In fiscal year 2023-2024, the Accelerator focused on strengthening its development efforts with the goal of building support from a diverse network of donors, corporate partners, and grant opportunities.

This year’s development highlights included significant growth in corporate sponsorship, with 61 sponsors driving a $12,000 increase in support for the 2024 Climate Solutions Summit. New sponsors represented a wide range of sectors, including architecture, engineering, healthcare, retail, media, academia, grassroots organizations, and faith-based communities, reflecting a powerful cross-sector collaboration for a shared mission.

The Accelerator also secured crucial grant funding that advanced several strategic initiatives: The Muller Foundation provided support for Color Your Community Green team grants and startup funds; the ESL Charitable Foundation granted us funds to work with the Center for Government Research and MRB Group on a regionally-specific analysis of current and potential workforce opportunities as we transition to a clean energy economy. Additionally, the Energy Foundation provided a grant to support our Wildly Important Goal (WIG), enabling us to expand capacity by hiring a full-time Communications Manager. This strategic advancement strengthens our internal infrastructure and positions us to enhance the organization’s outreach and engagement efforts, broadening our impact and reach.

The Accelerator strengthened its organizational capacity through a comprehensive funding model project completed with Causewave Community Partners. This led to strategic staff restructuring, splitting finance, operations and communications into two dedicated roles to enhance program delivery and organizational sustainability, and amplify the Accelerator’s reach.