Our strategy

Our vision and purpose

  • Purpose

    Promote thriving societies and nature.

  • Vision

    Create a world that we want to pass on to the next generation.

  • Mission

    Serve as an impact multiplier that addresses global challenges that markets alone cannot solve and helps promising solutions progress from early-stage innovation to lasting, scalable impact.

The Foundation acts as a change agent through three complementary channels

Catalytic grants

Grants remain central to the Foundation’s work and are used to unlock, accelerate, or de-risk initiatives. They are deployed with a clear purpose and end goal, often supporting solutions on a defined path toward commercial viability or sustainable financing.

Impact investments

The Foundation deploys early-stage, high-risk, high-impact investments where impact is the primary objective and capital can be recovered and redeployed. These investments can be complemented by technical assistance—non-financial support that helps partners build capacity, strengthen operations, and increase impact.

Thought leadership

The Foundation amplifies its impact by promoting effective solutions across its strategic themes and by advancing philanthropy within private equity. By sharing insights, demonstrating what works, and inspiring peers, the Foundation aims to catalyze broader adoption of impact-driven models.

Strategic themes

  • Nature-Based Solutions

    Supporting nature-based solutions that protect and restore biodiversity, sequester carbon, and generate sustainable livelihoods for local communities.

  • Circularity

    Transitioning from a linear, wasteful economy to one that reuses, recycles, and regenerates resources

  • Sustainable Food

    Boosting food production, food security, and nutrition while improving environmental outcomes

  • Energy Transition

    Accelerating the shift to clean, renewable energy while ensuring access for all

  • Tech-Enabled Resilience

    Strengthening communities and reducing inequalities in a rapidly changing world

Geographies

Where we work

The Summa Foundation operates both globally and locally. Approximately 80% of our funding is deployed globally, with an initial focus on Africa, where needs are greatest and the potential for systemic impact is high, building on our existing experience and partnerships. Around 20% of funding supports local engagement in the communities where Summa Equity operates.

We believe in thriving societies and nature for the next generation

Every investment is unique, but our approach to unlocking value is proven. Through focused themes, active ownership, and measurable impact, we deliver strong financial and societal returns.