Funding for climate adaptation and resilience hits record of $870 million

SAN FRANCISCO – November 11, 2025 – A new global landscape report shows an estimated $870 million in foundation funding for adaptation and resilience in 2024 — a historic high. The funding is more than double the $404 million tracked in 2021, and reflects growing philanthropic support in helping communities prepare for and respond to climate impacts. 

Despite the upward trend, the need is enormous. Climate impacts such as flooding, extreme heat, wildfires, and food shortages are already here, and without urgent action, the livelihoods of nearly 900 million people who face poverty and climate threats are at risk. 

“Climate resilience can save lives, transform communities, unlock new possibilities, and safeguard economies,” said Helen Mountford, president and CEO at ClimateWorks Foundation. “How funders respond to climate impacts today will shape the future for decades to come. Local leaders are already driving innovative and catalytic adaptation on the ground, but the scale of progress depends on how boldly philanthropy invests in these solutions now.”

“Adaptation is a unifying thread across philanthropy. The report highlights clear opportunities to direct resources to underfunded regions, sectors, and locally led efforts — from families affected by recurrent forest fires in Brazil’s Pantanal to fishing and riverine communities in the drought-stricken North,” said Maria Netto, Executive Director of the Instituto Clima e Sociedade. 

The report helps funders sharpen their strategies around where needs are most urgent and where investments can have the greatest impact. Regionally, Asia and Oceania received less than 10% of adaptation funding from 2021 to 2024, though the region is home to more than half the world’s population. By sector, disaster risk management and infrastructure received the least funding during that time period, though they provide the backbone of community resilience.

The data also show promising trends and help outline a path to a future where every dollar invested is climate resilient. The number of foundations that made adaptation-related grants grew by 55% — a clear signal that philanthropy is moving toward adaptation and resilience. 

“Philanthropy plays a vital role in accelerating innovations that help communities build resilience,” said Neil Watkins, Deputy Director at the Gates Foundation. “Momentum for climate adaptation is growing, but funding must move faster and reach farther — to local innovators and communities already facing climate extremes. Investing in locally led solutions can strengthen the food, health, and economic systems people rely on to adapt and thrive. But philanthropy can’t do it alone — progress depends on sustained, aligned investment at every level.”

“The business case for investing in adaptation and resilience efforts is clear,” said Claire Harbron, CEO at Howden Foundation. “A recent report from WRI calculates that every dollar invested in adaptation pays off with a $10 return. It is heartening to see new philanthropic actors step into this space. It’s no longer a debate about whether to invest in adaptation or mitigation — to invest in a prosperous future, it’s both.”

This year’s report builds on a 2024 ClimateWorks survey as a first-of-its kind analysis to track funding flows from 40 foundations. The new report offers the most comprehensive view to date of adaptation funding flows with shared insights across foundations. 

“Adaptation is no longer a niche concern. An adaptation lens is essential to ensure all future foundation strategies can withstand escalating climate risks,” said Jessica Hitt, Associate Director of Adaptation and Resilience at ClimateWorks Foundation and author of the report. “Without resilient systems, climate shocks could quickly erode decades of progress in health, food security, and poverty reduction.”

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About ClimateWorks Foundation

ClimateWorks Foundation is a catalyst for accelerating climate progress, driving bold solutions that benefit people and the planet. We connect funders and implementing organizations worldwide to identify and scale transformative solutions across sectors and geographies, achieving faster, greater impact together. Since 2008, ClimateWorks has granted over $2 billion to more than 850 grantees across 50 countries, working with over 80 funders.