Micronesia Conservation Trust: Bankrolling the Micronesia Challenge

Established in 2002 and based in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, MCT is one of only a handful of regional conservation trust funds in the world, raising and managing money for community-led conservation across the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, the Marshall Islands, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. It underwrites the Micronesia Challenge 2030, which aims to effectively manage at least 50% of the region's nearshore marine resources and 30% of terrestrial resources. MCT has supported more than 150 protected areas region-wide and mobilized upwards of $100 million in conservation funding. In November 2025, philanthropist MacKenzie Scott gave MCT a $12 million unrestricted gift, its second major grant from her following a $6 million gift in 2022.