Our Approach
Fourfold envisions a healthy and equitable world that respects all forms of life.
We seek to enable, replicate and scale effective and appropriate technologies, rights-based interventions and access to education and objective information to advance sustainability.
We partner with best-in-class organizations and visionary individuals who share our values. While their initiatives may be ambitious and risk-taking, they should also be credible and verifiable. Our approach to partnerships is humble, collaborative and transparent.
Fourfold supports projects in these areas:
Mindful Consumption
- Drive public awareness and action around the ecological and social footprints of consumption and production
- Trigger transparency in supply chains to drive positive change
- Bring sustainability data into the mainstream through widely-accessible applications
Clean Air and Water
- Support widespread adoption of effective and appropriate technologies that protect natural resources and promote the circular economy
- Empower communities affected by air and water pollution and exploitation, or threats to these resources, to find lasting solutions
- Regenerate fragile ecosystems
Healthy Way of Life
- Cultivate broad recognition of health and wellbeing as a basic human right
- Preserve sustainable food systems and practices and promote food sovereignty
- Transform scientific data on health and its various dimensions into widely-accessible information to combat obesity, malnutrition and poor nutrition
Funding Process
We recognize that applying for funding involves a significant investment for an organization. In the spirit of partnership, we aim to make the process efficient, enabling and collaborative.
Generally, Fourfold does not accept unsolicited proposals. Our Program Team exchanges ideas with various organizations and invites those that operate within our initiative areas to submit a concept note and/or a full proposal for our review. Organizations who have not been invited may apply only if their projects align with our strategy. They may contact Fourfold by email (info@fourfold.ch) with a concept note that summarizes the initiative. If we have determined a fit between the project and our objectives, we will invite the organization to submit a full proposal.
Our Program Team receives the proposal and implements a rigorous due diligence on the project and the organization. We may consult references and implement background screening.
At any stage in the process, a funding application may be declined. An invitation to submit a concept note or a full proposal does not guarantee funding. Applicants will be informed immediately if their proposal is declined.
The Fourfold Board makes the funding decisions, usually twice annually.
Once the proposal is approved, we will prepare a legally binding Agreement between Fourfold and the organization. This will include the intended results and project milestones, evaluation and reporting requirements and payment schedule.
By submitting an application, your organization agrees to our Data Privacy policy.
FAQ
Fourfold is a family foundation and the name represents the collaboration of the four siblings to multiply their impact through philanthropy.
We fund initiatives that:
- address the root cause/s of a sustainability challenge
- contribute to long-term and systemic change
- can be replicated and adapted to other regions or sectors
- build in collaboration with other organizations, including the commitment of other funders
- prioritize access for underrepresented groups
- demonstrate economic value and promote self-sufficiency among beneficiaries
- are led by legally-recognized, well-managed organizations
We do not provide funding for:
- individuals
- tuition and scholarships
- religious or political activities
Generally, Fourfold does not accept unsolicited proposals. Our Program Team exchanges ideas with various organizations and invites those that operate within our initiative areas to submit a concept note and/or a full proposal for our review.
Organizations who have not been invited may apply only if their projects align with our strategy. They may contact Fourfold by email (info@fourfold.com) with a concept note that summarizes the initiative. If we have determined a fit between the project and our objectives, we will invite the organization to submit a full proposal. Due to the high number of correspondence received, we will not be able to provide feedback to spontaneous applications.