“What is one collaboration in the climate space that gives you hope right now?”
That question, asked to the panel during our Climate Collaboration event, captured the day’s focus: bring together environmental advocates, civic leaders, donors, and corporate partners for vital discussions on climate change and collaborative action to address it.
Dr. M Jackson, a climate scientist, National Geographic explorer, and storyteller, opened the event, sharing stories from her glacier research to show the impacts of climate change and how it’s reshaping where and how we live.
The panel followed her keynote address, which included organizations working in the environmental space across the private sector, conservation, policy advocacy, and community organizing.
This included Will Athol, director of business development and partnerships at Radia Inc.; Carlos Fernandez, state director for Colorado at The Nature Conservancy; Jon Goldin-Dubois, president at Western Resource Advocates; and Olga Gonzalez, executive director of Cultivando.
From the keynote to the panel discussion, each brought unique insights to a dynamic discussion on climate policy, equity, innovation, conservation, and the cross-sector collaborations needed to accelerate impact.
When Alayna Alvarez, the moderator and reporter from Axios, asked the panelists to share what climate collaborations are giving them hope, their responses ranged from specific collaborations related to the Colorado River to broader technological advances bringing different industries together.
The common thread throughout each response was how collaborative efforts have grown and how they are working to tackle our climate crisis. Today, community members, grassroots organizations, and large established entities are coming together more than ever to solve these complex challenges.
This growth in collaboration is also reflected in our work at The Denver Foundation.
Our commitment to climate and the environment
In 1925, our founding year, supporting climate and environmental issues was not top-of-mind or a priority for the foundation. Over time, this became one of the top issues our community cared about, and we listened.
In 2014, a group of donors came to us to create the Environmental Affinity Group, a giving circle that would pool their resources to give to environmental and conservation organizations. They give through collective grantmaking, learn through site visits and educational events, and grow effective environmental philanthropy by lifting up organizations doing strong work.
Then in 2021, we expanded our commitment to climate and environmental issues by continuing to work alongside our donors and investing through our endowment, The Fund for Denver. Together, our donors and the foundation have given $20.9 million to 258 organizations working in the climate space since 2021. Beyond our grantmaking, we also look for opportunities to improve the climate through our policy and advocacy work, and through our investment approach.
Because of these partnerships, we’re able to bring together the experts in this space, have these critical conversations, and take action on innovative solutions.
What you can do to carry the momentum forward
There has been tremendous momentum, but each speaker reiterated the importance of accelerating that momentum, cautioning the effects on our environment and quality of life if we slow down.
While Dr. M Jackson and the panelists spoke openly about the challenges our global and local communities are facing, they closed with actionable steps we can take to be a part of the solutions being built, and to keep the momentum moving forward.
- Invest now in organizations doing climate and environmental work. Climate change is an urgent crisis, and delaying action will only deepen its impact on our communities and ecosystems.
- Amplify the work people and organizations are doing through social media and your network.
- Follow five new organizations or people on social media.
- If you know someone who might be able to advance their work, reach out and make an introduction.
- Start the conversation. Tell five people why this work gives you hope and why now is the time to act. Hopefully, they will carry the message forward.
Looking ahead to the next century
Our 100th anniversary is about remembering those who have made incredible contributions to our community and continuing to learn about the people, places, and organizations that make our community thrive today.
We are so grateful to everyone who joined us for our event and to our incredible partners for making this celebration possible.
Stay connected for more centennial events throughout the year. We can’t wait to celebrate with you again soon!
Photos courtesy: Amanda Tipton Photography
