Adamah, the new name of recently merged Jewish environmental organizations Hazon and Pearlstone, recently awarded a first round of matching grants to incentivize OC Jewish nonprofits to take climate action and reduce emissions.
Adamah awarded $72,250 in matching grants from the OC Jewish Climate Grant Fund to three OC Jewish nonprofits that are members of Adamah’s Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition.
- Congregation B’nai Israel, Tustin – Solar Carports – $36,000
- Merage JCC, Irvine – LED Lighting Retrofits – $10,000
- Temple Judea, Laguna Woods – Rooftop Solar – $26,250
The Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition launched in September 2022 with 20 founding partners, representing the major umbrella organizations of Jewish life. Over 200 Jewish organizations have signed on to the Coalition to date, including 10 in OC, committing to reduce their institutional emissions and mobilize their broader networks to take climate action.
The following five organizations outside OC also received matching grants from Adamah’s National Climate Grant Fund: Camp Tawonga, CA; Habonim Dror Camp Galil, PA; Portland Jewish Academy, OR; Temple Beth Hatfiloh, WA; and Temple B’nai Tikvah, Alberta.
Combined, these eight projects will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 9,725 tons over their lifetime, the equivalent of planting 15,560 trees . They are also anticipated to save the organizations over $320,000 annually through reduced energy bills and other expenses.
Applications are due on October 17, 2023 for the next round of OC Jewish Climate Grant Fund matching grants of up to $10,000 for energy efficiency and other climate-related projects. All OC Jewish nonprofits who join the Coalition (and who have not already received a grant) are eligible to apply.
For example, nonprofits could seek funding for EV charging stations, heat pumps, programmable thermostats, composting equipment, solar powered lights, solar water heaters, drip irrigation or food waste reduction. Coalition members also have access to an interest-free loan fund, with loans of up to $100,000, to support similar projects.
Organizations that are part of the Coalition gain access to a wealth of resources, including webinars, one-on-one consultations, office hours with Adamah experts, and peer connections. There are no minimum requirements for what a nonprofit’s climate action work looks like since each nonprofit is starting at a different place. Membership is free.
To learn more about the Coalition, visit the Coalition’s website or watch this three-minute video. The OC Jewish Climate Fund is made possible by a gift from Robert S. De Leon and Susan Mattisinko through the Jewish Community Foundation Orange County.