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Looking for a way to take real, local, and measurable climate action? Donate to the Kingston Community Climate Action Fund (KCCAF) and support reducing community greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The Kingston Community Climate Action Fund was developed to support local charities and not-for-profit organizations, and their initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and/or air emissions; increase energy conservation or efficiency; reduce or divert organic waste; or assist with Climate Change adaptation and technology innovation reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).
Gifts of $20 and more made at a Kingston Community Credit Union will be eligible to receive a tax receipt, issued by the City of Kingston. Donations are being accepted at all KCCU branches and we have committed to match donations made at our branches up to $5,000. Donations can also be made online through CanadaHelps.
Fundraising to support the Kingston Community Climate Action Fund projects runs from December 2023 through March 2024 with funds will be disbursed to the projects in the spring.
To learn more about the Kingston Community Climate Action Fund, click here.
Extend A Family Kingston (EAFK) Growability Hydroponic Greenhouse has been selected as the supported project for the 2024/2025 Kingston Community Climate Action Fund.
EAFK’s sustainable hydroponic vertical farming greenhouses are capable of producing 10,000 heads of produce annually. For context, the cultivation of 10,000 heads of lettuce using traditional farming methods results in an estimated 6 metric tons of CO2e emissions. In contrast, hydroponic vertical farming systems are projected to generate between 2 to 3 metric tons of CO2e emissions, reflecting a reduction of approximately 50-60%.
EAFK’s vertical farming systems contribute to sustainability by significantly reducing water consumption, pesticide use, and transportation-related emissions, particularly since the produce is grown locally year-round. The Growability Hydroponic Greenhouse Project aims to enhance and expand the operations of two hydroponic greenhouses, which together have the capacity to produce over 20,000 heads of fresh, locally grown produce annually.
To complete these upgrades, Extend A Family Kingston is seeking $30,000 in funding.
Kingston Community Credit Union invites Kingston residents to support the project by donating at any of their three branches (18 Market Street, 795 Gardiners Road, and 1201 Division Street). Gifts of $20 and more made at a KCCU branch are eligible to receive a tax receipt, issued by the City of Kingston.
To learn more about the fund, and the project, or to donate online click here.
Kingston Community Credit Union (KCCU) joined the City of Kingston to support the fourth year of the Kingston Community Climate Action Fund (KCCAF) with a new project announced at a kick-off event held on December 1, 2023.
All Our Relations Land Trust project was selected as the focus of the Kingston Community Climate Action Fund (KCCAF) in 2023/2024. The project allowed All Our Relations Land Trust to curb greenhouse gas emissions by installing solar panels and a new rainwater collection structure. All Our Relations Land Trust’s fundraising goal was $27,179.
The project, situated on a 2.86-acre pasture on Hwy 15 in Kingston, will provide essential power and water resources, supporting the Indigenous food sovereignty garden, medicine gardens, a pollinator garden, and little forests. All these initiatives are carefully stewarded by All Our Relations Land Trust, in collaboration with members of the urban Indigenous community, allies, and partner organizations, including Little Forests Kingston.
In 2024, a licensed electrical contractor with a specialty in remote off-grid agricultural sites installed solar panels on a south-facing 300 sq foot shade structure roof and a 60 sq. foot shed roof. The roofs also double as a 3000-litre rainwater collection structure and will have the capacity to increase the volume of water storage.
The panels will provide power for:
• A solar powered irrigation system that will draw from either stored rainwater or from an existing in-ground 100-foot well
• Recharging stations for electric batteries.
• Lighting and other outdoor electric chargers and receptacles
• The system will be 100% grid connection ready
The project site is located on the traditional lands of the Huron Wendat, Anishinaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples, now known as Kingston, Ontario. All Our Relations Land Trust recognizes the Land as Kin – a beloved relation. The Land Trust will continue to practice good governance, build knowledge, and care for the land in a good way.
To learn more about the project, click here.
We were pleased to join the City of Kingston to support the Kingston Community Climate Action Fund for a third year. The fundraising was officially kicked off in December 2022 for the following three projects for 2022/2023:
Frontenac Club Day Care was seeking support for building retrofits that will create 20 new licensed daycare spaces in Kingston and a new wheelchair-accessible preschool and infant rooms. These building retrofits include the installation of two new heat pump systems in both the coach house and infant house well as spray foam insulation, improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).
Fundraising goal: $59,510
Ongwanada – Purchase of a VanRaam VeloPlus Wheelchair electric bike
Ongwanada was seeking support to purchase an electric wheelchair transport bike that can be used to take the residents of Ongwanada on outdoor excursions in Kingston to help maintain their mental and physical health. The electric bike will provide the necessary support residents need while enjoying the outdoors and staying active. These bikes would reduce Ongwanada’s contribution to GHGs by taking residents out for excursions in an electric-powered bike instead of a fossil fuel-burning van.
Fundraising goal: $19,600
Sustainable Kingston – Purchase of a 2022 compact electric vehicle
Sustainable Kingston was seeking support for the purchase of an electric vehicle that will replace gas-powered vehicle use. This electric vehicle will be used by the Residential Energy Auditors when they perform home energy audits across Kingston, directly reducing GHGs and promoting energy conservation.
Fundraising goal: $33,198
We were pleased to join the City of Kingston to support the Kingston Community Climate Action Fund for a second year. The fundraising was officially kicked off in December 2021 for the following three projects for 2021/2022:
Sustainable Kingston – Rain Gardens
In partnership with The Kingston & Frontenac Housing Corporation, Sustainable Kingston was seeking support to launch its Rain Garden Project. If successful, rain gardens will be added at four affordable housing sites. Over their life cycle, rain gardens produce 30 to 90 percent fewer GHG emissions than conventional stormwater management alternatives. They do this by diverting stormwater from source water (Lake Ontario) that then needs to be processed at a water treatment plant, and by diverting stormwater from combined sewers that lead to wastewater treatment plants.
Fundraising goal: $20,000
Cycle Kingston – Valet Bicycle Parking
Cycle Kingston was seeking support for Bicycle Valet Kingston, which provides valet bicycle parking to residents who cycle to events. By providing safe and secure destination bicycle parking at events and festivals – and increasing awareness of bicycle parking– Cycle Kingston encourages and empowers more people to leave their cars at home and pedal to their destination.
Fundraising goal: $15,250
Extend-A-Family Kingston – Dunya Hydroponic Greenhouse
Extend-A-Family Kingston was asking the community for its help to build a climate-controlled hydroponic greenhouse to provide fruits, herbs, and vegetables to approximately 500 individuals (120 families) year-round. By growing produce locally year-round, this project lowers carbon emissions associated with food transportation while enhancing local food security.
Fundraising goal: $36,000
In 2021, The Kingston Community Climate Action Fund, supported by donations from the community, contributions from the city and KCCU, raised more than $42,000 in 2020 which partially supported Martha’s Table purchase of a $45,000 electric vehicle and a $26,000 project to install four air source heat pumps for a Habitat for Humanity Kingston housing project on Rose Abbey Drive.
KCCU matched donations made at a KCCU branch up to $5,000.
Above: Year 1 Kick off for the Kingston Community Climate Action Fund (December 2020). Above: KCCU CEO, Jon Dessau presents $5,000 donation to City of Kingston Mayor, Bryan Paterson (March 2021)
“Thanks to the Climate Action Fund, we were able to purchase an electric vehicle. We hope that while we’re out on the roads, we will inspire other people to look for green options,” Ronda Candy, Executive Director of Martha’s Table, said.
“Not only will these pumps help the home’s eventual owners by reducing energy costs, but it will also shrink the environmental footprint of these new builds,” says Cathy Borowec, Executive Director of the local Habitat for Humanity.
KCCU is committed to supporting our local charity’s and not-for-profit’s climate action efforts by continuing to participate in the Kingston Community Climate Action Fund. It is our pleasure to contribute to our community’s goal of becoming a carbon neutral city no later than 2040.
Thinking about your own green home project or vehicle? We can help.
Resources and information from the City of Kingston regarding climate change:
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