Our Approach to Climate Resilience

Philanthropy California envisions a Golden State where all Californians can live with dignity and security in the face of a changing climate. Where no one’s health or livelihood is compromised by extreme heat, toxic air, drought, or rising costs driven by climate change. Where the ability to stay safe and thrive isn’t determined by your zip code, your race, your income, or your immigration status. Where frontline communities and trusted local organizations are resourced to self-determine climate solutions, ensuring that resilience is built through equity, community wisdom, and collective action.

Through multi-sector initiatives and community-driven partnerships, we catalyze long-term climate resilience investments that center economic justice and the leadership of those most impacted by the climate crisis.

Our Climate Resilience Priorities:

Ensuring Equitable and Sustainable Access to Public Funding

Philanthropy California works toward a more climate-resilient future where communities most impacted by climate change— particularly communities of color, Tribes, and rural regions — have access to sustained, reliable, and equitable funding to advance community-driven solutions.

• We are tracking the implementation of Prop 4’s $10 billion climate bond to ensure the funding is accessible, aligned with community priorities, and making the case for more sustained investment in resilience activities.

• We believe that philanthropy should be engaged in catalyzing partnerships with government grantmakers that improve accessibility of both public and philanthropic funding. Our team conducted research and compiled recommendations to improve the accessibility of public funding and develop deeper cross-sector relationships in our Resourcing Resilience Report.

• We partnered with the California Office of Emergency Services to provide grant-writing technical assistance to nonprofits across California through our Climate Capacity Project.

Leveraging Policy & Partnerships for Climate Resilience

We understand the importance of advocating for more effective climate resilience policies and partnerships, and the critical role philanthropy can play in advocating for change. As a result of shifting federal priorities and attacks on climate resilience, Philanthropy California released a statement in support of funding frontline climate organizations and against recent federal attacks.

Our current priorities are:

• Deepening relationships between philanthropy, state agencies, the legislature, and the Governor’s Office

• Tracking and sharing information on federal executive orders & agency actions that impact climate priorities in California

• Uplifting the importance of incorporating climate priorities as foundational within the California State Budget

• Fostering increased investments in climate resilience

Convening California Funders to Invest in Climate Resilience

As a network of three regional philanthropy associations, Philanthropy California works to uplift regional practices to a statewide audience of funders. We convene philanthropy from across the state to develop shared understanding, leverage deep local partnerships, and offer opportunities to scale innovative solutions. We invite you to join one of our regional climate and disaster funder groups to connect with colleagues and learn more about local efforts.

• Northern California Grantmakers Climate & Disaster Resilience Group

• SoCal Grantmakers Environmental Funders Group

• Catalyst of San Diego and Imperial Counties Climate Funders Group