Support the next generation

of climate leaders!

Who We Are

Please consider supporting the Youth Climate Institute with a one-time or annual donation! Your generous donation will directly support our young climate leaders, their chapter leaders, and their community action projects.

We are grateful for any support given by individuals, corporations, and foundations. You can make a custom donation or choose from one of our sponsorship levels below:

Youth Climate Institute students are passionate, hard-working high school students dedicating time out of school to better their community and learn more about their role as global citizens and environmental stewards.

The Youth Climate Institute is a program of the Howard County Conservancy. We do not sell or give donor’s personal information to any other organization or individual. The Conservancy is a 501c3 nonprofit organization – donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. A copy of our current financial statement is available upon request by calling our office. Documents submitted to the State of Maryland under The Maryland Charitable Solicitations Act are available from the Office of the Secretary of State for the cost of copying/postage.

About Our Sponsorship Levels:

Sponsor a Student: YCI students are passionate, hard-working high school students dedicating time out of school to better their community and learn more about their role as global citizens and environmental stewards.

Sponsor a Tree Planting: Chapters tackle action projects that directly benefit their communities. Whether it’s a tree planting, advocacy campaigns, or stream clean-up, these boots-on-the-ground efforts have an immediate and lasting impact.

Sponsor a Chapter: Chapters meet regularly to have reflective discussions about environmental topics including climate science, climate justice, food waste, and more. Students, teachers, and community partners to identify and address a community climate concern.

Sponsor a Teacher:
YCI teachers are super stars! These are classroom teachers who take time out of their busy schedules to guide and educate the next generation of climate leaders, creating a safe space for informed climate discussion and community action.

Climate change is such a pressing and even overwhelming problem that it becomes so easy to simply give up. For me, the Howard County Conservancy’s Youth Climate Institute is a reassurance that people all over the world and in my community are making an effort to stop climate change, as well as creating an avenue to actually participate in that effort. It means the world to me that our lives and our futures aren’t being overlooked or ignored.
Michael Richmond, Glenelg High School

Exposing students to various areas of climate action is a part of education that encourages responsible stewards of the planet. The students who volunteer are naturally curious, bring their own ideas to the club, and carry the information they’ve learned into their homes and communities. Having an organization that recognizes students’ efforts, provides support, and a network for students to continue those efforts is invaluable.

Anecia Tongue, chapter leader, Bowie High School

In just our first year of working with YCI, I’ve personally witnessed all of our students and the teachers exhibit a tremendous growth in their agency and efficacy in leadership, STEM and environmental stewardship. Just this summer, several of our green team members received STEM- based internships focused around sustainability.

Mashika Tempero, chapter leader, Selma High School

Joining the Youth Climate Institute has changed my life. Before, I felt powerless about climate change. Now, I’m part of a group of young people who want to make a difference. I’ve learned a lot from workshops and projects. I’ve made great friends and met amazing mentors. The Youth Climate Institute has given me hope and the tools to make real change in my community. This is a subject that I am passionate about and I hope that I can make a better impact in the future.

Gayatri Karra, Urbana High School