New Sustainable Communities Program Will Address Climate Change Impacts and Economic Inequities in the Triangle

3/25/2021

Research Triangle Park, March 25, 2021: Triangle Community Foundation recently unveiled an updated Impact Area, Sustainable Communities, which they believe to be more reflective of community needs. The Impact Area combines and evolves their previous Environmental Conservation and Community Development programs, a choice they made based on the growing consensus that climate change poses a threat to the environment and to the people and assets in communities across the globe and in our own backyard.

Locally, the Triangle is experiencing the impacts of climate change in the form of more frequent flooding, increasing temperatures and drought conditions, and population growth which leads to more development and demand for resources. Communities that have historically experienced inequitable access to economic opportunities, affordable housing, and adequate health care are more likely to be negatively impacted by these climate change threats.

The Sustainable Communities Impact Area aims to support environmentally and economically resilient communities, focusing on building economic resources in historically under-invested communities and protecting natural resources across the Triangle.

“The Foundation has been investing in land conservation efforts for years and as a result we’ve helped build awareness of the need for conserving our natural resources while helping conserve 267 acres of land in the Triangle. This next iteration of our programming reflects a deeper understanding of how conservation of land and natural resources is tied to climate change as well as the economic strength of communities,” said Sarah Guidi, Program Officer.

Sustainable Communities, one of four Impact Areas funded through the Foundation’s Fund for the Triangle, a collective unrestricted initiative, will specifically work to increase land conservation, increase awareness and education around climate change and conservation, and increase wealth in low-income communities. Grant opportunities will be announced in each of these areas throughout the year going forward.

The first of these opportunities is Environmental Resilience and is currently open to eligible nonprofits in the region. Grants will be available in the amount of $15,000 or $20,000, and funding will be for one year’s duration, providing unrestricted support. Organizations implementing nature-based strategies that allow communities to adapt to climate change threats with priority on low-income communities, organizations providing education & communications around conservation and/or climate issues, and organizations that are engaging in local advocacy efforts related to conservation and/or climate issues are encouraged to apply; the application deadline is April 19, 2021.