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

Our aim is a more generous and joyful world.

Follow our real-time impact at https://www.every.org/metrics - people have donated over $78M!

We provide nonprofits with free tools to fundraise more effectively, including our all-in-one donate button and peer-to-peer fundraising solution. Our website encourages individuals to take action and spread generosity by giving monthly and giving out loud to help nonprofits get steady funding and grow awareness.

We envision a world where every person and organization has the best technology to help them do more good, increasing the global giving rate from 2% to 3% of GDP.

Every.org

San Diego Architectural Foundation raises awareness about the value of excellence in our built environment.

Founded in 1978, the San Diego Architectural Foundation (SDAF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the education and promotion of outstanding architecture, landscape, interior, and urban design to improve the quality of life for all San Diegans. We do this by curating exceptional events throughout the year that are open to both the design industry and the public at large. We explore how the issues impact our growing region, like the design of our homes, workplaces, schools and communities, as well as our health and well-being. Our goal is to inspire all San Diegans to discover the value of thoughtful design in the natural and built environment and the effect it has on the quality of our lives.

SDAF

Airbnb.org’s mission is to unlock the power of sharing space, resources, and support in times of need. 

Airbnb.org opens homes in a times of crisis.  We facilitate emergency housing for people displaced by disaster or conflict, especially those from marginalized communities hardest hit by crisis.  Airbnb.org works with communities and nonprofit partners to offer emergency temporary housing.  We have housed over 250,000 guests during times of need.  

We do this by providing short-term, quality and free emergency housing to people displaced by natural disasters and conflict, inspiring and empowering people to act as hosts and support their community, and staying responsive to crises by innovating and leveraging our strengths.

We amplify recovery efforts for individuals by providing safety, financial relief, psychological wellbeing, and connections to the community.   Ultimately, by making connections between hosts and guests, we strengthen and build social cohesion in communities.

Airbnb.org is an independent and publicly-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that leverages Airbnb, Inc.’s technology, services, and other resources at no charge to carry out Airbnb.org’s charitable purpose.






Airbnb.org

We pioneer solutions to address global homelessness and imagine a world where no human lives in survival mode.  

New Story builds homes for people living in survival mode around the world, improving safety, health, income, and education. We partner with both U.S. based ministries and construction organizations who provide services in developing countries, New Story builds homes for people who cannot afford them. 

New Story develops breakthrough solutions to build homes and communities better, easier, and faster. We believe in innovating the nonprofit sector, including our own work, so we build communities using our new tools and tech and listen closely to the people we serve. As we develop helpful solutions, we share them with other nonprofits and governments working to end global homelessness. We’re all in this together.

New Story

QuestBridge creates programs for talented low-income students to access exceptional educational and life opportunities.

QuestBridge has successfully shaped the lives of the most promising, low-income students in the nation and has helped them unlock billions in scholarships.

Every year, there are over 30,000 outstanding high school students from low-income backgrounds who are academically qualified to attend the nation’s top colleges. Over 80% of them do not apply to even ONE selective college and they remain highly under-represented on leading college campuses.

Many of these promising students assume they can’t afford an education at a top college. Others lack the education about what it takes to apply to a selective college, or simply assume they can’t be admitted.

When low-income students miss the opportunity to apply to and attend great colleges, this has a profound effect on their futures. Many end up reaching below their actual academic potential, or they don't attend college at all. Of those who attend college, most don't graduate.

This vast amount of untapped talent equates to a staggering loss in human potential. As America strives to remain competitive in our global society, promising students from across the economic spectrum are vital to the wealth and future of our nation-at-large.

Using innovative data methods to target and reach thousands of high-achieving, low-income students, we provide programs that help students reach their fullest potential, which could include attending a top-tier college on a full scholarship. We also provide these students with ongoing resources and a supportive community of Scholars to help them thrive in college and beyond.

QuestBridge

A new non-profit content accelerator empowering the next generation of Hollywood leaders.

Our Mission
To empower BIPOC creators, artists, and entrepreneurs to make popular entertainment that reflects our multicultural society so we can help improve racial equity in America.

We're creating a system of change designed to reshape majority opinions by ensuring that creators of all backgrounds can tell their stories and see themselves in popular culture.

Our Vision
We are committed to creating a more empathic world. We believe stories and content have the power to unite people, bridge cultures, and achieve racial equity.

Rideback Rise Inc

Delivering unconditional cash directly to the world's poorest households via secure mobile transfers. 

Since 2009, GiveDirectly has delivered more than $580 million in unconditional cash transfers to families in need. These one-time cash transfers allow recipients to invest in what they need most and have been shown to improve their earnings, children’s school attendance, health, nutrition, and mental well-being.
 
GiveDirectly uses government data to target villages where most or all residents are living in extreme poverty, defined by the World Bank as earning under $2.15/day. In-country GiveDirectly staff enroll one member of each household in the entire village to receive a one-time transfer of about $1,000 USD sent in two installments using mobile money. Recipients can then withdraw the mobile funds as cash with local agents and use the funds to invest in what they need – whether it’s on starting a business, education, making their home safer/sturdier, healthcare, or livestock.
 
GiveDirectly uses rigorous experimental research (randomized controlled trials) to measure the impact of their unconditional cash programs and answer public policy questions, generating evidence on key design and implementation questions across varied contexts. You can find over 300 studies on the positive impacts of cash transfers in GiveDirectly’s Cash Research Explorer.

GiveDirectly

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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Every.org is a nonprofit, so instead of charging fees they rely on the generosity of donors like you.

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We are a nonprofit, so instead of charging fees we rely on the generosity of donors like you.

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Life has been kind to me and it's my mission to share that kindness with the world. 

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

founder @ camp.org, expa.com, uber.com & mix.com

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

👋 I'm Jon. Married to my best friend and dad to two sets of twins - ages 8👭 and 11👫 Believe philanthropy holds the power to change the 🌍

Ex-cofounder and Head of Engineering at Every.org. I work so others can receive the level of support I've personally benefited from.

Founders Pledge produces incredible research, helping others navigate the complicated giving landscape. I know that when I give to this Fund, I’m supporting the best nonprofits combatting climate change. 

We need to invest more in innovative and impactful solutions to tackle climate change. Love that Founder's Pledge is constantly evaluating new opportunities for my monthly gift to maximize impact!

This platform is AMAZING! There is nothing like it. I'm so grateful that they never take a cut out of any gift and that they are finding ways to make giving joyful. 

I love how SDAF is educating the public on the impacts the built environment has on our health, our communities, and our lives!

Our fellow Americans in Maui need us. Grateful to know people will have a safe place to stay with the comforts of home during this hard time. 

This incredible nonprofit -- which was Y-Combinator incubated -- is doing groundbreaking work to solve global homelessness. They aren't just building one house a time, they're finding new ways to SCALE housing solutions and sharing it with the world. 

I love the innovation + passion this team has poured into one of the most painful injustices facing our world today. 

QuestBridge seriously changed my life. I had to opportunity to attend Stanford University through the National College Match program, and knew that I was accepted before many of my peers, allowing me to focus on my part-time jobs at the time. They do a great job with an expanded network of support throughout college years, too.

Recently, I learned that a colleague and friend credits Questbridge for helping her achieve some incredible feats: attending Stanford, becoming a topnotch engineer...I'm inspired to know that Questbridge is supporting young, talented people from diverse backgrounds and I'm honored to now be a small part of their work!

Popular entertainment is arguably society's most powerful for change. But the lack of accurate representation in mainstream entertainment perpetuates the racial divide. There is no shortage of talented BIPOC creators. The only scarcity is opportunity, funding, and risk taking for them within the Hollywood machine. Rideback Rise is ensuring creators of all backgrounds can tell their stories and see themselves in popular culture, creating a system of change designed to reshape majority opinions. Everybody in. Everybody forward. Everybody up.

Representation is a powerful tool for change!

GiveDirectly is helping out by doing what they do best - sending cash to people who need it!

There is so much evidence to suggest that putting cash into the hands of families is far superior to complex programming designed by people a continent away. 