What is a Grassroots Funders Circle?

Funders networks can include foundations, philanthropists, businesses, regranting organizations, and even other funders networks with shared interests.

WITHIN A FUNDERS NETWORK, GRANTMAKERS HAVE THE ABILITY TO CONVENE, SHARE KNOWLEDGE, AND ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT THROUGH COLLABORATIVE FUNDING. THERE ARE DIFFERENT WAYS TO FORM SUCH A NETWORK. FOR EXAMPLE, FUNDERS NETWORKS CAN BE FORMED BASED ON FUNCTION, SUBJECT AREA,

and/or the population the funders wish to financially support or serve. For small funders, participating in a funders network can be advantageous for risk reduction by allowing them to share equity with other funders and gain access to a wider array of projects across the globe.

A funders network, or “circle,” is created by grantmakers in order to financially support common interests and scale collective impact.

Funding Sources

Some of the potential initial funding sources for the Legal Rights for Nature Funders Circle include the following:

Foundations

Dozens of foundations already support some Rights of Nature campaigns and would benefit from coordination.

Philanthropists

Philanthropists increasingly see Rights of Nature as a great investment for the future of the Earth but do not know where to begin.

Larger Environmental NGOs

Some larger environmental NGOs have new interest in the Rights of Nature movement due to its increased success.

Select Corporations

Select corporations who philosophically align with a Rights of Nature approach (e.g., Patagonia) may wish to join the funders circle.

Other Funders Networks

Several other funders networks or circles exist with some overlapping interest in Rights of Nature, although none address it directly.

Recognize that all beings are interdependent and every form of life has value regardless of its worth to human beings.
Earth Charter 2000, Principle 1a

About the Funders Circle

The ‘Legal Rights for Nature Funders Circle’ is dedicated to advancing the Rights of Nature movement in all regions of the world . It funds and then works with grantees to inspire, pass, implement, and enforce a new generation of Rights of Nature laws. The funders circle emphasizes support for grassroots organizations and leaders. It also offers template legislation, legal support, and other resources.

The funders circle aims to give leaders the resources they need to create a new DNA of the legal system that mandates the protection of Nature as a basic right. It also seeks to facilitate giving Nature a formal voice, such as through legal guardianship bodies that directly represent Nature’s rights and interests. All of this work will be rooted in local knowledge and leadership.

Together, we can make basic rights for Nature a global reality.

PartnersHIPS

Voice FOr Nature

A special thanks to the convenors and conceptualisers of the Funders Circle, including Voice for Nature & Earth Law Center, as well as those who expressed a desire to join and support in the near term. As we are only just beginning this initiative, we encourage you to reach out to become a partner to help shape our path forward.

Earth Law Center

There are different ways to be involved. Funders can co-create grant-making initiatives for high-impact projects across the globe. Advisors can represent different regions and areas of expertise to ensure our grant-selection process is ethical, locally-based, and effective. Law and policy organizations can share their best legal models to scale. Anyone can apply. Get in touch to learn more.

Members

Mother Earth’s rights are inherent. Any law that denies these fundamental rights are illegitimate and a violation of all the Natural Laws of Creation. We can preserve, protect, and fulfill our sacred duties to live with respect in this wonderful Creation. We have the power and responsibility for change.
Ponca Elder Casey Camp Horinek

Program

The ultimate goal of the Legal Rights for Nature Funders Circle is to establish fundamental rights for Nature at the local, national, and international levels worldwide.

IT WOULD ALSO SEEK TO GIVE NATURE A FORMAL VOICE WITHIN ALL RELEVANT AREAS OF GOVERNMENT AND PROMOTE NEW ECONOMIC SYSTEMS, CULTURES, AND WAYS OF LIFE THAT ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RIGHTS OF NATURE AND HARMONY WITH NATURE.

The specific theory of change of the funders circle can be broken up into the following categories: 1) the problem, 2) the solution, 3) how it works, 4) the dream, and 5) how we’ll deliver.

Theory of Change

The Problem

Many Rights of Nature leaders worldwide have zero or very low funding, where even a small grant would unlock huge impact.

Many groups would also benefit from access to prior work, templates, and resources.

Local organizations have winning legal strategies that are customised to their local governments but lack funding to carry them out.

There is a shortage of sufficient resources to enforce Rights of Nature laws.

New opportunities emerging, such as a Global Nature Party, require a coordinated global effort that is currently lacking.

Overall, the movement is underfunded, especially at the grassroots level in developing countries.

What might a governance system look like if it were established to protect the rights of all members of a particular biological community, instead of only humans?
Cormac Cullinan, Author, Wild Law

The Solution

Create a Legal Rights for Nature Funders Circle that drives an effective, well-funded, and equitable approach to establishing the Rights of Nature worldwide.

Create a Legal Rights for Nature Circle that drives an effective, well-funded, and equitable approach to establishing the Rights of Nature worldwide with an emphasis on grassroots funding at the global scale.

Increase the effectiveness of Rights of Nature philanthropy and help address challenges that are commonly faced by Rights of Nature advocates.

Significantly grow the amount of total Rights of Nature funding reaching grassroots advocates and others.

How it Works

Provide grants to grassroots nonprofit organizations, Indigenous leaders, community activists, governmental actors, academics, artists, and other entities working to secure the passage, implementation and enforcement of Rights of Nature laws, with an initial focus on those who are unfunded and underfunded.

Educate stakeholders on the principles necessary to build cohesive Rights of Nature campaigns and equip them with essential tools such as template laws, resolutions, legal strategies, legal guardianship best-practices, campaign strategies, and a platform through which they may collaborate with other like-minded advocates worldwide.

Through global coordination, catalyze a paradigm shift in both governance and social consciousness toward ecocentric environmentalism.

The Dream

Give Nature equal rights and an official voice in governance.

Apply the Rights of Nature in a way that is more effective than traditional environmental law.

Ultimately, stabilize the environmental crisis by 2050.

How We’ll Deliver

Co-develop with members a strong strategic plan for a Legal Rights for Nature Funders Circle.

Carry out the strategic plan; secure at least 5 iconic victories within the first 2 years as proof of concept; continue to grow.

Secure additional financial support and partner with other international/regional networks to maximize use of existing resources.