Climateworks Foundation
ClimateWorks Foundation is a public charity based in San Francisco, California. It connects funders and implementing organizations worldwide to develop and scale climate solutions across sectors and geographies. The foundation’s website says it has worked with more than 80 funders and over 850 grantees across more than 65 countries since 2008.
Climateworks Foundation at a glance
In short: Climateworks Foundation gave $96.3M across 140 grants in 2024 (avg $688K), top state California. 30% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $96,269,808
- +7.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 140
- -3.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $687,641
- +11.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $200,000
- Total assets
- $533,132,275
- +13.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (42 of 140, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (38% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Climateworks Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 235 Montgomery Street 1300, San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: (415) 433-0500
Website: https://climateworks.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Climateworks Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Energy Foundation ($12.8M). Together the top 10 received $54.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
710 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 226 grants of 710 (32%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
ClimateWorks describes its work as global; its website reports that it has served more than 65 countries since 2008. In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in California (38%), Washington, D.C. (25%), New York (19%), Texas (7%), and Colorado (3%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 140 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Climateworks Foundation open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 42 of 140 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $196K; repeat grants $898K. How we count
Medians: $150K first-time, $267K repeat.
- 52% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+15%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $38.6M (2020) to $148.8M (2022). In 2024 it made 140 grants totaling $96.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Energy Foundation San Francisco, CA | To expand access to sustainable cooling and reduce greenhouse gas emissions ($750,000); to protect the climate, reduce pollution, and strengthen economies ($1,670,000); sustainable maritime shipping ($1,300,000); the global transition to clean transportation ($8,839,098); for climate-related research and analysis ($200,000) | $12,759,098 |
| United States Energy Foundation San Francisco, CA | To Support the Global Transition to Clean Transportation | $9,039,098 |
| International Council on Clean Transportation Washington, DC | To support the transition to a sustainable aviation sector ($330,473); responsible carbon removal and restore the climate ($89,527); sustainable maritime shipping ($1,100,000); the global transition to clean transportation ($6,125,000); general operating support ($800,000); to reduce emissions from non-carbon pollutants ($400,000) | $8,845,000 |
| International Sustainable Energy Foundation Austin, TX | To Support the Global Transition to Clean Transportation | $6,148,938 |
| Environmental Defense Fund Inc New York, NY | To support the transition to a sustainable aviation sector ($250,000); sustainable maritime shipping ($650,000); the transition to a sustainable finance system ($100,000); responsible carbon removal and restore the climate ($110,000); decarbonization efforts and the transition to clean energy in china ($2,000,000); to support the transition to a sustainable food system ($350,000); to protect the climate, reduce pollution, and strengthen economies ($722,129) | $4,182,129 |
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc New York, NY | To support communities in building inclusive models for clean energy transition ($100,000); communities most affected by climate change ($950,000); the global transition to clean transportation ($2,025,000); reliable access to minerals that benefit energy transition ($150,000); the transition to a sustainable finance system ($250,000); for climate-related research and analysis ($180,000) | $3,655,000 |
| Coal Swarm DBA Global Energy Monitor San Francisco, CA | To support the global energy transition to renewables ($2,600,000); to protect the climate, reduce pollution, and strengthen economies ($350,000) | $2,950,000 |
| Natural Resources Defense Council New York, NY | To expand access to sustainable cooling and reduce greenhouse gas emissions ($746,302); the global transition to clean transportation ($100,000); to protect the climate, reduce pollution, and strengthen economies ($1,987,000) | $2,833,302 |
| Pacific Environment and Resources Center San Francisco, CA | To Support Sustainable Maritime Shipping | $2,410,000 |
| Rocky Mountain Institute Boulder, CO | To expand access to sustainable cooling and reduce greenhouse gas emissions ($605,344); sustainable maritime shipping ($460,000); the global transition to clean transportation ($748,000); the transition to a sustainable financial system ($130,000); for an event ($30,000) | $1,973,344 |
Ready to take the next step with Climateworks Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $533,132,275 | $350,641,228 | $317,281,654 | $96,269,808 | 140 | $15,852,277 |
| 2023 | $470,889,781 | $266,466,761 | $264,000,632 | $89,256,340 | 145 | $10,285,663 |
| 2022 | $503,138,297 | $330,535,203 | $355,547,001 | $148,758,711 | 161 | $2,717,407 |
| 2021 | $503,195,695 | $366,181,053 | $180,102,407 | $83,928,154 | 148 | $-93,924 |
| 2020 | $272,486,239 | $178,775,280 | $110,586,077 | $38,585,785 | 116 | $-306,712 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
ClimateWorks states its mission is to connect philanthropy, grantees, and strategic partners to build and deliver high-impact climate solutions that benefit all people.
Its global programs include adaptation and resilience, aviation, cooling, carbon dioxide removal, food and agriculture, forests and land use, industry, just transition, maritime shipping, power, road transportation, and sustainable finance. Its 2024 grants also included support for climate-related research and analysis, clean transportation, sustainable aviation and shipping, sustainable cooling, and climate work in China.
Examples of the kinds of organizations it supports include energy, transportation, and environmental organizations. The Energy Foundation describes its mission as advancing emissions neutrality, air quality, energy access, and green growth through energy transformation. The International Council on Clean Transportation describes its work as improving the environmental performance and energy efficiency of road, air, and marine transportation. The Natural Resources Defense Council describes its work as addressing the climate crisis and protecting wildlife, wild places, and healthy communities.
Grantmaking
In 2024, ClimateWorks reported 140 grants totaling $96,269,808. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $12,759,098, with a median grant of $200,000. The foundation’s 2024 filing also states that it acted as a conduit for pass-through grants intended for outside organizations, with those grants expected to be awarded within one year.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $12,759,098 to The Energy Foundation, $9,039,098 to United States Energy Foundation, and $8,845,000 to the International Council on Clean Transportation. Other large grants included $6,148,938 to International Sustainable Energy Foundation, $4,182,129 to Environmental Defense Fund, and $3,655,000 to Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. Reported purposes across these grants included clean transportation, sustainable aviation and maritime shipping, sustainable finance, cooling, and climate-related research.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Helen Mountford as president and CEO. Other listed officers and directors include Shawn Reifsteck, managing director; Irene Kim, vice president of philanthropic partnerships; Charles McElwee, vice president of programs; Brian McCracken, CFO and treasurer; Surabi Menon, vice president of global intelligence; Michael Bosse, deputy vice president of programs; Lindsey Allen, executive director of CLUA; Anthony Eggert, senior director of transportation; and Jan Derrickson, senior director of carbon dioxide removal.
Climateworks Foundation is led by Helen Mountford, President & CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2022); 15 of 26 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Helen Mountford
President & CEO
President & CEO Start → President & CEO, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$503K (2022) → $623K (2024)
Lindsey Allen
Executive Director & Clua
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$360K (2022) → $384K (2024)
Franklin M. Orr Jr.
Board Chair
Board Director → Board Chair Start, 2022
Board Chair Start → Board Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shawn P. Reifsteck
Managing Director
Vice President, Strat, Collab, Brand & Program Strat → Vice President, Strategy, Collaborations & Brand, 2022
Vice President, Strategy, Collaborations & Brand → Managing Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$410K (2020) → $493K (2024)
Anthony Eggert
Senior Director & Transportation
Program Director & Transportation → Senior Director & Transportation, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$282K (2020) → $365K (2024)
Jan Derrickson
Senior Director & Carbon Dioxide Removal
Program Director & Carbon Dioxide Removal → Senior Director & Carbon Dioxide Removal, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$285K (2020) → $362K (2024)
Negar Naraghi
Senior Director & Human Resources
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$274K (2023) → $327K (2024)
Rebecca Dell
Senior Director & Industry
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$349K (2024)
Shelagh Whitley
Senior Director & Sustainable Finance
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$378K (2024)
Antha Williams
Board Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Caio Koch-Weser
Board Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jamshyd Godrej
Board Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristian Parker
Board Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kyung-Ah Park
Board Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Arunabha Ghosh
Board Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Naoko Ishii
Board Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carlos Lopes
Board Director
Board Director Start → Board Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Pershing
Board Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian McCracken
CFO & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$328K (2020) → $433K (2024)
Charles McElwee
Vice President & Programs
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$412K (2020) → $455K (2024)
Gretchen Rau
Secretary
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$161K (2020) → $209K (2024)
Irene Kim
Vice President & Philanthropic Partnerships
Vice President & Development → Vice President & Philanthropic Partnerships, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$394K (2020) → $469K (2024)
Surabi Menon
Vice President & Global Intelligence
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$351K (2020) → $442K (2024)
Makeeba Browne
Chief of Equity, Justice & Culture
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$263K (2023) → $326K (2024)
Michael Bosse
Deputy Vice President & Programs
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$364K (2023) → $400K (2024)
Nancy Lindborg
Board Vice Chair
Board Director → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Board Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Larry Kramer (2020–2023) — Board Director
- Former: Mary Raftery (2020–2023) — Senior Director & Funder Collaborations
- Former: Susan Elizabeth Cook (2020–2023) — COO
- Former: Jason Anderson (2021–2023) — Senior Program Director
- Former: Illyasha Peete (2023) — Chief of Equity
- Former: Chris Decardy (2020–2022) — Acting President & CEO
- Former: Ilmi Granoff (2020–2022) — Senior Director & Sustainable Finance
- Former: John D. Podesta (2020–2022) — Board Chair -
- Former: Susan Tierney (2020–2022) — Board Chair
- Former: Rees Warne (2022) — Director, Eval & Learning
- Former: Charlotte Pera (2020–2021) — President & CEO
- Former: Daniel Hamza-Goodacre (2020) — Former Executive Director & K-Cep
- Former: Daniel Zarin (2020) — Senior Director of Programs & Clua
- Former: Pamela Matson (2020) — Board Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $623K, to Helen Mountford (President and CEO). 15 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Climateworks Foundation
How much does Climateworks Foundation give each year?
Climateworks Foundation gave $96.3M across 140 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $89.3M across 145 grants.
What is Climateworks Foundation's typical grant size?
Climateworks Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $200,000, and its average grant was $687,641, across 140 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Climateworks Foundation that year got $196K on average.
Where does Climateworks Foundation give grants?
Climateworks Foundation's top state is California, with 38% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were District of Columbia (25%) and New York (19%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (40 grants), New York, NY (20 grants), San Francisco, CA (13 grants) and Oakland, CA (6 grants).
Does Climateworks Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 4% of Climateworks Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 140) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "To Support the Transition to a Sustainable Financial System" (12 grants), "To Support the Global Transition to Clean Transportation" (12 grants) and "To Support Communities Most Affected by Climate Change" (5 grants).
Who are Climateworks Foundation's largest grantees?
Climateworks Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Energy Foundation ($12,759,098), United States Energy Foundation ($9,039,098) and International Council on Clean Transportation ($8,845,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Climateworks Foundation?
Climateworks Foundation reported $533.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $350.6M.
What does Climateworks Foundation fund?
ClimateWorks states its mission is to connect philanthropy, grantees, and strategic partners to build and deliver high-impact climate solutions that benefit all people. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Climateworks Foundation?
Climateworks Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check climateworks.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Climateworks Foundation's EIN?
Climateworks Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-2303250. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 28, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 22, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Climateworks Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Climateworks Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/climateworks-foundation-morg_cc55081a781c4ad6b41c27ee5bad873e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_262303250_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Climateworks Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/climateworks-foundation-morg_cc55081a781c4ad6b41c27ee5bad873e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Climateworks Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Climateworks Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?