Earthshot Prize posts record £24 million in funding for climate solutions

The Earthshot Prize, Prince William's flagship climate initiative, posted its highest income to date for the latest financial year, ending March 31, 2025, with total income of £24 million, according to accounts filed at Companies House. Of that total, about £23 million came in donations, including £5 million from The American Friends of the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princes of Wales. The prize was spun off from the Royal Foundation in 2022, and, since then, has raised a cumulative £66 million.

Earthshot's donor roster reads like a global map of philanthropic and corporate support. In addition to the Earthshot Council, which includes Sir David Attenborough and extends to Cate Blanchett and Stella McCartney, the initiative counts Microsoft, the Bezos Earth Fund and Bloomberg Philanthropies among its backers. The Earthshot prize was set up in 2020 to celebrate those who turn bold ideas into real solutions to repair the planet, and to fund early-stage ventures with potential to scale globally.

The reporting around the prize has also touched on questions about the scale of William’s philanthropic footprint. Some observers have questioned whether the Earthshot’s ambitions match the pace of change. Royal biographer Tina Brown, a longtime confidante of William's mother, Princess Diana, has been cited as suggesting the scale of the Earthshot’s impact may appear underwhelming to some observers. Supporters, however, point to the prize’s ability to galvanize a broad, international network of donors and partners and to fund a pipeline of climate solutions with global reach.

Since its separation from the Royal Foundation, the Earthshot Prize has increasingly positioned itself as a hub for collaboration across sectors. The donor base includes technology firms, philanthropic funds and cultural institutions, reflecting a trend in which climate action is increasingly spearheaded by private philanthropy and cross-border partnerships rather than government funding alone. The prize has continued to emphasize practical, scalable solutions—from clean-energy pilots to nature-based interventions and policies that can be replicated in diverse contexts—placing a premium on measurable impact and scalable outcomes.

The latest financial disclosures also underscore the Earthshot’s growth trajectory, as William and Catherine’s broader charitable network has itself expanded. The American Friends of the Royal Foundation, among other partners, demonstrates how international support channels are aligned with the couple’s climate agenda. While critics may ask for greater transparency around the allocation of funds and the speed of program delivery, supporters say the current model—focused investment in high-potential ideas and close collaboration with organizations that have track records—remains the most effective way to accelerate meaningful progress on climate challenges.

Industry observers note that the Earthshot’s fundraising success matters beyond the number. It signals the appeal of a high-profile, results-oriented approach to environmental philanthropy at a moment when global climate action faces urgent needs. As the Earthshot enters its next phase, organizers are likely to lean on the same blueprint: a curated portfolio of initiatives with clear milestones, robust governance, and a network capable of moving ideas from pilots to scale. For William, the question will be whether this model translates into enduring, measurable improvements in climate resilience and emissions reductions across regions and sectors.

In the near term, the Earthshot Prize is expected to continue culminating in prize ceremonies, ongoing support for selected projects, and continued fundraising from existing and new partners. The balance between maintaining high visibility for the Earthshot and ensuring rigorous, outcome-driven funding will shape the prize’s influence on climate innovation in the years ahead. For climate advocates and donors alike, the record £24 million in the most recent financial year offers both a milestone and a mandate: to sustain momentum, expand partnerships, and translate financial support into tangible environmental benefits.