Climate Change, Health & Equity (CCHE) Initiative

Climate Change, Health & Equity (CCHE) Initiative is sponsored by Kresge Foundation. Supports organizations addressing the interconnected challenges of climate change, health, and equity in U. S.

cities, particularly in low-wealth communities of color.

Climate Change, Health & Equity (CCHE) - Kresge Foundation Our Story at 100 Promoting human progress since 1924, expanding equity and opportunity today Our Staff Our work is made possible by a staff of mission-driven professionals Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Central to how we operate and fund, we center DEI in all we do Careers Check for new openings and learn about working at The Kresge Foundation Board of Trustees Leaders who provide governance, expertise and support to our work Press Room Resources and information for commnunications professional American Cities Effective, inclusive community development in U.S. cities Arts & Culture Positioning culture and creativity as drivers of more just communities Detroit Expanding long-term, equitable opportunity in our hometown Education Addressing postsecondary attainment and closing equity gaps Environment Helping cities with equitable climate resilience strategies Health Building equity-focused systems of health to achieve well-being Human Services Increasing social-economic mobility for people with low incomes Social Investment Practice Unlocking capital for community development Strategic Learning, Research & Evaluation Building a culture of learning across the organization and support community learning priorities Initiatives Our time-bound funding programs can bring multiple Kresge teams together to co-create strategies Grants & Social Investments Grants Awarded A database of grants dating back to 2009 Social Investments Made A database of PRIs, guarantees and other investments How to Apply Details on eligibility, FAQs, Fluxx guidance and more For Current Grantees FAQs for partners, communicating about your work and more Climate Change, Health & Equity (CCHE) Strengthen a unified movement for climate justice and health equity by advancing community-driven solutions and national movements through a network of community-based organizations, health institutions, public health departments and health practitioners.

What We Support/Key Strategies Accelerating Community-Based Solutions Building a national movement Climate change is affecting people in real ways every day. Extreme weather, high heat, air pollution and floods are impacting our health and well-being more and more each day. While we are all affected, risks are greater for low-wealth communities and communities of color.

Stemming from the belief that climate change is one of the greatest threats to our nation’s health, prosperity, and safety, Kresge’s Environment and Health Programs collaborated to create the Climate Change, Health & Equity (CCHE) initiative in 2019. While CCHE was the foundation’s first formal initiative, this effort was built upon years of work at the intersection of climate change and public health.

The initial phase of the CCHE initiative from 2019 to 2024 was structured around three key strategies: supporting community advocacy, building capacity in health systems and activating health practitioners. The second phase of Kresge’s Climate Change, Health & Equity Initiative, launched in 2025, builds on its initial five-year, $30 million effort to address climate change and protect people’s health.

CCHE aims to strengthen a unified movement for climate justice and health equity by advancing community-driven solutions and national movements through a network of community-based organizations, health institutions, public health departments and health practitioners.

With an expanded focus on Kresge’s priority cities – Detroit, Fresno, Memphis and New Orleans – in partnership with Kresge’s American Cities , Arts & Culture and Detroit programs, the current initiative also elevates cultural and creative strategies as key tools in advancing community-driven solutions. CCHE currently includes two strategies that are designed to reinforce each other.

Together, these complementary strategies create a powerful framework that honors community leadership while leveraging the expertise and influence of national organizations to drive transformative change. Community-Based Solutions: We advance place-based, community-driven climate solutions to improve climate, health and equity outcomes for low-wealth communities and communities of color.

This approach focuses on amplifying community voices in climate action and strengthening the leadership and power of community-based advocates to advance climate interventions at the local, regional and state levels.

National Movement Building: We mobilize national health institutions and health practitioners to support place-based, community-driven solutions while building a stronger field of practice among health care and public health professionals.

This strategy works to deepen partnerships between health professionals and community-based organizations, creating more effective place-based approaches that improve climate, health and equity outcomes for low-wealth communities and communities of color. The most effective solutions are designed and implemented by those who know their communities best.

Working together, we can ensure that all people—no matter who they are or where they live—have the opportunity to be healthy and thrive. Kresge launches next phase of Climate Change, Health & Equity Initiative with $18.

6M investment Climate Change, Health & Equity (CCHE) News & Views Gulf South communities prove that creativity and culture are the foundation of climate resilience Bibbins: Place, power and care: A funder’s recipe for a just, green future What philanthropy can do differently to help communities address climate change and health Climate, food and health challenges call for one conversation, not separate solutions All Climate Change, Health & Equity (CCHE) News & Views Climate Change, Health & Equity Phase 2 Resources Climate Change, Health & Equity (CCHE) Resources Climate Change, Health & Equity Initiative Final Evaluation Report The Climate Change, Health & Equity (CCHE) Initiative Final Evaluation Report outlines the progress and impact of Kresge’s CCHE initiative.

The $30 million effort aims to advance climate policies and… Climate Change, Health & Equity Case Studies Climate Change, Health & Equity Message Framework The Kresge Foundation—in partnership with Metropolitan Group—developed a message framework to respond to needs expressed by its Climate Change, Health & Equity (CCHE) initiative grantees for suggested messaging to advance… All Climate Change, Health & Equity (CCHE) Resources Climate Change, Health and Equity (CCHE) Partners People’s Climate Innovation Center The People’s Climate Innovation Center is the national program office for the CCHE initiative.

Ross Strategic is the foundation’s evaluation partner for the CCHE initiative. Climate Change, Health and Equity (CCHE) Team Senior Communications Officer Associate Program Officer