A New Way to Finance Green City Projects, With a Boost From Foundations

A New Way to Finance Green City Projects, With a Boost From Foundations

Making cities sustainable and resilient demands more money than philanthropy can provide, but foundations are trying to grease the wheels for private investment. A case in point is how Rockefeller is helping Atlanta.

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A Rising Foundation Looks to Historically Black Colleges as Clean Energy Leaders

A Rising Foundation Looks to Historically Black Colleges as Clean Energy Leaders

The JPB Foundation is a rising funder with programs in poverty and the environment. One interest is clean energy in low-income communities, and a new grant backs HBCUs to plan nationwide projects. 

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The Bigger Picture: How a Fund Is Tackling Interrelated Environmental Threats

The Bigger Picture: How a Fund Is Tackling Interrelated Environmental Threats

A fund supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation backs projects weaving together climate change adaptation into conservation efforts. This year’s round adds a new priority of climate mitigation.

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A Nod to Standing Rock Turns Into a New Clean Energy Fellowship

A Nod to Standing Rock Turns Into a New Clean Energy Fellowship

The Standing Rock water protectors were finalists for MIT’s hugely popular Disobedience Award, and the recognition sparked a new fellowship for renewable energy, water and food projects.

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Adapt or Die: How Climate Funders Are Falling Short on a Key Challenge

Adapt or Die: How Climate Funders Are Falling Short on a Key Challenge

The climate adaptation field is growing, but especially in the Trump era, is in serious need of more funding and better coordination. That’s one finding from a Kresge-backed report. 

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A Niche Environmental Prize—With Huge Global Stakes

A Niche Environmental Prize—With Huge Global Stakes

A unique, compelling example of a philanthropic competition will help Indonesia get a grip on an outsized environmental threat: the destruction of peatlands that store vast quantities of carbon. 

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New Climate Justice Fund Takes Shape and Lands Another Backer

New Climate Justice Fund Takes Shape and Lands Another Backer

The Oak Foundation, a global funder, kicked off a new Climate Justice Resilience Fund in 2016. The project has a new backer, the Kendeda Fund, and has been rolling out its first grants.

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How One Local Funder Is Taking Climate Change Seriously

How One Local Funder Is Taking Climate Change Seriously

The George Gund Foundation is a prominent funder of community work in Ohio, but it’s also active in climate, energy, and sustainability. We take a look at what it’s been up to.

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The Gates Foundation Gives Big for Climate Change. Does It Have the Right Priorities?

The Gates Foundation Gives Big for Climate Change. Does It Have the Right Priorities?

It's great that Gates is focusing more on climate change. But its new move reflects the funder’s controversial drive to reshape agriculture in poor countries and its fixation on technology to solve problems. 

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At a Clutch Moment for Climate Action, a Top Funder Leads by Example (Mostly)

At a Clutch Moment for Climate Action, a Top Funder Leads by Example (Mostly)

Hewlett is bumping up its climate giving by 20 percent. While it's not touching its endowment despite an "existential threat," Program Director Jonathan Pershing explains the urgency behind the move and what lies ahead. 

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"We Get the Crumbs." How Foundations Overlook Climate-Vulnerable Communities in the South

"We Get the Crumbs." How Foundations Overlook Climate-Vulnerable Communities in the South

According to a new report, underserved communities are well positioned to lead the way toward climate resilience in the South, but funders are overlooking their needs and strengths.

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Waterworld: Who’s Funding the Latest Effort to Withstand Sea-Level Rise?

Waterworld: Who’s Funding the Latest Effort to Withstand Sea-Level Rise?

Resilience is a big topic in philanthropy, targeting areas vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. A few foundations are backing a new design competition to protect Florida from sea-level rise.

 

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Who's Backing Environmental Leaders from Diverse Backgrounds?

Who's Backing Environmental Leaders from Diverse Backgrounds?

Philanthropy and environmentalism are generally very white spaces. Which is why it's worth paying attention to this fellowship supporting environmental leaders from underrepresented communities.

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Better Business: How Funders Can Achieve Big Impact Outside the Policy Arena

Better Business: How Funders Can Achieve Big Impact Outside the Policy Arena

With funders facing roadblocks in Washington, D.C. and many states, now's a good moment to focus new attention on making change in another all-important arena: corporations and the private sector. 

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A Regional Funder’s Commitment to a Post-Fossil Fuel South

A Regional Funder’s Commitment to a Post-Fossil Fuel South

The Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation is devoted to social and economic justice in the South. That translates, in part, to regional grants at the intersection of equity and the environment.

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A Nonprofit Channeling Charitable Giving to Clean Energy Tech Startups

A Nonprofit Channeling Charitable Giving to Clean Energy Tech Startups

With investments in new clean tech falling, the PRIME Coalition is helping donors use charitable giving to invest in for-profit energy startups. Here's how it works. 

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A Carmaker Launches a Foundation Strictly Backing Oceans and Climate Resilience

A Carmaker Launches a Foundation Strictly Backing Oceans and Climate Resilience

Honda’s got a handful of responsibility initiatives you might expect—CO2 reductions and STEM education, for example. But now, it's turning to giving for marine ecosystems and climate. Why? 

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As Bloomberg Hammers Away at Coal, What Might Be Next for His Climate Giving?

As Bloomberg Hammers Away at Coal, What Might Be Next for His Climate Giving?

Mike Bloomberg renewed his commitment to shutting down U.S. coal plants with another $64 million. But with coal on the ropes, where might the billionaire look next on climate change?

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Could This Major Grant by Paul Allen Signal Deeper Climate Giving to Come?

Could This Major Grant by Paul Allen Signal Deeper Climate Giving to Come?

The Microsoft billionaire is granting $4 million to an NOAA researcher to take a marine climate research project to new depths. The grant comes amid signs that more climate change funding may be on the way.

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As DiCaprio's Foundation Grows, New Grants to Solar, Lions and More

As DiCaprio's Foundation Grows, New Grants to Solar, Lions and More

We’ve watched the movie star's outfit grow from a pet project to a sizable institutional grantmaker. Now, the foundation has done its biggest round of funding yet. Here's where the money is going. 

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