General Motors Co. in Detroit is expanding its philanthropic commitment to equitable climate action by doubling its Climate Equity Fund, dedicating a total of $50 million to help close equity gaps in the transition to electric vehicles and other sustainable technology.
This is in addition to the automaker’s commitment to invest $35 billion globally in EV and AV programs, research, technology, manufacturing, and charging infrastructure.
“As the effects of climate change take hold across the globe, it has never been more urgent to ensure inclusion and equity guide our sustainable solutions,” says Kristen Siemen, chief sustainability officer at GM. “Doubling our Climate Equity Fund will help meet this urgency with deepened engagement at the community level, where we believe our support will have the greatest impact in accelerating the transition to an inclusive zero-emissions future.”
Since creating the Climate Equity Fund eight months ago, the automaker has supported 21 nonprofit organizations that are helping to implement inclusive solutions for a zero-emissions, carbon-neutral future. These solutions, led in part by the following grantees, align with GM’s three climate equity social outcomes and prioritize impact at the community level:
Clean Energy Jobs: Supporting the current and future workforce through education, training, and hands-on experience via Valley Clean Air Now and the Greening of Detroit.
Sustainable Transportation: Increasing EV accessibility and adoption so more consumers can enjoy the benefits of affordable EV ownership while helping to develop ubiquitous charging solutions through support of EVHybridNoire, Clean Fuels Ohio, Forth Mobility Fund, and GRID Alternatives.
Community Climate Action: Community-level action that helps residents mitigate, build resilience toward, and adapt to the effects of climate change with Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice and WE ACT for Environmental Justice.
GM encourages nonprofits focused on implementing community-based solutions for a zero-emissions future to apply for grant funding. More information and application resources can be found here.
Organizations must be a U.S.-based 501c3 organization in good standing. GM prioritizes programs that benefit underserved populations and community-based organizations. Projects are evaluated based on three social outcomes:
- Increasing the number of adults prepared for clean energy jobs.
- Increasing access to more sustainable transportation, including but not limited to, EVs and EV infrastructure.
- Community-level programs aimed at mitigating local climate effects, adaptation and community resilience.
In early 2021, GM announced that it plans to become carbon neutral in its global products and operations by 2040 and is working toward a transition to 100 percent zero tailpipe emissions for new light-duty vehicles by 2035. The company plans to introduce more than 30 electric vehicle models globally by 2025.
