Our Funding
At Rachel’s Network, we believe in the power of women, particularly women of color, to create and nurture a healthy environment for all. Women are writing transformative climate legislation, championing environmental justice, restoring ecosystems, mobilizing activists on renewable energy, fighting for clear air and water, and more. Our network funds these leaders and their visions in the following ways:
Catalyst Award
The Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award, launched in 2019, celebrates women of color who are building a healthier, safer, and more just world. Each year, the award provides women environmental leaders of color with a $15,000 personal prize and a $10,000 organizational grant (if applicable).
Collective Funding
Since 2000, our network has collectively granted over $2.8 million to organizations working on environmental issues and women’s leadership. We also provide selective place-based grants to organizations located where our events our held.
Grantee-Partners by Year
| Agri-Cultura Cooperative Network Amah Mutsun Land Trust Azul (via Multiplier) Barbareño Band of Chumash Indians Black in Marine Science Chester Residents Concerned for Quality Living Children’s Environmental Health Network Climate Critical Earth Critical Ecology Lab c/o Inquiring Systems Inc. Emerge Puerto Rico FrontLine Farming Local Clean Energy Alliance |
Lupine Collaborative Movement Training Network New Mexico Environmental Law Center Onondaga Nation Sustainable Farm PLAN – The Post Landfill Action Network Rise to Thrive Soul Fire Farm Institute Taproot Earth The Chisholm Legacy Project Universal Access Project Urban Growers Collective West Virginia Rivers Coalition |
News about Recent Co-Funding
Announcing the Recipients of the 2023 Catalyst Award
Rachel’s Network announced the awardees and finalists of its 2023 Catalyst Award. The award honors women leaders of color for their commitment to a healthy planet, and provides them with financial support, leadership services, and public recognition.
New Funding Supports Black Women’s Wellbeing and Leadership in the Environmental Movement
Working in the environmental movement isn’t easy—the stakes are high, the challenges vast, and the wins often few and far between. But for Black women in particular, the task is even greater. Rachel’s Network recently provided grants to four burgeoning organizations led by and for Black women in the environmental movement to support advocates’ wellbeing.
New Report Examines Burnout in the Environmental Sector
What can we do to support the leaders of the environmental movement who are so vital to its success? That’s a question posed in a new report on climate burnout from Climate Critical, founded by Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award Finalist Tamara Toles O’Laughlin. In the report, Tamara brought together diverse staff from 108 environmental organizations to share their experiences and recommendations.
You can read about our past grantmaking on our blog and annual reports. Please note: we do not accept unsolicited proposals. To support Rachel’s Network, please consider joining as a member or contributing a general operating support grant.