American Institutes for Research Staff Direct $25,000 in Charitable Support to Organizations Growing Climate Resilience
Colleagues across the American Institutes for Research (AIR) took part in the organization’s fourth-annual Giving Tuesday community project, choosing five charities to receive a total of $25,000 in support from AIR. The selected recipients focus on growing climate resilience—from preparing communities to respond to natural disasters, to making environmental education more accessible and inclusive.
“Mitigating the harmful effects of climate change on communities is a priority for AIR,” said Makini Nyanteh, senior vice president and AIR’s chief communications officer. “Our staff had the opportunity to champion organizations they are passionate about in this area, broadening our collective understanding of what it means to grow resilience.”
AIR staff nominated organizations for consideration and then were asked to vote on a list of finalists. They selected the following organizations to receive donations:
- Bountiful Cities, driving recovery from Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina through food security programs that foster greater access to urban agriculture;
- Equipo Tortuga, promoting forest conservation and fire prevention in Libres, Puebla, Mexico, including community-led efforts to plant 15,000 native trees following a recent forest wildfire;
- Girl Plus Environment, educating, engaging, and empowering Black and Brown young women and non-binary individuals to advocate for climate and environmental justice within their own communities;
- Lafayette Tool Library, co-founded by AIR’s Allison Nederveld to equip residents of southern Louisiana with the tools and training they need to repair and protect their homes amid natural disasters; and
- Bethlehem University Foundation, which supports the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability, promoting environmental protection, conservation, and biodiversity through education, community gardens, and household farmer training.
While climate resilience is a growing area of work for AIR, the views and statements of the charities receiving donations do not represent the views and statements of AIR, its leadership or staff.
The Giving Tuesday project is part of AIR’s broader commitment to corporate social responsibility, including recognizing staff volunteerism, partnering with community-based organizations, and providing humanitarian support in response to natural disasters.
To learn more, watch Seeds of Change, a video that highlights the people and places that shape the global giving efforts.