The Regeneration Will Be Funded Cultivating Trust in Philanthropy - Faith Flanigan & Ruth Andrade (Regenerosity)
Nov 17, 2025
Faith Flanigan, Executive Director of Regenerosity, and Ruth Andrade, Environmental Partner at Lush Cosmetics, delve into the transformative power of philanthropy. They discuss the innovative Regenerosity model, which connects grassroots groups with funding while emphasizing community-led stewardship. Key issues include the importance of trust in philanthropy, the challenges of participatory grantmaking, and the necessity of aligning funding with local knowledge and justice. Their insights challenge traditional funding practices, advocating for reparations and sovereignty in conservation.
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Place-Based Cultivation Beats One-Off Grants
- Regenerosity cultivates vetted grassroots groups through funding, capacity building, and peer learning.
- They focus on place-based regenerative projects blending livelihoods, biodiversity, and storytelling to scale impact.
From Prize Lists To A New Nonprofit
- Faith and Ruth met via prize programs at Buckminster Fuller Institute and Lush and combined vetted lists.
- They converted prize vetting into a cultivation program and spun Regenerosity into an independent 501(c)(3).
Tap Local Networks Instead Of Repeating Calls
- Collective intelligence and funder networking reveal quality projects without another open call.
- Tapping community philanthropy groups surfaces vetted candidates faster and reduces applicant burden.