Climate Action Fund

Created as a component of Evanston's Climate Action Plan, the Climate Action Fund invests in projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Evanston. Special emphasis is placed on projects benefiting nonprofit organizations and lower-income households, but the Fund makes it possible for every Evanstonian to participate in cutting Evanston's carbon footprint.

Who contributes to the Climate Action Fund?

Evanstonians are invited to measure their own carbon footprint using one of the green calculators on this site (such as zerofootprint.net/calculators/evanston) and then to balance their emissions with a tax-deductible gift to the Climate Action Fund. A suggested contribution is $15 for every 1 ton of CO2 emitted.
Some donors compensate for the emissions generated by their air travel. A discussion of the climate impact of air travel and a simplified air travel "calculator" are included in How Can Air Travel Fit Into a Green Lifestyle?.
Other donors simply want to help local nonprofits and Evanston families save money by saving energy.

Who has benefited from the Fund?

The first grants, totaling $5,475, were awarded in spring 2010 for lighting upgrade projects at Childcare Center of Evanston, Evanston Day Nursery, Infant Welfare Society, YWCA Evanston/North Shore, and Evanston Festival Theater.

How is the Fund managed?

The Evanston Community Foundation (ECF) holds the contributions made to the Fund, ensures the integrity of the process used to select projects for funding, and distributes funds to the selected grantees. To learn more about the Fund, visit ECF's Climate Action Fund webpage. Or you can go ahead and make your gift here.