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Focus Areas

    Orange and Rockland proudly funds organizations that share our vision to combat the effects of climate change, advance social justice, and create green jobs. Our philanthropic initiatives power the vitality of our communities to advocate for equity and support the gaps that exist in state-designated disadvantaged communities.

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    As a partner in meeting New York and New Jersey's ambitious clean energy goals, Orange and Rockland is making more investments to usher in this future equitably and efficiently.

    As part of that commitment, we are aligning our charitable grant efforts to invest in nonprofit organizations who share our vision to combat the effects of climate change, advance social justice in the communities we serve, and create green jobs across our service territory.

    We currently focus our strategic grantmaking on organizations working in the following areas:
     

    Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation 

    We will harness nature-based solutions to preserve and restore our natural environment while preparing communities to adjust to climate change impacts.

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    Focal Points:

    • Climate Change Adaptation: Support initiatives that restore or preserve our natural environment and urban ecosystems. Special attention will be given to projects focused on urban forests and green space conservation, restoring rivers and wetlands, and preserving native species and biodiversity.
    • Climate Change Mitigation: Support nature-based solutions to help people in priority communities adjust to the current and future effects of climate change. Special attention will be given to projects using green and blue infrastructure land management programs, which are designed to reduce the effects of extreme weather, increase flood control, and lower urban heat. 

    Social Justice 

    We are investing in community engagement, empowerment, and advocacy solutions to break down economic barriers and create pathways to equity and inclusion. We will work in solidarity with community leaders and organizations to address injustices, create opportunities, and uplift movement building toward social and systems change.

    We believe in championing diversity, equality, social justice, and civic involvement. Here are some of the local organizations we support:


    Focal Points

    • Human Rights and Democracy: Provide the building blocks to address discrimination, bias, and opportunity inequities for marginalized and disadvantaged communities. Program support may include initiatives that equip individuals and communities with knowledge and tools to advocate for their rights and participate fully in the democratic processes.
    • Economic Empowerment and Opportunity: Aim to reduce the racial, ethnic, and gender wealth gap and expand access to resources for nonprofits that serve disadvantaged populations. Special attention will be given to initiatives that focus on workforce development for non-green jobs and technology small business growth and resilience and financial literacy.  
    • Community Resilience: Support initiatives to ensure that marginalized and disadvantaged communities have the capacity, leadership, and agency to address environmental, social, and political change. Special attention will be given to programs that involve environmental justice and climate change resilience such as environmental equity, resilience against extreme weather events, and long-term climate adaptation strategies.  

    Program support may include:

    • Funding to assist with skill building
    • Leadership development
    • Capacity and coalition building
    • Civic Engagement
    • Community organizing/outreach

    Clean Energy & Technology Career Readiness

    We are equipping people with in-demand skills and competencies to build a pipeline of clean energy jobs and support a green economy and sustainable energy sector.

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    Focal Points

    • Skills Training: Training programs that equip new and existing workers with the skills and credentials needed for sustainable, well-paying careers, in high-demand clean energy and technology fields—with prioritization for individuals from disadvantaged communities.
    • Career Exploration & Pathways: Programs, workshops, and initiatives that build awareness of career paths and further educational and career goals in clean energy and technology fields for teenagers (grade 9 and above) and adults.
    • Energy Ecosystems: Foster innovations, partnerships, movements, and coalitions that bring together business, training providers, and community organizations to develop clean energy and workforce strategies to help workers access quality careers and address specific challenges.

    Program support may include:

    • Curriculum development
    • Barrier reduction and retention services
    • Skills-based and on-the-job training
    • Apprenticeships and paid internships
    • Coalition and network-building
    • Career coaching

     

     

    Grant Eligibility

    Check your grant eligibility on our apply for grants page.

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