Catalysing Change
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Catalysing Change
Promoting equity and environmental conservation in Asia towards a sustainable and inclusive future for people and our planet.
About Us
In 2006, the partners of investment advisor, ADM Capital, established ADMCF recognising the need for innovative and replicable models of funding for impact. To achieve results, RESEARCH is the first step in our “theory of change”, helping us identify the specific environmental challenge and solution within our five key programmatic areas. We then CONVENE partners who COLLABORATE with us to design action plans for change. Where we can’t find the right partner, we INCUBATE initiatives to support our CHANGE objectives. Use of media – both traditional and social – is critical to the EDUCATION component of what we do since any change should be underpinned by public understanding and support.
We see our programmes as fundamentally interrelated as the tangible environmental challenges we face intersect with the biggest of our time: Our climate emergency. Consequently, we work towards “unsiloing” how we approach environmental challenges and promoting a low-carbon economy.
We believe it is impossible to think only of air or water pollution, about protecting our forests, our oceans and their biodiversity, without considering also the development challenges we face in Asia. There are inherently trade-offs involved in balancing sustainable growth and conservation – and in how to finance the change that needs to happen.
Until recently, ADMCF also had a Children and Youth at Risk (CAR) programme but given the environmental degradation Asia has seen over the past two decades of rapid growth, the relative lack of funding for environmental philanthropy, we have chosen to concentrate our efforts in the environmental sector and have consequently reduced our CAR commitment to three core partners.
ADM Capital Foundation has been granted tax exempt status under Section 88 of the Hong Kong Government Inland Revenue Ordinance and 501(c) (3) charitable status in the United States.
Our Mission
To catalyse systems change in Asia that protects our environment for future generations.
With research as a point of departure, we work toward specific change objectives we see as points of leverage to protect marine and terrestrial biodiversity, mitigate climate change and combat environmental degradation in the region. We aim to work with a diversity of partners from governments, educational institutions, NGOs, the business sector and even the general public to promote new ways of working and policies that underpin change. We aim to have a significant and sustainable impact, developing and driving effective communication to help change attitudes.
Our Initiatives
Where we see an environmental challenge that is not being addressed, we initiate and incubate initiatives to fill gaps or provide support to a new effort created by others. We believe that philanthropy is in the unique position of being able to take risk to foster change.
Our Alliances
We see that partnerships and alliances are critical to confront the environmental consequences of two decades of dramatic growth in Asia. It is only working in alliances that we can help remedy the environmental challenges brought by serving as “factory to the world”, as populations became more affluent and urbanised, changing dramatically how they consumed.
We believe in
fostering innovation
Watch the video about our mission, goals, and what impact we are driving here at ADMCF.
Our Approach to Philanthropy
Leveraging Our Impact
We leverage the impact of our work through co-funding. In establishing the Foundation, the ADM Capital principals recognised that others were similarly interested in catalyzing change in Asia but were uncertain of the best approach.
We fill that gap by providing a shared funding vehicle, helping others fund alongside us and thus maximise the impact of any given project or initiative.
Forging Alliances
We take an innovative approach to promoting equity and conservation. Economic gain is often pitted against protection of the environment and Asia’s marginalised populations. We want to help change that by forging alliances amongst investors, donors and community-based initiatives. At the same time, we work to promote alliances among not-for-profits, universities and government to make sure funding is used appropriately to minimise waste.
Innovation & Research
We believe solid and innovative research should be the first step towards any undertaking and, indeed, is the first step in our Theory of Change. Ahead of funding a project, we liaise with others working in the target community, with academics, government officials and donors to gain a clear understanding of the needs and context. We look to see where we add most value, what might be sustainable and what can realistically be achieved and design interventions accordingly.
Measuring Success/Impact
Setting clear objectives for each engagement is crucial in determining our effectiveness and providing accountability.
We work to establish carefully constructed and measurable targets, both quantitative and qualitative, towards a clear change objective.
How We Work With Partners & Strategic Co-Funding
Our work would not be possible without our funding partners, or those who provide critical pro bono services.
We look for opportunities that will have a significant and scalable environmental impact. Specifically, we:
The deep-rooted environmental and social challenges in Asia are too large and complex for any one organisation to tackle alone. At the same time, nonprofits lack sizable, predictable and flexible funding needed to make real change. Thus, we believe that strategic co-funding allows foundations and others to widen the impact of their grants, leverage their knowledge and resources and reduce the administrative burdens on both themselves and their grantees.
Our Team
Working across our portfolio, we push for systemic changes that will protect our environment and promote low-carbon growth. We aim for a cleaner and more secure water supply, better air quality and a halt to the free flow of wildlife product. We work to help build a public that is more conscious of the type of seafood eaten and that doesn’t excessively consume marine life. We want us all to consider carefully what and how we consume so the resources of our one planet will be sufficient for future generations.
