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Climate Solutions 

Description

For fifteen years, Climate Solutions has pioneered the vision and cultivated political leadership in the Northwest for the proposition that clean energy and broadly-shared economic prosperity can go hand-in-hand. Through our programs, Climate Solutions builds a powerful constituency for local, regional and national action on climate and clean energy.

Mission Statement
Climate Solutions' mission is to accelerate practical and profitable solutions to global warming by galvanizing leadership, growing investment and bridging divides.
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Climate Solutions
1402 3rd Ave Ste 1305 
Seattle 
WA
98101-2194 
(206) 443-9570 

Gregg Small 
Executive Director 

Programs

Climate Solutions Programs

PUBLIC POLICY: Choosing and winning policy campaigns that make the clean-energy economy real, and maximizing the contribution of Northwest leadership toward reductions in climate pollution

MAKING IT REAL: Demonstrating the clean-energy economy is real and a vital part of economic growth
  • NEW ENERGY CITIES: Working with communities to become models of success in pioneering a clean, renewable, super-efficient energy system
  • NORTHWEST BIOCARBON INITIATIVE: Advancing model policies and practices to store carbon in our forests, farms and urbanized landscapes
  • SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUELS: Collaborating with aviation industry leaders to make our region the first to fuel airports with significant quantities of regionally produced, sustainable biofuel
  •  
BUILDING POWER: Building a powerful and diverse movement (business, agriculture, faith-based organizations, veterans, grassroots groups) in support of strong climate change and clean-energy action
  • BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS: Bringing together executives, entrepreneurs and investors to make the case for strong climate policy and the transition to a clean economy
  • POWER PAST COAL: Working with a growing regional coalition to stop massive expansion of coal exports from West Coast ports to Asia
  • SOLUTIONS STORIES: Communicating success stories of the clean-energy economy happening now

Recent Successes and Current Challenges

At Climate Solutions, every initiative we work on, every coalition we form and every conversation we start springs from our belief in two basic, mutually reinforcing truths: 1) Economic prosperity is impossible in a world where the natural environment is stressed beyond the breaking point; and 2) Environmental protection is only possible in a world with sustainable economic prosperity and opportunity for all.  All of our programs work to forcefully challenge fossil fuel dependence, while making the alternatives real, accessible and irresistible.

We know that to address the climate crisis at the urgency and scale required, Climate Solutions needs to make an even bigger impact. Climate change is the top sustainability issue facing our region and the planet, and what we do to address it now will affect the lives of all generations to come. We are working to promote deep systemic change. We know that simply making the Northwest the most sustainable place on the planet isn’t enough. To address the climate change imperative, we need to seize opportunities and drive a massive transformation, pushing beyond the region’s comfort zone and even our own. To do so, we must be an even stronger organization. As the leading Northwest nonprofit in this sphere, we need to strengthen our infrastructure, grow our staff, build more powerful, diverse strategic partnerships, and greatly increase our organizational effectiveness to lead this transformational change.

Evaluation

Climate Solutions is a recognized leader - locally, regionally and nationally - in engaging individuals and organizations on the issue of climate change and solutions to the issue, from all sides of the political spectrum and with a broad constituent base. Climate Solutions has been key in generating fresh political momentum for energy and transportation solutions that benefit the region’s economy and quality of life.

Proven Success
Climate Solutions’ mission supports creating models that can be replicated throughout the world. Sustainable Aviation Fuels was a project that was managed by Climate Solutions in Seattle in partnership with Boeing, Alaska Airlines, the Portland, Spokane, and Seattle/Tacoma International Airports and Western Washington University to make our region the first to fuel airports with significant quantities of regionally produced biofuels. Climate Solutions has been sought out to replicate this work in regions outside the United States, providing potential additional earned income and increasing the reach of the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Program’s impact.

Leading the Power Past Coal coalition, Climate Solutions and their partners have made huge strides in stopping the expansion of coal exports from the West Coast to Asia. While one potential coal terminal planned for Grays Harbor has been eliminated there are still 5 proposed terminals in various stages of review. The Power Past Coal coalition has been successful in raising awareness in local communities that has resulted in engaged individuals that voice their opinion at city council meetings where the scope of review for these projects is being determined.

Collaboration
Climate Solutions involves non-traditional groups in the clean-energy economy movement. They are building sustained and focused support from the Northwest business community for strong climate action. Their Business Partnership Program, which brings together executives, entrepreneurs and investors from around the Northwest to make the case for strong climate policy and a strong clean-energy economy, now has around 1100 members, and is available for meetings with legislators, op-eds, and other activities to support relevant campaigns. The organization is engaged in numerous other partnerships, including Power Past Coal, Sustainable Aviation Fuels Northwest and Priorities for a Health Washington.

Financial Health
Climate Solutions is in good financial health, partially due to successful Annual Breakfasts in May 2011 (featuring a rare conversation with Bill Gates) and June 2012 (with EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson). Both of these events surpassed revenue goals, garnering matching and stretch gifts from current donors, and attracted donations from a large number of new donors to Climate Solutions. They will be leveraging these relationships to grow the amount of general support dollars they are raising from individuals. Much needed general operating funds would support critical functions such as financial management, information technology, resource development and communications, in addition to other key aspects of internal organizational capacity.

Grant History with The Seattle Foundation:

Grants Awarded through The Seattle Foundation Grantmaking Program:

DateAmountPurpose
3/10/2013 $12,000.00support general operating expenses.
3/10/2012 $10,000.00support general operating expenses.
3/10/2011 $17,500.00support general operating expenses.
9/10/2009 $35,000.00support general operating expenses.
10/18/2007 $30,000.00support general operating expenses.

Financials

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