Small Grants Make a Big Impact
Nineteen congregations and faith organizations who attended the 2024 National Faith and Climate Forum were awarded grants from Blessed Tomorrow this summer. The Getting Outside the Walls: Congregational Grants for Climate Action in Local Communities initiative has mobilized the faith community towards impactful collaborative climate action in 19 local communities across 13 states. This program is catalyzing innovative climate collaborations, fostering community relationships, and providing ongoing support for faith communities from Arizona to Massachusetts.
Grant Projects include:
- Community Gardens and Native Species Plantings: Education, materials, and hands-on practice in gardens and greening projects.
- Youth Leadership: Support and center youth through nature, art, and climate solutions.
- Energy Efficiency and Solar Energy: Education and support around energy efficiency, resiliency, obtaining solar energy, and how to secure funding.
- Climate Change Education and Resilience Building: Climate education and climate resilience building through films, books, curriculums, speakers, research, resource guides, events, and more.
- Climate Justice: Inclusion and support for marginalized communities and communities of many faiths through inclusive and supportive resources and programs.
Faith communities are central to thriving towns and cities, and they are on the front lines of the climate crisis. It is crucial that faith leaders understand climate through a faith lens, and prioritize collaboration with other congregations and faith organizations to implement just and equitable climate solutions and resilience in their local communities.
Blessed Tomorrow equips and supports all people of faith for climate solutions through research, resources, trainings, and events, such as the free, on-demand Climate Ambassador Training. Blessed Tomorrow is a proud partner and the facilitator of One Home One Future which supports houses of worship to visibly lead on creation care and climate justice in their local communities.
All are invited to attend a celebration of these Grant projects on December 12, 2024 at 4 pm ET. Join us to learn more about the Grantees and be inspired by their projects. If your congregation is interested in a grant for collaborative climate action in your local community, become a host for the 2025 National Faith + Climate Forum, All local hosts will be invited to submit an application for a collaborative climate project in their local communities. Let us live out our faiths visibly and boldly as we work for a healthy climate and prosperous future. Let all people of faith join together to be the change we need in this world.
About the Author:
Rev. Carol Devine, Blessed Tomorrow Director
Additional Resources:
Apply or Nominate: American Climate Leadership Awards 2025
Join the Campaign: One Home One Future
Mental Health and Our Changing Climate: Children and Youth Report 2023