Consultative Group On Biological Diversity

Programs: The consultative group on biological diversity, doing business as the biodiversity funders group (bfg) seeks to conserve and restore biodiversity by helping member foundations work together. Bfg is a member-driven organization of foundation professionals emphasizing efficient learning and cooperation in order to use philanthropic resources effectively. Bfg likewise provides service to the larger funding community, including many donors who are newly approaching the craft of grant making. Bfg seeks to maximize collaboration and positive impact. Throughout the years, bfg members have collaborated successfully on many issues including - but far from limited to - alleviating threats to endangered species, promoting sustainable forestry and fisheries, stabilizing coral reefs, improving fisheries management, designating and sustaining marine protected areas, protecting wilderness and public lands, mitigating climate change and increasing resilience, and removing harmful chemicals from the environment. 2017 featured a year of convenings representing all bfg programs and emphasizing learning and cooperative grant making. A monthly member update apprised approximately 300 staff and trustees from member foundations of upcoming calls, meetings, relevant reports, and important staffing transitions. - for the annual members' meeting in june, bfg gathered funders in flagstaff, arizona, under a theme "challenging ourselves in challenging times. " the annual meeting emphasized the growth of young native american conservationists, water conservation, and the extent to which climate change may undermine conservation goals. - the marine conservation program held its annual meeting in san francisco, california. Program topics included development of a web-based portal to advance marine conservation, marine conservation grantmaking responses to climate change, and rights-based approaches to conservation. - the land & freshwater program sponsored a briefing on protecting federal lands and bedrock environmental laws. Topics included the impact of change in the federal administration on conservation priorities and the strategies of national conservation organizations.

the climate and energy funders group (cefg), a program of the bfg, is a network of foundations that support organizations working on climate and clean energy issues. Its mission is to create a strong and effective funding community committed to combating climate change and building a global clean energy economy. The cefg supports working groups on energy efficiency and midwest funders. These groups meet through calls and in person. A monthly news digest highlights subjects of interest to funders. An active program of webinars keeps funders current on issues. The 2017 annual meeting was held in san francisco, ca. Topics included renewable energy and electric vehicles. The group also co-sponsored a northeast regional meeting to discuss updates and opportunities in that region.

gulf of california (goc) and mexico funders, another program of the bfg, promotes and facilitates coordinated, strategic grant making among funders who support conservation work in mexico (with an emphasis on northwest mexico) through their grant making. The focus shifts each year in response on the evolving priorities of funders. In 2017, the group convened its annual meeting in san francisco on march 20-21.

funders of the amazon basin (fab) is a learning group comprised of private, grantmaking foundations that share strategies and lessons learned in order to become more effective grantmakers in the andes-amazon region. The group held its annual meeting in bogota, colombia in may, 2017. Three webinars were produced in 2017 and a twice-monthly news digest was distributed. The group continues to identify and foster sub-groups interested in targeted collaboration.