A new Adaptation and Resilience (A&R) Fund has been launched to deliver over $50 million in support of locally driven solutions for people most vulnerable to climate risks such as extreme heat, floods and droughts.
The funding will spur community resilience in low- and middle-income countries with projects that range from early warning systems to innovative financial tools, said a press release of Climateworks Foundation.
The initial grants will support efforts to combat extreme heat in urban areas in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa.
The effort is led by ClimateWorks Foundation in partnership with Howden Foundation, Laudes Foundation, Quadrature Climate Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation.
“Adaptation is where local innovation meets global momentum. With bold investments in climate adaptation, philanthropy can help connect the dots to strengthen collaboration, pilot scalable solutions, and build resources for community resilience,” said Jessica Brown, senior director of adaptation and resilience at ClimateWorks Foundation.
This funding fulfills a $50 million commitment made by philanthropies last year in response to the UN Secretary-General’s Call to Action on Extreme Heat.
With more than 2.4 billion people at risk of severe heat every year, philanthropy can act as a critical support for communities facing health and economic impacts.
“We can’t win on decarbonisation if we don’t invest in resilience, and yet adaptation remains chronically underfunded,” said Jess Ayers, CEO of Quadrature Climate Foundation.
“The Adaptation and Resilience Fund represents a turning point: by directing more than $50 million to locally led solutions, we are shifting power and resources directly to communities facing extreme heat and other climate shocks. This isn’t just about survival, it’s about catalysing equitable, systems-level change where it’s needed most,” she said.
“In the U.S. and around the world, people, especially vulnerable people, know that extreme heat, fueled by climate change, is not a future threat — it is here, and getting worse,” said Elizabeth Yee, executive vice president of programs at The Rockefeller Foundation.
“This fund fills a critical need, helping cities take the steps they need to prepare for and protect their residents against extreme weather, starting with heat. We are proud to be working alongside a diverse group of partners who share a common goal: protecting people’s health and economic security,” she added.
Adaptation remains one of the most underfunded areas of climate action, as public finance flows cover only 10% of adaptation costs in low-income countries, said the press release.
Business investments in adaptation and resilience can yield returns ranging from $2 to $42 for every dollar spent, and can help build climate resilience at a local scale with people-centered solutions.
The A&R Fund reflects the growing momentum from funders to invest in climate resilience, an area that saw over $650 million in funding in 2024.
“Investing in climate adaptation is not just a moral imperative, it has clear business benefits. Supporting innovative solutions that strengthen resilience can help address industry challenges, including protecting supply chains, reducing long-term risk, and creating long-term business value,” said Amol Mehra, director of industry programmes at Laudes Foundation.
“We’re proud to be a partner of the Adaptation and Resilience Fund, which demonstrates how philanthropy can work together to support locally-led adaptation solutions, ensuring our resources reach the places and communities that need them the most. Extreme weather events – driven by climate change – are the biggest risk the world faces over the next decade. Philanthropy has a critical role to play in supporting those most impacted to access the information and resources that they need to respond,” said Claire Harbron, CEO of Howden Foundation.