenerative approaches.

Amphibian Conservation Fund (launched 2020)

Collaborative programme with Fondation Segré addressing the amphibian extinction crisis. Focuses on improving knowledge bases, funding on-the-ground conservation, and developing amphibian conservation organisations.

Freshwater Programme

Addresses severe underfunding of freshwater conservation despite these ecosystems being among the most biodiverse. Hosts the SHOAL initiative to halt extinction of the most threatened freshwater species.

Ocean Programme

Three key strands: supporting community-led marine conservation, rights and culture; protecting overlooked species and ecosystems; funding systemic change through policy. First year distributed over USD 640,000 to 10 partners.

Asian Species Programme

Addresses threats to Southeast Asia's threatened and endemic species, supporting local organisations with capacity development alongside project and core funding.

Biocultural Diversity Programme

Supports Indigenous Peoples' and local communities' organisations to defend territories, protect and revive biological and cultural diversity, and increase focus on diversity within conservation and development.

Chrysalis Youth Fund (launched 2023)

Co-designed with young people, provides direct core, flexible funding to catalyse a global youth biodiversity movement for protecting and restoring at-risk ecosystems and species.

Priority Areas

• Geographic: Sub-Saharan Africa (particularly Congo Basin), Southeast Asia, Latin America, Melanesia
• Ecosystems: Forests, freshwater, oceans (particularly seagrass, coral reefs)
• Species: Amphibians (most threatened vertebrate group), overlooked species (pangolins, seahorses, sharks, rays, hornbills)
• Communities: Indigenous Peoples and local communities, particularly where biological and cultural diversity intersect
• Organisational Support: Core funding, capacity development, organisational start-ups, youth-led initiatives
• Systemic Change: Policy and advocacy work, conservation research, IUCN Specialist Groups

What They Don't Fund

• Synchronicity Earth does not accept unsolicited proposals
• They do not typically fund organisations outside their identified programme areas
• The charity does not support projects that are not aligned with locally-led, rights-based conservation approaches

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Governance and Leadership

Co-Founders and Trustees

Jessica Sweidan - Co-Founder and Trustee

Chairs Synchronicity Earth USA (501c3), serves as Honorary Conservation Fellow at ZSL, sits on Wildscreen Board of Trustees, and acts as Strategic Advisor for Environmental Funders Network and Action for Conservation. IUCN Patron of Nature since 2012. Co-founded Flourishing Diversity network. Holds BA in Philosophy from Northwestern University.

Adam Sweidan - Co-Founder and Trustee

Chief Investment Officer of Aurum Funds Limited with almost 30 years in alternative investment industry. IUCN Patron of Nature since 2012, Honorary Conservation Fellow at ZSL since 2015. Core costs funded by his company, Aurum Fund Management Ltd.

Senior Leadership

Helen Tugendhat - Co-Executive Director (Programmes and Engagement)

Former Forest Peoples Programme staff member with expertise in human rights and Indigenous peoples' rights. Particular interest in Indigenous-led conservation based on secure tenure and rights-based biodiversity protection.

Dr. Simon Stuart - Director of Strategic Conservation (joined 2017)

Former IUCN Species Survival Commission Chair (8 years), with over 30 years IUCN experience.

Key Quotes

Jessica Sweidan on their funding philosophy: "We can't compete with local knowledge and expertise, we just can't. Our job is to help create the enabling conditions so that our partners can thrive. And sometimes that means getting out of the way."

On conservation approach: “There are no silver bullets in conservation.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: Synchronicity Earth does not accept unsolicited applications.

The charity states: “In general, we do not issue calls for proposals, and it is unusual for us to accept grant proposals from organisations or individuals that we do not know.”

Their Partner Identification Process:

• The programmes team conducts in-depth research and scoping to develop strategy and identify effective partners
• They typically begin new partnerships with small seed grants
• Funding scales up over time once relationships are established
• Partners are identified through research, networks, and referrals within the conservation community

For Organisations Lacking Legal Status:

Synchronicity Earth will consider funding through small consultancy contracts or grants made directly to individuals with legal status.

Decision Timeline

There is no standard application timeline since the charity operates on a proactive identification model. Relationships develop organically:

• Initial contact and relationship building
• Small seed grant to begin partnership
• Scaling up of funding over time based on demonstrated impact and strengthened relationship

Success Rates

Not applicable - the charity does not operate an open application process. All partnerships are initiated by Synchronicity Earth through their research and network.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to their relationship-based model. Once partnerships are established, they typically continue long-term with core, flexible funding.

Application Success Factors

Understanding Their Model

Synchronicity Earth operates fundamentally differently from traditional grant-makers. Success doesn't come from submitting applications but from:

1. Being Visible in Conservation Networks: Active participation in conservation communities, IUCN groups, regional networks, and collaborative initiatives increases likelihood of being identified.

1. Alignment with Programme Priorities: Organisations working on overlooked and underfunded conservation challenges in their geographic and thematic focus areas.

1. Local Leadership and Community Connection: Strong preference for locally-led, Indigenous-led, or community-based organisations. 64% of current funding goes to local/national partners (target: 75% by 2027).

1. Rights-Based Approach: Emphasis on conservation that respects and empowers Indigenous Peoples and local communities, with secure tenure and self-determination.

1. Capacity for Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with other organisations and build networks.

Examples of Funded Work

• DGPA (DRC): Long-term partner led by Patrick Saidi
• OKANI (Cameroon): Community-based organisation established and governed by Baka peoples
• Talarak Foundation (Philippines): Southern Rufous hornbill conservation
• Project Palaka (Philippines): First ex-situ amphibian conservation programme
• Save Vietnam's Wildlife: Sunda pangolin conservation
• Okapi Conservation Project: Okapi Wildlife Reserve protection

Key Terminology They Use

• “Overlooked and underfunded” conservation priorities
• “Trust-based philanthropy”
• “Locally-led” and “Indigenous-led” conservation
• “Core and flexible funding”
• “Biocultural diversity”
• “Partners” (not “grantees”)
• “Enabling conditions”
• “Rights-based approaches”
• “Capacity development”

What Makes Them Different

"Synchronicity Earth does not set specific criteria for receiving funding. Instead, a trust-based philanthropic model identifies partners who align with the charity's values and programme goals, and who can collaborate effectively with other organisations."

They recognize that “funding demand far outweighs supply and are reluctant to promote a system where small organisations spend much of their time completing lengthy application processes for grants they are often unlikely to receive.”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Don't Apply Directly: Synchronicity Earth does not accept unsolicited proposals. Focus instead on building visibility in relevant conservation networks and communities where Synchronicity Earth operates.

1. Build Your Network Presence: Engage with IUCN Specialist Groups, regional conservation networks, Indigenous-led funds, and collaborative initiatives in their priority regions. Being known and respected in these circles is the pathway to partnership.

1. Demonstrate Local Leadership: If you're a grassroots, locally-led, or Indigenous-led organisation in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America, or Melanesia working on overlooked conservation priorities, you fit their target profile.

1. Focus on Rights-Based Work: Align your conservation approach with community rights, Indigenous self-determination, and biocultural diversity. This is central to their funding philosophy.

1. Think Long-Term Relationships: Synchronicity Earth builds deep, lasting partnerships starting with seed funding and growing over time. They provide core, flexible funding that allows partners to define success.

1. Collaborate and Connect: If you know existing partners or work on complementary initiatives, building those connections may lead to visibility with Synchronicity Earth's programmes team.

1. Consider Pooled Funds: Synchronicity Earth administers pooled funds (like the Congo Basin Pooled Fund) that other funders contribute to. If you're in priority regions, these may offer pathways to support.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Disney Conservation Fund
• Shark Conservation Fund
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• Academy of Medical Sciences
• Ecological Restoration Fund
• The Waterloo Foundation
• Denise Coates Foundation
• THE RUFFORD FOUNDATION
• BOTANIC GARDENS CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
• THE ROSE FOUNDATION
• The Balcombe Charitable Trust
• The Evolution Education Trust
• The Helvellyn Foundation
• THE JOHN S COHEN FOUNDATION
• THE BIG GIVE TRUST
• THE CONSTANCE TRAVIS CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE FREE SCHOOL
• Players of People's Postcode Lottery
• The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
• People's Postcode Lottery

References

• Synchronicity Earth Official Website: https://www.synchronicityearth.org/
• Charity Commission Register - Synchronicity Earth (1132786): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/4047806/financial-history
• Funding Conservation page: https://www.synchronicityearth.org/funding/
• How We Fund: https://www.synchronicityearth.org/synchronicity/how-we-fund/
• Mongabay Interview with Jessica Sweidan: https://news.mongabay.com/2021/03/there-are-no-silver-bullets-in-conservation-synchronicity-earths-jessica-sweidan/
• 15 Years of Synchronicity Earth Interview: https://www.synchronicityearth.org/15-years-adam-jessica-sweidan-interview/
• IIED Article - “Synchronicity Earth: redesigning grant-making for locally-led conservation actions”: https://www.iied.org/synchronicity-earth-redesigning-grant-making-for-locally-led-conservation-actions
• Trust-Based Philanthropy: https://www.synchronicityearth.org/trust-based-philanthropy/
• Our Approach: https://www.synchronicityearth.org/our-approach/
• Programmes Overview: https://www.synchronicityearth.org/programmes/