Eytan Lenko: Powering Australia’s renewable future through philanthropy

In the latest video from The Rise of Holistic Philanthropy series, Boundless Earth chair Eytan Lenko shares why climate action as an opportunity to build national prosperity. 

Boundless Earth is a foundation that practices holistic philanthropy, combining strategic giving, advocacy, partnerships and investment to drive climate action. It draws on the broader social context to keep their advocacy for a renewable energy superpower relevant and timely. 

Eytan sat down with Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network CEO Claire O’Rourke to share what holistic philanthropy looks like in practice – from funding community initiatives and policy advocacy to unlocking government and private investment at scale – and Boundless Earth’s ambition for Australia to become a renewable energy superpower. Eytan is also co-chair of AEGN’s board. 

“We’re looking for levers that are going to unlock multiples of funding or impact beyond our initial funding,” Eytan said. “So often the way that plays out is that we fund a pilot project or an interesting idea, but alongside a campaign to make sure that there’s a play there to get that adopted across Australia.” 

He points to funding for the First Nations Clean Energy Network to bring First Nations communities together to discuss potential development on their Country and how they could participate directly, including through advocacy to government. 

“What we saw after that is that these policies to bring First Nations people into the economic development of their areas is now embedded within government policy and has unlocked tens of millions of dollars of government funding.” 

Eytan also speaks of funding the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal to set up a small climate grants program. It was “oversubscribed” and inspired other funders to support the program. 

“It’s now taken on a life of its own well beyond what our funding would have done.” 

That systems-wide, holistic philanthropy view has also led them to consider the sector’s future workforce needs, including electricians to install batteries in people’s homes, service EVs and help build solar farms.  They mapped future workforce needs and have worked with school curriculum providers to highlight jobs that will be in demand. 

Stepping into the climate space 

Eytan wants to see more people involved in climate philanthropy as the energy transition gathers pace and industries electrify.  Drawing on a holistic approach that brings in giving, advocacy, investment and skills sharing, he says there is room for funders from all backgrounds to contribute.  

“This is probably a once in a generation or once in ten generations economic shift that’s happening because of the people of the earth responding to the challenge of climate change,” he said. “There’s a whole lot of skills that a lot of philanthropists already have that can be applied to this space. If you just start thinking about this as an economic development opportunity versus something to do with carbon or emissions.” 

He says anyone interested should start by speaking to existing partners and may find there is already interesting work underway. 

“They might not have spoken to you about it because they haven’t pigeonholed you as a climate funder.” 

This article is part of The Rise of Holistic Philanthropy, a video series exploring how funders are creating impact across interconnected issues. Watch the full series to hear from philanthropic leaders and discover practical examples of strategic, holistic giving in action.