<p>This review examines the role of philanthropy in contributing to climate action in Atlantic Canada. This region is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events, which pose a significant threat to community well-being and regional sustainability. While public and private sector funding remains critical, philanthropy offers distinctive opportunities to finance community-level and place-based climate adaptation. The study adopts an integrative literature review approach, analyzing 56 academic and grey literature sources, of which 34 focus specifically on Atlantic Canada and 22 provide comparative insights from Canada and similar coastal regions worldwide. The review maps the current climate finance landscape, identifies local adaptation needs, and evaluates how philanthropic funding complements public and private financing in addressing community vulnerabilities. Findings indicate that while philanthropy plays a catalytic role in advancing localized adaptation, particularly through community foundations and grassroots organizations, its impact is limited by uneven funding distribution, short-term project cycles, and donor-driven priorities. To enhance its impact, philanthropy must shift from project-based funding to long-term, participatory, and equity-centered approaches that empower rural, Indigenous, and coastal communities. Reimagined through collaborative, community-led frameworks, philanthropy can enhance climate resilience and equity across Atlantic Canada, serving as a model for other vulnerable regions. </p>