Our Impact

As I reflect on the past year, I am filled with gratitude for the community that continues to believe in One Cool Earth and the power of garden-based education. Across the nonprofit sector, organizations are navigating a particularly challenging landscape. Reduced grant funding and increased competition for philanthropic dollars have created uncertainty for many programs that serve our communities. Yet during times like these, we are reminded that meaningful change is sustained by people who step forward with generosity and a shared commitment to the next generation.

This year, we have seen that commitment firsthand. Our individual donors, community partners, and volunteers have continued to invest in our mission, ensuring that thousands of students have opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive in school gardens. Their support affirms what we have always known: garden-based education is more than growing food; it cultivates curiosity, confidence, environmental stewardship, and lifelong healthy habits. I am especially grateful to the Hohbach Family Foundation and the Glikbarg Foundation for their extraordinary generosity.

Their transformational investment has secured One Cool Earth's funding for the coming year, providing stability at a time when many nonprofits are facing difficult decisions. This remarkable gift allows us to focus on what matters most: supporting students, educators, and school communities while continuing to strengthen and expand our impact.

As you read this report, you'll see the numbers behind students discovering where their food comes from, teachers bringing science and nutrition to life, and school gardens flourishing as vibrant outdoor classrooms. None of this happens without a community of supporters who believe every child deserves access to these experiences. Thank you for being part of that community. Your partnership makes our work possible, and together we are growing healthier children, more resilient schools, and a brighter future for our communities.

-Katharine Krieg, Executive Director of One Cool Earth