Builders Initiative

#Philanthropy plays a critical role in addressing today’s most urgent challenges. It is one of the most valuable and flexible tools we have at our disposal to catalyze capital and move the climate transition forward, faster. On this, #NationalPhilanthropyDay, we’re deeply grateful to our Builders Initiative team for their unwavering dedication, day in and day out, in driving this important work. Their commitment to creating lasting change and their tireless efforts fuel the success of our shared mission. Philanthropic capital empowers innovators to push boundaries, supporting projects that might otherwise be overlooked by markets but have tremendous potential for impact. It accelerates progress by bridging critical funding gaps, creating the conditions for market development through policy, research, and development, and most importantly, putting power in the hands of those closest to the challenges to drive lasting change. We’re proud to uplift our team’s multi-faceted approach to philanthropy, one that not only funds but empowers sustainable, scalable solutions. Over the years, we’ve partnered with hundreds of changemaking organizations working to solve systemic challenges across the oceans, food & agriculture and energy sectors. Through these partnerships, we’ve contributed over $500 million across more than 1,000 grants since 2018, supporting innovative solutions that drive meaningful change. Additionally, the power behind our philanthropy - the Builders Initiative Foundation’s $1.7 billion endowment - plays an important role in advancing progress by being over 90% invested in impact. As we look ahead, we’re energized by the opportunity to deepen our impact and accelerate progress alongside our dedicated team and partners.Together, we’re moving toward a more climate resilient future.

Check out this incredible press on The Queen Conch Mariculture Center. This is an exciting partnership between Blue Action and the Queen Conch Lab | FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (funded by Builders Initiative). “Grand Bahama is perfectly situated to become one of the #Caribbean leaders in the creation of novel approaches to #aquaculture and #ecotourism, while also building capacity for Bahamian students and community members to own and operate new businesses” said Megan Davis, Ph.D., research professor and Director of the FAU Queen Conch Lab. Florida Atlantic Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute | Megan Davis | Becky Holt | Robinson Bazurto | Amanda Matthews | Tony Johns | Lachelle Russell | Rupert Hayward | Melissa Halpern | Jeff Stoike | OURnews

We're excited about our new partnership with the National Produce Prescription Collaborative!

Earlier this week, the 548 Foundation (548 Enterprises) and HIRE360 Partners were awarded $16 million in funding through the Illinois Clean and Equitable Jobs Act to expand green jobs apprenticeship and training programs. Governor JB Pritzker visited Fillmore Linen Service in North Lawndale on Tuesday to announce these grants, highlighting their importance in developing a skilled green workforce in underserved communities. Our partners AJ PATTON and the 548 Foundation received about $9 million to scale up clean energy pre-apprenticeship programs and create clean energy jobs on the city's West and Southwest sides. Funding will help the 548 Foundation expand its clean energy careers training program to reach 1,000 graduates in the next 36 months. Their work not only supports Illinois' goal of achieving 100 percent clean energy by 2050 but also creates economic opportunities in these communities through stable, well-paying career paths. Congratulations to the 548 Foundation, Hire360, and all involved in this effort! We're excited to see the positive impact these organizations will create in our communities. #ClimateEquity #CleanEnergy #GreenJobs 

Our president, Bruce McNamer, had an excellent chat with Laurie Lane-Zucker and Impact Entrepreneur at last month's Mission Investors Exchange conference! Bruce shared his journey from finance to the Peace Corps to philanthropy, illustrating how these experiences influenced his path to Builders Initiative. They also discussed the evolution of mission-related investing, Builders Vision's flexible approach to advancing sustainable solutions across oceans, food & agriculture, and energy, and how other family offices should think about aligning assets for impact. Check out their conversation here: https://lnkd.in/gp9VBCmP

How do we decarbonize and electrify buildings and homes while prioritizing equity and affordability? Our partners in southeast Michigan have some ideas and are seeing great results in environmental justice communities.  Our team members – Gabriel J., Bruce McNamer, Ryan Strode, and Scott Wozencraft – recently joined our partners in Detroit to explore how they are designing and implementing a vision for equitable clean energy access for those most impacted by climate change. For Detroiters specifically, housing affordability and their energy burden are critical considerations. Half of the city’s residents pay more than 30% of their income on housing, and about a third spend more than 6% of their income on energy bills. Local organizations are working in Detroit and surrounding communities to reduce utility bills for low-to-moderate income households and ensure that residents benefit from the boom in clean energy technologies. Some examples of their work include developing community-owned energy systems in homes and apartments, creating clean energy jobs for members of the community, and shifting policies to address utility affordability and grow the clean energy market. We’re proud to support the work they’re doing to advance the clean energy economy. Thank you to the following partners for spending time with us and giving us an opportunity to witness the amazing work happening in the area: EcoWorks Detroit, Green Door Initiative, HOPE Village Revitalization, We Want Green Too, Polar Bear Sustainable Energy Cooperative, Community Action Network (Washtenaw County), and The Avalon Village.

Big news: Our very own Noelle Laing, CFA has been appointed to the board of directors for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s first-ever foundation! The Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation (FESI) will collaborate with the private sector, philanthropy, and communities across the country to advance the development of new and emerging energy technologies and support the DOE’s critical mission of accelerating the clean energy transition. As we think about capital mobilization, FESI has the potential to play an essential role in fostering public-private partnerships that can catalyze more capital into much-needed climate solutions. We can’t think of anyone better than Noelle for the job! With more than two decades of institutional and impact investing experience, Noelle is an expert in managing diversified portfolios that address climate change risks and scale sustainable solutions. She’s exactly the kind of leader who can help set FESI up for success. Congratulations to Noelle and all the board members! Learn more about FESI and its board here: https://lnkd.in/eP-_vuej And check out the official press release here: https://lnkd.in/gx47ZDU8

The 2024 Mission Investors Exchange National Conference officially kicks off today, and we're proud to be an anchor sponsor! For those attending, don't miss the Luncheon Plenary on Thursday, May 9! Our Bruce McNamer is moderating a discussion with Flozell Daniels, Jr., CEO of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation, Sam Gill, president and CEO of the Doris Duke Foundation, and Nicole Taylor and CEO of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, about what it takes to activate all assets for impact. See you there!

The seafood industry is a vital part of the Oregon Coast’s economy, but it faces a critical challenge: a lack of skilled workers. The Oregon Ocean Cluster Initiatives's High School Seafood Butchery Pilot Program is addressing this need by equipping high school students with the hands-on experience they need to excel in the Blue Economy. “The program has been carefully crafted with input from industry professionals and existing high school students…The Oregon Coast is in desperate need of workers skilled in seafood butchery. This training will support coastal youth in building these skills; encouraging a “coast-grown” workforce that can afford to remain local by having the know-how to thrive in this growing industry.” – Eddyville K-12 School The successful launch of the pilot is owed to the Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County, who fully funded all six pilot programs. It also would not have been possible without early funding from the Builders Initiative, as well as contributions and equipment donations from Dexter Russel, Pacific Seafood, Uline, Englund Marine, NoCry, and Roby’s Newport. The program is now underway, but the work isn't done yet! After the initial pilot, we will launch an internship program to help students further develop their skills and get ready for a job in the industry. If you're passionate about shaping the future workforce and want to get involved with crafting internship opportunities tailored to your business, get in touch with us! Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gFeiKanz

Earlier this week, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $7 billion in Solar for All grants, and we're pleased to share that several of Builders Initiative's partners in the Midwest received over $471 million in funding following a grant competition review process. Solar for All is an Inflation Reduction Act program that's designed to deliver solar to low-income and disadvantaged communities across the U.S. Over the last year, our Climate Equity team has had an intentional focus on helping Midwestern communities apply for these competitive federal funds. We're looking forward to working alongside these partners over the coming months and years to support the successful implementation of this program. Congratulations to Growth Opportunity Partners, Inc., Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association, Indigenized Energy, EARTH CHARTER INDIANA, Indiana Energy Independence Fund, People's Solar Energy Fund, Groundswell, Inc., and everyone else who was part of preparing successful applications. You can read the EPA's announcement and learn more about Solar for All here: https://lnkd.in/gFAqcxYP