Climate Imperative Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in San Francisco, California, established in 2020. The foundation provides funding, technical support, and expertise to inform critical climate policy decisions in major-emitting countries around the world. The organization operates as a solutions-oriented, science-driven funder focused on accelerating global carbon emissions reductions at speed and scale.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$109.6M
-41.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$161.5M
-8.7% YoY
Grant Count
96
-11.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1.7M
+3.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To employ science and economics to cut global carbon emissions and secure a better future for all.
The foundation concentrates on near-term policy decisions in major greenhouse gas-emitting countries and regions that offer the greatest emissions reductions alongside important health, environmental, and equity benefits. Key policy priorities include:
- Rapid scaling of renewable energy
- Widespread electrification of buildings and transportation
- Stopping the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure
- Reducing pollution from major industrial sources
- Economy-wide pathways to reduce emissions from the biggest sources
The foundation supports strong and credible local groups, identifies best practices, helps spread them, and works to advance equitable climate solutions. It sometimes works through regranting partners.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
** Estimated $100,000 to $10,000,000+
Invitation Only
** Invitation only. Climate Imperative does not accept unsolicited proposals. Organizations interested in partnership should contact the foundation through their website.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds globally, with particular emphasis on major-emitting countries and regions including:
- United States
- Europe
- China
- India
- Australia
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $188.7 million
- Total Revenue: $206.7 million
- Total Expenses: $271 million
- Total Liabilities: $12.8 million
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $109.6 million
- Total Revenues: $271.7 million
- Total Expenses: $356.9 million
- Total Giving: $242.9 million
Annual Giving (2023): $247.1 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $109,552,703 | $188,704,736 | $250,639,955 |
| Revenue | $271,730,022 | $206,658,028 | $289,464,924 |
| Expenses | $356,885,102 | $271,024,025 | $176,696,000 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $3,654,540 | $2,638,132 | $95,099 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
237 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Energy Foundation China (efc) ($29,750,000), Sierra Club Foundation ($23,050,000), Us Energy Foundation ($15,167,150).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ENERGY FOUNDATION CHINA (EFC) SAN FRANCISCO, CA | ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | $29,750,000 |
| SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION OAKLAND, CA | ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | $23,050,000 |
| US ENERGY FOUNDATION SAN FRANCISCO, CA | ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | $15,167,150 |
| NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL (NRDC) NEW YORK, NY | ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | $7,875,000 |
| ROCKY MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE (RMI) BOULDER, CO | ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | $7,640,000 |
| TIDES FOUNDATION SAN FRANCISCO, CA | ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | $4,146,268 |
| ROCKEFELLER FAMILY FUND INC NEW YORK, NY | ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | $3,475,000 |
| BUILDING DECARBONIZATION COALITION (BDC) LEWES, DE | ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | $3,350,000 |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND NEW YORK, NY | ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | $3,175,000 |
| ENERGY AND CLIMATE TRANSITIONS AI LLC BERKELEY, CA | ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | $3,127,932 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Sonia Aggarwal — President
John Doerr — Board Chair
The foundation's team includes seasoned climate advocates, including former Sierra Club Beyond Coal campaign director Mary Anne Hitt.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN DOERR | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| ANITA BEKENSTEIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SANJEEV KRISHNAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GREG NELSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GEORGE PAVLOV | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| HAL HARVEY | PRESIDENT (THRU 12/24) | 32 | — |
| SONIA AGGARWAL | VICE PRESIDENT | 23 | — |
| CHRISTINA FERNANDES | SECRETARY/TREASURER | 14 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Climate Imperative Foundation fund?
**Mission:** To employ science and economics to cut global carbon emissions and secure a better future for all. The foundation concentrates on near-term policy decisions in major greenhouse gas-emitting countries and regions that offer the greatest emissions reductions alongside important health, environmental, and equity benefits. Key policy priorities include: • Rapid scaling of renewable energy • Widespread electrification of buildings and transportation • Stopping the expansion of fossil fu…
How do I apply for a grant from Climate Imperative Foundation?
**Grant Range:** Estimated $100,000 to $10,000,000+ **Application Process:** Invitation only. Climate Imperative does not accept unsolicited proposals. Organizations interested in partnership should contact the foundation through their website. **Recent Activity:** The foundation has demonstrated rapid scaling, growing from 45 grants in 2020 to 130 grants in 2023. **Example Grantees Include:** • American Lung Association (supporting the Healthy Air Campaign to mobilize the health community arou…
Where does Climate Imperative Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds globally, with particular emphasis on major-emitting countries and regions including: • United States • Europe • China • India • Australia
What size grants does Climate Imperative Foundation award?
In 2024, Climate Imperative Foundation awarded 96 grants totaling $161.5M — an average of about $1.7M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Climate Imperative Foundation's EIN?
Climate Imperative Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-5024713. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Climate Imperative Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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