American Climate Leadership Awards (ACLA)

The American Climate Leadership Awards recognize exceptional youth and adult climate leaders, as well as local and national organizations, for their demonstrated success in mobilizing public support and political will on climate action. The program honors individuals and organizations across community, faith, health, and youth sectors.

Geographic Scope: United States (local, regional, and national scale)

Focus Areas:

• Climate leadership and public engagement
• Mobilizing support for climate solutions among key constituencies
• Organizations working with faith communities, health organizations, youth, and local communities
• Programs demonstrating public impact, increased awareness, and climate action activation
• Projects embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion

Award Structure:

• 10 finalists receive $10,000 each plus travel and event expenses for two people
• Runner-up receives $25,000
• Grand Prize Winner receives $50,000
• Total cash awards: Over $200,000

Eligibility:

• Community, faith, health, and youth organizations and leaders
• Individuals and organizations that engage these constituencies
• Local, regional, and national scale applicants welcome

Evaluation Criteria:

• Demonstrated successful public impact within organization and communities
• Increased awareness and activation of people in climate mitigation and public policy advocacy
• Innovation, effectiveness, and replicability
• Embedding of equity, diversity, and inclusion

Application Process

Submission Timeline:

• Applications typically open in fall
• Preliminary submissions deadline: October 31 (example year: 2019)
• Semifinalist notifications: December 1
• Final proposals due: February 1
• Finalists notified: March 1
• Awards ceremony: Annual American Climate Leadership Summit (typically in spring/summer)

Selection Stages:

1. Preliminary Submission Phase: Initial application period (September-October)
2. Initial Screening: ecoAmerica staff review for completeness, credential verification, and project evaluation
3. Semifinalist Round: Top 30 applicants invited to submit detailed application
4. Finalist Selection: Awards committee selects up to 10 finalists from semifinalists
5. Final Awards: Winners announced at American Climate Leadership Summit ceremony

Application Materials:

• Preliminary submission (initial application)
• Detailed application for semifinalists
• Final proposal for finalist round
• Specific narrative questions not detailed in provided materials

Evaluation:

• Review by prestigious awards committee comprised of climate action luminaries
• Assessment of demonstrated public impact
• Evaluation of innovation, effectiveness, and replicability
• Consideration of equity, diversity, and inclusion integration

Awards Ceremony:

• Finalists receive $10,000 each plus travel expenses for two people
• Runner-up announced live with $25,000 award
• Grand Prize Winner announced live with $50,000 award
• Awardees featured in ACLS recommendations report and national press coverage

Note: Specific narrative questions and detailed required materials not provided in source materials. Contact ecoAmerica for detailed application instructions.