Karunā Climate Collective
Philanthropy Advisory for Community-Rooted Climate Solutions in Asia
We are a philanthropy advisory platform for community-rooted climate solutions in Asia. We help philanthropists deploy capital that is locally grounded, globally relevant, and deeply aligned with the communities most affected by climate change.
Mission & Vision
Mission
To accelerate climate solutions in Asia by bridging grassroots communities and their abilities with strategic and mindful philanthropy, enabling philanthropists to organise capital that is both locally responsive and globally impactful.
Vision
A region where climate action is driven by the knowledge, values, and aspirations of local communities, supported by consciously directed philanthropic resources that deliver measurable environmental and social outcomes.
What We Do
Karunā Climate Collective delivers three integrated services:
1
Advisory Services
Philanthropic portfolio design, climate due diligence, partnership structuring, and strategic alignment for funders deploying capital in Asia.
2
Community Pipeline Development
Identification, vetting, and structuring of high-integrity community-rooted initiatives into fundable opportunities—bridging grassroots impact with philanthropic capital standards.
3
Immersive Learning & Alignment
Retreats and field immersions integrating contemplative practice with strategic decision-making, helping philanthropists align personal values with climate action.
Why Karunā is Different
We originate from the Global South, not advise it from afar.
Our founders have lived, worked, and built movements across Southeast Asia for a combined 90+ years. We are embedded in the networks and ecosystems we serve—not parachuted in.
We combine deal flow, trust networks, and lived experience.
We source opportunities that institutional funders cannot find independently—because they require years of trust and presence to access. Our pipeline is our differentiator, not just our process.
We work pre-investment, not just portfolio optimization.
Most philanthropy advisors help funders manage existing portfolios. We help funders find what they cannot see—shaping strategy before capital is deployed.
We integrate inner alignment with capital deployment.
Strategic and contemplative work reinforce each other here. Philanthropists who have done both report more decisive, more sustained, and more impactful giving.
Who We Work With
Karunā serves three distinct client segments, each with a specific offering:
Core Programs
1
Community-Philanthropist Partnership Accelerator
Purpose:
Connect philanthropists with grassroots organisations, enabling co-designed climate solutions.
Key Features:
- Curated matchmaking between funders and vetted community initiatives.
- Partnering with Asian leaders to design and draft scalable strategies, supported by clear theories of change and defined pathways to scale
- Field immersion programs for philanthropists to experience projects firsthand.
- Workshops on translating community needs into measurable support strategies.
- “Community Wisdom Fora” to surface emerging solutions and field insights.
2
Climate Philanthropy Leadership
Purpose:
Build next-generation climate philanthropists in Asia.
Key Features:
- Custom-designed support
- Intensive retreats integrating contemplative practice with strategic decision-making.
- Modules covering:
- Personal Evolution facilitated quiet retreat time in Bali’s Central Highlands, combined with strategic prioritisation.
- Environmental justice and human rights frameworks.
- Measurement, Evaluation, and Learning in Climate Philanthropy.
- Discussions on Climate finance mechanisms (e.g., green bonds, blended finance, impact investing).
- Access to a curated network of experts, policymakers, and regional practitioners.
3
Field-Building & Research Hub
Purpose:
Generate knowledge at the intersection of grassroots climate action and strategic philanthropy.
Key Features:
- Conduct applied research to identify high-leverage interventions and funding gaps.
- Strengthen global climate-solution portfolios through the sourcing and diligent assessment of locally led climate initiatives
- Develop toolkits and guides to help foundations integrate local insights into their funding decisions.
- Serve as a knowledge broker linking community innovation with philanthropists’ capital.
4
Strategic Support Services
Purpose:
Provide tailored support services for high-impact philanthropists and foundations.
Services:
- Philanthropic portfolio design and strategic alignment.
- Climate and social impact due diligence (assessing existing philanthropic strategies and ideas, and vetting grant partners).
- Partnership Structuring for Cross-Border Initiatives.
- Facilitation of reflective sessions and retreats to integrate personal values with funding strategies
Target Audience
- Next-generation philanthropists (ages 25–40) seeking impact in climate and environmental justice in Asia.
- Family offices and high-net-worth individuals focused on strategic, values-aligned giving.
- Foundations looking to incorporate community wisdom into their grant-making strategies.
Strategic Differentiators
Pointed Expertise
Athena’s global climate finance and policy expertise, Chip’s Indigenous rights and forest protection experience and international philanthropy, and Milag’s expertise as a climate and social justice leader skilled in inclusive governance, community empowerment, and environmental policy.
Values-Driven
Integration of contemplative practices ensures alignment of heart, mind, and action in funding decisions.
Asia-Focused
Deep regional networks and cultural fluency across Southeast Asia.
Field-Building Orientation
Commitment to building lasting capacity and knowledge within communities.
Systems Impact
Combines philanthropy, policy influence, and innovative financing for large-scale climate solutions.
