Climate Breakthrough Award

Climate Breakthrough Award

Status: Active program with annual cohorts (2020-2025 cohorts documented)

Geographic Scope: Global, unrestricted by geography

Focus Areas:

Program Structure:
The program is uniquely designed around four pillars:

1. Investment in Exceptional People

• Awards individuals, not organizations
• Selects based on track record and potential for greater impact
• Seeks candidates who are: social innovators with demonstrated ability to effect change, ambitious strategists thinking at immense scale, and visionaries with uncommon audacity paired with humility and compassion

2. High Bar for 'Bold' Climate Action

• Focuses exclusively on what it takes to win resolving the climate crisis
• Pursues high-ambition, high-gain mitigation initiatives
• Guiding principle: "Is this bold idea possible?" rather than "Are we confident it will succeed?"

3. Substantial, Flexible, Multiyear Support

• $4 million—the largest climate award for individuals
• Multiyear, flexible, non-directive funding (100% flexible)
• Dedicated wraparound resources
• Tailored Impact and Learning (I&L) tools
• Expanded support through connections to broader funding networks
• Heightened visibility among key stakeholders
• Lifetime invitation to annual Climate Breakthrough Awardee retreats

4. Learning and Embracing Setbacks

• Prioritizes learning and embraces setbacks
• Reduces barriers associated with non-linear efforts
• Creates space for transformative ideas to take root
• Recognizes that not all bold initiatives will thrive

How It Works:

Strategy Development Phase (6-9 months)

• Unlike traditional grants, the program selects Awardees first
• Provides full funding so candidates can develop comprehensive strategy
• Gives space to think ambitiously and strategically

Launch and Implementation

• Awardees move into implementation with comprehensive support
• Access to funding for tailored wraparound services
• Impact and Learning (I&L) resources to design assessment tools matching scale and ambition

Transition Beyond Tenure

• Support to advance initiatives through broader funding networks
• Heightened visibility among key stakeholders
• Annual retreats featuring experts in fundraising and strategy
• Collaboration and knowledge sharing opportunities

Eligibility & Selection Criteria:

Candidate Profile

Scouts and partners look for candidates that:
• Address critical gaps: Missing pieces in current solution landscape; emerging leaders from underrepresented regions, sectors, or underfunded fields; innovative tactics
• Challenge conventions: Disrupt status quo in solution development; push beyond limitations of well-established approaches
• Scale early wins: Poised to build on promising work; primed for new funding to expand scope or ambition

Scout Priorities

• Candidates nominated by global network of scouts and partners (not open applications)
• Rigorous scouting and vetting process
• Multiple interviews and in-depth reference checks
• Assessment of leadership and idea exploration
• Board recommendation and selection

What They Do NOT Fund:

Contact:

Awardee Cohorts: