Local innovators are solving deep-rooted social and climate problems in the Global South but often struggle to find the right resources and partners that would enable them to scale their proven solutions. Funders with impact-focused capital find it challenging to identify innovative approaches, organizations, and leaders that align with their values, desired impact, and funding criteria.
We leverage our deep knowledge of entrepreneurs, funders and networks of stakeholders in the Global South to bring together existing innovations and available resources to deliver scaled, lasting impact. We do more than make the match – we partner with you to facilitate connections, enhance organizational capacity and positioning, and successfully navigate the challenges of rapid growth and expansion.
The uppermost layer of the soil profile, often referred to as the "true soil." It is where sunlight has the most direct impact, the majority of plant roots establish themselves, and biological activity, including carbon sequestration, is at its peak.
We work with both social innovators and impact-oriented funders. What unites them is a passion for outcomes at scale. Our clients tend to:
Focus on innovations at the intersection of addressing rural poverty, protecting local ecosystems, and mitigating the causes and effects of climate change.
Engage with local communities in the Global South, including smallholder farmers, forest stewards and coastal populations, to conserve and regenerate vital natural resources.
Hold high aspirations, value integrity and transparency, and understand the need for and power of collaboration.
We provide in-depth support both to make the match between innovation and key sources of funding and more importantly, to ensure that the partnership delivers the growth and impact at scale in the highly complex environment of the Global South.
For Social Innovators:
Relationship Building: Identify and connect with potential funders and resource providers (primarily from the US and Europe).
Funding Support: Focus on unrestricted philanthropic capital, programmatic and organizational development grants, concessional debt and climate finance.
Capacity Enhancement: Strengthen organizational structures, capabilities and systems to attract new resources.
Quiet Spearheading: Champion and explore opportunities for your organization at key conferences and events.
Strategic Advice: Navigate the complexities of quality growth, including funding structures and collaborations.
For Funders:
Opportunity Identification: Connect you with high-potential social enterprises and nonprofits that align with your funding criteria.
Intel and Assessments: Conduct rigorous assessments (incl. program strategy, operational capacity, business model, field intelligence) for review of potential and current grantees, investees, partners and portfolios.
Strategic Insights: Provide input and feedback on your strategy, positioning and practices.
Surge Capacity: Provide experienced, temporary bandwidth during phases of intensive growth and changes in strategy or leadership.
Tailored Approach
We offer customized support based on deep listening and rooted in our extensive experience as funders, social entrepreneurs, and collaborators.
Direct Engagement
Enjoy practical, hands-on advice from people who have not just knowledge but also personal experience (successes AND failures) of scaling impact.
No costly ramp-up
We engage only in areas (cases) where we already have a significant amount of contextual knowledge, meaningful experience and relevant relationships.
Peer Collaboration
We aim to connect leading doers not just with new resources, but with peers and networks working on the larger, relevant issues that no individual organization can solve alone.
Interested in learning more? Reach out to me at heiner@solum.earth to schedule a free consultation.
I bring 27 years of experience as a funder, social entrepreneur, and coalition builder, playing a key role in raising and deploying over $300 million in funding for social innovations. These initiatives focused on climate-smart agriculture, regenerative land and coastal management, clean energy, and community health.
Co-founder and Managing Director of Precision Agriculture for Development (PxD), impacting 48 million smallholder farmers today. Rigorous evidence shows that for every philanthropic dollar invested, there is an additional $13-19 in net farming income due to the adoption of improved, more resilient farming practices.
Initiated the Global Program and grew it to a $42 million portfolio, providing grants and debt investments in Sub-Saharan Africa, India, and Haiti. The program continues today through Pilothouse Philanthropy.
As the first full-time programmatic staff member (Director of Grants), I initially managed all grant-making activities. As the foundation grew to over 30 staff and more than $2 billion in assets, I focused on identifying and designing child-survival and education investments in East Africa and India, establishing collaborations with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and managing relations with multilateral agencies, governments, and private-sector partners.
Served as Founding Executive Director, uniting leading social entrepreneurs committed to accelerating the transition to regenerative agriculture. Initiated a carbon portfolio.
As Chief Knowledge and Learning Officer, I captured and disseminated insights on due diligence, investment selection, and portfolio management for this evergreen Venture Philanthropy Fund. As a Partner, I launched and managed the international portfolio.
McKinsey & Company, 2001. This was translated in over 40 languages.
CASH Coalition, 2024.
“In each case, Heiner’s unique abilities in starting and growing new initiatives that fill critical gaps were apparent, as were his deep knowledge and understanding of the smallholder climate adaptation and mitigation space. He’s passionate about outcomes and knows how to bring in and leverage different perspectives and networks. What’s more, Heiner’s a person of highest integrity who’s committed to learning and co-creation, and who operates with humility and generosity.”
“Heiner was a thoughtful and smart colleague who deeply cared about impact. He initiated, developed and implemented a strategic plan for Barr Foundation's first Global Program with a portfolio of $40 million over 5 years, focusing on sustainable, climate-smart agriculture, clean energy, community health and education organizations and initiatives in Africa, India and Haiti.”
“Heiner is not only a strategic thinker but also an outcomes-oriented team player, possessing the drive and skills necessary to cultivate strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. His extensive experience as a funder and social entrepreneur has proven invaluable to CASH and will undoubtedly benefit any organization or initiative addressing the interconnected challenges of poverty and climate change while promoting equitable and sustainable development.”