Green Grants in NZ  

Earlier in 2009 ASB Community Trust and the Hikurangi Foundation jointly commissioned Saints Information Ltd to conduct an on-line survey of philanthropic grant-makers.

This survey canvassed philanthropic giving to the environment sector and, in particular, climate change.

The survey was also used as a tool for introducing funders to plans to establish a network, or affinity group, of philanthropists interested in the area.

The survey was web-based and sent to 220 grant makers in March 2009. A 33% response rate was received, which compares well with other sector response rates.

Main findings

• Environmental funding is small (less than 3% of annual grants). This result is in line with international analysis of grants to the environment sector

• Funding was primarily granted for conservation activities and environmental education

• Of those surveyed, 35% said they gave direct or indirect support for climate change programmes

• Climate change funding represented 43% of the total grants to the environment sector. However, caution needs to be exercised when using this figure as there are no universal mechanisms for catagorising what constitutes a 'climate change' project.

Summary document

• Click here to download a PDF summary of the Green Grants Survey

For more information, or a full copy of the survey results, please  contact ASB Community Trust Policy Advisor Chloe Harwood on (09) 360 0291, or email us.

To find out more about the Green Grants network, contact Liana Stupples at the Hikurangi Foundation