Climate Solutions Accelerator Celebrates Second Cohort Graduation of Color Your Organization Green Program
ROCHESTER, NY (December 1, 2024) The Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region is proud to announce the graduation of its second Color Your Organization Green cohort. This innovative program empowers organizations to develop Climate Action Plans while enhancing resiliency, equity, and sustainability across our region. The recent graduation ceremony celebrated the achievements of the Rochester Area Community Foundation, Butler/Till, EPI, and the Gandhi Institute who have demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability and climate leadership within their organizations.
Through Color Your Organization Green, organizations participate in monthly training sessions to set climate justice goals, reduce their environmental footprint, and develop action plans that integrate sustainability into daily operations. The accomplishments of the second cohort exemplify the program's purpose to foster widespread community involvement in climate action and inspire meaningful, transformative organizational change.
This year’s Color Your Organization Green participants are ready to drive meaningful change. For example, the Rochester Area Community Foundation intends to build on the $436,087 they invested in sustainability initiatives during 2023-2024. Similarly, organizations like EPI and Butler/Till are leading sustainability initiatives that will benefit hundreds of employees and clients. Meanwhile, the Gandhi Institute continues to champion localized efforts that enhance community sustainability and resilience within their neighborhood.
“Participating in the CYOG program has been a transformative experience for our organization, helping us critically assess how we address climate change. We’ve identified areas where we can improve, sparking reflection on our environmental practices and how we can reduce our carbon footprint,” said Lynn Duffy, Director of Research at Butler/Till. “One of the most rewarding aspects has been realizing that we're not alone in this fight. We've connected with a broader community of like-minded organizations and individuals, which has been both empowering and inspiring. These connections make us feel part of a larger movement, driving change at both a local and global level.”
This year’s cohort has focused on key sustainability priorities, including reducing energy consumption in buildings and daily operations, minimizing waste generation, and expanding their commitment to environmental justice through targeted programs and grantmaking. Additionally, they aim to foster environmental awareness and enhance community resilience through support for impactful local initiatives.
“The CYOG program gave the Community Foundation’s green team the structure and accountability to develop a climate action plan and enhance our understanding of our role when it comes to environmental justice and sustainability,” said Sarah Studwell, Communications Officer at the Rochester Area Community Foundation. “The program prepared us to think about the influence we can have in our workplace, through our grantmaking, and in partnership with community members looking to shape a more equitable and vital community. We’re gaining momentum, and I’m excited to see it grow!”
For organizations interested in taking action on climate and exploring what Color Your Organization Green has to offer, please visit climategfl.org/cyog. The course will run from January-November 2025, including a kickoff meeting, the Climate Solutions Summit, a summer social, seven online workshops, and a course completion celebration. Applications will close on Friday, December 13th at 5 p.m.
Contact: Theresa Church, Communications Manager
Phone: 585-461-1023
Email: theresa@climategfl.org
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About the Climate Solutions Accelerator:
The Climate Solutions Accelerator is an inclusive, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and facilitating large-scale climate mobilization in the nine-county Genesee-Finger Lakes Region. Our mission is to create a healthier, more equitable, and regenerative community by catalyzing local efforts to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions and address the effects of climate change. We work with organizations and individuals to expedite climate progress by supporting the development of effective leaders, channeling their energy toward impactful local solutions, and removing barriers to progress. We bring together stakeholders across sectors to collaboratively define and advance intersectional climate action priorities for our region, using a collective impact approach. We are firmly committed to ensuring that all members of our community have opportunities to benefit from and participate in climate action at the local level.
For more information, visit climategfl.org