About
The Solutions Project (legally Solutions Project Inc) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit, headquartered in Los Angeles, California, that funds and amplifies climate justice solutions created by frontline communities. The organization describes its approach as "Solidarity Philanthropy," centering equity and justice in its grantmaking, and it envisions "a world created by all of us, for all of us" in which 100% of people are healthy and thriving with access to clean air, water, and soil.
Mission
The Solutions Project supports grassroots leaders delivering environmental solutions with racial and social equity at the center. It believes cultural forces can activate and amplify climate justice work by connecting community leaders and innovators to broader audiences.
What they do
- Grantmaking: invests in climate justice organizations, with more than $50 million granted to over 350 grantees, predominantly led by women of color. It has also co-created ecosystem funds including the Justice40 Accelerator and the Fund for Frontline Power.
- Grantee support: provides training in media literacy, storytelling, networking, and collaboration, with nearly $7 million invested in communications support, including its Communicating Our Power initiative.
- Cultural engagement and inspiring action: leverages celebrity platforms, campaigns, media, and educational content to amplify grassroots voices, and mobilizes climate justice organizations working across energy, health, land, water, labor, housing, and food systems.
History
According to Wikipedia, The Solutions Project was founded in 2011, conceived by Stanford professor Mark Z. Jacobson, renewable energy executive Marco Krapels, documentary filmmaker Josh Fox, and actor Mark Ruffalo, growing out of research on the feasibility of renewable energy plans for New York and, eventually, all 50 states. Per its IRS records on ProPublica, the organization has been tax-exempt since October 2014.
Scale and impact
The organization reports over $50 million in grants to more than 350 grantees and nearly $7 million in communications support for its grantee network. It was named one of Fast Company's 10 most innovative not-for-profit organizations of 2022 and has won multiple media awards.
Financials
Per its IRS Form 990 data on ProPublica for fiscal year 2024, Solutions Project Inc reported revenue of $8,921,441, expenses of $8,878,204, total assets of $28,791,241, and net assets of $28,351,650.
Governance
Gloria Walton serves as President and CEO. Per the organization's 2024 IRS filing, other senior leaders include Clare Winterton (Chief Programs and Operating Officer) and Sarah Shanley (Managing Director), and the board includes Mark Ruffalo, Don Cheadle, and Billy Parish among others.
