People. Nature. Future.
1. Purpose of this Document
This document provides a high-level description of the governance and organisational architecture of Our Mother Earth Foundation (“OMEF”).
Its purpose is to help communities, partners, supporters, institutions and members of the public understand how the Foundation is structured and how responsibility is broadly allocated.
It is a public-facing overview. It does not reproduce OMEF's detailed constitutional, operational, financial or internal governance arrangements.
2. Governance Principles
OMEF's governance is designed to protect the Foundation's public-interest mission and to support responsible, transparent and effective delivery. The Foundation seeks to operate according to the following principles:
- Mission protection — decisions should support the Foundation's public-interest purpose.
- Responsible stewardship — the Foundation's resources should be managed responsibly and for their intended purposes.
- Clear accountability — responsibilities should be allocated clearly between governance and executive functions.
- Partnership — OMEF works collaboratively with communities and institutional, public, academic, philanthropic and private-sector partners.
- Integrity and transparency — OMEF seeks to communicate openly about its work, impact and stewardship, subject to legitimate confidentiality and legal requirements.
- Long-term thinking — governance should support initiatives capable of creating lasting benefit beyond individual projects.
3. Public Governance Architecture
OMEF's public governance architecture can be understood as follows:
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Strategic oversight, stewardship and protection of the Foundation's mission
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EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP: Implementation of strategy and organisational delivery
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PROGRAMMES & DELIVERY: Environmental restoration, climate resilience, community development, education, digital and related initiatives
PARTNERSHIPS & INSTITUTIONAL RELATIONS: Communities, public institutions, traditional leadership, academia, philanthropy, enterprise and other partners
RESEARCH, KNOWLEDGE & INNOVATION: Research, methodologies, learning, technology and knowledge-sharing
FINANCE, OPERATIONS & ADMINISTRATION: Financial stewardship, administration, operational support and organisational systems
LOCAL & INTERNATIONAL HUBS / PROJECT TEAMS: Local delivery and collaboration across the places in which OMEF works
4. The Board
The Board provides overall governance and strategic oversight of OMEF. Its role includes, at a high level: protecting the Foundation's mission and public-interest purpose; overseeing strategy and organisational direction; overseeing responsible stewardship of the Foundation's resources; providing appropriate oversight of programmes, partnerships and institutional development; supporting accountability and transparency; and overseeing the performance of executive leadership.
The Board does not manage every operational aspect of the Foundation. Day-to-day implementation is delegated to executive leadership within the Foundation's governing framework.
5. The Chair
The Chair provides leadership to the Board and supports effective governance. The Chair helps ensure that Board discussions remain focused on the Foundation's mission, strategic responsibilities and public-interest purpose. The Chair does not replace the collective responsibilities of the Board or the executive functions of management.
6. Executive Leadership
The President / Executive Director provides overall executive leadership for OMEF. The role includes: implementing the Foundation's strategy; representing OMEF in appropriate institutional and public settings; developing and maintaining strategic relationships; supporting programme and organisational development; and ensuring that the Foundation's activities remain aligned with its mission and governance framework.
The Foundation Managing Director supports operational and technical execution and coordinates the delivery of the Foundation's work.
7. Programmes and Delivery
OMEF's programmes and delivery activities translate its mission into practical action. Depending on the programme, this may include: ecological restoration and landscape recovery; climate resilience; community development and sustainable livelihoods; education and digital capability; research and knowledge; institutional strengthening; and other initiatives consistent with OMEF's public-interest mission.
Programmes may be delivered directly, through local teams, or through partnerships and other appropriate arrangements.
8. Partnerships
Partnership is central to OMEF's model. The Foundation may work with: communities and community organisations; public authorities and institutions; traditional leadership; universities and research institutions; philanthropic organisations; responsible businesses and enterprises; civil society organisations; international organisations and networks; and other organisations whose activities are consistent with OMEF's mission.
OMEF seeks to build partnerships around shared outcomes, local knowledge and responsible delivery.
9. Supporting Functions
The Foundation maintains appropriate professional, administrative and specialist functions to support its responsible operation, governance and delivery. These functions may include finance, administration, legal and compliance support, communications, technology, research, monitoring and evaluation, and other specialist expertise appropriate to the Foundation's activities. Some functions may be provided internally and others through appropriately appointed professional advisers, partners or service providers.
10. Local and International Delivery
OMEF's work may be organised through local programmes, project teams, hubs and international partnerships. The precise structure may develop over time according to the Foundation's programmes, geographic reach and operational requirements. Local delivery is intended to remain connected to the Foundation's overall mission, standards and governance framework.
11. Accountability
OMEF seeks to maintain clear lines of accountability between governance, executive leadership and programme delivery. The Foundation's governance framework supports: strategic oversight; responsible stewardship; programme and partnership oversight; appropriate financial and operational controls; monitoring and learning; and transparent reporting.
12. What This Public Document Does Not Disclose
For reasons of confidentiality, security, legal privilege and responsible organisational management, this public document does not set out: confidential Board or management procedures; internal voting or approval mechanisms; individual signing authorities; detailed financial controls; confidential contractual arrangements; internal personnel structures; confidential partner arrangements; or other information whose publication would not be appropriate or necessary for public understanding of OMEF.
These matters are governed by the Foundation's constitutional and operational documents and by applicable law.
13. Evolution of the Organisation
OMEF is a developing international foundation. Its organisational structure may evolve as its programmes, partnerships and geographic activities develop. Changes to the operational structure will remain subject to the Foundation's governing framework and its continuing commitment to mission, integrity, accountability and public benefit.
