Biodiversity Funders Group

The Biodiversity Funders Group (BFG) is a professional association dedicated to supporting environmental, conservation, and climate and energy grantmakers. Established in 1987, BFG envisions a just, healthy, and resilient future for all life on Earth.

The organization fosters collaboration among grantmakers to enhance the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation efforts.

BFG's mission is to support and grow a community of biodiversity grantmakers that pursue complementary and collaborative strategies. The organization focuses on sharing knowledge and strategies, cultivating partnerships, identifying needs and emerging issues, and creating avenues for leadership.

Central to BFG's approach is the recognition that addressing current and historic inequities and racism in the conservation field and environmental philanthropy is essential for fostering a thriving future.

The organization views diversity, racial equity, and inclusion as critical to achieving its mission and supporting its members.

Programs and Initiatives

BFG offers a range of programs and initiatives to facilitate collaboration among funders:

• Climate & Energy Funders Group: Addresses the profound issue of climate change and builds a just, global clean energy economy.
• Land & Freshwater Conservation: Protects biodiversity in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.
• Marine Conservation: Supports ocean conservation efforts.

Additionally, BFG facilitates place-based programs and initiatives, including:

• Tribal Conservation Learning Initiative: Serves as a hub for funder learning and engagement on Tribal and Indigenous conservation in the U.S.
• Nature Positive Collaborative: A cohort of funders working collectively to accelerate progress on biodiversity in the U.S.
• Learning in the Field: Multi-day field trips offering funders the opportunity to explore landscapes at the nexus of biodiversity, land use, community engagement, and Tribal sovereignty.
• Global Conservation: Engages funders who make grants outside their home countries or invest in policy changes at the international level.
• The Rights of Nature: Supports a member-led circle to educate funders about how the rights of nature framework is utilized to preserve species and entire ecosystems.

Events and Membership Benefits

BFG's events connect, inform, and inspire funders year-round, spanning diverse global program areas with webinars, virtual meetings, and in-person events.

For example, the 2025 Marine Conservation Annual Meeting is scheduled for October 7–9 at the Hotel Viking in Newport, Rhode Island.

Membership in BFG provides access to various benefits, including annual program meetings, regional meetings, field trips, learning opportunities, subgroups, webinars, and targeted grantmaking analyses.

Members receive monthly electronic newsletters and special announcements. Dues-paying members are invited to members-only events, such as the Annual Members Meeting, the Learning in the Field program, small group cohorts on topics like climate-resilient forests and equity in conservation grantmaking, the Tribal Conservation Learning Circle, and select webinars and other activities.

Membership and Reach

BFG's membership includes nearly 1,000 philanthropic staff and trustees from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and beyond.

These members work toward a just, healthy, and sustainable future for all life on Earth, sharing perspectives, expertise, and strategies to advance collective conservation goals.

Location

• San Francisco, CA, USA

In summary, the Biodiversity Funders Group plays a pivotal role in uniting grantmakers to address the complex challenges of biodiversity conservation, climate change, and environmental justice.

Through its collaborative programs, initiatives, and events, BFG empowers funders to make a meaningful impact on the health and resilience of our planet's ecosystems.