For youth-led organizations on the front lines of the climate crisis, securing substantial, flexible funding is one of the biggest challenges. A groundbreaking new opportunity aims to change that. Lever for Change has announced the Emerging Climate Champions Award, a call to action for young leaders to scale their solutions with the chance to win a $1 million grant. This award was created to address the significant underfunding of youth-led climate initiatives and to put a global spotlight on the vital work they are doing.
What is the Emerging Climate Champions Award?
The Emerging Climate Champions Award is a major challenge designed to provide flexible, multi-year funding to youth-led organizations that are advancing climate solutions around the world. With a total award pool of $25 million, the program will select multiple organizations and provide each with a transformative grant to deepen their impact.
Eligibility: Who Can Apply?
This opportunity is specifically for organizations driven by young leaders. To be eligible, your organization must be:
- Youth-led: “Youth” is defined as individuals aged 15-35 holding an executive staff or board member position.
- Operational for at least two years as of the registration deadline.
- Community-led with demonstrated experience, potential for impact, and measurable results in advancing climate solutions.
- Organizations from all over the world are encouraged to apply, with a particular welcome to those from historically under-resourced communities.
The $1 Million Award
Each selected organization will receive a $1 million flexible, multi-year gift. This flexibility is designed to empower organizations to use the funds where they are needed most, whether for scaling operations, investing in new technologies, or expanding their community reach.
Key Dates and Deadlines
The application is a two-step process with a mandatory registration.
- Registration Deadline: Friday, August 15, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time.
- Application Deadline: Monday, September 22, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time.
Awardees are expected to be announced by the fall of 2026. To begin the process, you must register on the official challenge website. This is more than just a grant; it’s a chance to accelerate your mission and bring your climate solutions to a global stage. Don’t miss the August 15 registration deadline for the Emerging Climate Champions Award.
