About us
Climate Resilience Offsets brings together a network of corporations, government agencies, nonprofits/NGOs, community groups and individuals focused on reducing the immediate financial impacts of severe weather events due to climate change
The climate is not sustaining. In spite of billions of dollars raised and spent on carbon reduction CO2 levels are still rising, along with sea levels and global temperatures. The resulting increase in frequency and intensity of severe weather events is causing tremendous financial stress. Communities and homeowners facing significant and repeated financial loss due to severe weather urgently need a more immediate solution than carbon reduction.
We are often asked how CROs are not just another corporate tax deduction and unnecessary charity for the rich? While there is no question the impact of climate change disproportionately impact lower-income communities, the financial impact to lower, middle, and even upper-middle-income communities has the potential to destabilize national economies. Municipal funds or borrowing that could once be used for schools or programs for lower-income citizens must now be re-directed towards climate resilience infrastructure. At the same time, home equity that could once be leveraged for consumer spending (68% of GDP in the Unites States) must be re-focused on resilience upgrade to a home or repeated repairs caused by damage from severe weather events.
While we need to heal the planet by accelerating the reduction of CO2 emissions, we must also stop the financial bleeding by offsetting rising costs of severe weather due to climate change with contributions from those whose actions help to cause it.
CROs are operated under The Climate Resilience Fund, a Rhode Island nonprofit based in Newport, Rhode Island, USA -the City by the Sea.
Ken Smith
FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN
Career high-tech entrepreneur, life-long environmental steward, non-profit volunteer and leader, and sailor.
Anne Marie Biernacki
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Serial entrepreneur, startup coach and advisor, conservation volunteer, patron of the arts.
Kennneth Newman
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Political consultant, risk and policy analysis, climate action leader, nonprofit board director.
Justin Vergara
PARTNERSHIP DIRECTOR, SAAS CHANNEL
SaaS Technology Executive, Climate and Conservation Advocate, Waterman and Outdoorsman, Olympic Qualifier
Jonathan Okafor
STRATEGIC ADVISORY BOARD, PROJECT INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Investment Officer, Department of Energy, DOE Loan Program
Georgia Lechlitner
STRATEGIC ADVISORY BOARD, PARTNERSHIPS & ALLIANCES ADVISOR
Global Sustainability Leader, X-Accenture
David Dodd
STRATEGIC ADVISORY BOARD, PROJECT EVALUATION
CEO, International Sustainable Resilience Center
Nick Lamparelli
STRATEGIC ADVISORY BOARD, FLORIDA STATE ADVISOR
Co-founder & CEO, The Insurance Advocacy Forum of Florida
Partners
The CRF is pleased to be working with the following organizations.
Commerce RI
FAQs
What is the difference between a Carbon Offset and a Climate Resilience Offset?
Carbon Offsets involve an entity that emits greenhouse gases into the atmosphere paying for another entity to pollute less. For example, an airline in a developed country that wants to claim it is reducing its emissions can pay for a patch of rainforest to be protected in the Amazon.
Climate Resilience Offsets (CRO) enable corporations and individuals who financially benefit from activities that cause climate change with a financial ‘offset’ that is redirected towards helping to cover the costs of severe weather events and/or the pro-active climate resilience spending now required by communities and homeowners.
Climate Resilience Offsets do not count towards any voluntary or mandatory carbon reduction goals.
Do Climate Resilience Offsets count towards any ESG or Carbon Offset goals?
No. CROs are strictly a financial offset. They are charitable donations directed to offset the financial impact of climate change. CRO donations do not count towards any national or international ESG or Carbon Footprint requirements or reporting.
Are you affiliated?
This site and ‘The Climate Resilience Fund’ is a nonprofit company registered with the State of Rhode Island, USA, and is in the process of changing its corporate name to ‘Climate Resilience Offsets’. This site is not affiliated in any way with the Climate Resilience Fund of Bainbridge Island, WA.
Are Climate Resilience Offsets tax-deductible?
YES! Climate Resilience Offsets (a.k.a. The Climate Resilience Fund) is a registered 501c3 nonprofit corporation based in the State of Rhode Island, USA.
Does the CRF make direct donations to homeowners?
No. The fund works with disbursement partners like banks and credit unions. Through our partners we provide funds to augment loans or other financial instruments for the repair of primary residences damaged by severe weather, or for upgrades to a primary residence to prevent or mitigate future damage from severe weather. All partners must require an approved Climate Resilience Home Audit to qualify for matching funds. Only partners can request funding from the CRF, not individual homeowners.
Can I donate to a specific project?
Yes. Donations can be made to specific projects where all funds raised are directed to that project. Please see the Projects page for a list for a description of active projects.
We also encourage all donors to consider donating to the general fund as we often have many more projects under consideration than are active.
Does the Climate Resilience Fund operate globally?
Yes. While our incorporation and tax status is focused in the United States we seek funding opportunities with partners throughout the world.
How is a Climate Resilience Offset not just charity for the rich?
While there is no doubt climate change disproportionately impacts poorer countries and communities, the ripple effect of the financial loss caused by severe weather on lower, middle, and even upper-middle income communities impacts national economies, which impacts us all.
For example, in the United States 48% of personal net worth is measured in home equity. With rising home values and mortgage pay downs homeowners use available home equity for consumer spending on considered purchases such as a new car or refrigerator. Consumer spending represents 68% of US Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Where many such homeowners may not qualify for government assistance, and private insurance is increasingly expensive or not available, these homeowners will need to spend what available resources they have on repairing their home and/or making climate resilience upgrades. While some of those dollars will be counted as consumer spending it will not be all - i.e. the cost of severe weather due to climate change is impacting GDP.
Do you work with polluters and non-green donors?
Yes. We accept donations from any company, foundation, or individual wishing to invest in a financial offset to help cover the rising costs of climate change on communities world-wide.
We support every effort to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions of all kinds, and efforts to reduce CO2 levels currently in the atmosphere. In the mean time, communities are suffering financially and our project seeks to help.
We will NOT have any major polluter on our board of directors, staff, or consultants.