Grantees selected for City of Columbia Youth Climate Action Fund supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies
August 22, 2024
The City of Columbia, in collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies, announced the grantees for the 2024 Youth Climate Action Fund microgrant program. This initiative, spearheaded by the Office of the Mayor and facilitated by the Office of Sustainability and Climate Protection Action Committee (CPAC), underscores the City’s commitment to empowering our youth in the fight against climate change.
According to Bloomberg Philanthropies, over 60 percent of young people feel their government needs to do more to avoid climate catastrophes. This program aims to fund youth-led and youth-targeted environmental and sustainably focused projects to empower youth to be a part of the solution.
Following an open call for applications, the selection committee has selected nine projects and initiatives that will receive a microgrant. Below are the 2024 grantees for the City of Columbia’s 2024 Youth Climate Action Fund:
- Dreher High School Botany Club Raised Bed Gardens
- Columbia College Greenhouse
- Gills Creek Watershed Association Water Quality Testing
- Indian Waters Council/Scouting America Storm Drain Marking
- Ride the Bus, Save the Planet Campaign
- South Carolina Public Health Alliance Climate Action Resilience Week
- Sowing Seeds in the Midlands
- University of South Carolina Food Management Intern
- University of South Carolina Home Weatherization Program
The chosen projects address and target critical areas of the City’s Climate Action Plan, such as mitigating storm water drain systems, reducing emissions, and expanding sustainability education. The grantees will provide reporting to ensure the success of their respective projects. In January 2025, each grantee will make a summary presentation of their project.
The Youth Climate Action Fund aims to provide technical and monetary support for projects and initiatives that leave a lasting impact in their community. As part of this program, the City of Columbia has received $50,000 in funding and has the opportunity to receive an additional $100,000 in funding to support additional projects in 2025.
