Deadline: 1-Sep-23
The Lumpkin Family Foundation is currently accepting Letters of Inquiry (LOI) for its Nature-Based Climate Action grant cycle to demonstrate and promote tree planting, prairie restoration, and other nature-based solutions to climate mitigation in rural areas.
The Nature-Based Climate Action Program supports projects that use natural systems to address climate change, the threats of extreme weather and habitat loss that contributes to the extinction of vital species. Natural systems solutions – which include the preservation or restoration of critical eco-systems such as forests, prairies and wetlands – have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration by as much as 20 percent of US greenhouse gases.
The Nature-Based Climate Action Program is intended to support such direct action.
Focus of Support
The Foundation seeks measurable environmental impact in the form of carbon drawdown and habitat restoration. Because the science supporting carbon sequestration and storage is nascent, and because they see opportunity to enhance public understanding of the challenges, they are interested in projects that can:
- Increase community engagement and support for action to combat climate change;
- Promote broad community understanding and policy change with respect to climate change and habitat loss;
- Contribute to climate science in ways that increases the effectiveness of future land uses or action; and,
- Model action for other organizations and communities.
Examples of Projects
- Purchases of targeted land tracts for restoration or preservation of high plant diversity that may greatly increase carbon capture;
- Large scale carbon farming demonstrations using trees, prairie or wetlands that monitor drawdown and contribute to climate science;
- Projects that activate communities, stimulate media coverage, and encourage greater understanding of climate change by the public;
- Tree planting projects in small cities and towns;
- Large scale demonstrations of regenerative agriculture directed at advancing policy or supporting market-based change like the creation of a viable carbon market.
Geographic Areas of Interest
- The Foundation encourages applicants from organizations working in East Central Illinois. They give preference to rural organizations, small cities and towns and they are especially interested in programs or projects that support collaboration or connect communities.
Eligibility Criteria
- Proposals will be considered from eligible 501(c)(3) organizations that reflect The Lumpkin Family Foundation’s mission, serve the community without discrimination on the basis of race, sex, or religion, keep books available for regular independent outside audit, make results available to all potential contributors, and comply with applicable laws regarding registration and reporting.
For more information, visit Lumpkin Family Foundation.