Laughing Gull Foundation Announces $2 Million in Funding for Climate and Environmental Justice Organizations in the U.S. South
Grants strengthen community-led power building, advocacy, and sustainable solutions amid growing climate and environmental justice challenges.
Durham, NC – Laughing Gull Foundation (LGF) is proud to announce the approval of $1,900,000 in grants awarded to 26 Climate & Environment organizations across the U.S. South. In a moment defined by federal rollbacks on environmental protections, failure to follow through on promised climate investments, and the retreat of major philanthropic funders from climate work, these grants are a direct signal of LGF’s deepened commitment to the grassroots leaders and community organizations holding the line for our future.
“The South has always been on the frontlines. We are no stranger to climate disaster, policy choices that lead to inequities, and organized resistance. As many major philanthropic institutions retreat from climate work and the federal government abandons its commitments to our communities, LGF is leaning in. We are proud to stand with the organizers, land stewards and farmers, faith leaders, and advocates who refuse to wait for permission to build the future we deserve.”
– Dr. LaTonya Penny, LGF Chief Executive
Now in its sixth year, LGF’s Climate & Environment program continues to prioritize BIPOC-led organizations and groups working at the intersections of climate, racial, and economic justice across the South. LGF’s strategic priorities for this grantmaking program include support for funder collaborations, community-based advocacy, power and transportation sector policy, and land conservation; and reflect the breadth and interconnection of the work communities in the South need most.
Against a backdrop of funder retreat or pressure, LGF’s longstanding practice of multi-year, general operating support is not just aimed at sustaining grantees, but providing them the stability and trust needed to dream bigger and go further.
Four new grantees join the C&E portfolio in 2026, focused on expanding renewable energy access, supporting farmer organizing and funding, and climate organizing and advocacy more generally, including Latino-led groups.
“Our grantee partners refuse to be defined by crises and deficits. Across the South, they are guided by a vision for what’s possible and are doing the hard, unglamorous, essential work: protecting Black-owned land, fighting toxic air and water, building power in rural communities, and holding polluters accountable. LGF’s role in this moment is to show up with the resources, relationships, and commitment that allow our partners to keep going for the long haul.”
– Marion Johnson, Director of Strategic Partnerships
LGF’s Board of Directors awarded Climate & Environment grants to the following organizations in 2026:
Alliance for Affordable Energy – New Orleans, LA
Appalachian Voices – Boone, NC
Black Family Land Trust – Raleigh, NC
Center for Heirs Property Preservation – Charleston, SC
City Dibs/Queer Freedom School – Baltimore, MD
Community Climate Collaborative – Charlottesville, VA
Georgia Conservation Voters Education Fund – Atlanta, GA
*Georgia Interfaith Power & Light – Decatur, GA
Golden Girlz – Durham, NC
*Groundswell – Washington, DC
Land Loss Prevention Project – Durham, NC
Louisiana Bucket Brigade – Baton Rouge, LA
*Mi Familia Vota Education Fund – Phoenix, AZ/Raleigh, NC
Neighborhood Funders Group Amplify Fund – Oakland, CA
North Carolina Climate Justice Collective – Durham NC
North Carolina Environmental Justice Network – Raleigh, NC
Partnership for Southern Equity – Atlanta, GA
*Persimmon Collective Fund – Raleigh/Eastern Piedmont, NC
Power Coalition for Equity & Justice – New Orleans, LA
Rural Empowerment Association for Community Help – Warsaw, NC
Rural Investment to Protect our Environment (RIPE) – Washington, DC
7 Directions of Service – Mebane, NC
Southeast Climate and Energy Network – Sunrise, FL
SOWEGA Rising Coalition – Albany, GA
Taproot Earth/Gulf South to Appalachia – New Orleans, LA
Virginia Organizing – Charlottesville, VA
* denotes new grantees
For more information on LGF’s Climate & Environment strategies, approaches, priorities, and impact, please click below.
