Keeping global warming below 1.5° Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels on a decadal time-scale is widely recognized by scientists as a safe threshold of warming that would limit the most adverse effects of climate change.
Hope is in our DNA. We have a fierce determination to ensure a livable planet for all generations. The 1.5°C goal is a clear reminder of what we’re fighting for and what’s at stake with any additional warming beyond that marker.
While we are currently on a trajectory to overshoot this threshold, the technologies and policies exist to correct the overshoot if the world acts seriously – and philanthropic investments are essential to make that happen.
We also encourage donors and foundations to dedicate at least 1.5% of their net assets to climate philanthropy annually, until the world gets on a solid path toward decarbonization.
What is the origin story of 1.5°Climate?
Climate philanthropist and activist, Ning Mosberger-Tang, founded 1.5°Climate in 2022 after learning about the meager percentage of global philanthropy directed toward the climate crisis and having many conversations with colleagues who cared deeply about climate change but didn’t know how to engage effectively.
Ning’s goal was to build a model that could overcome donor paralysis and scale the volume and the impact of climate philanthropy.
What is 1.5ºClimate’s mission and vision?
Our vision is to create a thriving, equitable, healthier world powered by abundant clean energy.
Our mission is to increase the amount and efficacy of climate philanthropy. We do that by identifying catalytic but under-resourced climate projects across the country and mobilizing resources to them through our donor network.
Operational Q+A
How does your model work?
To increase the amount and efficacy of climate giving, we conduct landscape assessments, perform organizational diligence, and share catalytic, leveraged, time-sensitive, and gap-filling climate projects with our donor network. We provide this service entirely for free: there are no membership fees.
Our model fosters direct connections between donors and organizational leaders and encourages donors to contribute directly to the projects they are most impressed by. Members can also choose to remain anonymous.
Since our founding, we have grown our network to include more than 700 individual donors, advisors, foundations, and pooled funds. As of 2026, we have collectively moved more than $35 million in catalytic funding to over 100 organizations.
How does the membership network work?
When you join the 1.5°Climate network, you will immediately gain access to our biweekly virtual project pitch events. Members also gain access to a searchable project database with recorded presentations and diligence documents, helping them discover opportunities aligned with their philanthropic goals at any time. You’ll also gain access to true matching funds, doubling your impact for vetted organizations. You’ll also join a community of like-minded philanthropists and institutional donors committed to accelerating climate action and driving lasting change through collaboration.
Who benefits from 1.5°Climate’s model?
Whether you are steeped in climate philanthropy or just starting out, 1.5° Climate helps you find the organizations and projects that match your priorities. You’ll also immediately double your impact through true matching funds.
We’re open to individual donors, advisors, foundations, and pooled funds.
Q+A For Donors
How can I get involved as a donor?
Fill out this form and someone from our team will get in touch with you shortly. Once you’ve been added to our network, you will get invited to our regular virtual project pitch events, where you’ll get to learn about high impact climate opportunities we have vetted.
Is there a fee to join 1.5°Climate?
No, there is no fee! Our goal is to make climate philanthropy easy and impactful. Every dollar you contribute goes directly to our recommended projects. Our operation is fully funded by our anchor donor.
What is the 1.5ºClimate Fund?
The 1.5°Climate Fund is a pooled fund managed by the 1.5°Climate staff. Your contributions to the Fund will support climate projects that our staff and steering committee have identified as the most timely and impactful.
1.5°Climate Fund resources will always create or unlock matching funds for highlighted organizations, doubling the impact of your contribution to the Fund.
There are no management or fiscal fees associated with the 1.5°Climate fund, 100% of your contributions and the match it unlocks go to climate projects.
If you want to maximize the climate impact of your giving but don’t have the time to regularly join our virtual project pitch events, this may be a good option for you.
On your request, we will provide an end-of-year summary of how your contributions to the Fund have been distributed.
How do I join virtual project pitch events ?
Once you join 1.5°Climate, you will receive emails and calendar invitations about the regular virtual project pitch events. Even if you can’t attend the events, you will have access to recordings, project narratives, and due diligence documents in our internal project database.
In addition to supporting projects recommended by you, how else can I help?
Tell your friends and family about us! We welcome anybody who is interested in moving resources toward high-impact climate projects. Invite them to join us via this link. Please remind them that the membership is free.
We’d love you to co-host events with us! Co-hosting is the best way for us to grow the network and for you to increase your impact. We make inviting your network as a co-host super easy. For more details please reach out to Audrey@onepointfiveclimate.org.
Q+A For Organizations
I work at a climate nonprofit. How can I become a part of your network?
1.5°Climate is a donor collaborative and as such membership is only available to individuals and entities that are on the giving side of the philanthropic equation.
If you are a climate action organization, we look forward to hearing about your work! Please complete this intake form. If your project meets our criteria and aligns with our current priorities, your project may get highlighted to our network.
How do you choose the nonprofits that you highlight?
First, our steering committee identifies priorities for further research.
Next, 1.5°Climate staff conducts landscape assessments, followed by comprehensive organizational interviews and vetting.
Staff then shares research findings and recommendations with the steering committee.
Finally, the steering committee makes the decisions on projects that get elevated to the 1.5° Climate’s donor collaborative.
Who is on the 1.5°Climate Steering Committee?
Our steering committee members serve staggered 2-year terms to constantly inject new ideas and perspectives into our work.
The steering committee is a combination of technical experts related to planned topics and philanthropic members. This combination helps us ensure highlighted projects are both impactful and well received by donors in our network.
How is 1.5°Climate different from other climate donor collaboratives?
We are free to join.
We are fast paced – highlighting new projects roughly every 3 weeks while striving to react to current opportunities and challenges.
We highlight a wide variety of climate action opportunities – not just 501(c)3 entities but also 501(c)4 and PAC entities doing political work.
Our collaborative includes a broad community of givers including small individual donors, high-net worth individuals, philanthropic advisors, and staff for foundations and pooled resource funds.
You are in the drivers seat and decide which presenting orgs you want to support directly with a contribution.
Most of our events feature true matching funds doubling your financial impact.
If active event participation is too time consuming for you, we have the 1.5°Climate Fund which charges no fees and leverages staff to guide your resources towards the most critical matching funds opportunities.
How does 1.5°Climate ensure that sufficient funds are going towards diversity, equity, and climate justice focused initiatives?
As of today, over 25% of the funds we have raised have supported projects with important Racial Equity and Environmental Justice overlays. Our steering committee consistently recognizes how difficult it is for frontline communities to have the time to advocate for philanthropic resources despite being the most in need. We consistently look for opportunities to support programs that seek to counteract institutional racism and support frontline communities while moving the needle on climate.
