CLIMATE FUND
Orca‘s $550K donation to Ocean Conservancy
How the Orca community is making a meaningful impact on the real world!
Whenever a trade is made through Orca, a portion of the fees is automatically allocated to the Orca Climate Fund.
This is Orca’s commitment to making a positive impact at the protocol level, and proof that the disruptive world of DeFi can be a force for good in the real world.
The first donation from the Orca Climate Fund has shipped: $550,000 has been donated to Ocean Conservancy, as voted for by the Orca Community!
Ocean Conservancy has been working to protect the world’s oceans for decades, with initiatives countering overfishing, protecting marine wildlife and coral reefs, and tackling ocean plastic pollution. (With the help of over 17 million volunteers, the organization has removed almost 350 million pounds of trash from the ocean since 1986 through its International Coastal Cleanup!).
While Ocean Conservancy just celebrated its 50th birthday, Orca’s donation will go towards an innovative new initiative they began in 2019: The Small Grants Program.
A meaningful impact
Ocean Conservancy’s Small Grants program directly empowers communities to reduce ocean pollution in areas most affected by it across the globe. This can be as direct as dredging ocean trash from the shore, or using drone technology to develop techniques for aiding whales caught in abandoned fishing gear!
In the Philippines for example, Ocean Conservancy directed a grant towards expanding cleanup initiatives to communities near the heavily polluted waters of Manila. By providing cleanup materials and equipment, and recording the waste collected, the grant is being used to reduce and identify the leading sources of plastic pollution in the area.
Meanwhile in the United States, Ocean Conservancy has directed a small grant to the Sea Mammal Education Learning Technology Society (SMELTS) to develop machines for removing rubbish and other debris from the ocean, and rescue marine wildlife that has become trapped in it.
By tactically directing grants towards engaged local organizations, numerous small grants can have a major cumulative impact: Since 2019, 140 grants have been awarded to organizations in 68 different countries, territories, and islands.
And with $1,098,160 in grants made since the Small Grants program began in 2019, Orca’s $550,000 donation can make a big difference indeed. Proof that a small whale can make a big splash! 😉
As Robyn Albritton, Senior Manager for International Coastal Cleanup at Ocean Conservancy, has said of Orca’s donation:
“Ocean Conservancy’s Small Grants program is investing in community-based, community-led projects that are having a tangible impact combating ghost gear and plastic pollution around the globe. Orca’s support will allow the Small Grants program to expand its geographic reach and support for conservation work over the next two years, and have a greater impact on our ocean.”
Orca’s donation will be used in Ocean Conservancy’s 2023 cohort of small grants, which will open for applications on January 1st — stay tuned for updates in the Orca Medium!
To learn more about Ocean Conservancy, click here. And going forward, the Orca Community will play an even larger role with the Climate Fund — if you want to participate, please fill out this form here!
The donation itself from the Orca Climate Fund was made via Every.org, a nonprofit which facilitates cryptocurrency donations to charitable organizations. As Rahul Gupta-Iwasaki, Every.org co-founder and Chief Product Officer, has said of the donation:
“It’s been incredible bearing witness to the generosity of the Orca community via their Climate Fund. Every.org’s mission is to help bridge the gap between nonprofits and their donors with technology, and Orca is a shining example of the good that can come from new tech and the importance of being able to access it.”
This would never have been possible without the Orca Community. If you have ever made a trade on Orca, thank you — and be proud that you have contributed to making an impact on the real world through DeFi!
Disclaimer: The content of this communication is not financial advice and should not be relied on by any persons or entities as financial advice. This communication has not been provided in consideration of any recipient’s financial needs. We have not conducted any financial assessment based on the personal circumstances of any recipients. Before using the Orca protocol, carefully review all relevant documentation and consider risks, including, without limitation, total loss of funds.
