City of Columbia honored 17 youth-led groups as Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund recipients

On Thursday, May 22, 2025, the City of Columbia honored 17 youth-led groups as Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund recipients with an orientation session held at the Busby Street Community Center.

This orientation introduced the second round of grants sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies, aimed at engaging youth ages 15–24 in climate change mitigation. A total of $100,000 was distributed among 17 youth-led groups.

Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann, City of Columbia Public Works, Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund Recipients

Round Two Recipients:

• Benedict College- Climate Change Storytelling Project
• United Way of the Midlands- Young Men Community Garden
• South Carolina Wildlife Federation- Columbia EcoLeaders
• Columbia College- Koala Organizers and Leaders for Action (KOALA)
• School of Hospitality and Tourism Management- USC, Food Upcycling to Fight Food Insecurity
• South Carolina Public Health Association- Climate Action Resilience Week
• Office of Sustainability- Food Recovery Intern and Support
• Dreher High School- Biodiversity Garden, Phase Two
• Office of Sustainability- USC, Conservation and Stewardship Event Series
• Columbia College- From Jerseys to Joy: Upcycled Blankets for Community Impact
• Cola Town Bike Collective- Climate Friendly Mobility
• Indian Waters Council- Scouting America, Scouting for Clean Waterways
• Connections Workforce Development Group- Opening Doors to Future Energy Auditors
• Riverbanks Zoo and Garden- ZooTeens, Composting Connection
• Columbia NAACP Youth Council- Youth Disaster Preparedness Program
• Darla Moore School of Business- USC, Educational Campaign for Bus Use in Columbia
• Office of Sustainability- USC, USC Home Weatherization Program, Part Two

Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann

In 2024, the first round of recipients received $50,000 to distribute as microgrants. Following the success of the first round, the City of Columbia qualified for the second larger round.

With 84% of youth around the world reporting concern that climate change threatens people and the planet, Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann announced in June 2024 that the City of Columbia is joining Bloomberg Philanthropies’ new Youth Climate Action Fund. This initiative provides technical assistance and funding for 100 mayors to activate tens of thousands of young people ages 15 – 24 to design, produce, and govern urgent climate solutions in cities across the globe.

Bob Petrulis, Chairman, Climate Protection Action Committee (CPAC)

As part of this program, the City of Columbia will receive $100,000 to distribute as microgrants to fund a groundswell of youth-led climate initiatives. From mobilizing tree-planting or public education campaigns to launching recycling or waste reduction initiatives to participating in mitigation planning or preparedness programs, efforts stemming from the new Youth Climate Action Fund will advance critical community goals such as meeting decarbonization commitments or reducing consumption-based emissions.

The City of Columbia congratulates all 17 Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund Recipients for their impactful efforts and remains committed to supporting initiatives that uplift the health and well-being of all residents.