Grantmaker · Funders · Berkeley, CA
The Navigation Fund is a U.S.-based philanthropic grantmaker focused on “neglected” or underfunded problem areas that, in its view, are often led by practitioners who already know how to create change but may not receive support from conventional philanthropy. On its website, the organization describes its approach as practitioner-led, high-risk/high-reward within its cause areas, and unusually transparent about its strategy (including publishing its program strategies annually and sharing lessons and failures).
It currently operates grantmaking programs in three main cause areas—Climate Change, Farm Animal Welfare, and Transforming Criminal Justice—and also supports Nuclear Safety work through a partnership with Longview Philanthropy. In addition to direct grants, it states that it partners with donors through regranting, advising, donor collaborations, and pooled funds.
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A July 27, 2026 article on the organization’s site describing lessons learned in response to federal climate workers losing their jobs.
“Is coordination our comparative advantage? A recipe for building trust, sharing credit, and winning together.” (recent article)A July 22, 2026 article on the organization’s site laying out a rationale for focusing on coordination (trust, sharing credit, and collaboration) within the animal movement.
“Open Science and the Future of Research” (grant-agreement update)The organization published a policy specifying changes it will begin implementing in July 2026, outlining expectations for open sharing of research outputs and related materials for Navigation Fund grantees.