Protecting Climate Grantmaking – Risk & Contingency Planning

In our last post The Trump Effect on Climate Grants, we looked hard at the emerging risks.
Now it’s time to get serious about your defence.

This isn’t just about mitigating harm. It’s about creating resilient climate funding strategies that can thrive in unstable political weather.

Here’s how funders are stepping up:

1. Scenario Planning Is Non-Negotiable

Ask the tough questions:

  • What if major funding sources dry up?

     

  • What if hostile regulations choke off grants to activists?

     

Climate funding contingency planning means anticipating political, legal, and economic threats — and preparing countermeasures now.

2. Diversify Your Funding Strategy

  • Grant Types: Prioritise multi-year general operating support. Flexibility equals survival.

     

  • Collaborations: Join pooled funds to spread risk and increase impact.

     

Climate philanthropy contingency planning during the Trump administration requires thinking outside your normal grantmaking playbook.

3. Strengthen Your Core Relationships

Communicate openly with your grantees.
Understand their vulnerabilities.
Back them not just with money — but with political cover, capacity-building, and resilience training.

 

Supporting grantees facing funding instability isn’t charity. It’s smart movement-building.

4. Consider Geographic Diversification

Not all your funding needs to move within the US.
In fact, it might be time to move some climate philanthropy funds internationally to create protection against domestic shocks.

Recommended reading from our blog

Multinational Grant Support: How funders can move money across borders without losing momentum

Learn five principles that help funders distribute grants across borders—plus how SCN has already channelled £2 m to 46 countries.
Image shows a globe with birds delivery grants all over the world

The Trump Effect on Climate Grants: Why Funders Must Act Now to Protect Climate Giving

How will the Trump affect climate grants and funding? Understanding potential restrictions, executive orders, and the impact on funding climate groups in the US.