Focus Area Overview

A significant degree of climate change is now inevitable.  Although urgently needed efforts to reduce emissions will help future generations avoid the worst consequences of climate change, society must begin preparing now for those that are unavoidable.

The challenge of preparing for and responding to climate change must account for everything from human health, and food and water supplies to transportation infrastructure and natural ecosystems.  A new field of inquiry and practice is developing to address these challenges. We are actively engaged in helping to develop this field. 

We invest in work in the United States as well as in select Canadian initiatives. We will pursue three strategies:

Building the field of climate-change adaptation

Climate-change adaptation is a new field of inquiry and practice. Our goal is to foster the growth and development of this field.

Fostering the development of place-based adaptation strategies

The impacts of climate change experienced in a particular geographic area will vary depending on local ecological conditions, economic activities, infrastructure and other factors. Our goal is to support the development of locally generated strategies that will build the resilience of human and ecological communities as the climate changes.

Informing and promoting climate-wise policies and practices

Existing policies and regulatory systems fail to account for the uncertainties and increased variability that will accompany climate change. Our goal is to identify and pursue revisions in policies at all levels of government that will help human and natural communities prepare for and adapt to this new reality.

Eligibility

Who may apply?

• U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations and their Canadian equivalents
• Government entities

Who will be competitive?

• We award support to organizations whose work aligns closely with our strategies and holds strong promise to bring about positive change.
• We award support to organizations that work nationally, across multiple states or at the regional or statewide level. Projects that are local in scope without clear replication potential rarely are funded.
• The majority of grants and program-related investments are made within the United States. We do not support projects outside of North America.

We do not fund:

• Environmental education programs or the development of curricula. 
• Media projects unless they are tightly aligned with our grantmaking strategies and advance the work of our grantees.
• The construction or renovation of facilities or individual renewable-energy installations.
• The acquisition of land, other property or conservation easements for solely land-conservation purposes.
• The costs associated with designing and planning environmentally responsible buildings.
• Individuals.
• Primary scientific research.
• Research and development of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
• International projects outside of North America.

Application Process

The Environment Program primarily accepts grant requests by invitation. However, if your organization’s work is consistent with our goals, you may submit a preliminary application as a means of letting us learn about your activities.

Please review the applicable initiative’s Web page and the application process it recommends.