Community Foundation of Northern Nevada hosts new donor-powered fund supporting local climate and sustainability solutions.
RENO, Nev. — February 3, 2026 — In response to declining state and federal investment in local renewable energy, Energy-Efficiency, and other climate solutions, a group of private donors in Washoe County has launched the Washoe Sustainability Fund, a non-governmental, community-based charitable fund hosted at the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada.
“We don’t know what the future will bring,” said Brian Beffort, Washoe County Sustainability Manager and one of the Fund’s founding donors, “but it is shaping up to be increasingly uncertain and risky. In the face of vanishing federal financial support, our community has responded admirably by launching this Fund to invest in our own future resilience.”
Communities across Washoe County are experiencing more frequent weather-related disruptions and climate impacts—rising urban heat, atmospheric rivers and flooding, wildfires and air pollution, increasing demands on an aging electric grid, rising energy costs and poorer public health outcomes. Solutions exist, many of which are outlined in Reno and Washoe County sustainability and climate action plans. Unfortunately, many of these best practices remain unfunded. The Washoe Sustainability Fund will mobilize local philanthropy to accelerate proven, community-scale solutions that deliver benefits for everyone in Washoe County: lower energy bills, cleaner air, healthier products, less waste, and improved public health.
The Fund will support projects that address critical community needs, including:
- Nature-based solutions such as community forestry, community gardens, and green infrastructure projects.
- Energy-Efficiency and electrification to reduce air pollution, lower energy bills, and improve public health.
- Low-Emissions transportation options, including e-bikes, e-scooters, electric vehicles, and transit access.
- Waste reduction and circular economy initiatives that limit microplastics and other pollutants to protect regional health and build a healthier circular economy.
“Our goal is to connect local causes that matter with donors who want to create meaningful, measurable benefits for our communities,” Beffort said. “By investing locally, we can make Washoe County a healthier, happier, more resilient place to live and visit.”
“I’ve called Washoe County home for over four decades and raised my family here,” said Peter Gower, founding Advisory Board member. “I’m proud to be a part of the Washoe Sustainability Fund because it invests in projects that help sustain and improve the clean air, fresh water, and healthy outdoor lifestyles we enjoy today—for generations to come.”
“Any community is what the folks who live there help make it,” said Frankie Sue DelPapa, founding donor, former Nevada Attorney General, and trustee for the Greg Nelson Trust. “Balancing environmental, social, and economic factors is critical for us all.”
Community Foundation Endorsement
“The Community Foundation of Northern Nevada is proud to host the Washoe Sustainability Fund,” said Eaton Dunkelberger, CEO and president of the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada. “This donor-powered initiative reflects our community’s commitment to practical solutions that improve health, safety, and quality of life. We look forward to partnering with local leaders and organizations to deliver durable, high-impact results across Washoe County.”
Getting Involved
- Learn more: Visit the Fund website.
- Donate: Make a tax-deductible gift to the Fund.
- Submit a proposal for funding: The Fund is currently accepting proposals from eligible organizations.
About the Washoe Sustainability Fund
The Washoe Sustainability Fund is a non-governmental, community-based charitable fund that invests in local climate and sustainability solutions to strengthen resilience and quality of life in Washoe County. Guided by community advisors, the Fund supports nature-based solutions, energy efficiency and electrification, emissions-free mobility, and circular economy initiatives that deliver measurable public benefits.
About the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada
The Community Foundation of Northern Nevada is a trusted philanthropic partner connecting people who care with causes that matter. Through donor-advised funds, field of interest and designated funds, scholarships, and strategic grantmaking, the Community Foundation helps generous individuals and organizations maximize their impact across our region.
Media Contact:
Brian Beffort, Sustainability Manager, Washoe County
775-447-0856