Protecting Our Democracy and Supporting Climate Action Startups: Announcing Spring 2022 Grant Recipients

Congratulations to our most recent round of grantees! Because this is a midterm election year, we went big on social justice and voter access organizations—committing to support these organizations not just once in 2022, but for three years, leading up to the election in 2024.

Did you know that—according to Spread the Vote—an estimated 117,181,591 eligible voters didn't vote in the 2018 midterm elections? That’s no way for a democracy to function. That’s why we’re supporting Spread the Vote, and other organizations working in North Carolina, Colorado, California, Georgia and all across the country to ensure everyone has equitable, unfettered access to exercise their right to vote.

We’re also pleased to share that we funded three “start-up” organizations in the climate space. Colorado State University’s Soil Carbon Solutions Center, the Urban Oceans Lab, and the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks are all in their first or second year of operating. They are all working on new niches within the bigger climate challenge that will contribute to innovative solutions. We love funding new and small organizations—sometimes that is how we can make the biggest difference!

Tremendous thanks to all of our wonderful partners for their vital and impactful work. I hope you will join us in supporting our latest grantees:

Social Justice

Conservation Colorado’s Protegete program

Protégete is an organizing-focused program that advocates for equitable access to a healthy environment, specifically for Colorado’s communities on the frontlines of pollution. Protégete means “protect yourself.” Part of their strategy helps elevate Latinx leaders across Colorado.

Power California

Power California is harnessing the energy of the largest and most diverse generation in history to create a state that is fair, inclusive and just for everyone who calls California home. 

New Era Colorado

Youth power has arrived in Colorado! New Era Colorado is the leading voice for young people in Colorado politics and one of the most effective youth civic engagement organizations in the country.

Mi Familia Vota

Through year-round voter engagement, Mi Familia Vota is building Latino/a/x political power by expanding the electorate and strengthening local infrastructures. 

You Can Vote

By training and mobilizing volunteers to educate, register, and empower all North Carolina citizens to successfully cast their ballot, You Can Vote is working to ensure all North Carolina voters and voices are heard. North Carolina is outside our typical funding geography, however we were compelled to get on board due to the critical elections in front of us today.

Spread The Vote 

Challenges with transportation, childcare, voter education, and more keep people from showing up on election day. Spread the Vote works every day to ensure that people have what they need to vote. 

Climate

CSU Soil Carbon Solutions Center 

Soil is one of the largest natural carbon reservoirs and an important climate mitigation tool that is ready to deploy today. The CSU Soil Carbon Solutions Center (SCSC) is harnessing the power of soil to restore our climate and support a thriving planet. The SCSC will be testing the many tools and techniques being deployed for measuring carbon in our soils in a research environment to help ensure credible soil-based climate solutions are deployed. 

SPUN/Society for the Protection of Underground Networks

Fungal networks support much of life on earth. SPUN is a science-based initiative founded to map fungal networks and advocate for their protection. In collaboration with researchers and local communities, SPUN aims to accelerate efforts to protect underground ecosystems largely absent from conservation and climate agendas. We love the adventure ahead to bring “underground ecosystem conservation” to the climate and land stewardship intersection.

Urban Ocean Lab

Coastal cities are leaders in climate and ocean policy. Urban Ocean Lab is implementing science-based and forward-thinking strategies, and cultivating rigorous, creative, equitable, and practical climate and ocean policy, for the future of coastal cities. Decisions being implemented by city land planners today need to start accommodating the climate challenges ahead. Urban Ocean Lab is positioning themselves to be a critical planning partner on our coasts, including working to decarbonize ports in our coastal shipping hubs!

Community Builders

We decided to sign up for another three year commitment with Community Builders! By empowering and enabling local leaders—from community officials to citizen advocates and business leaders—with tools, information, and support to create more livable places, Community Builders is fostering healthy, equitable, and prosperous communities to improve people’s lives today and into the future.

Land & Water Stewardship

Sonoran Institute (Growing Water Smart program)

Growing Water Smart workshops bring leaders from cities, towns, counties and and regions together to learn, collaborate and plan for a more resilient future.  Planning for a more limited water future and developing infrastructure systems and conservation programs are critical for communities to start thinking about today.  

Food Systems

California Climate & Agricultural Network

CalCAN is a coalition of sustainable and organic farming organizations advocating for state and federal policies to ensure the resilience of California farms and ranches in the face of climate change. By centering farmer and rancher voices and calling for resources to support sustainable agriculture’s powerful climate solutions, CalCAN is working to create a resilient, just and healthy agricultural system.

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The Colorado: America’s Most Endangered River—and How We Can Save It