Where does our money come from?

Transparency is very important to us—after all, we demand it from our “opponents” as well. That is why we disclose the sources of funding for our work. In order to be able to work independently and flexibly, our financing is based on several solid pillars.

Our financial pillars

Individual Giving

Approximately 30-40% of our income is generated through individual donations and regular contributions from our 2,000+ supporting members (as of 2025). This also includes occasional major gifts and bequests. Currently, around 400 donors specifically fund the extensive research for our GOGEL project through a dedicated "sponsorship program."

Foundation Support

urgewald addresses global issues, often collaborating with partner organizations in international networks. Because we achieve more together, several international foundations support this collaborative approach. These foundations typically fund specific priorities that align with our proposals, such as:

new projects and campaign ideas,
international networking,
regional civil society support,
specific policy work involving the World Bank, ADB, AIIB, or the European Investment Bank,
campaigns targeting private banks and energy suppliers.

Without foundation support, we could not tackle issues that remain out of the public eye yet affect millions of people. This work involves advocating for rigorous environmental and social standards within major institutions and exposing abuses.

Core funding

General operating support (basic funding) is rare in Germany. A significant turning point for us was receiving such funding from Bewegungsstiftung several years ago. This "boost" catalyzed the professionalization of our communications; today, urgewald is supported by a dedicated five-person media team.

Non-Profit Partnerships

We have long-standing partnerships with two major church-based aid organizations, Misereor and Brot für die Welt, which support our work on human rights and financial sector standards.

Public funding

Our program to build networks in Asia is supported by Misereor using funds from the German federal budget. This represents indirect public funding.

Earned Income & Fees

This includes revenue from material sales, participation fees, and voluntary usage fees for our databases provided by larger, financially strong investors. We also occasionally receive honoraria for lectures or contributed articles.

Transparency

We are committed to full transparency. Our annual report details the total amounts received from donations, foundations, public donors, and inheritances.

Our annual reports

We would like to thank our current sponsors for their often long-standing and trusting cooperation:

C.S. Mott Foundation (USA)
Brot für die Welt (GER)
Energy Transition Fund, ETF (CH)
Climate Works Foundation (USA)
Naturstrom Stiftung (GER)
Urgewald Foundation (GER)
Climate Reality Project (USA)
European Climate Foundation, ECF (NL)
Stiftung Gekko (GER)
GLS-Treuhand (GER)
KR-Foundation (DK)
Misereor, Aachen (GER)
Mulago Foundation (USA)
Olin gemeinnützige GmbH (GER)
Sunrise Project (AUS)
Rockefeller Foundation (USA)
Tilia Fund (USA)
Sequoia Foundation (USA)
Dorothea-Laura-Janina-Sick-Umweltstiftung (GER)

(Status 12/2025) We would like to thank our contacts at the foundations and the donors for their trust, for providing helpful information and contacts, and for their courage in addressing uncomfortable, complex, and difficult issues.