How we are funded
Synchronicity Earth receives a range of different types of funding from a variety of sources. Some donors choose to donate to one or more of our programmes, fund via one of our pooled funds, or support conservation for the long-term through an endowment. Others provide unrestricted funding which drives further research and development of our programmes, bolsters collaboration with other funders and helps us to support and advocate for our partners at regional, national, and international level.
Sources of funding
Synchronicity Earth was founded in 2009 by Adam and Jessica Sweidan to focus their philanthropic giving on environmental impact, and also to provide other funders with well researched funding programmes targeting some of the most overlooked and underfunded biodiversity conservation challenges.
We are extremely fortunate that, since inception, funding for the core costs of the organisation has been provided by charitable foundations associated with Adam and Jessica. For many years core funding was received as a donation from the Synchronicity Foundation, but since 2022 this core funding is donated by the Aurum Kaleidoscope Foundation.
Our income (2023)
Synchronicity Earth’s conservation programmes are funded by a wide range of donors, leveraging the expertise of our Programmes team to target funding support to partners across the world working in some of Earth’s most biodiversity rich places that are facing increasing threats. Most donors are foundations and family trusts, with further funding from individuals and some corporate donors. We foster a deeply collaborative approach with our funders, sharing learning as well as successes and challenges.
We hugely appreciate the generosity and flexibility of their funding, with many providing multi-year grants to align with our ambition to provide long-term funding that is best suited to the needs of our partners.
Before accepting funding, Synchronicity Earth undertakes due diligence on trusts and foundations, individuals, and corporate entities to review potential for reputational and regulatory risk, following Charity Commission guidance. You can see our Donation Acceptance Policy here.
Aurum Kaleidoscope Foundation (“Aurum Kaleidoscope”) was formed in April 2022 as a charitable incorporated organisation, which receives substantial donation income from Aurum Fund Management Ltd.
Aurum Kaleidoscope is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales and conducts a grant-making process intended to promote the advancement of environmental conservation, social welfare and education.
About Aurum and its Embedded Impact® approach
Synchronicity Earth Co-Founder Adam Sweidan is Chief Investment Officer of Aurum Funds Limited and Aurum Research Limited, the research arm of the Aurum Group. Aurum is a hedge fund investment specialist focused solely on selecting hedge funds and managing fund of hedge fund portfolios. The Aurum group has always had a strong and committed approach to sustainability, both in the way they run their business and in their approach to social responsibility.
In addition to core funding, Aurum Kaleidoscope also provides donations for Synchronicity Earth’s programmatic work. Aurum Fund Management Ltd (AFML) is an Embedded Impact® business where donations are structured to proportionately increase as firm Assets Under Management (AUM) increase. Donations are made to selected environmental and humanitarian charities.
Since inception, the Embedded Impact® approach has given more than $31 million to support charitable endeavours around the world.
AFML has been a signatory to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment (UNPRI) since 2013 and received its 2021 PRI rating in September 2022, receiving the highest score of 5-stars for its eligible categories. AFML recognises that the hedge fund industry has a long way to go to improve wider ESG practice and engages proactively in initiatives to move this forward.
Some of the Foundations and family offices who support our work and programmes have kindly agreed to appear on this page. We would like to thank them for their generous support and ongoing engagement with our work:
If you would like to learn more about how we are funded, or our donation acceptance policy, please contact: philanthropy@synchronicityearth.org.