The Female Climate Scientists Fund
Hosted by Daughters for Earth
Daughters for Earth is a fund and a movement to support, celebrate and mobilize women-led climate solutions to protect and restore Earth. We are launching a $5 million fund to support female scentists to communicate their expertise in climate science beyond the scientific community—and inspire large-scale action for change.
Purpose
The fund aims to provide the resources and opportunities needed for female scientists to share their expertise in climate science and solutions with the wider public. In particular, the goal is to shift scientists’ communication of their hard data and proven results from labs and science journals into mainstream conversation in order to reach policy makers, schools, media executives and journalists, businesses, and the philanthropic community worldwide.
Though their approach and solutions are more holistic and interconnected, women climate scientists are often not given the opportunity to reach beyond academic publications and the “choirs” of their peers. This fund will upend the typical structures of both funding and thought leadership, positioning women scientists as the leading voices for change—and supporting their capacity to deliver it.
Women Making a Difference
Dr Heidi Sevestre
Dr Twila Moon
Principles
We aim to support 20 to 30 female scientists worldwide for a term of five years.
Funds will:
- be committed for two years, averaging $100K per scientist per year.
- encourage knowledge-sharing and participating at gatherings with other female scientists in order to build networks, information and resource sharing, and best tactics for bringing diverse audiences into climate change discussion.
- go through the scientists’ institution, or through an independent fiscal agent —whichever the scientist prefers.
Scientists will:
- present their vision for use and impact of funds, though the use of the funds is unconditional and flexible according to the scientists’ expertise.
- be asked to share their learnings and discoveries with women leaders in various sectors virtually or in person once a year.
First-Year Goals: 2025
Support 2 female climate scientists ($100,000 commitment each) in the following areas:
- Fund their capacity to communicate to multiple sectors the gravity and details of climate change—and the necessary solutions.
- Support and nurture a community of female climate scientists by organizing an all scientists’ retreat.
- Support each scientist’s professional development needs.
- Establish a mechanism to identify future candidates for funding support.
- Actively seek speaking opportunities and private meetings for female climate scientists to present their research and findings to a variety of audiences.
Launch the first small gathering of female scientists in order to:
- Nurture a sense of community for female scientists engaged in communication on climate change.
- Identify and recruit other female scientists in the space of climate/communication, building a diversity of experience and knowledge.
- Offer leadership training and support to attendees.
- Learn from the participants how we can work with them to build the most effective program.
The Fund: History and Members
Background and Members
After attending a presentation of female scientists on an expedition to Greenland focused on understanding and witnessing climate change, a small group of attendees decided that it is vitally important to support the work of female scientists to communicate to their findings to the larger public. Further research on the reality of female scientists focused on climate change revealed the many barriers on communicating their important findings to critical policy makers, business, media, and the public. Most of these barriers can be overcome with proper financial support, training, and opening of doors.
Co-hosted by Active Philanthropy, Daughters for Earth and Apolitical Foundation, the trip birthed this much needed fund to amplify the wisdom and expertise of women climate scientists.
We believe that this investment is critical not only to the climate science itself but also to support strategies for communicating its outcomes clearly, broadly, and actionably. We need more communication now, and we need it from women scientists.
Management Principles
- Circular leadership that is constantly learning and adapting to improve focus, strategy, and outcome.
- Trust in the female climate scientists and their articulation of needs for support.
- Active visibility efforts to center female climate scientists’ knowledge and voices in as many public opportunities as possible.
- Understanding that support needs to be rounded and flexible to address professional needs and personal needs for self-care and development.
Donate to the Fund
Support our female-led climate fund.
