The Generation Foundation

Charity Number: 1113061

Annual Expenditure: £5.9M
Throughout England, Australia, Netherlands, United States, Scotland

Contact Info

Website: www.genfound.org

Phone: 0207 534 4700

Email: Genfound@generationim.com

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £11.1m (2024 budget: £11m, portfolio: £21m)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable - does not accept unsolicited applications
  • Decision Time: Not applicable - invitation-only partnerships
  • Grant Range: Examples include £1m - £1.4m for major partnerships
  • Geographic Focus: International, with focus on climate, nature, and inequality
  • Founded: 2004

Contact Details

Website: www.genfound.org

Email: Genfound@generationim.com

Phone: 0207 534 4700

Important Note: The Generation Foundation does not accept unsolicited funding applications. They identify potential grant partners through their own deep research and engage with them directly.

Overview

The Generation Foundation was established in 2004 alongside Generation Investment Management LLP, the sustainable investment firm co-founded by former US Vice President Al Gore and David Blood (former Goldman Sachs Asset Management head). The Foundation seeks to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable economic system aligned with a low-carbon, prosperous, healthy, safe and fair society. With annual expenditure of approximately £11.1 million and a portfolio of £21 million, the Foundation operates through research, major partnerships, grant-making, and a matched giving programme for Generation employees. The Foundation takes a strategic, research-driven approach, proactively identifying organizations that can drive systemic change in climate, nature, and inequality rather than accepting open applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Invitation-Only Strategic Partnerships: The Foundation does not operate open grant programs. Instead, they identify potential grant partners through deep research and approach organizations directly. Grant amounts vary based on partnership scope.

Recent Grant Examples:

  • Social Mobility Foundation: £1.4 million over four years to support programmes for students from low-income backgrounds, including the Department for Opportunities and careers initiatives for the social and environmental sector
  • Climate Governance Initiative: £1 million for programmes leveraging private finance in the transition to a low-emissions, climate-resilient economy
  • Climate Justice Alliance: Multi-year funding starting in 2021 supporting grassroots climate action including the “Reinvest in Our Power” program and “Our Power campaign”
  • Community Reinvestment Fund: Grant supporting the Southern Opportunity and Resilience Fund (SOAR) for minority-owned businesses in the Southern US

Priority Areas

The Foundation focuses on three interconnected systemic challenges:

  1. Climate Change Mitigation: Supporting organizations working on climate action, sustainable investing frameworks, carbon tracking, and the transition to net-zero economies
  2. Nature and Biodiversity: Funding initiatives addressing nature loss and promoting sustainable land use
  3. Reducing Inequality: Supporting economic justice, social mobility, and equitable access to opportunities

Key Strategic Areas:

  • Sustainable finance and investment frameworks
  • Climate governance and policy
  • Grassroots climate justice movements
  • Data and transparency in sustainability
  • Legal frameworks for impact investing
  • Capacity building in the sustainable finance movement

Known Grant Partners

The Foundation has funded over 26 organizations including:

  • 350.org
  • Carbon Tracker
  • Commonwealth Climate Law Initiative
  • Climate Governance Initiative
  • Global Commons Alliance
  • IFRS Foundation
  • Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC)
  • InfluenceMap
  • International Labor Organization
  • Net Zero Lawyers Alliance
  • Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
  • The Shift Project
  • UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)
  • World Benchmarking Alliance
  • World Business Council for Sustainable Development

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Foundation's focus on systemic change through major partnerships means they are unlikely to fund:

  • Individual projects without systemic impact potential
  • Organizations not aligned with their climate, nature, and inequality focus areas
  • Projects that don't contribute to transforming the economic system
  • Small-scale or localized initiatives without broader applicability

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

  • Audrey Choi (Chair): Joined as Chair of the Generation Foundation and Partner of Generation Investment Management in 2025. Previously the first chief sustainability officer on Wall Street and served as Morgan Stanley's chief marketing officer and member of the global management committee.
  • Ghessycka Lucien Bennett: Joined Generation Investment Management at its founding in 2004; serves as Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the US business.
  • Sinisa Krnic: Joined Generation Investment Management in 2024; Chief Operating Officer on the Private Equity team.
  • Alina Manolache: Joined Generation Investment Management in 2018; member of the People team.

The Board comprises 8 trustees, none of whom receive remuneration.

Key Staff

  • Grace Eddy (Director): Director of the Generation Foundation since 2016, previously at J.P. Morgan.

The Foundation employs 5 staff members, with a highly experienced team (2 employees earn £150k-£200k, 2 earn £250k-£300k).

Founding Vision

The Foundation was established by Al Gore and David Blood as part of their vision to make long-term sustainable investing best practice and sustainable capitalism the enduring economic model.

Al Gore on their approach: "We don't think it's acceptable to force a choice between investing according to our values or according to the ways most likely to get us the best return on investment... we wanted to do so in a way that fully integrates sustainability into the model."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

No Open Applications: The Generation Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications for funding. Their approach is:

  1. Research-Led Identification: The Foundation conducts deep research to identify organizations working on systemic challenges aligned with their mission
  2. Direct Engagement: They approach potential grant partners directly
  3. Collaborative Discussion: They engage with organizations to understand how they might provide mutual support

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis rather than application cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable - organizations cannot apply directly.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the Foundation identifies and approaches partners proactively.

Application Success Factors

For Organizations Hoping to Be Identified as Partners

While you cannot apply directly, organizations can position themselves to be noticed by the Foundation:

1. Focus on Systemic Change

The Foundation seeks partners who can drive transformational change at a systems level, not just incremental improvements. They look for organizations addressing root causes of climate change, nature loss, and inequality.

2. Align with Their Strategic Framework

The Foundation uses “A Legal Framework for Impact” (developed with PRI and UNEP FI) to guide their work. Organizations demonstrating how their work aligns with sustainable finance, investor action, and economic system transformation are more relevant.

3. Demonstrate Research Excellence

The Foundation values rigorous research and data-driven approaches. Organizations producing high-quality research or utilizing data for advocacy and change are more likely to be considered.

4. Build Capacity in the Sustainable Finance Movement

Partners who can mobilize investors and businesses, build governance capacity, or create tools and frameworks for sustainable investing align with the Foundation's goals.

5. Show Potential for Grassroots Impact

While focused on systemic change, the Foundation also supports grassroots movements (e.g., Climate Justice Alliance), particularly those working on climate justice and community-level action.

6. Maintain High Visibility in the Climate/Sustainability Space

Being active and recognized in climate governance, sustainable finance, or climate justice networks increases the likelihood of being identified by the Foundation's research team.

Recent Funding Examples

  • Organizations supporting social mobility in the environmental and social sector
  • Climate governance initiatives in financial services
  • Grassroots climate justice movements with national reach
  • Financial infrastructure supporting minority-owned businesses
  • Organizations creating standards and frameworks for sustainable investing

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. You Cannot Apply: This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. Do not attempt to submit proposals or inquiries about funding opportunities.
  1. Focus on Visibility and Impact: Instead, ensure your organization is visible in climate, nature, and inequality spaces through high-quality research, publications, conferences, and networks.
  1. Systemic Change is Essential: The Foundation only partners with organizations capable of driving transformational, systemic change - not incremental improvements or isolated projects.
  1. Long-Term Partnerships: Grants are substantial (£1m+ range) and multi-year, indicating the Foundation seeks deep, strategic partnerships rather than project-specific funding.
  1. Research Drives Decisions: The Foundation's grant-making is research-led. Being published, cited, and recognized in academic and policy circles increases visibility.
  1. Integration with Sustainable Finance: Organizations working at the intersection of finance, investment, and sustainability are particularly aligned with the Foundation's mission.
  1. Consider the Connection to Generation Investment Management: The Foundation is the philanthropic arm of a sustainable investment firm, so understanding their investment philosophy and approach provides insight into funding priorities.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

  • Chiltern Charitable Trust
  • St Michael'S Trust
  • The Dandy Charitable Trust
  • The J Reginald Corah Foundation Fund
  • The Payback Time Trust
  • The Wyn And Ken Lo Memorial Foundation
  • Kass Charitable Trust
  • The Alexander Fund
  • The John Cowan Foundation
  • The Linden Charitable Trust

References

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