CarbonfreeDC Wins $20,000 from Nat’l Geographic

Congratulations CarbonfreeDC for winning $20,000 from National Geographic for your idea to green 20 local low-income homes!

Out of 2,500 entries into the “Green Effect” competition, CarbonfreeDC’s “Extreme Green Neighborhood Makeover” proposal won one of five $20,000 grants.

CarbonfreeDC is a local grassroots initiative aimed at reducing DC’s environmental impact through individual actions. In keeping with their mission, the group submitted a proposal to National Geographic’s Green Effect competition to use a $20,000 grant to help 20 local low-income families save money and live green by making their homes more energy efficient.

This idea wowed a panel of judges, which included actor Edward Norton. The panel awarded 4 $20,000 grants and an online vote awarded a fifth.

In addition to the $20,000 grant, CarbonfreeDC will be featured in the upcoming National Geographic magazine and will attend a gala at the National Geographic headquarters in September.

To carry out their proposal, and stretch the $20,000 as far as possible, CarbonfreeDC is planning to partner with DC businesses, organizations and government agencies. They’ll also tap into the skills of their 750 members.

Their first step will be to identify 20 low-income families whose homes are in need of eco-friendly updates. Once these homes undergo energy audits, CarbonfreeDC members and volunteers will begin installing the green improvements. When the work is finished, CarbonfreeDC will hold a series of workshops in the community to help neighbors learn how to make similar changes in their own homes.

This is a huge opportunity for both CarbonfreeDC and our community. Congratulations and good luck!

To learn more about CarbonfreeDC, visit their website HERE. To learn more about the National Geographic “Green Effect” competition, click HERE.