Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cleveland Carbon Fund?
The Cleveland Carbon Fund, an advised fund at the Cleveland Foundation, is breaking new ground in the carbon reduction market. It is the first, community-based, open-access carbon reduction fund in the United States. The Fund offers a structured, highly transparent option for the public to easily play a role in reducing carbon emissions by supporting community projects that foster positive economic, social and environmental development.
Anyone—individuals, organizations and businesses—can contribute to the Cleveland Carbon Fund to reduce their carbon emissions from other personal or business behaviors including traveling, commuting and home/business utilities usage.
What is the mission of the Cleveland Carbon Fund?
The mission of the Cleveland Carbon Fund is to sponsor the formation and implementation of local carbon reduction projects that help foster economic development, social well-being and environmental stewardship in the Cleveland community.
Why is the Cleveland Carbon Fund needed?
As a result of their consumption patterns, Americans annually emit more than 7.5 billion tons of carbon, contributing to a global increase in temperature, rise in sea level and dramatic changes in climate and weather patterns. These effects are cause for concern and action. As more individuals and corporations around the globe are motivated—either by personal passion or regulation—to be better stewards of the environment, reducing carbon emissions has become a viable choice for citizens or businesses to undertake.
Why is the Cleveland Carbon Fund important to the Cleveland community?
The Cleveland Carbon Fund allows donors to “think globally, green locally.” Contributions not only support action steps to reduce carbon emissions in Northeast Ohio, they are enhancing the economic and social health of the local community. Cleveland donors can be assured their contributions are making positive change happen in their own backyard.
Who really benefits from the Cleveland Carbon Fund?
Everyone benefits. The Cleveland Carbon Fund originated to help combat the harmful impact of carbon emissions in the Cleveland region and on the environment worldwide, which in the end, has positive, global benefits for all. Locally, many parties benefit. Donors are able to reduce their carbon footprint in a quick, easy, and ethical way. Non-profit organizations granted funds use the money to not only sustain their missions but also effectively reach out and help their target audiences. Finally, the Cleveland community benefits because funds are given directly to projects in the region, stimulating economic development, creating jobs and improving the community’s environmental health.
Who founded the Cleveland Carbon Fund?
The Cleveland Carbon Fund represents collaboration at its best. Supportive of one mission, the unique partnerships at the Cleveland Carbon Fund work to stimulate economic development through environmental programs and stewardship. Founding Partners include: the Cleveland Foundation, The George Gund Foundation, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the City of Cleveland.
What is carbon reduction?
Carbon reduction projects lower the amount of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. These types of projects may be used to counterbalance or compensate for other environmentally harmful emissions activities. To be a legitimate reduction, the project cannot be a “business-as-usual” activity – an activity that would have occurred anyway.
Do people have to pay to reduce all their CO2 pollution?
No. However, anyone can use the carbon calculators on the Cleveland Carbon Fund’s website to better understand their contribution to climate change and to inform their donation decision to the Cleveland Carbon Fund.
How is donating to the Cleveland Carbon Fund different than buying traditional carbon offsets?
Donating to the Cleveland Carbon Fund is different than buying conventional ‘carbon offsets’ for several reasons. Contributions to the Fund go to local projects overseen by non-profit organizations throughout the Cleveland community that would not have happened or would not have happened the same way without this funding. To reduce administrative fees, the Cleveland Carbon Fund has chosen not to certify and retire the carbon emissions reductions that result from the funded projects.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes, contributions to the Cleveland Carbon Fund are treated as charitable donations and are tax-deductible.
What types of projects are funded by the Cleveland Carbon Fund?
The Cleveland Carbon Fund benefits local carbon reduction projects that foster economic development in Cleveland area communities. Projects such as tree planting, weatherization and CFL light replacement initiatives may be selected for funding.
How are projects selected for funding?
All proposed projects will go through a rigorous RFP process similar to that of typical grant proposals at the Cleveland Foundation and The George Gund Foundation. An Advisory Committee made up of representatives from the Carbon Fund’s Steering Committee as well as academics and professionals with relevant expertise will make funding recommendations to be approved by the Cleveland Foundation’s Board of Directors. Projects will be considered based on a range of metrics, including cost per metric ton of CO2 reduced, collateral social and economic benefits, location, track record of the non-profit organization and number of people served.
Who can apply for funding from the Cleveland Carbon Fund?
Only 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations are eligible for funding from the Cleveland Carbon Fund.
How can organizations apply for funding?
More information regarding applying for funding can be found at www.clevelandcarbonfund.org.
How much of a donation goes directly to fund projects?
The Cleveland Carbon Fund is committed to making sure that as much of a donation as possible goes directly to projects. In developing and launching the Fund, in-kind contributions of time and expertise have been solicited from partnering organizations whenever possible. More specific information about this will be provided upon the announcement of the Fund’s projects.
How does the Cleveland Carbon Fund estimate how much CO2 pollution will be reduced?
The Cleveland Carbon Fund’s Advisory Committee is working with the GreenCityBlueLake Institute and potential grantees to calculate and validate the expected carbon reduction from each proposed project. These CO2 estimates will follow the best available greenhouse gas accounting principles and all calculations will be made as transparent as possible. In fact, one of the goals of the Cleveland Carbon Fund is to equip local non-profit organizations with the tools to accurately calculate the carbon reduction benefits of their projects.