Grantmaking

We fund early-stage projects and organizations working to advance corporate accountability for nature, with a particular regional focus on Africa, South America and Southeast Asia.

We make small to mid-sized grants (approximately USD$50,000-100,000) to support specific projects. We prioritize: 

• Closing critical gaps in the accountability landscape; and
• Early-stage, higher-risk projects that may be considered too risky by larger funders.

We work closely with applicants to co-develop proposals and accept submissions on a rolling basis. We pride ourselves on being nimble and responsive, able to support urgent and time-sensitive opportunities – including lesser-known organizations and early-stage ideas. We are particularly interested in local organizations on the front lines of where harms to nature are occurring.

Across our focus areas, we support projects that advance accountability through the following levers of change:

• Frameworks and tools grounded in credible data to support commitment, disclosure, planning and action by businesses and financial institutions. 
• Corporate incentives and capacity building so that the frameworks, tools, data and standards can be used in a practical way. 
• Assurance and accountability mechanisms, such as validation of science-based targets for nature, verification of transition plans and progress, and stronger stakeholder advocacy. 
• Policy and regulations that embed nature and communities into finance rules, public policy and legal frameworks, creating clear economic signals for action. 
• Community mobilization, recognising Indigenous Peoples’ rights and empowering citizens to hold corporations accountable, especially across supply chains and on-the-ground impacts.

Indigenous Peoples and local communities

The Accountability Accelerator recognises and supports the rights and leadership of Indigenous Peoples and local communities as stewards of nature and custodians of the vast majority of the world’s biodiversity. We endeavor for at least half our grants to support regional and local organizations, where the impacts of global agricultural, manufacturing, and commodity supply chains are most deeply felt.

Grants

We evaluate grant applications against a range of criteria, including whether:

• The proposal is aligned with the Accountability Accelerator’s priorities and can benefit from our networks and other resources.
• The project contributes to systems change through scalable or replicable models.
• The proposal addresses a gap in corporate accountability and complements or partners with other initiatives.
• There is a demonstrated urgency of funding needs and potential to secure additional funding once the project is underway.
• The project specifically needs Accountability Accelerator support, with a preference for true start-up initiatives.
• The organization demonstrates how it will capture and share learnings.

Grant Process

1. Ideation and discussion. Initial conversations with our Focus Area Leads, to shape an impactful project where our support can accelerate accountability.
2. Proposal submission. Once the project concept is agreed, the organization is invited to submit a proposal using our standard template and online submission tool.
3. Internal review and recommendation. Our team reviews the proposal and provides feedback. Adjustments to the proposal may be requested after which the team will prepare an internal review to support the project.
4. Impact Advisory Council review and approval. Proposals are submitted to the Accountability Accelerator’s Advisory Council for review and approval.
5. Due Diligence. Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA), our fiscal agent, conducts due diligence on the organization.
6. Disbursement. Upon approval, RPA coordinates grant disbursement.