Climate Change & Healthy Habitats Collective Giving Group
Donor Shared Learning Group Grows Membership, Grantmaking and Impact
Through OCF, a diverse donor group with professional backgrounds spanning business, academia, medicine, law, agriculture and forestry meet, learn, plan and recommend grants that support efforts to address climate change and protect healthy ecosystems.
Formed from a group of eight and a grant of $35,000 in the first year to a robust group of 40 and an anticipated $200,000+ in grants in 2022, the Climate Change & Healthy Habitats (CC&HH) Collective Giving Group continues to flourish, thanks to the OCF donors who commit their time and resources. The group also celebrates the leaders and nonprofits across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest that share their expertise to help guide the group.
Eric Wan and Michele Goodman
“My husband, Eric, and I recognized how we could do more with this group than we can individually, and leverage more of our funds over time,” said Michele Goodman, a CC&HH donor member along with her husband Eric Wan. “Everyone is tremendously flexible and open-minded as we define what we stand for related to ecological health,” she added.
Members meet regularly to hear from leaders in academia, science, and the nonprofit sector. Over the past year, the group heard from 17 guest speakers over eight meetings who provided insights and helped the group learn about opportunities where philanthropy can have a meaningful impact.
“Being part of a larger donor ecosystem helps us all stay current on the best science, legislative activities and nonprofit expertise that we may not have otherwise known about,” said Craig Kelley, a family foundation trustee and CC&HH donor member.
The CC&HH has provided support to organizations working toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions, electrifying our transportation sector, engaging communities, and enhancing natural climate solutions (i.e., conservation, restoration and land management that increases carbon storage or avoid greenhouse gas emissions).
Recent grants have supported nonprofits working on the Oregon Climate Action Plan (referring to Governor Brown’s Executive Order 20-04) including the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, Beyond Toxics, Climate Solutions, and Oregon Environmental Council, as well as organizations working at the local and regional level such as Columbia Riverkeeper and Rogue Climate.
“Through participation in the CC&HH group, our family has welcomed the valuable chance to build powerful relationships with like-minded donors, extend and accelerate our learning, and increase the impact of our giving,” said Peter Hayes, a sustainable forestry advocate, business owner and CC&HH donor member.
This friendly group hopes to see these efforts attract new participants and additional resources to continue the momentum and generate greater impact. “We embrace our role to listen, learn and evolve our work alongside donors’ charitable goals and the emerging needs of our kids, families, neighbors and colleagues,” said Kirsten Kilchenstein, OCF chief philanthropy officer. “Together we hope to create connected, engaged communities across the state.”
If you have a donor advised fund at OCF and want to join the CC&HH, please contact your donor relations officer.