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VoLo Foundation Awards Multi-Year Grant to the CLEO Institute to Advance Climate Leadership and Systems Change

News Provided by ACCESS Newswire2025-03-13

ORLANDO, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / March 13, 2025 /VoLo Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to driving climate solutions by awarding a $6 million, three-year grant to The CLEO Institute, a women-led nonprofit at the forefront of climate education, advocacy, policy, and resilience-building.

This renewed investment underscores VoLo 's belief in CLEO 's model, impact, and momentum, recognizing that Florida is not just on the frontlines of the climate crisis-it is leading the charge on electric vehicle adoption, rooftop solar expansion, federal climate funding benefits, and resilience-building efforts. The CLEO playbook holds promise for progress nationwide. For 15 years, CLEO has been at the heart of that progress, shaping people-centered policies, educating communities, and forging pathways to climate solutions.

At a time when only 2.0% of the world 's philanthropic dollars go to spurring action to protect our climate, and even less to women-led organizations like CLEO, VoLo Foundation 's investment sets a powerful precedent for others to follow. In the absence of federal leadership, philanthropy must step up to fund proven, community-based climate solutions that can be scaled nationwide.

VoLo 's strategic support will allow CLEO to:

Mobilize the Masses with Education, Urgency & Agency - Expanding climate literacy and civic engagement programs, ensuring diverse communities have access to the science and solutions needed for action.

Advance Clean Renewable Energy with Speed & Scale - Holding utilities accountable, accelerating electric vehicle fleet adoption, and supporting renewable energy incentives for frontline communities.

Elect Climate Champions - Training young leaders, expanding genCLEO chapters, and driving voter engagement to support climate-forward policies and elected officials.

Build Community Resilience - Strengthening disaster preparedness, advancing climate justice initiatives, and equipping historically marginalized communities with tools for adaptation and recovery.

"VoLo Foundation 's continued investment in CLEO is a testament to our impact and the power of long-term philanthropic partnerships," said Yoca Arditi-Rocha, Executive Director of The CLEO Institute. "With their support, we 've built a model that works-and now, we 're scaling it, seeking matching grants to drive systemic change strategically across the U.S. and beyond. The climate emergency demands nothing less and we urge others to follow."

The results are clear: strategic investments in climate solutions work. Thanks to catalytic funding from VoLo and other key partners, Florida is now a national leader in clean energy adoption and climate resilience for communities on the frontlines.

"As data-driven philanthropists, we invest in solutions that work," said Thais Lopez Vogel, Co-Founder & Trustee of VoLo Foundation. "CLEO 's 15-year trajectory proves that top-down advocacy/policy efforts and bottom-up community-driven investments create real, measurable impact. The work happening in Florida today can serve as a playbook for the rest of the nation."

"As a Florida grown but nationally known organization, CLEO 's impact is a proven model.As climate disasters intensify and disinvestment in frontline communities persist, funding organizations like CLEO-who turn awareness into action, education into advocacy, and funding into systems change-is more critical than ever," said Caroline Lewis, founder of The CLEO Institute.

About The CLEO Institute

Founded in 2010, The CLEO Institute is a women-led, nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to climate education, advocacy, and engagement. Because climate change is a solvable but time-bound existential issue, we envision a world where by 2030, heat trapping gasses are significantly reduced, the planet 's current alarming trajectory is reversed, and we 've secured a safer future for all. www.CLEOInstitute.org

About VoLo Foundation

VoLo Foundation is committed to accelerating global climate solutions by funding science-based education, environmental innovation, and initiatives that drive measurable impact. By investing in strategic partnerships, VoLo works to enhance education, improve health, and create a sustainable future. www.VoLoFoundation.org.

Contact Information:

Jocelyn Mahone
Community Manager
jmahone@cleoinstitute.org
(203) 554-8199