Supporting highly-impactful, evidence-based solutions to the triple challenge of climate change, air pollution and energy poverty.

The Founders Pledge Climate Change Fund exists to leverage each dollar and fund the most effective, neglected climate solutions.
 
Climate change is an incredibly complex problem borne out of how we produce and consume energy; it's intertwined with challenges of economic development, energy poverty, and emissions-fueled air pollution. It is an environmental and humanitarian crisis we must urgently address. 

We aim to take a holistic approach that recognizes the global nature of this challenge and the fact that, despite its urgency, we are still in the early days of climate action. We address the worst-case scenarios of climate damage, and look for solutions that can reduce current carbon emissions and accelerate the transition to clean energy to meet global demand, especially in developing countries. Through the Fund, we:

- Accelerate innovation in neglected technologies
- Catalytically grow the most effective climate organizations
- Promote policy leadership and paradigm shaping

### Our Approach to Grantmaking
When evaluating potential grants, we consider several key points:

- **Counterfactual impact.** Our grants are designed to create a meaningful outcome that would not otherwise have happened. This means that you can rely on the Funds to create meaningful, real change, rather than just maintaining the status quo.
- **Impact-driven philanthropy.** This fund prioritizes the highest-impact solutions to challenges. We assess where the gaps are, which opportunities may be neglected by other funders, and where the biggest wins are in terms of making the biggest difference.
- **The organization’s funding gap.** Not all organizations are set up to scale up their programming and many can’t productively absorb large amounts of unsolicited funding. We evaluate all potential grantees’ capacity for growth and consider how much money they could put to good use.
- **Organizational strength.** Particularly with unrestricted funding, it’s important to have trust in the leadership and capacity of the organizations we support. We look at their track record of success and their transparency about failures as well as successes, and we only support those organizations which are exceptionally well run.
- **Time-critical opportunities and funding certainty.** While Founders Pledge members give to our top climate charities regularly, sometimes there are time-critical opportunities which require fast decisions. We will use the Fund to make grants that enable such short-term opportunities and stability for high-impact funding opportunities thereby increasing the impact compared to individual giving to specific organizations.
- **Portfolio approach.** Because most climate damage comes from particular severe outcomes – with a world of 4 degrees of warming being much worse than twice as bad as a world with 2 degrees – and because every particular strategy – such as energy innovation – might underdeliver, we pursue a portfolio approach to maximize positive impact. This means we will diversify our bets in ways that, when one approach fails (such as energy innovation), the others we promote (such as carbon removal) can be expected to be particularly important and still available.

### Frequently-Asked Questions

**Can charities apply for money from the Fund?**
The Funds do not generally accept applications from charities, and we request that charities do not send unsolicited applications for funding. If the Fund Managers choose to open up an application round, this will be publicized. 

**How frequently will you make grants from the Fund?**
In general, Fund Managers will review grantmaking decisions on a quarterly basis. Decisions will be made based on the value of Funds and the available options for high-impact grantmaking. We may disburse funds outside of quarterly review dates if we become aware of a particularly promising and time-sensitive funding.

**How will my contribution be used?**
All funds are granted out. The Fund is not an investment vehicle. The Fund does not use any percentage of contributions to cover staff time or other overhead costs. Every dollar contributed to the Fund will be used to make grants directly to end-user organizations creating a real difference.

### More Questions?

To learn more about the Founders Pledge Climate Change Fund, please visit [founderspledge.com](https://founderspledge.com/funds/climate-change-fund) or email the Fund Managers at [funds@founderspledge.com](mailto:funds@founderspledge.com).

Founders Pledge: Climate Change Fund

Stand with us today to help achieve our vision of a world without Alzheimer's tomorrow.

The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research.

Alzheimer's Association National Office

Movement of Americans working together to end gun violence and build safer communities.

Everytown is a movement of Americans working together to end gun violence and build safer communities.

Everytown for Gun Safety

From microbes to alien intelligence, the SETI Institute is the only organization dedicated to the search for life beyond Earth.

Have you ever looked at the stars and wondered if humans are alone in the universe?

The SETI Institute is a non-profit dedicated to the exploration and understanding of life on Earth and beyond. Our researchers are working to understand humanity's beginnings and our place among the stars. 

The SETI Institute runs the Allen Telescope Array, the first observatory built from the ground up to search for signals from technologically advanced societies in nearby star systems. Since federal funding for SETI research like this is limited, our donors have carried the torch for humanity in searcing the universe for other intelligent species. 

But life comes in all sizes, and just because there aren't other intelligent species in our solar system, doesn't mean there isn't microbial life on Mars or under the ice of Europa. Our scientists study extreme environments and the microbes that inhabit them so we are better prepared to search for life on planetary bodies throughout the galaxy. For example, the SETI Institute has a long history of supporting Mars exploration, including the search for biosignatures and the understanding of the planet's past climate. 

And research is only a part of what we do. We are also committed to educating the next generation of SETI scientists and public programming on science topics critical to all of humanity.

Where will you be when we find life beyond Earth? Join the search today.


SETI Institute

We provide opportunities for a higher quality of life for transgender people in Baltimore City living in survival mode.

Baltimore Safe Haven seeks to provide opportunities for a higher quality of life for TLGBQ people in Baltimore City living in survival mode.

We envision a world in which every transgender, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (TLGBQ) person is able to live a healthy, self-determined, and self-sufficient life free from stigma, violence, and oppression. 

To achieve this vision, we connect with the most vulnerable members of our community while challenging structural barriers to health, safety, and prosperity. Baltimore Safe Haven provides compassionate harm reduction and upward mobility services, advocacy, and community engagement that is respectful, non-judgmental, and affirms and honors individual power and agency. Our programs include community outreach, drop-in, and housing services.

Baltimore Safe Haven

To engage children of all ages and abilities in learning through imaginative play and discovery

The Children's Museum of the Magic Valley (CMMV) is an emerging hands-on children's museum to be located in Twin Falls, Idaho. CMMV will focus exhibits, programming, and children's activities on the Magic Valley's 37,000 children ages birth through eleven years. The research and concept development behind CMMV has been ongoing since mid-2018 when it was founded as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Our goal is to establish a permanent, state-of-the-art children's museum in Twin Falls. The Twin Falls Urban Renewal Agency (URA) entered into exclusive negotiations with CMMV for the purchase of a .50 acre lot in downtown Twin Falls on the corner of 3rd Street South and Idaho Street South. Downtown Twin Falls is the heart of our community, and CMMV is eager and committed to becoming a vital part of this historical area. Currently, we operate as a "Museum without Walls" with mobile exhibit events throughout the region. Contact us to learn more.

We are excited to see the magic within the Magic Valley unfold as we work together to create a beautiful museum for our children.

Children's Museum Of The Magic Valley, Inc

TREES combats hunger, poverty and land degradation by training farmers in sustainable land use.

Around the world, modern and industrialized farming practices are destroying the environment—and, at the same time, failing to provide reliable income and nourishment for the farmers we all depend on to survive. At Trees for the Future (TREES), we recognize that unsustainable land use is the root cause of our most pressing challenges. We confront these challenges by serving the people at the heart of our global food systems: farmers and their families. As a global leader in agroforestry training for over 30 years, TREES provides hands-on, immersive education, skill building, and support, encouraging farmers to work with nature, not against it. 

Our signature methodology, the Forest Garden Approach, helps farmers transform their land with thousands of fast-growing, ecologically appropriate trees and dozens of other crops, creating new possibilities for themselves and their communities. By embracing sustainable land practices, farmers are reclaiming their agency, breaking the cycles of climate change and generational poverty, and rebuilding our food systems from the ground up.

Trees for the Future

Founders Pledge is a global nonprofit empowering entrepreneurs to do the most good possible with their charitable giving. 

We equip members with everything needed to maximize their impact, from evidence-led research and advice on the world’s most pressing problems, to comprehensive infrastructure for global grant-making, alongside opportunities to learn and connect. We’re grateful to be funded by our members and other generous donors. 

Founders Pledge

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Prez, Every.org. I believe that people are good, kind and generous.

Designer at every.org. Passionate about animals and nature. Taking action so our children can inherit a better world 💚

Advisor, co-founder & ex-COO of Every.org. We're all connected in this world and nonprofits help with healing.

Co-founder & CTO @ Every.org. Especially excited by small nonprofits doing big things for underprivileged people and our planet.

We partner with music artists by using music royalties to donate to BIPOC charitable causes. https://www.n2aministries.com/n2a-microgiving

I believe in gratitude+action and that together we can build a better world. Have the best job as Cofounder at Every.org :)

Backed by careful research to maximize the impact of our dollars. It's an issue that is critical for out survival. Gotta make this one monthly 🔄🌍

In memory of Flo Britton, who was always a wonderful adventure partner and travel companion ❤️

I gave in memory of my beautiful sister-in-law Betsy Fine who died way too young from this terrible disease. 

I do not want to be heartbroken and afraid any more. I do not want continue hearing politicians call for prayers and do nothing to stop the senseless murdering of people shopping for groceries or attending elementary school. We need an organized movement to make this happen, and Everytown for Gun Safety is doing it.  

Regenerative agriculture and forest gardening have an powerful impact on so many areas...it helps combat climate change, ensures food security, and for many, preserves local farming cultures and practices. Really excited to learn about Trees for the Future's work in this area!!