In 1998, Leonardo DiCaprio started an environmental foundation at 24; it later backed more than 200 projects across 50 countries

In 1998, Leonardo DiCaprio started an environmental foundation at 24; it later backed more than 200 projects across 50 countries. The actor created the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation (LDF) to raise awareness about environmental issues and support projects working on conservation and climate change. Over the years, the foundation provided grants to organisations working on wildlands, oceans, climate, indigenous rights and renewable energy. DiCaprio also used films and public appearances to discuss climate action. His environmental work included participation in public discussions with political leaders and appearances linked to the Paris Agreement. His foundation also supported research projects examining changes in Arctic ice.

In 1998, Leonardo DiCaprio started an environmental foundation at 24; it later backed more than 200 projects across 50 countries

Leonardo DiCaprio established the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation in 1998 when he was 24. The foundation was created to raise awareness about environmental problems affecting the planet and to support efforts to address those problems.


According to the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, the foundation awarded more than $80 million in grants and supported more than 200 projects in 50 countries. The United Nations also records that DiCaprio founded the organisation in 1998 with a mission that included protecting the Earth's remaining wild places and supporting solutions related to the relationship between people and the natural world.

The foundation's work covered several areas. These included conservation of wildlands, protection of oceans, climate change, indigenous rights and renewable energy. The organisation also worked with environmental groups and supported projects that focused on biodiversity and habitat protection.

Why Leonardo DiCaprio began environmental work?

DiCaprio's environmental activities developed alongside his acting career. He used his public platform to discuss climate change and conservation and took part in events focused on environmental policy.

The Climate and Clean Air Coalition notes that DiCaprio advocated for climate action during the administrations of Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump. He also spoke at the signing ceremony for the Paris Agreement.

His public work was not limited to political events. He also used awards and other public appearances to discuss environmental issues. He dedicated a Golden Globe to vulnerable communities while speaking about climate concerns.

The United Nations identifies DiCaprio as a Messenger of Peace with a focus on climate change. It also describes his work through grantmaking, public campaigns and media projects connected with biodiversity, ocean conservation, forest conservation and climate change.

The foundation's projects across countries and oceans

The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation supported projects in different parts of the world. The organisation's grantmaking covered projects in 50 countries and across all five oceans, according to information published by the Golden Globe Honors Foundation.

The areas covered by the foundation included:

• Wildlands conservation: Projects focused on protecting land and habitats.
• Ocean conservation: Funding supported efforts connected with marine ecosystems and ocean protection.
• Climate change: Grants supported work addressing climate change and its effects.
• Indigenous rights: The foundation included the protection of indigenous communities and their rights among its areas of work.
• Renewable energy: The organisation also backed work connected with energy solutions.
• Innovative solutions: Some funding went to projects seeking new approaches to environmental problems.
• Transforming California: This was another program area listed among the foundation's areas of work.

The scale of the work changed the foundation from a project started by a young actor into a grantmaking organisation involved with environmental groups and research initiatives.

What was the Dark Snow Project?

One project associated with the foundation was the Dark Snow Project. Its work focused on measuring the effects of black carbon and other material on Arctic and Greenland ice.

NASA has documented the scientific work of researchers studying darkened ice in Greenland. Darker ice absorbs more sunlight than fresh snow because it reflects less solar energy. Researchers examined the composition of the material that darkens ice, including soot, dust and algae.

The project used field measurements and observations to study the reflectivity of ice. Scientists were interested in understanding how material deposited on ice could affect melting.

This type of research connects environmental funding with climate science. Instead of focusing only on public awareness, projects such as Dark Snow examined physical changes taking place in Arctic regions.

The 11th Hour and Before the Flood

The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation also used media to communicate information about climate change. One of the projects was The 11th Hour, released in 2007. The film examined environmental problems and the effect of human activity on the planet. Another was Before the Flood, released in 2016. DiCaprio was involved in the film as a producer and appeared in it while discussing climate change.

The film reached audiences through television and digital platforms. National Geographic reported that Before the Flood reached more than 60 million people worldwide and passed one billion minutes viewed across television, digital, streaming and social platforms. The Climate and Clean Air Coalition states that the documentary received 60 million views in three months and became one of the most watched documentaries in history.

The film was also made available across multiple platforms and broadcast internationally. Its distribution helped take the climate discussion beyond environmental organisations and into homes, schools and online communities.

How the environmental foundation used grants?

Grantmaking was a central part of the foundation's work. Rather than only speaking about climate change, the organisation directed money toward groups working on conservation and research.

The reported funding figure is more than $80 million, while the number of projects supported is more than 200. The projects covered 50 countries and included work across different ecosystems.

The organisation worked with environmental groups and experts. The Golden Globe Honors Foundation says its program areas included wildlands conservation, oceans conservation, climate change, indigenous rights, Transforming California and innovative solutions.

The United Nations also describes the foundation as working through grants, public campaigns and media projects. Its work included biodiversity, habitat conservation and climate change solutions.

DiCaprio's environmental work beyond the foundation

DiCaprio's environmental activities also involved other organisations. The United Nations says he has served on boards connected with groups including the World Wildlife Fund, the Natural Resources Defense Council, National Geographic's Pristine Seas, Oceans 5 and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

The WWF describes him as the founder of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation and notes his involvement in issues including climate change, clean water, biodiversity, ocean conservation and disaster relief. His work therefore involved several forms of environmental advocacy. These included funding, public speaking, filmmaking and involvement with conservation organisations.

Leonardo DiCaprio's environmental foundation

• Foundation: Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation
• Year founded: 1998
• Age when founded: 24
• Reported grants: More than $80 million
• Projects: More than 200
• Countries: 50
• Areas: Climate change, wildlands, oceans, indigenous rights and renewable energy
• Media projects: The 11th Hour and Before the Flood
• Before the Flood: Reached more than 60 million people worldwide
• Research support: Included work associated with the Dark Snow Project

The figures show the scale of the foundation's grantmaking and project work over its history. Its activities also demonstrate how DiCaprio combined his public profile with environmental funding, research support and media production.