Our 2022 Solar Impact

2022 was the year we dreamed bigger.

“As adoption of renewable energy has accelerated around the world, our team is continually reminded that this work is about more than just  being a part of that transition. It’s becoming clear that the transition is an inevitability. The big remaining question is if we’ll use this moment to truly change the world  for the better.” - Alex Honnold, Founder

In 2022, the Honnold Foundation’s impact expanded dramatically. We nearly doubled our grant-making support to $2 million, announced a precedent setting capacity-building program, and ultimately, supported 24 grantee Partners use solar energy to transform their communities, on their terms.  

There’s no longer a question of if we transition to renewable energy, it’s when and how.

At the Honnold Foundation, our how is simple: Historically marginalized and disenfranchised communities who are experiencing the worst impacts of climate change and pollution worldwide should be the first to benefit; a just transition isn’t just an idea— it’s a moral prerogative.

Join us.

Meet our New Partners

By Dory Trimble, Executive Director

We’re delighted to announce the eight exceptional organizations that will be joining the Honnold Foundation partner slate this year. We received 712 applications from 91 countries on every continent except Antarctica— and from that group, our Grant Advisory Committee and internal review team selected the following organizations. 

To highlight a few:

• In Cambodia, we’re supporting the dedicated physicians and midwives of The Lake Clinic as they provide solar-powered health services to remote villages by boat;

• In the USA, we’re working alongside the team at Coalfield Development to transition Appalachian towns to a solar-powered future;

• In Indonesia, we’re funding KOPPESDA, who encourage rural farmers to pay for their solar home systems with bamboo poles or coconut oil instead of cash;

• In Ecuador, we’re supporting Kara Solar and the solar-powered canoes they’re using to transform water transportation on the Amazon River.

And in Brazil, Guatemala, the Solomon Islands, and Mexico, our other new partners are developing their own solar powered community initiatives, providing access to water, food, and power where before there was none.

Each of these organizations works in different ways, but they’re united by a common vision: a world where solar power can improve people’s lives, reduce environmental impact, and increase their community’s ability to weather change.

Now, we’re all experiencing an unprecedented change. In the face of the pandemic, the Honnold Foundation has watched our existing partners rise to the challenge. We’ve been awed by their resilience, creativity, and perseverance. Our commitment to their work has only deepened over time, even as some solar installations are put on hold to protect the communities they serve. 

Our work continues. Our partners are not doing less during this crisis, they’re doing more. Your support matters now more than ever. I encourage you to meet our new partners, consider the essential roles they play in their communities, and join us in supporting their work. Together, we can build a brighter world.

Meet our Spring 2020 Core Grant Recipients

---

This year, the Honnold Foundation is committed to giving away US$1M. We can’t do it without your help. If you’re inspired by these partners, and want to join us in advancing their work, we invite you to make a gift today.