Reimagining Philanthropy

Image © Chris Scarffe

As an organisation that distributes grant funding to multiple organisations of all sizes around the world, we are on a continuous learning journey about what good funding looks like, reflecting on our own role and responsibility as a funder. Recognising the unequal power dynamics so often at play in Western models of philanthropy, we – like many other organisations – are evaluating our own processes, and thinking deeply about how we can best provide the funding and support that our partners need to thrive and create positive impact for their environments and communities.

Listening and learning

Reimagining philanthropy is an ongoing dialogue. It needs collaboration and discussion between funders; but more importantly, it needs funders to listen and learn. Working to rebalance power and decision making between the donor community and conservation actors ‘on the ground’ is a core strategic focus for Synchronicity Earth.

We are committed to creating a more level playing field where funding flows are directed where they are most needed, guided both by the place-based knowledge and needs of human and non-human communities and informed by the best available conservation research and science.

Key principles

Consistently reflect on and review our internal processes to ensure they are transparent, accessible and aligned with our values.

Actively work to address the power imbalance within philanthropy by supporting initiatives that challenge the western paradigm of giving and provide new funding opportunities and mechanisms.

Provide opportunities for partners and other actors on the ground to convene, come together, and share their perspectives at local, national and/or international level.

icon of a group of people together, symbolising unity

Julie Gagoe who has a role as a Congo Basin affiliate with Synchronicity Earth holds a microphone and addresses the audience

Congo Basin Affiliate, Julia Gagoe, speaks at a convening on community forestry at the Congo Basin Forest Partnership Conference in Kinshasa, June 2024. Image © Merline Touko Tchoko

Our Reimagining Philanthropy Affiliate

Since 2023, we have been deeply and warmly supported by Ameyali Ramos, our ‘Reimagine Affiliate’, who has helped us to understand where we are doing well, what we need to do better, and brought her wisdom and network of connections to bear on our work.

Based in Chiapas, Mexico, Ameyali has worked with Indigenous Peoples and local communities for over 15 years on a range of issues, including environmental governance, sustainable livelihoods, agroecology, and human rights.

Her work has focused on advocating for the outsized role Indigenous Peoples and local communities play in the stewardship of nature, on strengthening the collective capacity of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

Reimagining philanthropy is, at its essence, an invitation to flourish in diversity – to learn and experiment with a diversity of approaches that best respond to partners in the different existing programmes. It is also an invitation to reimagine oneself and to reflect on how we (as organisations and individuals) can use our positional power to promote systemic change.

Philanthropy, when done in a just and equitable way, is a medicine and allows us to dig deep into ourselves and not only reimagine, but reinvent and flourish, in the role we play in the world around us.

Ameyali Ramos

Working together to fund better

We work with various different funders and stakeholders in the environmental space to promote approaches to funding that are driven by the needs of communities and people closest to the action. Synchronicity Earth is committed to doing all we can to champion a healthier, more equitable dynamic between philanthropic funders in the Global North and conservation organisations, individuals, and Civil Society Organisations based in the Global South.

We have co-authored or featured in a number of publications and regularly participate in panel discussions, conferences, and events to champion more equitable funding models.