Environment Program: Drivers of Change

Environment Program: Drivers of Change is sponsored by The Overbrook Foundation. Targets the wasteful culture of single-use plastics and supports organizations working on systemic changes toward a sustainable and equitable reuse society.

Environment - The Overbrook Foundation The Overbrook Foundation has maintained a long commitment to protecting the natural environment and combatting the climate crisis, with a particular emphasis in the United States and Latin America.

The Environment Program is focused on reversing the climate crisis and conserving biodiversity by preventing further deforestation, restoring oceans, coastline ecosystems, promoting behavior change, and supporting communities living in and near impacted areas. Our grantmaking emphasizes the leadership of communities most impacted by the effects of the climate crisis and uplifts innovation to navigate and change systems.

To restore and protect our endangered oceans and coastlines, we support organizations planting and growing coral, seaweed, oysters, sea grass, and other related marine species. To help communities living in and around extractive-industrial areas, the Foundation supports organizations that are both rooted locally and fighting projects that will exacerbate the climate crisis.

To end the wasteful culture of single-use plastics and the destructive growth of the petrochemical industry, we partner with organizations emphasizing behavior change as a pathway for a sustainable and equitable reuse society in the United States. To prevent the further destruction of trees and biodiversity, the Foundation supports organizations directly protecting threatened ecosystems, primarily in tropical forests.

Asociación de Comunidades Forestales de Petén (ACOFOP) employs a community forestry model to manage more than 500,000 hectares of forest in the largest protected natural area in Guatemala and the largest forest reserve in Mesoamerica. div]:justify-center [&_>div]:md:justify-start"> Why is ACOFOP so successful in engaging local communities to help manage tropical forests and fight deforestation?

ACOFOP’s success lies in empowering local communities and supporting them to generate resources to manage forests in a sustainable way. Community-managed forests have proven to be the best way to avoid deforestation and be a natural solution to climate change.

The Overbrook Foundation's long history of conserving the natural environment has been guided by the knowledge and leadership of our staff, in partnership and with guidance from leaders and experts in the field. This ensures a timely and informed approach to our grantmaking and mission more broadly. Lead Environmental Advisor Learn more about our work to conserve the natural environment.

Get in touch with one of our team members to learn more about our mission, programs, the critical work of our grantee partners, and more. © 2026 The Overbrook Foundation