Webinar: December 2025 - TerraFund Due Diligence & Contracting

This article houses the recording and supplementary materials from the TerraFund Due Diligence & Contracting webinar (held 16 December, 2025). This information below applies to all projects selected for the TerraFund 2025 cohort, with some variation by organization type (non-profit, enterprise, or consortium).

Article Outline

Step-by-step overview of the contracting process

Recording from the webinar

Additional resources (webinar slides and blank contract templates for reference)

Step-by-step overview of the contracting process

Through February, TerraFund is engaging prospective Restoration Champions on the key final steps in the application and contracting process for its “2025 cohort.”

The slide deck attached to this article provides a detailed explanation of contract terms and associated outcome environmental, socioeconomic, and financial targets.

There are 3 major steps that are required for participation in the TerraFund 2025 cohort: 

1) Finalize Application Details in TerraMatch

2) Complete Due Diligence

3) Finalize and Sign Contract

All steps are expected to be complete by mid-February 2026.   

Step 1: Finalize Application Details in TerraMatch

Who you will work with:

• Your assigned WRI Focal Point

Key actions:

• Finalize and lock impact targets in TerraMatch through your current applications
• Confirm project locations, budgets, and any outstanding revisions

Important: The impact targets finalized at this stage will be included in your contract. Please review webinar slide deck or recording for a reminder on list of impact targets. You have already submitted most of this information through your TerraMatch application, but it will need to be reviewed and finalized before contracting. Projects will be expected to report against these targets for the full duration of the project, and TerraFund will verify progress against these targets throughout implementation and at project completion. 

Enterprises Only: Enterprises will be offered two “options” for investment as outlined in a Term Sheet. In consultation with their WRI Focal Point, the enterprise will select the option that works best for them.

Step 2: Complete Due Diligence

Who you will work with:

• VIA Foundation Due Diligence Lead (non-profit organizations)
  • Non-profit organizations sign a “subgrant agreement” with VIA Foundation and must pass their institutional due diligence.
• Africa Trees Due Diligence Lead (enterprises)
  • Enterprises sign an “investment contract” for each tranche of debt or equity with Africa Trees, Ltd., a fully owned subsidiary company of Realize Impact, and must pass a Know Your Customer (KYC) check.

What this involves:

• Submission and review of organizational, financial, and compliance documentation through email
• Follow-up requests if any required information is missing
• Your Due Diligence Lead will include your WRI Focal Point on correspondence.

Applicants have already submitted most of this information. Additional documentation will only be requested if needed.

Step 3: Finalize and Sign Contract

Once Step 1 and Step 2 are complete and the final portfolio has been confirmed:

• Projects will receive contracts from VIA Foundation (non-profits) or Africa Trees (enterprises).
• Contracts must be signed and payment accounts must be set up before funds can be disbursed

Completion of this step confirms your participation in the TerraFund 2025 cohort. This marks a major milestone for cohort members. Congratulations! The important work can begin. 

Recording from the webinar

Additional Resources

The slides from the contracting webinar are attached to this article. Additional attachments include the following blank contract templates. These are for reference only. Final contracts will be tailored to each project.

• Template TerraFund Grant Agreement (VIA Foundation)
• Enterprise Term Sheet (Africa Trees) 
• Enterprise Equity Agreement (Africa Trees)
• Enterprise Debt Agreement (Africa Trees) 

Timeline and Next Steps

• Continue working with your WRI Focal Point to finalize application data on TerraMatch
• Respond to any outstanding requests from your Due Diligence Lead
• Review contract templates in advance of receiving your final agreement

The TerraFund team plans to announce the 2025 cohort in mid-February, 2026 following completion of contracting.