1.5°Climate Strategies Group Projects - Member View

Project Narrative

Empower Project

$585,000 Raised | $973,043 Left to Raise

Empower has introduced an innovative digital promotion and micro-payment scheme that significantly enhances relational organizing—the gold standard in text communications. This approach enables Empower to achieve remarkable scalability that dramatically surpasses previous organizing efforts in this space. For every $100,000 invested, Empower generates on average 50,000 additional relational conversations in Presidential battlegrounds. This pay for action program recruits individuals to message their friends, family, and colleagues about the importance of voting in this election cycle. With the inundation of TV ads, mailers, texts, digital ads, and more in battleground states ($15B total spend estimated for the 2024 election), this is a tactic that can break through the noise and create a real impact in the presidential race.

Geography: Pennsylvania, Nevada, Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina, Michigan, Wisconsin

Funding Type: c4c3

Contact: Mike Pfohl, Executive Director

Presentation Date: 10/13/2024

Project Narrative

Retire Career Politicians

$2,045,000 Raised

Following Deb Fischer’s 2021 promise to retire after two terms, her decision to pursue a fourth term has prompted Retire Career Politicians to launch a PAC in support of her opponent, Dan Osborn, the Independent Senate candidate for Nebraska. Contributions to this PAC will fund pro-Osborn TV ads to boost his name recognition, as well as anti-Fischer ads. A successful $1 million pilot program demonstrated that significant impact is achievable in this low-cost media market, and we are committed to expanding this initiative. In 2024, broadening the Senate battleground map is essential, and Nebraska stands out as a very promising dark-horse race that could shift Senate control away from Republicans while establishing a climate action trifecta at our nation’s capital.

Geography: Nebraska

Funding Type: PAC

Presentation Date: 09/16/2024

| Messaging & Paid Media

Washington Conservation Action

$57,100 Raised

Washington Conservation Action works to protect Washington's air, water, land, and democracy. To defeat Initiative I-2117, they are focusing on increasing voter turnout among younger and Latino voters across the state, particularly in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District. This effort includes site-based and door-to-door engagement in key communities. Collaborating with community partners, they will conduct site-based persuasion and voter registration at community colleges, provide in-language outreach to Latino voters, and engage suburban neighborhoods through door-to-door contact. By utilizing a shared voter file with partners, Washington Conservation Action will ensure real-time data updates to maximize efficiency and impact.

Geography: Washington

Funding Type: PAC

Contact: Alyssa Macy, CEO

Presentation Date: 09/12/2024

NAYA Action Fund

$25,200 Raised

The NAYA Action Fund is raising funds to defeat Initiative 2117 in Washington State and protect the progress made under the Climate Commitment Act of 2021. They are mobilizing a paid field team for door-to-door canvassing and phone banking, while also launching a robust social media campaign and targeted mailers. Financial support will help inform voters, amplify their message, and ensure the community's voice is heard. Together, they aim to safeguard the environment and build a sustainable future for all.

Geography: Washington, Oregon

Funding Type: c4

Contact: William Miller, Executive Director

Presentation Date: 09/12/2024

| Down Ballot Races

Nevada Conservation League

$20,000 Raised

Nevada Conservation League (NCL) proposes an investment to support known climate champion, Shannon Bilbray-Axelrod, in what is sure to be a tight-race against extreme election-denier, April Becker, for a seat on Nevada’s powerful Clark County Commission. The commission is arguably the most powerful governing body in Nevada; tasked with regulating the most populated county in Nevada, overseeing their number one economic driver, The Strip, and most importantly for the nation, certifying elections. As the political voice of Nevada’s conservation community and an affiliate of LCV, NCL works to protect their climate, air, water, land, and health by translating conservation values into political and policy priorities.

Geography: Nevada

Funding Type: PACc4c3

Contact: Kristee Watson, Executive Director

Presentation Date: 07/23/2024

| Down Ballot Races

Support Brave "Pass the Torch" Frontline Candidates

$48,485 Raised | Fundraising Goal Achieved!

Despite growing uncertainty about the presidential candidacy, 1.5°CSG remains dedicated to directing investments toward critical down-ballot races. Regardless of your stance on the presidential election, it's critical that we keep mobilizing resources for pivotal Senate and House races. Join us for exclusive insights from climate action advocates Congresswoman Hilary Scholten and Congressman Mike Levin. Both of these frontline incumbents are also vocal proponents urging Biden to “pass the torch”.

Geography: California, Michigan

Funding Type: PAC

Contact: Congresswoman Hilary Scholten - MI-3, Congressman Mike Levin - CA-49,

Presentation Date: 07/20/2024

| Messaging & Paid Media

Support Brave "Pass the Torch" Frontline Candidates

Community Change Voters

$114,000 Raised

All data points show that hard-to-find & reach Black, Latino, Native, AAPI, women, and young voters will need additional engagement to turn out for values-aligned candidates. One way to motivate turnout is through layered canvas mail: a personalized mail touch will increase voter turnout, influence voter behavior, and decrease canvas decay. Through a partnership with WorkMoney we will be adding QR codes and pathways to connect voters to government resources that put money directly in their pockets. We know these voters feel economic anxiety and believe no one cares about their pain. The care and IRA benefits framework is an antidote to apathy so that voters can make a direct connection between their power at the voting booth and governing process. This is our opportunity to shift the political calculus -- and ensure voters aren’t isolated from the safety net.

Geography: Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Ohio, Georgia, Wisconsin

Funding Type: PACc4c3

Contact: Grecia Lima, Executive Director

Presentation Date: 07/09/2024

| Powering Up the Deployment Decade (2023/2024)

Nebraska Railroaders for Public Safety

$2,209,771 Raised

Spurred by the Republican incumbent's terrible record of endangering Nebraskans for the benefit of corporate rail tycoons, NR4PS has launched an I.E. campaign in support of Dan Osborn. This unique campaign will run a field canvass that is coordinated with the candidate campaign. This coordination, allowed under a 2024 FEC rule change, will absolutely boost the overall economic efficiency of the canvass. If the NR4PS campaign can quickly raise enough resources, it will also benefit from hiring experienced canvassers, droves of which will lose their paid canvassing jobs on July 5th when multiple initiatives turn in their final signatures. I.E. Matching funds can be unlocked by contributions to the Dan Osborn Campaign.

Geography: Nebraska

Funding Type: PAC

Contact: John-Henry Hekendorn, Consultant

Presentation Date: 06/25/2024

Dan Osborn for Nebraska Senate

$240,844 Raised

Dan Osborn is an independent candidate for Nebraska’s Federal Senate seat that is polling well against a MAGA incumbent. A recent labor leader, and steamfitter, Dan’s home-grown values and background have been found to resonate strongly with Nebraskans once they learn about him and his campaign. 1.5°CSG has been watching this race for a while and now spurred by continued strong performance in polling, the need for back-up victories in a difficult Senate landscape, and other funders starting to move support to the Osborn campaign, 1.5°CSG has decided to leap into this little-known competitive Senate race. Contributions to Dan Osborn’s campaign will unlock up to $150k in matching funds for the Nebraska Railroaders for Public Safety I.E. campaign in support of Dan Osborn.

Geography: Nebraska

Funding Type: PAC

Contact: Dan Osborn, Independent candidate for Nebraska’s US Senate Seat

Presentation Date: 06/25/2024

| Messaging & Paid Media

Project Narrative

Meeting Notes

Pennsylvania United

$150,000 Raised | Fundraising Goal Achieved!

Pennsylvania United is a membership organization in Western PA that has played an important role in supporting the election of the Mayor of Pittsburgh, the Allegheny County Executive, and progressive federal candidates, all based on a shared vision of climate, jobs, and justice. PA United is part of a broad coalition focused on implementing the Inflation Reduction Act by decarbonizing large buildings. This project will expand PA United’s efforts to include canvassing 20,000 doors with scripts educating voters about the benefits the IRA is delivering to their communities while directing individuals interested in accessing federal financial benefits to the WorkMoney resource center.

Geography: Pennsylvania

Funding Type: c3

Contact: Alex Hanson, Executive Director

Presentation Date: 06/11/2024

Down Home North Carolina

$150,000 Raised | Fundraising Goal Achieved!

Down Home North Carolina is building a statewide network of member-leaders who advocate for economic, climate, and racial justice in rural and small-town communities. They are successfully establishing a permanent, year-round organizing infrastructure in North Carolina’s rural areas by leveraging member-leaders who are deeply rooted in their communities. This project will utilize Down Home’s network to educate rural voters about the historic climate investment opportunities available to their communities while directing individuals interested in accessing federal financial benefits to the WorkMoney resource center.

Geography: North Carolina

Funding Type: PACc4c3

Contact: Todd Zimmer, Co-Director

Presentation Date: 06/11/2024

Jane Fonda Climate PAC

$63,300 Raised

Jane Fonda Climate PAC is on a mission to reshape the political landscape, ensuring that leaders are not only aware of the urgent climate crisis but are also committed to taking decisive action. Through strategic campaigns, direct candidate support, and relentless grassroots organizing, Jane Fonda Climate PAC is holding the fossil fuel industry accountable and pushing for a sustainable future. And now, in 2024, they’re taking their efforts to the next level with the launch of a groundbreaking relational field organizing program. This initiative aims to empower communities and amplify their voices in electing climate champions to state legislative seats. These are the individuals who will shape policy, drive innovation, and lead us toward a cleaner, greener tomorrow. Join to learn more about the critical climate fights at the down ballot level and how JanePAC is building a bench of climate champions to lead us to a clean energy future.

Geography: National, California, Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Oregon, Colorado, Nevada.

Funding Type: PAC

Contact: Jane Fonda, Principal

Presentation Date: 05/28/2024

| Down Ballot Races

Celebrity Presentation

Meeting Notes

Red Wine and Blue

$32,000 Raised | $18,000 Left to Raise

Red Wine & Blue is a grassroots community of over half a million diverse suburban women working together to defeat extremism, one friend at a time. They provide a welcoming pathway to political engagement for women, including many who have never been political before, to organize in their communities. To complement their full-time teams in MI, NC, PA, and OH,they are raising funds to hire additional GOTV organizers focused on converting their members into relational volunteers who mobilize their friends, family, and neighbors to vote in critical federal battleground areas. This is a rare relational field program targeting what has consistently proven to be one of the most important and moveable groups of voters - suburban women.

Geography: Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Carolina

Funding Type: PACc4c3

Contact: Katie Paris, Founder & CEO

Presentation Date: 05/14/2024

Sister District Project

$31,500 Raised | $18,500 Left to Raise

Sister District mobilizes their national network of grassroots volunteers around the most strategic opportunities to win elections and build power in state legislatures. In 2024, they are driving make-or-break field and fundraising capacity to state legislative races in battlegrounds ― AZ, GA, MI, NC, NV, PA, WI. Sister District is closing narrow vote margins, helping Democrats win key seats, shifting the balance of power in entire chambers, and advancing policies on climate change, democracy, and more. Funding will allow Sister District to implement their proven volunteer-powered field strategies and tactics in these seven target states, and expand their work into MN and NH.

Geography: Arizona, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Georgia

Funding Type: PACc4c3

Contact: Lala Wu, Co-Founder & Executive Director

Presentation Date: 05/14/2024

Student PIRGs

$154,000 Raised | Fundraising Goal Achieved!

The Student PIRGs are a national network of student-run non-profits that have recruited, trained, and mobilized college and university students to win on public interest issues since 1971. The organization helped pass the first GHG reduction bills in the 2000s, won commitments for 100% renewable energy at the campus, city, and state level accomplished with a Boards of Directors made up entirely of current college students. This spring, the Student PIRGs aim to leverage their year-round infrastructure on campuses in Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia to educate young people about how their network and families can save money and save the environment through new programs and tax incentives created by the Inflation Reduction Act. StudentPIRGs IRA education program triages interested parties to WorkMoney's resource center to streamline each individuals enrollment process.

Geography: Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia

Funding Type: c4c3

Contact: Dan Xie, Political Director

Presentation Date: 02/20/2024

Working Power

$100,000 Raised | Fundraising Goal Achieved!

WP is a project development and financing company collaborating with NGOs, small businesses, and labor unions to co-develop community solar projects for racial and economic justice while utilizing IRA resources. With a current pipeline of 50 projects involving 16 partners, totaling 50 MW of clean energy, these initiatives aim to reduce CO2 emissions by over 42 metric tons and generate $115M in community benefits. 1.5°CSG funds will help the Ecological Citizen’s Project (ECP)'s 1.1 MW solar installation on 10 city properties in Peekskill, NY which is within competitive Congressional District-17. The $2M in community economic benefits this project generates will provide free food through an innovative food sovereignty program.

Geography: New York

Funding Type: c3

Contact: Bracken Hendricks, Chair of the Climate Justice Investment Committee

Presentation Date: 11/28/2023

| Coordination, Collaboration, and Technical Assistance

Somos Votantes

$206,500 Raised | Fundraising Goal Achieved!

Somos Votantes has initiated a field program with seven canvassers dedicated to Nevada and another seven in Arizona, with a focus on educating Latino communities about the opportunities provided by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Through a comprehensive approach involving canvassing, community events, mail programs, digital advertising, and local radio, Somos Votantes casts a wide net to inform Latinos about the economic opportunities brought to them by the Biden administration's IRA. Those who they encourage to access these financial benefits are seamlessly connected with WorkMoney, which takes the lead in facilitating their enrollment in IRA programs.

Geography: Arizona, Nevada

Funding Type: PACc4c3

Contact: Melissa Morales, Founder & President

Presentation Date: 11/07/2023

Nevada Clean Energy Fund

$32,000 Raised

The Nevada Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) is dedicated to fostering a thriving, affordable, and accessible clean energy economy in Nevada, with a primary emphasis on supporting frontline and underserved communities. With roughly $350 million in pending federal grant applications and the anticipated arrival of federal grants in July 2024, NCEF recognizes the pressing need to bolster its capacity. Presently staffed with four essential operations employees, the addition of one program staff offers the potential to double the project pipeline's readiness to deploy resources following the receipt of federal funds from the EPA. This additional staff member would enable us to have a more rapid and significant impact towards advancing clean energy initiatives in Nevada during the 2024 calendar year.

Geography: Nevada

Funding Type: c3

Contact: Kirsten Stasio, CEO

Presentation Date: 11/07/2023

| Climate Finance

Harambee House

$155,500 Raised | Fundraising Goal Achieved!

Harambee house is organizing the Southeast Environmental Justice Summit on June 7-11th in Atlanta, Georgia. This summit will bring together front-line community organizers with utilities, businesses, energy service companies, and federal agency representatives to prepare them to apply for new federal funding opportunities under IRA and other federal programs. An output of this summit will be a draft 10 year environmental justice plan for the 8 states in EPA Region 4 including: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Geography: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee

Funding Type: c3

Contact: Dr. Mildred McCain, Founder

Presentation Date: 05/02/2023

| Coordination, Collaboration, and Technical Assistance