Wave splashing in the lake with Chicago skyline in the background

Environment

We envision a future where the Great Lakes ecosystems and the communities that depend on them are thriving and have adapted to the impacts of climate change.

Our environmental grantmaking strategy focuses on building climate resilience in the Midwest, which is home to one-fifth of the world’s surface freshwater and the source of roughly 30% of U.S. climate-warming gases.

Elevate Energy staff members standing outside for an activist gathering with signs that read "Climate Action Now" — Image courtesy of Elevate Energy.

Focus Areas

Nature-Based Solutions

Growing green stormwater infrastructure, restoring and protecting wetlands and other coastal ecosystems, and bolstering stewardship- and access-focused policy and governance practices.

Advancing Great Lakes Policy

Improving access to government resources, peer learning, and financing that can help scale effective conservation practices including regenerative agriculture.

Clean & Efficient Energy

Supporting clean energy solutions such as microgrids, energy regulations that both decarbonize and improve reliability and affordability, and developing a skilled clean energy workforce.

Closeup of outdoor water fountain with water bubbling out, with bikers riding along the lakefront in the background — Image by Lloyd Degrane, courtesy of the Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Additional Commitments

Through the Environment portfolio, we also maintain commitments supporting environmental conservation and action in and around Chicago as well as forest health and wildfire prevention work in the Western United States related to improving water quality.