With 84% of youth around the world reporting concern that climate change threatens people and the planet, Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann announced in June 2024 that the City of Columbia was joining Bloomberg Philanthropies’ new Youth Climate Action Fund. This initiative provided technical assistance and funding for 100 mayors to activate tens of thousands of young people ages 15 – 24 to design, produce and govern urgent climate solutions in cities across the globe.

From mobilizing tree-planting or public education campaigns to launching recycling or waste reduction initiatives to participating in mitigation planning or preparedness programs, efforts stemming from the new Youth Climate Action Fund is advancing critical community goals such as meeting decarbonization commitments or reducing consumption-based emissions.

In the beginning, the City was awarded $50,000 for pass-through grants to youth-led organizations. After the successful completion of nine projects, the City was awarded an additional $100,000 for a second round of grants sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies, again aimed at engaging youth ages 15–24 in climate change mitigation.

Round One Recipients:

1. Columbia College – Greenhouse Renovations
2. Dreher High School Botany Club – Biodiversity Garden
3. Gills Creek Watershed Association – Water Quality Monitoring in Devil’s Ditch
4. Save the Planet! Ride a Bus!  – Campaign by Jake Wehman to Encourage Student Ridership of The Comet
5. Skylar’s Garden – Community Service Garden
6. SC Public Health Association – Climate Action Resilience Week 2024
7. Indian Waters Council Storm Drain Marking Project
8. USC Office of Sustainability – Sustainable Food Systems Outreach
9. USC Office of Sustainability – Home Weatherization for Columbia Homes

Round Two Recipients:

1. Benedict College – Climate Change Storytelling Project
2. United Way of the Midlands – Young Men’s Community Garden
3. South Carolina Wildlife Federation – Columbia EcoLeaders
4. Columbia College – Koala Organizers and Leaders for Action (KOALA)
5. USC School of Hospitality & Tourism Management – Food Upcycling to Fight Food Insecurity
6. South Carolina Public Health Association – Climate Action Resilience Week 2025
7. USC Office of Sustainability – Food Recovery Intern and Support
8. Dreher High School – Biodiversity Garden, Phase Two
9. USC Office of Sustainability – Conservation and Stewardship Event Series
10. Columbia College – From Jerseys to Joy: Upcycled Blankets for Community Impact
11. Cola Town Bike Collective – Climate-Friendly Mobility
12. Indian Waters Council – Scouting America, Scouting for Clean Waterways
13. Connections Workforce Development Group – Opening Doors to Future Energy Auditors
14. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden – ZooTeens, Composting Connection
15. Columbia NAACP Youth Council – Youth Disaster Preparedness Program
16. Darla Moore School of Business – Campaign by Net Impact Chapter to Increase Student Bus Use
17. Columbia College – Community Gardening in the 29203

Columbia’s recipients are in a select group of young people worldwide. The Youth Climate Action Fund spans 100 cities, 38 countries, six continents, and represents over 62 million residents.