Without dedicated investments and related systemic changes to ensure inclusivity and affordability, climate-related financial strains on households with low wealth and income will deplete savings, increase debt, strip assets, reduce disposable income, and deny longterm prospects for economic security and wealth building.
Philanthropy can ensure that climate-responsive solutions are inclusive and affordable through grants, investments, and other actions that prioritize those most impacted by disinvestment and the systemic inequities driving current wealth and climate disparities.
Climate Across AFN’s Issue Areas:
Potential Opportunities
Over time, AFN will continue to identify and share actionable, grantmaker-centered recommendations to connect climate across AFN’s seven other issues areas, allowing for grounded and comprehensive approaches. The accompanying document, Climate Across AFN’s Issue Areas: Potential Opportunities, is a start; it outlines a range of intersectional opportunities for philanthropic action across AFN’s issue areas to advance economic security and climate resilience equitably for households and communities, nationally and locally.
Snapshots of AFN Member Strategies
Climate-related philanthropy is on the rise, which is promising, even as more action is needed.
Some AFN members are leading the way in addressing climate resilience and economic equity.
Wells Fargo’s private foundation makes grants for efforts related to the environment, including land-use planning, conservation, renewable energy, and biodiversity.
The Rockefeller Foundation’s approach integrates several key goals. One is equitable climate and clean energy solutions integrated with economic opportunities.
Over the past 10 years, The Kresge Foundation’s Environment Program tripled its support to climate-focused groups led by people of color.