Catalytic Climate Finance Grants and Investments

Catalytic Climate Finance Grants and Investments is sponsored by The Russell Family Foundation. Provides grants and investments to organizations fighting climate change, including those focused on clean energy and climate infrastructure.

Catalytic Climate Finance - The Russell Family Foundation Catalytic Climate Finance Food for Climate Solutions Browse Investments and Grants Catalytic Climate Finance Addressing a changing planet with scientific research and education. In response to the rapidly changing climate , we, The Russell Family Foundation (TRFF), are advancing planet-positive solutions across every aspect of our work.

Building on our legacy of environmental and social impact, we are committed to achieving a net zero portfolio as part of this work. We put this commitment into practice through our Catalytic Climate Finance (CCF) Program.

This is our pioneering work to explore all the ways that philanthropy can create a healthier planet, as well as our commitment to share our learnings along the way, so that together, foundations and other asset owners can empower environmental solutions for everyone. The stage is set for finance to help repair the health of the Earth for all.

We are committed to supporting action through every aspect of our work, so that all people can thrive in a way that is reparative for the Earth. We acknowledge that the financed emissions in our portfolio represent the largest contributions to our emissions. Maximizing positive impact has always been a priority for us at TRFF, born from one of our founders – George F.

Russell, Jr. – who saw a need for investment consulting in 1969. Since our inception in 1999, we have prioritized community investment in grassroots leaders and environmental sustainability, and our investment portfolio is now nearly 95% values-aligned.

In 2014, we began divesting our investment portfolio away from fossil fuels as well as other highly carbon-intensive sectors, and instead re-invested into climate solutions such as decarbonization technology and nature-based assets. In 2022, we signed the UN-convened Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance (NZAOA), a member-led initiative of institutional investors with $9.

5 trillion of assets under management, committed to transforming their investment portfolios to net zero GHG emissions by 2050. With this, The Russell Family Foundation’s Catalytic Climate Finance Program (CCF) began. CCF centers on investing in solutions for all as we work toward our net zero goal.

As part of advancing this across every aspect of our work, we also provide grants alongside our investments. These align with the program’s core principles, including collaboration and promoting resilience.

Download the executive summary CCF’S FOUR CORE PRINCIPLES ARE TO: Invest for a healthy planet Transform every aspect of our work to accelerate global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ensuring that, by 2035, what is emitted across the portfolio is no more than what is removed from the atmosphere. Provide funding to promising environmental movements, solutions, and campaigns.

Ensure that the most impacted communities and workers are protected throughout the transition to a sustainable future. Harness collective strength and efforts by aligning with other organizations focused on earth-friendly action, for greater impact. We are reducing emissions across every aspect of our work and seeking new investments that contribute to a healthier, more resilient future for all.

Browse our case studies to read about the people and organizations behind our grants and investments, and learn about how they are advancing planetary solutions. We are committed to achieving net zero by 2035, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions across our entire investment portfolio consistent with a maximum global temperature rise of 1. 5°C.

We do not own fossil fuels and have implemented low-carbon tilts throughout our portfolio management strategy aligned with a revised Investment Policy Statement. As part of our membership in the United Nations-convened Net Zero Asset Owners Alliance (NZAOA), we have set interim targets for 2030 against which we will transparently report.

The interim and publicly set targets for 2030 are: Limit our carbon emissions intensity to 28 metric tons of CO₂ per million dollars invested. Shareholder engagement targets on the top 20 emitters, backing targets and net-zero commitments approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). A minimum of 75% of our assets under management invested in climate solutions.

We are committed to reporting publicly and transparently against our targets. To measure the success of the Catalytic Climate Finance Program (CCF), we will: Track the reduction in carbon emissions resulting from moving toward planet-positive investments. Publish an annual report sharing our journey toward net zero and the lessons learned.

Monitor the number of initiatives supported, as well as their potential for growth. Evaluate the tangible impact of collaborative partnerships. Assess the socio-economic benefits of action funded and influenced by us.

Explore our investments in projects for real-world improvements and resilience. We are proud to support grants that enhance community well-being, as well as planet-positive solutions. Through the efforts of CCF, we hope to inspire other asset owners to make similar commitments and will share key learnings with the investment community.

If you’re interested in working with us, please get in touch.

Minding the Gaps for Climate Finance: An interview with Vibrant Data Labs Resetting the Climate Finance Playbook: A Conversation with Dan Firger Meet Paul Moinester: Building Climate-Resilient Financial Management with Topo Finance The Russell Family Foundation Releases Progress Report on Net Zero Commitment and Catalytic Climate Finance Program TRFF is First Foundation Investor in Galvanize’s Equities Strategy, Expands Catalytic Climate Finance Portfolio An interview with Randall Kempner: Stronger Together for a Healthier Planet Meet iconik: Amplifying Shareholder Impact Through Engagement Innovating the Energy Transition: Generate Capital Why Values-Aligned Investing Is No Longer Optional Meet the Organizations Leading Change Through our Catalytic Climate Finance Program Meet one of our new investment management partners: Breckinridge Capital Advisors Solutions at Scale: Driving Nature-based Solutions with the BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group McConnell Foundation: collaborating and engaging with investment managers on alignment with the SDGs – Principles for Responsible Investment How philanthropies can take the lead in climate action – Carbon Direct The Russell Family Foundation Announces $19.

5M in Catalytic Climate Finance Grants and Investments Forward-thinking Climate Action Strategies with Terra Alpha Investments Empowering a Just Transition to Electric Homes with Kicking Gas Driving Diversity in the Clean Energy Sector with Emerald Cities Collaborative Using Simulators to Guide Equitable Climate Solutions with Climate Interactive Transforming Venture Capital for Climate Equity: A Conversation with Milton Speid and Partners Values Beyond Timber: Pioneering Sustainable Forestland Investment with EFM The Russell Family Foundation Achieves Platinum Rating Through the Endowment Impact Benchmark 5 ways to redefine philanthropy’s role in the fight against climate change Collective Insights from Philanthropies Investing in Climate Solutions Innovating for impact: The Russell Family Foundation’s 5 tools for climate-aligned investment Building a cleaner, just future with Shift Zero Investing for climate: The Russell Family Foundation’s approach to investment Net Zero Endowments Roadmap – Intentional Endowments Network From climate strategy to solutions: a journey to transform the way we invest A Look at The Russell Family Foundation’s Ongoing Journey to Net Zero Target-Setting Protocol Fourth Edition – Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance Multiplier Effect: Partnering to Accelerate Climate Solutions: Catalytic Climate Finance Session Summary.

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