Hammond Climate Solutions Foundation

08/09/2026

It’s and today we’re featuring grantee, Turnstone Center for Children and Adults with Disabilities, located in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Turnstone empowers people with disabilities to achieve their highest potential by providing comprehensive services and programs. The organization recently flipped the switch on a 550kW solar power system that is estimated to generate approximately 650,000kWh annually, offsetting about 45%–47% of Turnstone’s electricity consumption.

We are proud that our supported this project alongside Google, WindSwell Foundation, Dick & Marni Waterfield, Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne and other community partners.

The solar project is expected to save Turnstone approximately $136,000 annually, reducing operating expenses and allowing more resources to support its mission and programs for children and adults with disabilities.

🌎 To learn more about Turnstone, visit www.turnstone.org.

☀️ To learn more about or to apply for a Solar Moonshot Program grant, visit www.solarmoonshot.org.

08/07/2026

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is bringing a growing climate justice challenge: the pollution and resource demands of the massive data centers powering it.

A recent The New York Times investigation found that at least 82 gas-burning power plants are being built or proposed nationwide specifically to power data centers. In Texas, some projects have received environmental approval in a matter of days — without public notice.

One proposed gas plant for a data center in El Paso would be large enough to power roughly 300,000 homes and could emit as much carbon pollution annually as about 360,000 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles.

And air pollution is only part of the concern.

Data centers can consume enormous amounts of water to cool servers, putting additional pressure on local water supplies. Their operations can also contribute to water pollution through wastewater discharges and the broader impacts of the energy infrastructure built to serve them. Furthermore, data centers accelerate the climate crisis, which impacts Communities of Concern first and worst.

Clean air and clean water are human rights. Communities should not have to sacrifice either in the name of technological advancement.

As demand for AI and data centers grows, climate justice requires asking critical questions: Who breathes the pollution? Whose water is being consumed or put at risk? Who gets a say in what is built in their community? And why are we investing in new fossil fuel infrastructure when clean energy solutions are available?

Technological progress and climate progress do not have to be at odds. We can power innovation with clean energy, conserve precious water resources and ensure Communities of Concern aren’t asked to shoulder yet another disproportionate share of environmental harm.

Read the free New York Times article:

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08/05/2026

California’s investor-owned utilities have been linked to far too many deadly and devastating wildfires while their continued investment in fossil fuels accelerates the climate crisis.

The 2018 Camp Fire. The 2019 Kincade Fire. The 2021 Dixie Fire. And now, after an 18-month investigation, Los Angeles County and CAL FIRE officials have concluded that electrical arcing from an out-of-service Southern California Edison transmission tower caused the Eaton Fire.

Nineteen people were killed. More than 9,000 homes and businesses were destroyed or damaged. Entire communities are forever changed.

Investor-owned utilities must be held accountable for maintaining their equipment, protecting the public and preventing disasters. They should not be allowed to pass the consequences of their failures on to ratepayers and fire survivors.

We also need to transform our energy system. Local solar paired with battery storage generates clean electricity where it is used, strengthens community resilience and reduces our dependence on sprawling utility infrastructure that can spark catastrophic fires.

It’s time to invest at scale in safe, reliable, community-centered energy solutions and hold investor-owned utilities accountable.

Read more about the fire investigation’s findings in The New York Times:

The 2025 Eaton fire, which killed 19 people and destroyed the Altadena community, began at an inactive tower belonging to Southern California Edison, officials said.

08/02/2026

This , we’re highlighting YEAH Philly, a Black-led nonprofit empowering teens and young adults in West Philadelphia — and the youth-led movement that helped bring solar power to its community center! ☀️

With support from Hammond Climate Solutions Foundation’s , RE-volv, REVERB’s Impact Fund, Good Energy Collaborative and GreenBrilliance, YEAH Philly’s new 12 kW solar system will meet 100% of the organization’s electricity needs and save approximately $86,000 over time.

The impact extends far beyond the solar panels. Through hands-on workshops focused on solar energy, green careers and urban agriculture, young people are gaining practical experience and seeing themselves as leaders in the clean energy movement.

This is what an equitable energy transition looks like: investing in young people, strengthening community-serving organizations and ensuring the benefits of clean energy reach historically underinvested communities.

Watch RE-volv’s new video to learn more about this inspiring project! 💚

08/01/2026

Recently we visited Vuori’s headquarters in Carlsbad with our IBEW Local 569 partner Aloha Solar Power. We helped the Vuori team better understand the performance of their existing solar installation and explore potential renewable energy opportunities. When it’s necessary to buy something, we like supporting local companies with a climate focus.

We applaud Vuori’s efforts to better understand, measure and manage greenhouse gas emissions across its operations and value chain. Vuori is dedicated to creating quality products that foster connections with fitness, nature, creativity and community, while continuing to evaluate opportunities that support responsible business practices.

While the activewear industry continues to navigate a range of sustainability considerations across product design, manufacturing and distribution, companies have the opportunity to drive progress through improving operational efficiency, investing in innovation, evaluating renewable energy opportunities, and seeking opportunities to reduce environmental impacts and create a healthier, more resilient low-carbon future.

07/31/2026

For years, South Bay San Diego residents and advocates have sounded the alarm: The Tijuana River sewage crisis is not just a water pollution issue. It is an air pollution and public health crisis.

Now, preliminary results from San Diego State University’s Healthy Water, Healthy Air survey provide even more data supporting what the community has long experienced.

More than 500 people across Imperial Beach, Nestor, San Ysidro, Coronado and National City participated, reporting symptoms including headaches, nausea, brain fog, stomach issues, anxiety, fatigue and sleep problems. Researchers found that when sewage flows increase, hydrogen sulfide levels rise and more people report feeling sick. Even brief spikes and low levels of the sewage-related gas can affect people’s well-being.

The data may be new, but the experiences are not. Residents have lived with polluted air, persistent odors, closed beaches and health concerns for far too long.

Stopping the pollution at its source remains essential. Communities also need protection now. This reality informs Hammond Climate Solutions Foundation’s work in Imperial Beach, where we are helping a trusted community space improve indoor air quality, monitor local conditions and build greater resilience for children and families.

Clean air and clean water are fundamental rights. South Bay communities deserve both.

Learn more about the recently-reported on preliminary findings from this KPBS story: https://www.kpbs.org/news/environment/2026/07/08/new-survey-reveals-more-details-about-tijuana-river-sewage-crisis

07/27/2026

It's today we're celebrating a 5-year for our grantee, The Sacramento LGBT Community Center.

In January 2021, the Center received a $25,000 grant funded by to install a 15.5 kW solar power system, helping reduce energy costs while advancing its mission to create a culturally rich LGBTQ+ community where everyone can thrive. By lowering utility expenses, the Center can dedicate more resources to providing vital health, wellness, advocacy and community programs.

As San Diego celebrates throughout July, we're proud to recognize organizations that are building stronger, more inclusive and more resilient communities. Clean energy helps mission-driven nonprofits like the Sacramento LGBT Community Center invest more in the people they serve while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating a healthier future for all.

🏳️‍🌈 Learn more about the Sacramento LGBT Community Center at www.saccenter.org.

☀️ Interested in bringing solar to your nonprofit? Learn more about the Solar Moonshot Program at www.solarmoonshot.org.

07/25/2026

📊 Our Quarter 2 2026 Impact Report is now live!

From expanding clean energy access and strengthening community resilience to growing our team and celebrating major milestones, the second quarter of 2026 was filled with meaningful progress made possible by our team, partners, funders and supporters.

This quarter, we also celebrated the completion of the Boys & Girls Clubs of South County's clean energy resilience project, launched our initiative at the Imperial Beach Boys & Girls Club, welcomed another outstanding cohort of student interns and our colleague John St Pierre, hosted our third annual pickleball fundraiser for a local clean energy project and continued advancing climate solutions through speaking engagements, advocacy and partnerships.

Since launching the , we've:
☀️ Supported 223,405 kW of solar capacity
🏫 Advanced 243 clean energy projects across 34 states and internationally
💰 Surpassed $5 million awarded or committed thanks to our generous funders
🌎 Helped nonprofits save more than $1 million annually on energy costs

Thank you to everyone and every organization that helped us accelerate equitable climate solutions and build healthier, safer and more resilient communities. We look forward to continuing our momentum through the end of this year and beyond.

🔗 Download our full Q2 2026 Impact Report on our homepage: www.hcs.foundation

07/22/2026

There are four days left to vote!

Our founder and executive director, Tara Hammond, is honored to be nominated by San Diego Magazine for the Celebrating Women – Nonprofit Pioneer award.

Throughout her career, Tara has believed that climate action should improve people's lives. That vision has helped nonprofits lower operating costs through clean energy, strengthened community resilience, supported healthier neighborhoods and created partnerships that bring together organizations that might not otherwise work side by side.

Today, our programs have helped hundreds of nonprofits across 34 states and territories access clean energy, while our work continues to expand into community resilience, healthy homes and youth leadership.

Tara's nomination recognizes not just one person, but our incredible women-led team, dedicated board of directors, partners, supporters and the communities we serve. Together, we've shown that collaboration can accelerate meaningful climate solutions while strengthening communities. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey.

If Tara or our organization has made a difference in your organization or community, we'd be honored to have your vote by July 26.

🗳️ Vote here: https://cw.sdmag.com/non-profit/non-profit-pioneer

Thank you for helping celebrate women who are building stronger, healthier and more resilient communities!