Environment Program

Environmental conservation is one of The Kresge Foundation’s nine overarching values. We believe the effect of climate change on the natural world is among the paramount concerns of our time, one that presents formidable challenges and risks as well as opportunities for innovation.

Our Environment Program works in partnership with like-minded organizations to protect the planet and promote its long-term sustainability for future generations.

We are a national foundation that has been advocating environmental conservation for many years. In June 2008, we elevated this interest and expanded it into a major, comprehensive program to cultivate solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, accelerate renewable energy technologies, and support efforts to help society adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Our programmatic approach

Grantmaking strategies within the Environment Program are under development. Our work at this time is focused in three broad areas of relevance to climate change:

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the built environment
• Accelerating the adoption of renewable energy technologies, with a preliminary interest in the midwestern United States
• Developing strategies for helping society adapt to the anticipated, negative impacts of climate change

Because the program is in the developmental stage, we are currently accepting only foundation-initiated proposals for projects other than facilities capital projects. We continue to accept applications for facilities capital awarded as a challenge grant. However, with rare exception, only facilities projects that address climate change will be considered for funding. More information is below on the facilities capital challenge grant. 

How we work

In 2007, the Kresge Foundation began an expansion of its grantmaking to better address society’s pressing issues. We believe we have a moral obligation to use our assets for the highest possible good and have elevated nine values – our values criteria – to guide us in our efforts.

Our work is national in scope and devoted to six fields of interest, including the environment. “Over the long term, the new Environment Program aspires to have tangible effects on the policies and practices associated with climate change and environmental sustainability,” says Lois R. DeBacker, senior program director and Environment Program team leader. “We are particularly interested in strategies that cut across sectors and disciplines.”

The Environment Team seeks to work in collaboration with others. We will employ the full array of tools available to support policy work, applied research, communications and advocacy, and general support for organizations whose work directly corresponds with Kresge’s values and the priorities of this program.

Our process for funding projects

The Environment Team initiates project proposals from organizations that we know are advancing Kresge’s values while doing innovative and exemplary work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the built environment, accelerate the adoption of renewable energy technologies, and develop strategies for adaptation to climate change.

Unsolicited proposals are not accepted at this time.

We are interested in learning about new projects that contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation so that our program planning can be informed by the new and novel ideas of those working in the field.

Nonprofit organizations working at the state or national level on climate change projects may contact the Environment Team with an e-mail of 500 words or less that describes how the project idea will advance Kresge’s values and help us further the goals of the Environment Program. Your e-mail will be reviewed, and, within four weeks, we will let you know whether your proposed idea has potential for grant funding.

Requests for facilities capital

Requests for facilities capital are awarded as challenge grants. We consider the relevance of the proposed project to the mitigation of or adaptation to climate change as well as its ability to advance Kresge’s values criteria. Values of particular importance for facilities projects in the environmental field include environmental conservation, creating opportunity, innovation, collaboration, and diversity.

Organizations interested in applying for facilities capital should visit the challenge grant page and follow the application process. It may be helpful to read more about our values criteria before beginning the process.

Eligibility

Who may apply?

• 501(c)(3) organizations that are not classified as private foundations and have financial statements prepared and certified by a certified public accountant in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles or Government Accounting Standards. (In rare instances, exceptions are made and this requirement is temporarily waived.)
• Government entities that have financial statements prepared and certified by a certified public accountant in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles or Government Accounting Standards. (In rare instances, exceptions are made and this requirement is temporarily waived.)

Who may not apply?

• Individuals and elementary and secondary schools are ineligible and may not apply.

If you have questions, e-mail the Grants Inquiry Coordinator or call 248-643-9630.