Funders

The mission of the U.S. DOT is to ensure America has the safest, most efficient and modern transportation system in the world, which boosts our economic productivity and global competitiveness and enhances the quality of life in communities both rural and urban. 

The mission of the Energy Department is to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.

Caltrans manages more than 50,000 miles of California's highway and freeway lanes, provides inter-city rail services, permits more than 400 public-use airports and special-use hospital heliports, and works with local agencies. Caltrans carries out its mission with six primary programs: Aeronautics, Highway Transportation, Mass Transportation, Transportation Planning, Administration and the Equipment Service Center.

CARB is charged with protecting the public from the harmful effects of air pollution and developing programs and actions to fight climate change. From requirements for clean cars and fuels to adopting innovative solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, California has pioneered a range of effective approaches that have set the standard for effective air and climate programs for the nation, and the world.

The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) works collaboratively with public agencies, communities, and stakeholders to achieve sustainability, equity, economic prosperity, and quality of life for all. SGC also administers a suite of grant programs funded through California Climate Investments - a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions while providing a variety of other benefits - particularly in disadvantaged communities. 

The mission of CalEPA is to restore, protect and enhance the environment, to ensure public health, environmental quality and economic vitality. They fulfill our mission by developing, implementing and enforcing environmental laws that regulate air, water and soil quality, pesticide use and waste recycling and reduction. Their departments are at the forefront of environmental science, using the most recent research to shape the state’s environmental laws.

As part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the Transportation Research Board (TRB) provides leadership in transportation improvements and innovation through trusted, timely, impartial, and evidence-based information exchange, research, and advice regarding all modes of transportation. For example, committees, researchers, and staff are currently focused on advancing resilient infrastructure, exploring transformational technology, and caring for the public’s health and safety.

As the only public agency with members from every jurisdiction in the region, SACOG also serves as a forum for the study, planning, and resolution of other issues facing local governments in a wide variety of topics from protecting our agricultural and natural resources, to challenges related to flooding and wildfires, airport planning, and housing affordability. SACOG plays a central role in transportation infrastructure planning and funding assistance for cities, counties, transit operators, and other entities responsible for providing for the travel needs of the region’s residents. 

The Oregon Department of Energy helps Oregonians make informed decisions and maintain a resilient and affordable energy system. They advance solutions to shape an equitable clean energy transition, protect the environment and public health, and responsibly balance energ​y needs and impacts for current and future generations.

Climateworks Foundation is made up of researchers, strategists, collaborators, and grantmakers that have a mission of ending climate change by amplifying the power of philanthropy. Over the past decade, they’ve built a global platform for philanthropy to innovate and accelerate climate solutions that scale. Their global programs and services equip philanthropy with knowledge, networks, and solutions to drive climate progress.

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is a nonpartisan, private charitable foundation that advances ideas and supports institutions to promote a better world. Their programs focus on a range of topics, like education, environment, gender equity and governance, performing arts, and effective philanthropy, as well as support for disadvantaged communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, they make grants for special projects and address other timely problems, such as challenges related to cybersecurity and U.S. democracy.

Breakthrough Energy supports the innovations that will lead the world to net-zero emissions. They are a network of entities and initiatives, including investment funds, nonprofit and philanthropic programs, and policy efforts linked by a common commitment to scale the technologies we need to achieve a path to net zero emissions by 2050. They are encouraging the development of new net-zero energy technologies, championing policies that speed innovation from lab to market, and bringing together governments, research institutions, private companies, and investors to expand and enhance clean-energy investment.

Energy Foundation supports education and analysis to promote non-partisan policy solutions that advance renewable energy and energy efficiency while opening doors to greater innovation and productivity—growing the economy with dramatically less pollution. Their comprehensive approach advances energy efficiency and renewable energy in the power, transportation, and buildings sectors. Their programs focus on developing innovative policies and campaigns to help propel clean energy development in these sectors. 

Established in 2006 within The Schmidt Family Foundation (TSFF), The 11th Hour Project supports pioneering, people-centered solutions that are human rights and planet-aligned, working tirelessly to restore the connection between humans and the planet. Based in the Bay Area, TSFF is the family foundation of Wendy and Eric Schmidt. The 11th Hour Project supports qualified 501(c)(3) organizations and social enterprises through grantmaking, impact investing and complementary resources, such as network-building, convening and strategic communications.

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation funds a number of different issues. One of their goal is to combat climate change. They believe that reducing greenhouse gas emissions over the next 10 years is essential to stabilize the climate. It is a problem that can be solved in ways that provide economic and social benefits for all. In partnership with other funders, they have invested in the ClimateWorks Foundation and their network of hundreds of non-profit organizations worldwide. They are focused on proven and emerging mitigation strategies that will make the biggest difference.

The Heising-Simons Foundation is a family foundation based in Los Altos and San Francisco, California. The Foundation works with its many partners to advance sustainable solutions in climate and clean energy, enable groundbreaking research in science, enhance the education of our youngest learners, and support human rights for all people.

The Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) and the Banatao Institute leverage the research strengths of the University of California campuses at Berkeley, Davis, Merced, and Santa Cruz, and operate within the greater ecosystem of the University and the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of Silicon Valley. They strengthen bridges between world-class laboratory research, state and national policymakers, and companies and startups creating new applications and reshaping entire industries. Together with these public and private partners, we are shaping the future of technology in ways that cross traditional boundaries.