Amazon Donates $125K to Dream.Org to Increase Diversity in Green Economy

September 22, 2022

New York, NY – Amazon will donate $125,000 to Dream.Org to help the organization support Black, Latinx, and underrepresented Asian/Pacific Islander job seekers advance careers in the green economy. This funding will grant up to 20 scholarships to encourage people from communities across the U.S. most impacted by climate change to benefit from the economic opportunities the green economy offers. Recipients can use the funds to help offset the costs of technical certifications, professional training, or college coursework to further their careers.

“Thanks to historic investments like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, the green economy is due to receive billions of dollars in investments in the coming years. Those investments will lead to new jobs and economic opportunities. But too often, the people impacted first and worst by the health and climate impacts of the pollution-based economy end up benefiting last and least from the health and economic benefits of green investments,” said Dream.Org Founder Van Jones. “Amazon’s support will enable us to provide resources for talented people from underrepresented communities to pursue and prepare for new career opportunities in the green economy.”

“It is imperative that we invest in building the skills needed to solve the climate crisis in communities that experience its impacts the most,” said Susan Beverly, head of partnerships & engagement for worldwide Sustainability at Amazon. “Our support of the Dream.Org scholarship program is an important step in helping to diversify the green economy.”

The scholarship was announced by Dream.Org founder and CNN political commentator Van Jones at an event during NY Climate Week on September 22nd.