Sustainable Development

Sustainable communities are the building blocks of a sustainable region. There has been a lot of progress in the past five years including an increase in protected land, number of communities with sustainability plans, and an increase in public transit. Despite this very real progress, development that honors environmental, economic and equity values remain elusive for many communities. This is especially true in places struggling against the seemingly intractable forces of population decline, urban blight and weak economies. Kingdom supported sustainable development projects work regionally to channel investment back to already­ developed areas and locally to revitalize those areas with a clean environment, high quality­ built environment, and viable local economics.

The Kingdom provides support to nonprofits working at a systemic change level addressing wide­scale issues in the built environment, climate and energy, and natural systems. Each of the funded projects will align with a regional policy or plan; increase knowledge, conviction and political will among key stakeholders; and supports projects that are replicable across communities.

The Kingdom also supports projects at a community-­based level. These grants will help to create a cohesive landscape by replacing vacant and underutilized parcels with walkable, compact and transit­ friendly land uses that conjoin communities, connect employment centers to the workforce that serves them and conserve open space.

The Kingdom plays a leadership role beyond its grant-­making in several sustainable development projects, a comprehensive environmental and economic renewal plan for a region that integrates nature into the fabric of vibrant communities. In partnership with another funder, this project finds ways to secure farmland and increase local food supply by enhancing the food supply chain connections.