In this Deep Dive series on Climate Philanthropy, I’m exploring the wide range of ways that foundations are stepping up to support climate progress, especially amid federal rollbacks and inconsistent commitments from large companies. Philanthropic capital is tiny in comparison to government and corporate budgets, but it can still be a helpful tool – especially if wielded strategically. 

Let's set some context: In the United States, there are over 30,000 environmental nonprofits. It's a wildly diverse field with organizations of all sizes and countless focus areas. Since the 1970s, they’ve saved millions of lives through environmental protections that have cleaned our air, water, land, buildings, factories, and products. 

Many are struggling with funding cuts and staff shortages, and too often they compete for attention and resources.

Foundations provide funding to these organizations, but they can also play a more fundamental role: building movement infrastructure that bolsters the power and influence of the entire field. 

That, argues Pisces Foundation President David Beckman, is a priority that deserves more attention and support. David is a friend whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years. When it comes to investing in movement infrastructure, I can’t think of anyone else who brings the nuance and insight David has gained through a career-long focus on advancing the environmental movement. We talk about his background as an National Resources Defense Council attorney, his role in helping start the Pisces Foundation, the entreprenuerial nature of his work, what movement infrastructure is, what he’s learned about investing in it, the importance of late night cookies in building relationships, the need for a meta narrative, the work of the Pisces Foundation, super pollutants, what business people and young people should know about the environmental movement, and much more. 

On today’s episode, we cover:

• [03:49] David's Background and Career Path
• [05:37] Founding of Pisces Foundation
• [07:56] State of the Environmental Movement
• [09:41] Strategic Posture and Movement Influence
• [11:44] Collective Work and Movement Infrastructure
• [15:08] Social Entrepreneurship in Philanthropy
• [17:29] Collaborative Field Building Insights
• [19:49] Late Night Cookies and Building Relationships
• [22:31] Meta Narrative in Environmental Movement
• [25:32] Discussion on Environmental Regulations
• [28:25] Pisces Foundation's Strategic Evolution
• [31:33] Super Pollutants Overview
• [33:40] Impact of DC Politics on Philanthropy
• [35:48] Advice for Business Community
• [37:13] Advice for Young People
• [39:04] Current Inspirations

Resources Mentioned

• Pisces Foundation
• National Resources Defense Council
• Sierra Club
• Blue Sky Funders Forum
• Mosaic Funders Collaborative
• Hewlett Foundation
• “Abundance” by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Environmental Grantmakers Association
• “‘Hope is a​n embrace of the unknown​’: Rebecca Solnit on living in dark times”

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• David Beckman
• Jason Rissman

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