Fiscal Year 2024
July 2023 – June 2024
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Elections
Financials
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ELM
The Environmental League of Massachusetts advocates for policy that meets the scale and urgency of our environmental challenges.
The ELM Action Fund builds political power that meets the scale and urgency of our environmental challenges.
Ben Bailey, Development Director
Casey Bowers, ELM Action Fund Executive Director
Amy Boyd Rabin, Vice President of Policy
Leigh Chandler, Communications Director
Madeline Davey, Data Systems Manager
Jennifer Delony, Offshore Wind Communications Director
Grace Doherty, Corporate & Foundation Relations Manager
Miriam Posner Harris, Executive Vice President
Robert Hart, Campaign Manager
Elizabeth Turnbull Henry, President
Imani James, Operations Coordinator
Ellen Macaulay, Operations Director
David Melly, Legislative Director
Bianca Pokrzywa, Digital Communications Coordinator
Andrew Reed, Vice President of Development
Zahra Saifee, Policy & Advocacy Coordinator
Randi Soltysiak, Finance Director
Kelt Wilska, Offshore Wind Director
We thank former staff members Alicia Goganian and Susannah Hatch for their contributions in Fiscal Year 2024.
ELM will miss Brad, an insightful and generous leader and a member of the ELM Board for over three years.
September 1, 2024
Dear friends,
This has been a year of significant progress, dimmed only by a disappointing end to the 2023-2024 Legislative Session. As this letter goes to press, the Legislature still has not passed the climate bills they pledged. Over the past two years, the ELM and ELM Action Fund teams have worked tirelessly to shape the policy agenda, educate policymakers, form coalitions, and advocate for effective legislation.
Building on that tremendous work, we continue to push for solutions that meet the scale and urgency of our environmental challenges. With the stakes too high and the opportunities too great, we refuse to accept failure. Thanks to your support, we are working closely with lawmakers to create common ground and achieve our ambitions this fall and beyond.
In many ways, our influence continued to grow this year. ELM became the leading voice for our state’s investment in climatetech. The ELM Action Fund helped elect climate leaders across our cities and towns. And our New England for Offshore Wind coalition advanced strong community and labor agreements on offshore wind projects and ports.
We also released Solutions 2030, our roadmap to get Massachusetts back on track to achieving our climate goals while building a thriving and inclusive economy that can be a model for the world. Our agenda:
Embedded in our priorities are commitments to organizational development: deepening our subject-matter expertise; cementing our reputation as the “employer of choice” in the environmental advocacy sector; and maintaining an inclusive and effective culture.
With so much at stake, we cannot lose sight of all that is possible when we act together. We hope you will continue your vital support of our work.
In gratitude,
Elizabeth Henry, ELM President
Gordon Burnes, Board Chair
Casey Bowers, ELM Action Fund Executive Director
Matt O’Malley, ELM Action Fund Board Chair
ELM’s efforts have catalyzed a green, just, and vibrant clean energy future across New England. NWF is grateful for the close collaboration with ELM, our Massachusetts state affiliate. By uniting a diverse set of stakeholders across the region, they are driving lasting change.
COLLIN O'MARA President & CEO, National Wildlife Federation
LCV is proud to have the ELM Action Fund as our state affiliate in Massachusetts. Their team is passionate, strategic, and leaving a lasting impact. Their work electing climate leaders and passing some of the strongest environmental laws in the nation has modeled leadership for other states across the country.
GENE KARPINSKI President, League of Conservation Voters
ELM and the ELM Action Fund manage a longstanding and highly successful Campaign & Advocacy Fellowship program that attracts students interested in environmental policy and political campaigns. Our program brings in talented young changemakers and helps develop their skills to advance the environmental movement.
This year, eight students joined our team as fellows, specializing in a wide range of work from politics and policy to videography. Since completing the program, several have begun exciting careers at workplaces such as the Office of U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, the North Carolina Democratic Party, and Abode Energy Management.
ELM and the ELM Action Fund advocate for drastically reducing climate pollution in Massachusetts while building a thriving and inclusive state economy to serve as a model for the world.
In the second year of the 2023-2024 Massachusetts Legislative Session, our advocacy addressed:
Our priorities were successfully incorporated into two major pieces of legislation: an omnibus climate bill and an economic development bill with significant climatetech investments. Thanks to ELM and the ELM Action Fund’s leadership, our donors and partners, our ability to form cross-sectoral coalitions, and our trusted voice on Beacon Hill, we built broad and deep support for these policies. While these bills were not passed by the end of the formal legislative session, we continue to work every day to turn these policy priorities into state law.
ELM advocates for robust public investment in infrastructure and workforce, which will attract private capital and help Massachusetts build a clean energy future.
Decarbonizing our economy, protecting natural resources, and supporting healthy communities each require that our state agencies be well-resourced and well-staffed.
As the leaders of the Green Budget Coalition, ELM and the ELM Action Fund worked with the Healey-Driscoll Administration and across the Legislature to successfully build on last year’s budget increases and secure funding for our state’s essential environmental programs – even while facing uncertainty over tax revenues.
This year, our team advocated for electrified transportation solutions, which will reduce climate pollution, make communities healthier, and drive our state’s competitiveness:
Buildings are the largest source of climate pollution in our cities. ELM is focused on the incentives and structural changes needed to make building decarbonization economical and equitable. This past year we made progress that will enable us make even greater strides in the future.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a commonly-used class of chemicals found in everything from clothing to food packaging that put Massachusetts’s climate, public health, and clean water at risk.
During my time in the Massachusetts Senate, I have seen firsthand ELM’s remarkable effectiveness in shaping critical environmental policy. Their tireless advocacy and deep expertise has been instrumental in advancing bold initiatives like the 2050 Roadmap to ensure a sustainable future for our Commonwealth. ELM’s leadership remains indispensable as we tackle the climate crisis head-on. I am proud to continue working alongside them to safeguard our environment and future for generations to come.
State Senator Julian Cyr Cape & Islands District
The Massachusetts Legislature must seize every opportunity to pass ambitious climate policy. ELM advocated for the 2024 Climate Omnibus Bill, which aimed to remove fossil fuels from our most polluting sectors. The legislation was ultimately stalled at the end of the formal Legislative Session in July 2024. ELM called for:
Our efforts garnered wide support among government officials, corporate leaders, and advocates. In the final months of the Legislative Session, ELM played a key role:
Although the Legislature ultimately failed to act before July 31, we continue to leverage our expertise and leadership to advance policies that meet the scale and urgency of our climate challenges.
Massachusetts can become the best place to start and scale businesses that solve the climate crisis. Since the early days of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, ELM has been a leading voice championing government investment in climatetech. As a result, Governor Healey filed the 2024 Economic Development Bond Bill, also known as the Mass Leads Act.
The legislation included $1 billion in climatetech investments over 10 years and presented a first-of-its-kind opportunity to integrate climate priorities into the state’s economic development strategy. Ambition on this scale would set Massachusetts on track to become a global hub for climate innovation.
ELM championed the inclusion of three key priorities in the bill:
In 2024, ELM became the leading voice advocating for this burgeoning industry. Our efforts included:
ELM continues to work with the Massachusetts Legislature to secure investments for this critical climate and economic opportunity.
As the co-founder and convener of the New England for Offshore Wind (NE4OSW) coalition, ELM spearheads regional efforts to harness the full potential of offshore wind.
Established in 2020, the coalition has grown to over 130 member organizations. Our membership spans six states, encompassing diverse stakeholders including conservation and environmental justice organizations, universities, labor unions, and businesses. Together, we are advancing responsible, timely offshore wind development – setting New England as an example for the rest of our nation.
With ELM at the helm, New England for Offshore Wind took major steps this year:
New England for Offshore Wind’s work culminated in six milestones:
The Maine State Committee of New England for Offshore Wind played a crucial role in passing legislation that established a coastal sand dune restoration and protection fund, facilitating the development of a new offshore wind port.
Elders Climate Action conducted a series of informational interviews in Holyoke, Massachusetts to better understand sentiments towards offshore wind in an area with less direct contact with the resource. They made strong connections with the city’s leadership, environmental advocates, and public educators.
The Salem Alliance for the Environment (SAFE) worked tirelessly with Salem community members and organizations to build fair and just provisions into a new Community Benefits Agreements for the development of the Salem Offshore Wind Terminal.
North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and Pile Drivers Local 56 signed a project labor agreement with Belgium-based Deme Group, the provider of the offshore wind installation vessel used for the Vineyard Wind project.
We want to thank the NE4OSW staff and coalition members for the incredible work they are doing to advance the offshore wind industry here in New England. The information sharing and advocacy efforts of the coalition are invaluable to our work in this sector and are helping provide new career opportunities for our members. We are proud to be part of this unique partnership that is creating good-paying union construction jobs and building a renewable energy future here in New England.
Joe O’Brien North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters Political & Legislative Director
On October 25, 2023, Massachusetts Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer presented Governor Maura Healey with a report of 39 recommendations aimed at developing a comprehensive, unified, whole-of-government approach to advancing climate policy within the Administration. The report’s guidance has the potential to deliver smart, equitable growth that puts Massachusetts on track to a cleaner future.
Now, our government must act on these recommendations. To hold our leaders accountable on their mandate to the Commonwealth’s clean energy and climate targets, we expanded NetZeroMA.org. This resource, which tracks our state’s climate statutes, now also monitors progress on all recommendations in Chief Hoffer’s report.
Partnerships are at the heart of how we work. ELM is a member of multiple coalitions that expand the reach of our work and influence.
Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow, promoting preventative action around toxic hazards.
Beyond Gas, working to advance regulatory reform to support gas utilities’ and workers’ transition to a decarbonized future.
Browning the Green Space, advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the clean energy sector.
Green Budget Coalition, advocating for state investment in climate resiliency, open space, and natural resource protection. (ELM serves as the primary convener.)
GWSA Implementation Advisory Committee, providing stakeholder feedback on the implementation of the Global Warming Solutions Act, decarbonization initiatives, and the Clean Energy and Climate Plans.
Massachusetts Environmental Justice Table, working to advance environmental justice initiatives in the Commonwealth.
Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, strengthening river policies regarding water quality, streamflow, wildlife habitat, and green infrastructure investment.
New England for Offshore Wind, working to increase the supply of clean energy to our regional grid through the procurements of responsibly developed offshore wind. (ELM serves as the primary convener.)
Plastic Free Mass, advocating for sustainable waste reduction policy to protect people and nature from pollution and reduce waste-related carbon emissions.
Transportation for Massachusetts, advocating for sustainable and environmentally-friendly transportation policies.
The Zero Carbon Renovation Fund, working to secure state funding for zero carbon renovations in buildings across Massachusetts.
Zero Emission Vehicle Coalition, promoting the decarbonization of the transportation sector.
Mayor Michelle Wu has held true to her commitment as Boston’s first climate mayor. This past year, she:
Members of ELM’s Corporate Council know that a healthy environment and a thriving economy are mutually enforcing. This group of leading businesses and institutions, now 30 organizations strong, welcomed four new members this year: Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston Medical Center, Context Labs, and Form Energy. Our Corporate Council enables businesses to engage with our state government and use their power to drive smart, ambitious policies that promote an equitable clean energy future.
Our gatherings educate members about key climate issues and facilitate conversation between businesses and senior government officials
In October 2023, our Corporate Council members met with Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao at Bank of America to discuss how the Commonwealth can drive competitiveness by harnessing the potential of climatetech.
In April 2024, members engaged with Governor Maura Healey and Secretaries Hao and Tepper at the Takeda headquarters to support her vision to make Massachusetts the global epicenter for climatetech through the 2024 Mass Leads Act.
At our sixth annual Energy & Environmental Policy Briefing in January 2024, ELM welcomed over 75 guests, both virtually and at the MIT Sloan School of Management, to discuss our policy priorities for the year. Attendees left with a thorough understanding of which policy solutions will drive our journey to net-zero, and how they can advocate alongside ELM.
ELM drafted, coordinated, and recruited signatories for:
Thank you to Ceres and ACT (formerly NECEC) who supported recruitment of signatories.
We’re proud to be longtime members of the ELM Corporate Council. Through this collaboration, we come together with dedicated, influential business leaders from across MA to engage with policymakers on substantive and impactful climate progress to ensure a healthier, more sustainable Commonwealth.
Johanna Jobin Global Head of Environment and Sustainability, Takeda
In 2023, the ELM Action Fund endorsed an impressive slate of environmental champions for municipal offices across Massachusetts, contributing to victories in highly competitive races.
Voters made it clear the environment was top of mind, casting their ballots for candidates focused on clean transportation, environmental justice, climate resiliency, and green jobs. The ELM Action Fund played a key role in bringing these voters to the polls. We supported campaigns through voter education, door knocking, phone banking, and digital outreach.
24 of our 33 candidates won in 2023, demonstrating the power of the ELM Action Fund’s endorsement.
Strong environmental leadership in cities and towns across the Commonwealth is crucial to achieving our state’s climate goals. Voters made it clear they are looking to their leaders to commit to advancing clean energy and protecting our natural resources.
Casey Bowers Executive Director, ELM Action Fund
The ELM Action Fund is proud of our support for Henry Santana during his run for Boston City Council. Having grown up in Mission Hill public housing and attended Boston Public Schools, he is committed to making climate resilience accessible for all. His climate platform included retrofitting Boston Housing Authority facilities with renewable energy, investing in green jobs, and delivering a Green New Deal for Boston Public Schools.
Santana has committed to centering justice and equity by engaging with community organizations and uplifting the needs of marginalized communities.
Municipal elections provide crucial opportunities to advance local climate action.
In the 2023 election cycle, the ELM Action Fund built voter awareness on key climate issues. We organized phone banks and canvasses, sent mailers, and promoted candidate rallies, making direct contact with over 3,000 voters in key districts.
ELM launched targeted Get Out the Vote ads in Spanish to boost voter turnout in Worcester, informing residents about election dates and polling locations. We reached over 131,000 voters with these ads.
The ELM Action Fund’s Green Voter Guide (www.greenvoterguidema.com) remains an effective voter educational tool, enabling voters to enter their address and learn which climate champions are on their ballot. Nearly 2,000 voters used the Green Voter Guide to prepare for the 2023 elections.
The ELM Action Fund’s endorsement didn’t just align with our shared values—it translated into tangible resources. They recognize that advancing climate solutions also means addressing displacement of BIPOC communities and ensuring that public health, economic stability, and access to affordable housing are top priorities. Their digital outreach and on-the-ground support empowered us to connect with voters and push for a more sustainable, equitable Boston. Thank you for your partnership!
Ruthzee Louijeune Boston City Council President
As we approached the general municipal election, the ELM Action Fund rallied alongside the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and SEIU 509 to support labor and climate champions. On October 15, we co-organized a canvass kickoff in Roslindale with Boston City Council candidates Ruthzee Louijeune, Henry Santana, and Enrique Pepén. Now, each are driving work on the council to create an equitable and just clean energy transition.
On August 2, ELM and New England for Offshore Wind co-hosted a trip to the construction site of the Vineyard Wind project, alongside the project’s co-developer, ELM Corporate Council member Avangrid. Our teams convened 100 guests, including lawmakers and community partners, who met in Hyannis and traveled 15 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard. Passengers were among the first to see the site, which included a vessel that lays undersea cables for the project and a newly installed offshore substation – the first of its kind in U.S. waters.
The trip demonstrated the remarkable progress on offshore wind in Massachusetts and encouraged continued cross-sector collaboration.
ELM served as the leading environmental voice calling for robust climatetech investments in the economic development bond bill. On March 19, we hosted a panel discussion at Mintz to educate our partners and equip them to be effective advocates.
Climatetech entrepreneur Carmichael Roberts opened the event. ELM Board Member Ben Downing of The Engine moderated a panel including the ELM Action Fund’s Casey Bowers, the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership’s Rebecca Davis, and ELM Advisory Council Member Dr. Aisha Francis from Franklin Cummings Tech. Our speakers were clear: the climatetech investments would be an excellent catalyst for decarbonization and innovation, positioning Massachusetts to become the best place in the world to start, staff, and scale companies that tackle the climate crisis.
On May 9, we celebrated our largest and most successful Earth Night yet. We gathered over 680 guests at Fenway Park, honored the accomplishments of our awardees, and built momentum for a pivotal year of climate action.
Congratulations to our 2024 Commonwealth Environmental Leadership Awardees: Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Congressman Richard E. Neal, and ELM Action Fund Board Member Douglas Foy, who continue leading the way to secure the health and wellbeing of the environment and of future generations.
Thanks to our generous sponsors and donors, we raised over $600,000 to support our work to ensure Massachusetts leads the nation in building a prosperous clean energy future.
ELM is looking good at 126! Your mission is rooted in very basic truths, built on the understanding that our generation doesn’t own this planet, but it is the one we are going to leave for our grandchildren.
Democratic Whip Katherine Clark MA, 5th District
Attorney General Andrea Campbell, honored for her support for environmental justice communities. Presented by Lee Pelton, President & CEO of the Boston Foundation.
Congressman Richard E. Neal, honored for playing a key role in passing the Inflation Reduction Act and his efforts to protect natural resources, address PFAS contamination, and invest in green infrastructure. Presented by Democratic Whip Katherin Clark, MA, 5th District.
Douglas Foy, honored for his lifelong career of advocacy in the environment, transportation, and energy fields. Presented by Cathy D. Stone, President of the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Foundation.
Income: $3,178,009
Expenses: $2,466,598
Income: $467,859
Expenses: $584,015
Thank you to all of our donors for supporting our purpose to secure the health and wellbeing of the environment and of future generations.
Dr. Pamela (Pam) Steiner, a renowned conflict resolution psychologist, has long prioritized environmental action. Early in her career, she became the youngest member of her local conservation commission, validating what had already become her lifelong commitment to protecting the environment.
Pam has supported the ELM for over three decades, and recently deepened her connection after learning our organization serves as the Massachusetts affiliate of the federally focused League of Conservation Voters. Once she got involved, she quickly gained confidence in our ability to impact climate policy and environmental justice. Climate action on the state and local levels interests her the most: “If any place will lead the way to limit climate change and promote fairness, it is Massachusetts.”
Pam has helped introduce others to the organization, celebrating her recent birthday in June 2024 by hosting a fundraiser in support of our work.
For more than thirty years, Ted Ladd, ELM Advisory Council member and retired Chairman Emeritus from Mellon Investment, has served as a trusted advisor and supporter of Massachusetts environmental organizations. He views ELM as a key player within this community, stating that our organization fills an “essential role, building coalitions and bringing us all together to be a strong voice to the legislature and the administration.”
He recognizes the Commonwealth’s potential to be a leader in addressing the climate crisis: “I am proud to be a Massachusetts resident. We have enormous intellectual and people resources. We have the will, but government must step in to provide the necessary support.” He knows our work to educate state officials and drive momentum for climate action is instrumental in shaping the state’s future.
This year, he helped create a $50,000 matching fund to support our efforts at the end of the legislation session. Ted has confidence in the ELM team’s ability to make Massachusetts the model for a thriving, inclusive green economy.
Dan Harple, Founder & CEO of the AI-enabled climate tech software company Context Labs, first connected with ELM through its Corporate Council. Context Labs joined the council in 2024, recognizing it as an effective vehicle for businesses to advocate for climate progress.
ELM’s ambitious policy agenda also resonates with Dan and his wife, Caren, on a personal level. They are inspired by the state’s potential to lead on climate policy, and view ELM as a pivotal force in achieving this vision. “I regard ELM as the premier environmental advocacy organization in New England, and so it’s become an important vehicle for our family’s climate philanthropy.”
In summer 2023, Dan and Caren hosted a gathering at their South Dartmouth home to introduce friends to our organization: “I want to be sure that the ELM community continues to grow so that we have more people working together on a shared climate commitment.”
I first connected with ELM via its Corporate Council. I was impressed with the ambitious agenda they’re running to advance a clean energy future. I regard ELM as the premier environmental advocacy organization in New England, and so it’s become an important vehicle for our family’s climate commitment.
Dan Harple Founder & CEO of Context Labs
