Community Foundation Ireland’s Post

The story we tell ourselves... The story we tell our community... The story we tell our volunteers... The story we tell our prospective donors... Environmental nonprofit stories matter in big ways and small. And yet research shows messaging is a barrier to engage more people in our missions. So join us for Tuesday's gathering on how strategies the big companies use to attract the more conscious consumer can be adapted for nonprofit engagement in #climate #climatejustice and #environment work. After all, #lateristoolate and our futures will be impacted. Register: https://bit.ly/3U8t4aW

A next step. Re:imagine what it means to shape community - a community of earth givers. That's what Earth Gives is doing through a US-wide giving day focused specifically on climate action - a showcase of nonprofits working and driving solutions forward. Is that you and your organization? Registration is now open for 501c3 and fiscally-sponsored organizations. Earth Gives Day 2024 is set for Sept 6-October 1 - a critical time of the year to rally investment in your work, to get volunteers signed up and willing to advance your work, to get friends to fund raise for you through Peer-to-Peer giving, and to collectively invite a deeper understanding of the issues at hand. EarthGives.org is where you start. A quick 2-step process might take you 10-20 minutes. 🐳 Together, we can amplify a call for all to engage in climate action. 🌎 #climatejustice #climatecrisis #climateaction #environment #wildlife #nature #pollution #advocacy

As we reflect on 2024, we’re filled with gratitude for the incredible work our team and volunteers have accomplished with the support of our fantastic #donors. Together we’ve made significant strides for the Severn River this year, and bigger and better things are on the way in 2025. With you, we #ConnectRestoreProtect. Connect: - Inspired Future Generations: We provided on-the-water experiences for 54 students, fostering a love for the environment and inspiring future stewards. - Empowered #Volunteers: 63 volunteers helped with #waterqualitymonitoring and over 180 volunteers dedicated their time to removing #invasivespecies and cleaning up litter, saving 187 trees and removing over 7,500 pounds of garbage. - Strengthened Our Support: We welcomed 129 new private donors, whose generosity fuels our progress. - Engaged our #Community: We reached over 1,100 new followers on #socialmedia, providing updates, educational content, and inspiring stories. - #Educated Our Community: We hosted the John Wright Speaker Series, educating 331 attendees about critical #environmentalissues. Additionally, we presented to 498 community members on specific concerns related to the Severn River. Restore: - #OysterRestoration: We planted 12.5 million oysters on our Traces Hollow 2a sanctuary reef and over 1 million one-year-old oysters grown by our 304 volunteer oyster growers. - Innovative Solutions: We developed a groundbreaking mechanism for directly setting oyster larvae on a #oysterreef, a more efficient and effective method for restoration than spat-on-shell. -Secured #Funding: We secured $764,304 in grant funding to support restoration projects and watershed planning. -Building #Partnerships: We formed a powerful coalition to advocate for the Severn River's inclusion in the #WholeWatershedAct, which could bring significant funding and resources to our river. - Addressing #Pollution: We engaged an expert consultant to develop a strategy for addressing #septicsystempollution using permeable reactive barriers. Protect: - Championing #EnvironmentalLegislation: We successfully advocated for a new state law banning the sale of invasive plant species, protecting our #forests and #waterways. - Advocating for #WatershedProtection: We continued our #advocacy for the Whole Watershed Act, which will provide critical funding for #restoration and #conservation efforts. - Empowering Community Members: We assisted residents in the County’s comprehensive #rezoning process to safeguard environmentally sensitive lands. Your support has been instrumental in achieving these #milestones. Together we will continue to make a positive impact on the Severn River and in its surrounding communities. Thank you for being a part of our journey. https://lnkd.in/eJJXXfAk

"We're seeing quite tangibly in communities how climate change is happening and impacting their lives... #CommunityFoundations have a very keen interest and knowledge of how communities work at a grassroots level, but we don't pretend to be climate experts." Thanks to Mercedes Green for sharing the work Foundation Scotland is doing to support local climate action in today's network learning session, 'Climate integration for grant makers'. These transparent conversations are key to understanding gaps and exploring solutions, and serve as an important part of the Association of Charitable Foundations Funder Commitment on Climate Change, which UKCF is a signatory of. In the session, our members talked openly and honestly about the work they're doing in their teams to act on climate, how we can support community groups achieve their own sustainability goals and the value of connecting them with climate experts. In 2022, Foundation Scotland took steps to make sure the work they fund does not negatively impact the environment. They started adding climate-focused questions into their application processes. "The findings that we've gathered show that organisations of any size or theme have the ability to show their sustainable thinking." #ClimateAction #SDGs #LocalGood #PhilanthropyInAction

For the past year, I've been attending Environmental & Climate Justice conferences/summits across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, which have been such an engaging experience! And all the while, I have been contemplating on how we can bring the same energy of these spirit-energizing summits and conferences that are so EJ and Climate justice-centered right here in Florida -- because as I've been saying, if there's anyone that needs a morale boost, it's our underserved communities right here in the Sunshine state. It's no debate that Florida has been a hot topic of concern these last few years -- from book bans and history lessons, to sea-level rise and draining wetlands. Florida is under threat of an Environmental Justice and Climate Crisis Emergency, and our disadvantaged, historically excluded communities are feeling the brunt of it. Well, instead of watching from the sidelines, I'm moving with that same energy and bringing it right to Florida-- moving with momentum and putting action to the ground. I'm gearing up to organize a summit I hope can be useful for communities across the state to feel empowered and not alone in this fight for justice. We encourage our grassroots, Community-based organizations, partners and allies across Florida to join us September 27-28th for the One Florida: 1st Annual Environmental Justice Summit in Orlando, FL! Join us for a two days of insightful discussions, engaging workshops, and networking opportunities, all focused on promoting environmental justice in Florida. Our event will bring together experts, activists, and community members passionate about creating a more sustainable and equitable future for Florida. We're really doing this! What was once just a thought in conversation has turned into something REAL. That's wild to say outloud, but this is a true testimony of manifestation. So whether you plan on joining us in-person, just for the day, or would like to show your support by donating as a sponsor to the cause, we appreciate any and all your consideration and dedication to this movement. Onward! Click the link below to register/donate today: https://lnkd.in/ekqDrens #Florida #EnvironmentalJustice #ClimateJustice #Resilience #Environment #Communityengagement #Fundraising #Donations #Partnerships #Empowerment #Communitybased #Grassroots #Organizing #Strategicplanning #StrategiesforSolutions

When you're trying to get the word out that you are welcoming environmental and climate-focused nonprofits to register for a US-wide giving day...every letter counts. Just like every nonprofit doing their work with boots on the ground, or boats in the ocean makes a difference - for each individual, family and future. Together, we can do more. Together we can spell out ALL the options individuals can take to advance critical work on the climate crisis and environmental stewardship. Whether we need people to give a damn about getting rid of dams, or understand their turbulent flights are now being challenged by climate change - every investment, volunteer action, insight shared, and vote cast to support climate action - matters to protect our futures. Earth Gives Day 2024 will rally donors, doers and those still sitting on the sidelines to join forces with nonprofits that have been woefully underfunded and need more volunteer muscle to expand their impact. 501c3s and fiscally-sponsored organizations are welcome. Head to EarthGives.org 🌎to register today. It's a quick 2 step process and might take you 10-20 minutes. Together, more is possible. 💙🦌🦒🦍🐋🐯💚

Today is #GivingTuesday - you are going to see a lot of reminders about giving to your favorite causes in support of the season of giving. Last week, I shared some of my recommendations that I think fit into the eight climate action areas that Project Drawdown has identified for businesses. If you haven't yet committed to giving to a nonprofit today, consider one of these or one of the other great orgs that are recommended by the experts that I link to in the post.

#ExtremeHeat is a pressing issue that disproportionately affects marginalized communities. 🌡️🌿 That's why American Forests, alongside other leading nonprofits, is urging Congress to take immediate action. Through #TreeEquity, we can ensure that everyone has access to the cooling and health benefits of trees. Read more about our call to action and how you can get involved: https://bit.ly/3Wm8S6m

All-star panel (yes, I'm biased) discussing the threats of #ExtremeHeat. Action Items: (1) Get more agencies to the table and invested at all stages. (2) Empower organizations working to implement locally-led solutions to protect vulnerable communities. #TreeEquity

Volunteering exists in many forms, from informally helping your community to supporting a nonprofit. In fact, one-third of the nonprofit workforce is made up of volunteers. This means that if you run a nonprofit, volunteers are likely a major part of your organization. After the survey, we were pleased to share the findings of the AMA Baseline Survey on Integrating Climate Change Education into Local Governance. The survey highlights gaps in climate awareness and opportunities for policy integration. These insights will help shape effective climate education programs and guide local policies towards sustainable development. Together, we aim to foster a climate-conscious future for our communities. Technical Workshop and Capacity Building meeting broaden my scope and its been a great opportunity. Frontline for climate action is a dedicated organization that acts now🍀 #BloombergPhilantropies #UCLG #FrontlineForClimateAction #UnitedNations #ClimateChange #ActNow⛔