Climate Resilient and Equitable Water Systems (CREWS) Initiative

Climate Resilient and Equitable Water Systems (CREWS) Initiative is sponsored by The Kresge Foundation (Environment Program). The CREWS initiative aims to transform urban stormwater and wastewater systems to provide reliable and equitable services to all community residents, focusing on communities of color and those with lower incomes.

Climate Resilient and Equitable Water Systems (CREWS) - 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 Resilient and Equitable Water Systems (CREWS) Transforming urban stormwater and wastewater systems to provide reliable, equitable and innovative services to all community residents.

Convening urban leaders to build climate and equity knowledge that leads to action Providing evidence to make the case for policy and funding to strengthen planning and management Increasing investment in cities that use community-led and climate data-driven approaches Low-income communities and communities of color across the U.S. are disproportionately vulnerable to urban flooding and extreme rainfall.

This inequity is due to a complex combination of institutions, policies and investments that have historically marginalized these communities, both socially and economically, and now puts them at risk of bearing the adverse impacts of climate change. In March 2016, Kresge launched the CREWS initiative to support grantees working at the intersection of water, climate resilience, and equity.

The initiative aims to address those inequities by building climate-resilient water systems and thereby providing low-income communities and communities of color with an opportunity to be healthy, safe and economically unburdened in the face of urban flooding. The CREWS initiative consists of more than 30 organizations working to advance equitable solutions to climate-related storm and flood impacts on low-income communities.

They work at multiple scales and geographies across the nation. Our diverse group of CREWS grantee partners include: water utility leaders, community-based organizations, environmental nonprofits, environmental justice organizations, neighborhood coalitions, academic and applied research institutions, artistic and cultural expression leaders, project developers and funders.

Vision : Urban stormwater and wastewater systems are resilient to climate change and provide equitable services to communities. Cities manage water in a way that keeps people safe, healthy, and economically unburdened. Goal: Help cities implement climate-resilient approaches to urban stormwater and wastewater management that are grounded in the needs, priorities, and knowledge of low-wealth communities and communities of color.

Support frontline organizations and local public-sector leaders working to advance equitable and climate-resilient water solutions in place. Resource and strengthen movements of water leaders and organizations at the community, regional, and national levels. Push for changes to policy, finance, and governance that lead to climate change-driven approaches to water management.

Climate Resilient and Equitable Water Systems (CREWS) Grantees Rush Tebbe: Solving for climate resilience, community development and wellbeing Climate Resilient and Equitable Water Systems (CREWS) News & Views Lois DeBacker named a 2024 Notable Leader in Sustainability by ‘Crain’s Detroit Business’ Southeast Michigan Resilience Fund awards $1.

5M in conservation grants CREWS leaders working at the intersection of water, climate, equity deepen partnership to combat urban flooding CCHE, CREWS partners deepen collaboration, connections to address climate issues All Climate Resilient and Equitable Water Systems (CREWS) News & Views Climate Resilient and Equitable Water Systems (CREWS) Resources Environment Program Overview Video: Helping cities combat and adapt to climate change Just Infrastructure campaign aims to bring billions of federal water dollars into neighborhoods The water we drink and the nature that nourishes us deserve meaningful investment.

The good news is funding is available through the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to… CREWS and CCHE Convening photos Kresge hosted the Climate Change, Health, and Equity (CCHE) and Climate Resilient and Equitable Water Systems (CREWS) convenings in Detroit in September 2024.

In addition to celebrating Kresge’s deep partnership and investment… All Climate Resilient and Equitable Water Systems (CREWS) Resources Climate Resilient and Equitable Water Systems (CREWS) Partners We help our clients improve the world through effective philanthropy and impact investing.

California Environmental Associates CEA helps transform business practices, public policies, nonprofit organizations and philanthropic strategies to improve environmental outcomes. At Catalyst Collaboratives, we work alongside our partners to develop, implement and refine their change strategy. A non-profit organization that helps people make informed decisions and implement solutions that improve lives, the economy and the environment.

Urban Water Funders Network Urban Water Funders explores the role of water in urban settings to the benefit of the environment, equity and economies of communities. Climate Resilient and Equitable Water Systems (CREWS) Team Senior Program Team Assistant