Global Witness Trust

Global Witness Trust is an independent UK-registered charity and grant-making body established to advance public education on environmental issues, promote conservation and sustainable natural resource use, and support research into the links between environmental damage, corruption, conflict, and human rights abuses. Building on the 1993 vision of Global Witness founders Charmian Gooch, Patrick Alley, and Simon Taylor, it upholds core values of integrity, transparency, and accountability, standing with frontline communities affected by degradation, exploitation, and climate crises. Its distinctive approach emphasizes bold, evidence-based investigations and advocacy to expose profiteers, amplify defenders' voices, and drive systemic change, primarily channeling resources into Global Witness's own high-impact campaigns rather than broad philanthropy.

The Trust funds thematic priorities like investigative research, public education, and advocacy on deforestation (e.g., Amazon, Southeast Asia), illegal mining and land grabs in Africa, and protection of environmental defenders worldwide. Beneficiaries include the general public and threatened communities in global hotspots such as Latin America, Africa, and Asia, supporting rigorous projects that reveal corruption-climate nexus and challenge corporate or governmental misconduct.

It does not accept unsolicited applications or external proposals, focusing grants almost exclusively on Global Witness's charitable activities; eligible entities are not broadly defined, with no income, size, or geographic restrictions specified for outsiders, though work spans internationally from a UK base. No public deadlines, application processes, or meeting frequencies exist for applicants; typical internal grant totals range £1.7-2.2 million annually for projects, research, and campaigns.

Exclusions include capital works, unrestricted support, emergency relief, or generic capacity-building for third-party organizations. Uniquely, it prioritizes precedent-setting, public-facing investigations over traditional grant-making, differentiating it as a niche supporter of aligned, mission-specific advocacy rather than an open funder.