American Climate Leadership Awards

• Winner $50,000

• Runner-Up $25,000

• Finalists (10) $10,000 each

• Semifinalists (20) $1,000 each

• Youth Leadership Award $10,000 for applicant under 25

• People’s Choice Award $5,000 Chosen by public vote from the ten finalists

• Honors Award for sustained career leadership. Past honorees include Bill McKibben, Katharine Hayhoe, Rev. Dr. Gerald Durley, and Jane Fonda.

Every awardee also gets what money can’t buy on its own: visibility, credibility, and a national stage. Winners’ stories are filmed, distributed across our networks, and showcased to funders, media, and peers who can help scale their work.

• Apply – Any eligible individual or organization can submit an application using this form by the December 14 deadline. Whether you are deepening your work in one community or are a leader scaling your program nationally, we invite you to apply to showcase your climate leadership.
• Nominate – If you know of someone who you believe qualifies for this award, please nominate them, and we will invite them to apply.
• After reviewing all applications, the most promising leader submissions will be named semifinalists and invited to submit more detailed proposals for finalist consideration. The top leader semifinalists will be promoted in ecoAmerica communications and online, receiving recognition for reaching that stage.
• Top 10 – Leader semifinalist submissions will be reviewed, and from this group, ten finalists will be selected, notified, and promoted as Finalists for the American Climate Leadership Awards 2027. The winner and runner-up will be announced in Spring 2027.

The American Climate Leadership Awards seeks submissions from initiatives that have:

Current programming in place or completed programming within the past year. Please note that plans for future programs will not be considered.

Demonstrated leadership and success in engaging a broader diversity of Americans to build public support and political resolve for climate preparedness, resilience, sustainability, and mitigation solutions.

A strong track record of effective climate action, including clear program objectives, tactics, and measurable results. Successful programs or initiatives at the local or regional level, or for leaders at the national level that can be replicated by others.

Reached new audiences: We welcome applications from across the country, from the local to national level, and from all communities. In particular, we encourage applications from individuals and organizations working to bring in or include audiences who are new to climate action. PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ACCEPT NATIONAL SUBMISSIONS FROM LEADERS ONLY. (NATIONAL YOUTH APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.)

Current programming in place or completed programming within the past year. Please note that plans for future programs will not be considered.

The Selection Committee for ACLA 2027 is comprised of climate experts and leaders from across a diversity of sectors and constituencies who will score the submissions based on the following criteria:

• Impact and a track record of success, including measurable key success metrics.
• Replicability, in other words, how easily another person or organization could follow your example and recreate a similar program for another region or constituency.
• How the initiative is broadening participation in climate action by engaging new audiences not typically involved in the climate movement.
• Innovation, including new, novel, or uniquely effective tactics.
• Effective storytelling, including demonstrating the success of how your program built public support and/or political will to slow and/or stop climate change or prepare or build resilience to it.

The Selection Committee for ACLA 2027 welcomes applications from:

• Transformational leaders who are employing innovative methods to broaden the participation of Americans in climate change solutions locally, regionally, and/or nationally.
• Youth between 14 and 24 years of age working at the local and state level.
• Outstanding nonprofits that have demonstrably moved their communities, organizations, or constituencies to effective climate action, advocacy, preparedness, or resilience including community, health, faith, youth, conservation, rural, conservative, and other organizations.
• Local for-profits with outreach or engagement initiatives geared toward building support for climate action within their city, town, county, or state.

No. There is no entry fee.

Yes. You can submit multiple entries if you have a standalone initiative for each entry.

You will receive a confirmation email. If you are selected as a semifinalist, you will be invited to continue in the process and considered for the finalist, runner-up, and winner award.

Submissions are screened for eligibility and completeness, then reviewed by a panel of expert judges. Judges score entries against published criteria (impact, innovation, etc.). Top‑scoring entries advance to finalist review; finalists may be re‑scored and vetted before winners are selected. Scores and reviewer comments inform final decisions; public voting will determine the People’s Choice winner.

A completed entry form, up to three supporting documents (reports, media coverage, evaluation), and up to three images or a short video (in the semifinalist round). See the category-specific guidance for any additional requirements.

Text documents: PDF preferred. Images: JPG or PNG (high resolution). Video: short, under 1 minute, hosted via link or uploaded per platform instructions.

Semifinalists, finalists, winners, and the runner-up will be featured on the awards website and social media channels, included in ecoAmerica press materials and newsletters, and may be highlighted in partner communications. Finalists receive a profile page; winners receive a featured story, press outreach, and opportunities for speaking or partnership promotion.