Washington, DC – For the Crimsonbridge Foundation, the desire to support environmental sustainability began years ago with a review of the foundation’s way of operating. What started as a listening and learning process for the whole staff became an engaged change-making journey for the entire organization.
“We discussed best practices, but also the specific interests of individual team members,” said Danielle M. Reyes, President and CEO of the Crimsonbridge Foundation. “We talked about recycling, composting, electricity usage, starting a garden, reducing staff travel...and in doing so, developed a practice of making more environmentally conscious choices for our organization.”
Crimsonbridge’s learning approach also informed their philanthropy and the development of a new Environmental Sustainability grant-making program area. This month, the Foundation awarded $110,000 to five grantee community partners working in the Greater Washington region. The five organizations include Casey Trees, City Blossoms, EcoAction Arlington, Nature Forward, and Rock Creek Conservancy.
“These nonprofits are working not only to increase participation in environmental issues, but to protect natural resources, reduce factors contributing to climate change, and build a more informed community,” says Reyes.
For Crimsonbridge’s Founder and Executive Chair, Gabriela Smith, the launch of the program area is an important milestone.
“Protecting the environment and conserving the natural resources of our planet is the most urgent and far-reaching challenge for humanity," says Gabriela Smith, Founder and Executive Chair of the Crimsonbridge Foundation. “The climate crisis is the biggest problem facing the next generation, we have the moral and historic responsibility to act now.”
Founded in 2015, Crimsonbridge has become an engaged and active community partner that takes an entrepreneurial approach to philanthropy, one that goes beyond grant-making. Through their new Environmental Sustainability community partnerships, they will be supporting the active engagement, education, and conservation efforts of youth and adults of diverse backgrounds throughout the region.
“I am proud to announce this expansion of our grant-making during Earth Month 2023,” says Smith. “It demonstrates our passion and the urgency to positively impact the environment and our community."
For questions or media inquiries, please contact office@crimsonbridge.org.