FLOW FUNDING
Harnessing the wisdom of activists & thought leaders
Beyond Traditional Philanthropy
Our Flow Funding Programme shares power with tireless activists and visionary leaders by entrusting them with direct access to our funds, allowing them to allocate these philanthropic funds based on their expertise and intuition.
Rooted in trust and relationships, this human-centred approach democratises wealth distribution, cuts through bureaucracy, and ensures that funds reach people, projects and places often overlooked by traditional philanthropy. At this hyper-local level, a small grant can create significant impact, generating ripple effects that enhance the lives and wellbeing of an entire community.
“
As a social entrepreneur and co-founder in Brazil, I spent many years looking for funding and couldn’t find anything like this: a funder that really trusted me and my work.
The bureaucracy of writing projects that “fit” the funder, reports and accountability, took me time, dedication and gave me lots of stress, especially when it comes to the Amazon, where it's absolutely impossible to find invoices and receipts.
― RAQUEL ROSENBERG, Activist & Social Entrepreneur, Amazon
Flow Funder, Cohort 2022-2024
Let it Flow
Flow Funding was founded by Marion Weber, a fourth-generation philanthropist from the famous Rockefeller family, who rejected traditional bureaucratic grant-making in favour of trust and relationship-building at the heart of her work. It decentralises the power of decision-making regarding fund allocation, distributing authority more broadly.
Be The Earth has built on Marion’s model to develop our own Flow Funding Programme, which not only supports fund recipients but also empowers and connects leaders and activists across our three focus regions.
Participants receive personal stipends and join group sessions throughout the year, offering holistic support, space to reflect, and guidance as they navigate their first experience of grant-making.
The Flow Funding Cycle
1. Assemble the Flow Funders
We select changemakers aligned with our focus areas: food, farming, environmental regeneration, women, and indigenous peoples. Though we don't control fund allocation, we choose people with strong networks in these areas, ensuring the impact reaches where it’s needed most.
2. Set the Timeframe
We create a timeline that outlines the schedule for group meetings & the deadline for disbursing all funds. Flow Funders are expected to attend at least 80% of the meetings and allocate their funds within the set timeframe.
3. Transfer the Funds
To reduce bureaucracy, each Flow Funder receives the funds directly into their bank account. Since this may have tax implications depending on the country, we ensure legal guidance is in place & support funders in managing this process.
4. The Funds Flow
Flow Funders have full discretion to allocate their grants: to a single recipient or multiple groups. This approach supports micro-grants, where even small amounts, overlooked by traditional grant-making, can make a significant impact, reaching underserved areas efficiently.
5. Reflect & Report
Throughout the cycle, the group engages in shared reflections. We gather stories from each funder to highlight the incredible outcomes — encouraging others to participate — while meeting legal obligations to report on fund distribution.
6. Repeat the Cycle
The cycle repeats each year, with the same group or a new cohort. Initially, we relied on trusted relationships within our network. In future cycles, each Funder will nominate a successor, dispersing the power we hold as the funders, expanding network and reach.
Watch Our Flow Funding Webinar
This webinar was co-created and delivered by our Fellows in 2023. It explores the Flow Funding methodology, outcomes achieved, and the Fellows' personal experiences of the programme.
Our Current Cohorts
Nine pioneering women from Brazil, South Africa, and the UK.
WOMEN ACTIVISTS
WOMEN
ACTIVISTS
WISDOM KEEPERS
Seven global thought leaders, including Satish Kumar, Vandana Shiva & Helena Norberg-Hodge, working to implement our
shared visions.
WISDOM
KEEPERS
BRAZILIAN CO-FUND
BRAZILIAN
CO-FUND
Our Flow Funding Stories
