Launched in Fall 2021 and with 50+ signatories less than two years in, CPCCC punches well above its weight at almost 10% of the entire 600+ signatories under the WINGS #PhilanthropyForClimate global movement. The Canadian commitment is also the only one bringing an Indigenous lens to climate solutions, with The Circle on Philanthropy mobilizing an Indigenous Advisory committee.

Running its first year of programming in 2022, CPCCC has brought our partnership practices to the next level, catalyzing sector collaboration for a systems-level approach to address the climate crisis. Our year of capacity-building programming around the pledge involved convening signatories for regular learning opportunities to support their implementation journeys, leveraging collaboration and exchange across a wide variety of funders, from climate experts to climate novices. It has helped build each funder’s muscles for integrating climate actions, as well as amplifying the sector’s overall impact in addressing the climate crisis.

Going into 2023, signatories’ reported level of climate engagement had already increased by 28%. The momentum and reputation of the pledge has also led to invitations for PFC to speak at COP15 in Montreal (United Nations Biodiversity Conference), on behalf of the broader international commitment. It also led to consultation with one of our signatories in preparation for the World Economic Forum’s Giving to Amplify Earth Action (GAEA) initiative in Davos, as well as their inclusion in the declaration to mobilize philanthropy to work on climate change.

CPCCC in Numbers

  • 3.58/5

    Average level of climate engagement of signatories pre-signing and one year later increased from weighted average of 3.1/5 to 3.8/5
  • +2x

    The number of signatories who reported good climate engagement more than doubled after year 1 (10% - 24%).
  • 65%

    65% of signatories had made “reasonable” to “excellent” progress on implementing the commitment one-year in.
  • 74%

    CPCCC impacted climate awareness and action “tremendously” or “modestly” for 74% of signatories
  • 77%

    77% of signatories had reported allocating reasonable to excellent amounts of funding to Indigenous-led organizations in support of climate change initiatives*

  • *


    • * This assessment is not based on specific dollar amounts, but rather a self-reflection on behalf of the respondent and their own evaluation of what these categories mean to them.

From the signatories

  • The CPCCC’s resource guide and facilitated sessions have helped us develop our internal capacity-building efforts to ensure that our Board, investment committee, staff and stakeholders are informed about the systemic causes, impacts and solutions of climate change, and the implications for our work. The reporting process provided a welcome framework to take stock of and celebrate the progress we’ve made under our Climate Change strategy. We’re grateful to PFC, EFC, CFC, and the Circle for this valuable collaboration.

    Stephanie Trussler
    Executive Director - Peter Gilgan Foundation
  • This has been a great tool for keeping the topics of climate and Indigenous sovereignty front of mind not only in our granting but all aspects of our operations and the resources available to us.

    CPCCC signatorie
  • The CPCCC’s resource guide is a particularly useful tool for finding/generating content in our internal capacity-building efforts to ensure that our boards, investment committees, staff, volunteers and stakeholders are informed about the systemic causes, impacts and solutions of climate change, and the implications for our work.

    CPCCC signatorie
  • Signing the Canadian Philanthropic Commitment on Climate Change has been an important step in accelerating [our] climate action. We are grateful for the learning we have gained from the network of signatories and look forward to continuing to work together.

    CPCCC signatorie