Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation Contributes more than $15 Million in Grants to Environmental Organizations

Oscar-winner Leonardo DiCaprio recently announced that his self-titled foundation is awarding its largest round of grants to environmentally focused organizations around the world.

The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation awarded $15.6 million in grants to several groups including $7,631,508 for wildlife and habitat conservation, $2,525,000 for ocean conservation, $2,100,000 to protect indigenous rights, $2,085,000 to support innovative solutions to the world’s problems, and $1,300,000 to combat climate change, according to a press release.

The more than $15 million in grants brings the total contributions from the “Titanic” star’s foundation up to $59 million since its foundation in 1998.

#Regram #RG @everydayclimatechange: everydayclimatechange photo by John Novis @johnnovis for @everydayclimatechange A local Tibetan woman cares for her child while her husband works hard to maintain the dry land, at the Pu Mai village, Himalayas, Tibet. Local farmers depend on the water source from the Rongbuk Glacier, Mount Everest (Qomolangma) but are already feeling the effects of drier conditions and water shortage in the region. The Rongbuk Glacier is one of the prime sources of water feeding into the major rivers of China and India and are receding faster than in any other part of the world as a result of climate change. #climatechange #climatechangeisreal #everydayclimatechnage #globalwarming #drought #mounteverest #tibet #china #family#farming #nofilter #photooftheday

A photo posted by Leonardo DiCaprio (@leonardodicaprio) on Jul 11, 2016 at 5:58pm PDT

“Today we are greatly increasing our level of vital grant making and strategic partnerships to help solve some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges,” the award-winning actor said in a statement.

In addition to the tremendous grants, Leo announced that Terry Tamminen will take over as the new CEO of the foundation. With this change in leadership, the foundation will implement a new comprehensive climate change action plan, along with increased global environmental and climate change initiatives.

“At this critical time, we are pleased to have Terry join us as CEO,” the actor said.

Tamminen joins LDF from Seventh Generation Advisors, which he founded nearly 10 years ago.

“Terry is a proven leader, with the experience and passion necessary to work alongside [executive director] Justin [Winters] and the entire LDF team to further strengthen and expand the impact of our global efforts.”

Photo Credit: Instagram (@leonardodicaprio)