Beneficiaries
Climate Ride is a unique charitable event because participants, or Climate Riders, can select a specific beneficiary organization they will be raising money for, or they can select to raise funds for the entire collection. These beneficiaries were selected because they focus on clean energy, sustainability, climate education and/or bicycle advocacy. At the end of the year, Climate Ride tallies all the donations from all Climate Ride events and then grants the funds to these hard-working organizations. These grants are carefully tracked and periodic reports are provided by the beneficiaries.
We are adding new beneficiary organizations on a rolling basis. If you would like to nominate and ride for a beneficiary of your choice, please visit our pages describing the mission, goals, and criteria for a grant from Climate Ride.
Below are descriptions of the Climate Ride beneficiary organizations to help you understand their mission, vision, and how they are making a difference in the world.
Named after the safe upper limit of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, 350 parts per million, 350.org works with hundreds of thousands of people in over 180 countries to build a movement to solve the climate crisis. Funds from Climate Ride will go toward building grassroots climate networks, taking on big polluters, and preparing for a major global mobilization.
NRDC uses law, science and the support of 1.3 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things. NRDC works to solve the most pressing environmental issues we face today: curbing global warming, getting toxic chemicals out of the environment, moving America beyond oil, reviving our oceans, saving wildlife and wild places, and helping China go green. Funds from Climate Ride support NRDC's initiatives to create the Clean Energy Future.
1% for the Planet is a growing global movement of over 1,300 member companies who donate at least 1% of annual sales to environmental organizations. Since its founding in 2002, 1% members have donated more than $50 million to environmental causes. 1% members donate directly to approved non-profits
working on issues they care about. Funds from Climate Ride will help support the global work of 1% for the Planet and help 1% meet its organizational goals for 2011 and beyond.
From bike routes and bus lanes to pedestrian crossings and car parking,
Transportation Alternatives is fighting for safer, smarter transportation and a healthier city. Funds from Climate Ride support
advocacy campaigns for better biking, walking and public transit in New York City.
Green For All is dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans through a clean energy economy. Green for All works in collaboration with the business, government, labor, and grassroots communities to create and implement programs that increase quality jobs and opportunities in green industry – all while holding the most vulnerable people at the center of our agenda.
Green America mobilizes consumers, investors and businesses as economic agents for environmental sustainability. Green America’s initiatives grow the green economy, curb climate change, and promote clean energy solutions. Funds raised through Climate Ride support the "
Efficiency First!" campaign, to reduce the amount of electricity Americans consume, and create "
Clean Energy Victory Bonds" to provide citizens with an opportunity to contribute to building a clean energy future.
The mission of
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. In particular, Climate Ride fundraising supports RTC’s
Campaign for Active Transportation, which aims to develop trail, walking and bicycling networks in communities all around the country—and to dramatically shift the transportation paradigm in America to a less auto-centric culture. The campaign is part of a broader, ambitious strategy to see 90 percent of Americans living within three miles of a trail system by 2020.
The Alliance for Biking & Walking is the North American coalition of more than 180 state and local bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations. Since 1996, the Alliance has grown the movement by creating, strengthening and uniting grassroots advocates. In 2010 alone, 65 organizations participated in our Winning Campaigns Trainings; a record 106 leaders from 37 U.S. states and 4 Canadian provinces attended our 2010 Leadership Retreat and more than 4,000 advocates, reporters and policy makers downloaded our 2010 Benchmarking Report. Funds from the Climate Ride will enable the Alliance to continue to provide the training, coaching, networking, funding and resources needed to build our People Powered Movement.
Through day-to-day advocacy, education, and working partnerships with government and community agencies, the
San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is dedicated to creating safer streets and more livable communities for all San Franciscans. Funds from Climate Ride support SF Bike Coalition's
Connecting the City initiative, a bold plan to build continuous, cross-town bike routes that are separated from vehicle traffic, so that people of all ages will feel comfortable and safe bicycling.
The mission of the
Washington Area Bicyclist Association is to create a healthy, more livable region by promoting bicycling for fun, fitness, and affordable transportation; advocating for better bicycling conditions and transportation choices for a healthier environment, and educating people about safe bicycling. Funds from Climate Ride support WABA’s vision of an
integrated transportation system that links transit, trails, bicycling, and walking facilities to connect the places DC residents live, work, and play.
The Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) is the first grassroots, nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to fighting global warming in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Our mission is to build and mobilize a powerful grassroots movement in this unique region that surrounds our nation’s capital to call for state, national and international policies that will put us on a path to climate stability.
We envision a country where clean energy sources, such as solar and wind power, are prioritized and dirty fossil fuels are phased out; where our world is on a path to 350 ppm CO2 in the atmosphere, creating a stable, sustainable climate.
Bike Sonoma (Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition) promotes bicycling for transportation and recreation because of its environmental, health, and economic benefits – and, best of all, it’s fun! For ten years, Bike Sonoma has worked with government agencies to create new bike routes, facilities, and plans that are making Sonoma County the best place to ride a bike. Funds from Climate Ride will support the development of a regular series of family-friendly bike rides, designed to empower people to adopt bicycling as a viable and enjoyable way to get around town.
East Bay Bicycle Coalition works to promote bicycling as an everyday means of transportation and recreation. EBBC advocates for direct access on the seven transbay bridges that serve the East Bay counties. Funds from Climate Ride support efforts to improve transit access, make bikeway improvements and offer secure bicycle parking at transit and most destinations.
The mission of the
League of American Bicyclists is to promote bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation and work through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. The League does this by representing the interests of the nation's 57 million cyclists. With a current membership of 300,000 affiliated cyclists, including 25,000 individuals and 700 affiliated organizations, the League works to bring better bicycling to your community. Climate Ride funding will enable the League to get the
Bicycle Friendly America Blueprint into the hands of communities, businesses, universities, and states. The Blueprint lays out successful strategies to use education, engineering, evaluation, encouragement, and enforcement to improve conditions for bicyclists.
Grist's mission is to set the agenda by showing how green is reshaping our world. Grist cuts through the noise and empowers a new generation to make change. Much more than a news organization, Grist inspires action. Its goal is to inform and activate new audiences by producing content that appeals especially to the next generation. This has been met with remarkable success: In a recent reader survey, 87 percent of respondents said they had taken action based on Grist content, from consuming less to contacting a politician. Check out Grist's killer biking coverage here.
The Alliance for Climate Education educates high school students on the science behind climate change and inspire them to take action to curb global warming. ACE is committed to building a generational shift to solve climate change. ACE Educators work with students to start Action Teams, or environmental clubs, to take on carbon-reducing projects at their schools. ACE supports these teams with in-person trainings, project ideas, grants and scholarships.
The
Climate Protection Campaign works to inspire, align, and mobilize action in response to the climate crisis. CPC partners with business, government, youth and the broader community to advance practical, science-based solutions for significant greenhouse gas emission reductions. Funds from Climate Ride support the
Sonoma Clean Power initiative: a public-private partnership to aggressively develop local renewable energy, which will in turn create new businesses and jobs, stabilize electricity prices, and keep energy dollars local.
Environmental Working Group uses the power of public information to protect public health and the environment. Funds from Climate Ride will support the effort to replace federal policies, including government subsidies that damage the environment and natural resources with policies that invest in conservation and sustainable development.
Climate Counts scores companies annually on their commitment to solutions to climate change. The Climate Counts
Company Scorecard helps people vote with their dollars by making climate-conscious purchasing and investing choices that put pressure on the world's most well-known companies to take the issue of climate change seriously. Funds from Climate Ride will strengthen tools for consumer engagement by improving the existing pocket guide, and iPhone app, and website.
The Solar Living Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit institute that promotes sustainable living through inspirational environmental education. The Institute manages the Solar Living Center, a 12-acre renewable energy and sustainable living demonstration site visited by 150,000 people annually, and is home to the Solar 2000 Array, providing 160,000 kWh of renewable energy annually.
The
International Green Industry Hall of Fame promotes ecological sustainability worldwide by recognizing individuals and organizations for outstanding achievements in the green industry and by providing an educational forum for the international public.
The School for Field Studies (SFS) creates transformative study abroad experiences through field-based learning and research. Our educational programs explore the human and ecological dimensions of the complex environmental problems faced by our local partners, contributing to sustainable solutions in the places where we live and work. The SFS community is part of a growing network of individuals and institutions committed to environmental stewardship. We believe that everyone has a valuable role to play in helping to protect our environment for future generations. As environmental problems become increasingly more urgent, so must our commitment to finding solutions. SFS students work together with host communities around the world to learn real environmental problem-solving skills.
Since its founding twelve years ago, Clean Air-Cool Planet (CA-CP) has focused exclusively on addressing the problem of climate change. During this time, as scientific and political perspectives on climate and energy have changed, we have evolved to meet the new challenges, always seeking out the most effective ways to leverage our broad-based community networks and our ever-growing suite of climate solutions tools. Our mission, refined during a strategic planning process in early 2011, is to accelerate the transformation to sustainable communities by creating and supporting models of climate mitigation and adaptation that will inspire leadership.
Sierra Club California fights to promote the preservation, restoration, and enjoyment of California's environment. We work to support a safe and healthy community in which to live, smart energy solutions to combat global warming, and an enduring legacy for America's wild places. Through our chapters, grassroots activists and member-support, we aim to influence California legislation and promote a better, healthier environment. Sierra Club California is a non-profit, member-supported, public interest organization aiming to protect our natural environment by influencing public policy. California is home to more than 270 state parks, over 30 national parks and endless beauty. Sierra Club California works to protect what we have and improve the Golden State's future!
Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) advances sustainable energy through policy and market solutions. Click
Buy Clean Energy to learn about CRS's current campaign. CRS empowers companies, institutions and individuals with the knowledge and opportunity to choose clean renewable energy. CRS is the leader in creating market mechanisms that support climate change mitigation, energy independence, job creation and reducing local pollution through education, advocacy, the Green-e® certification programs, and promotion of renewable energy.
The mission of
Acterra is to bring people together to create local solutions for a healthy planet. Acterra provides adults and youth in the Silicon Valley of California with tangible, hands-on activities they can do to improve the environment. Acterra's work is solution-oriented. Because people get excited by different things, Acterra offers a broad range of programs with a wide range of impacts, from reduction of greenhouse gasses, to restoration of native habitats, to environmental leadership training and more. Funding from Climate Ride will provide thousands of Silicon Valley residents with the support and opportunities they need to live sustainably, become environmental leaders, combat global warming and create and restore local habitats.
reLI promotes clean, sustainable energy use and generation for Long Island, and seeks public participation in energy policy decisions to encourage energy efficiency, use of renewable energy sources, and to protect the environment, economy, and public health. Funds from Climate Ride will enable
reLI to continue to expand outreach and education efforts promoting the adoption of renewable energy for both consumers and businesses; support grassroots initiative calling for an offshore wind project for Long
Island; and encourage local policy makers and utilities to adopt policies that promote
and support renewable energy projects.
The
Save Our Snow Foundation works with individuals, businesses, schools, communities and governments on cost-effective solutions to climate change. SOS teaches how to calculate and prioritize and measurably reduce while SAVING money. Just launching now is a program to work with farmers to quantify the carbon sequestration of different environmentally friendly farming methods, so that farm families can eventually get paid for their ecosystem services. Support from Climate Ride helps save our snow and our water for future generations to enjoy.
Active Transportation Alliance
Active Trans is a non-profit organization with more than 6,800 members who support our mission to improve conditions for biking, walking and transit in the Chicago metropolitan region. Our goal is to see a Chicagoland that is a fun and healthy place to live, work and play. This Chicagoland is home to a multitude of transportation options that enable all residents to easily and safely reach any destination. We envision the region with half as many crashes and where half of all trips are made by walking, biking and transit.
Walk San Francisco is part of an international movement to reclaim streets as shared public space and encourage sustainable transportation instead of driving. Walk SF raises the visibility of pedestrians in the media, among decision-makers, and on the streets. Through activism and policy advocacy, Walk SF is making walking-the most sustainable form of transportation-a safer, more inviting choice for everyone.
Bike New York
Bike New York is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that promotes and encourages bicycling and bicycle safety through education, public events, and collaboration with community and government organizations. In addition to producing the TD Five Boro Bike Tour, Bike New York offers free classes to the public, training for instructors, and regional rides outside NYC. We have grand plans for 2011, addressing the challenges on New York's crowded streets and giving more people the confidence they need to enjoy cycling.
Boston Cyclists Union
At the Boston Cyclists Union, we're helping Bostonians lead healthier lives by promoting the everyday use of the bicycle for transportation. The Union repairs over 1,000 bikes per year at farmers' markets, educates new riders, and organizes neighborhood residents who would like to voice support for better biking infrastructure.
In 2012, the Boston Cyclists Union is helping to create and build grassroots support for a new Bike Network Master Plan, holding a series of talks on the history and future of Boston's cityscape, and leading a neighborhood effort to dismantle a 1950s era elevated highway bridge in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood.
Marin County Bicycle Coalition
The Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC) promotes bicycling for everyday transportation and recreation. MCBC has been steadily improving our county's road and path facilities for walkers and bikers since we formed in 1998. MCBC developed the Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) program and former Executive Director, Deb Hubsmith, now heads the national SRTS, which serves all 50 states. We've seen the impact of our advocacy efforts in each of our towns: permanent bike racks, bike lane striping, bike route signs, road resurfacing, ‘sharrows', and much more. Since 1999 weekday cycling trips in Marin increased 172%, while cycling collisions declined 34%.
Greenbelt Alliance
Since 1958, Greenbelt Alliance has been protecting the region’s working farms and natural areas, and making the Bay Area’s cities better places to live. Greenbelt Alliance works to direct growth into existing cities to create vibrant, walkable neighborhoods surrounded by a greenbelt of open space.
A key solution in the fight against climate change is to get people out of cars. Greenbelt Alliance is leading the effort to make the San Francisco Bay Area a place that is designed for people to use bikes, walking and public transit as their preferred ways of getting around. Greenbelt Alliance mobilizes citizens and decision makers to create cities and towns that have attractive, walkable and bikable neighborhoods with a vibrant mix of homes, shops, restaurants, and offices, all bounded by a protected greenbelt of rolling hills, productive farmlands, lush watersheds, and plentiful parks.
Carbon War Room
Over 50% of the climate change challenge can be addressed today – and profitably – by existing technologies, under existing policy. This is an opportunity marked as a crisis – arguably the largest wealth creation opportunity of our lifetime.
Carbon War Room works on breaking down market barriers for capital to flow to entrepreneurial solutions to climate change, by employing a sector-based approach focusing on the solutions that make economic sense right now.
