Foundation portrait: Minor Foundation in Norway

The Minor Foundation's mission statement is prominently displayed on the English-only homepage. It reads: "We give money to people with new ideas to promote carbon freedom". The full name of the foundation can also be read on the website: "Minor Foundation for Major Challenges", abbreviated to MFMC. This translates as "The Minor Foundation for Major Challenges". Founded in Oslo in 1978 by Norwegian economist Aksel Mjøs, the foundation aims to do nothing less than stop man-made climate change and the emission of climate-damaging CO2.

"Tripp Trapp" chair designer is part of the foundation's founding team

The Norwegian industrial designer and artist Peter Opsvik was also involved in setting up the foundation. In 1972, he had the idea of developing a children's chair that would grow with the child. In Switzerland, the durable wooden chair designed by Opsvik is known to thousands of parents under the name "Tripp Trapp". MFMC's focus is on combating climate change by supporting communication projects and initiatives aimed at reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.

Raising awareness of climate change with communication projects

Specifically, the foundation supports "innovative, experimental and untested communication measures to raise awareness of climate change." MFMC prioritizes the most effective projects, initiatives and communication projects as well as lobbying. The primary goal always remains to curb man-made climate change and to generate greater awareness and action against climate change. The foundation's vision is a world in which climate protection and sustainable practices are integrated and actively promoted in all areas of society. However, the foundation is only giving a limited insight into its cards. Minor Foundation Board Secretary Tore Braend left questions from Fundraiso.ch unanswered. More attention is not desired: "Our foundation does not need any additional applications for funding. We already receive more than enough." How much funding is available to the foundation and how often projects related to Switzerland have already been supported therefore remains open.

These are the foundation's funding priorities

The MFMC focuses on supporting projects in the following areas

1. Communication and awareness-raising: supporting campaigns that influence public opinion and improve understanding of the climate crisis and possible solutions.
2. Lobbying and political influence: funding initiatives that exert political pressure on decision-makers to implement ambitious climate policies and measures.
3. Innovation and technology: Supporting projects that develop innovative approaches and technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
4. Education and engagement: Supporting education programs and community initiatives that empower and motivate as many people as possible to take action on climate change.

These are the most important funding criteria

The foundation values projects that have the potential for high impact and scalability. Supported projects should also be "innovative and creative". They must have a clear plan for implementation and measurement of success and include a strong communication component. MFMC accepts applications from non-profit organizations from all over the world, although the implementing organizations must be registered in Europe. MFMC primarily supports innovations in climate communication and projects that increase the diversity of voices in climate advocacy and contribute to strengthening social and political movements for radical change.

These are the key exclusion criteria

Individuals, research projects, commercial projects, general climate information campaigns, local projects, tree planting and climate change adaptation projects are not supported. The foundation does not support projects that only aim to change individual behavior, unless they are part of a larger strategy for structural, political change. The Foundation's application process is usually a two-stage process:

• First stage: submission of a short proposal describing the project and its objectives.
• Second phase: Selected applicants are invited to submit a detailed proposal.

MFMC usually supports projects with funding of between 20,000 and 200,000 euros, although applications of up to one million euros are occasionally considered. A separate funding program for small projects provides grants of up to 10,000 euros. The application procedure for small projects is one-stage and includes a simplified reporting procedure

A selection of supported example projects

• "Protect our winters": The campaign "Vote Now. Ride Later." campaign aimed to inform voters about the complex CO2 law, which was put to the vote in summer 2021. The campaign of "Protect Our Winters Switzerland" was supported by MFMC with 10'000 Euro.
• Climate Visuals is a project to improve visual communication on climate change by providing image databases and guides for effective climate photography.
• 350.org: A global movement that uses mass mobilizations and creative campaigns to increase pressure on governments and corporations to adopt fossil-free policies.

The application process

Interested organizations and project teams can contact the foundation by email via its website. There you will also find detailed information on the funding guidelines and the application process. The foundation usually accepts funding applications twice a year. The foundation board usually makes a decision within two to four weeks of the submission deadline.

Conclusion: The Minor Foundation for Major Challenges is an influential foundation in the global fight against climate change. It offers extensive support for innovative and transformative communication projects by non-profit organizations registered in Europe. According to its own information, the foundation is inundated with applications. This makes it all the more important to meet as many of the funding criteria as possible and to submit a targeted application.