The Russell Family Foundation Releases Progress Report on Net Zero Commitment and Catalytic Climate Finance Program

February 12, 2026 (Gig Harbor, Wash.)—The Russell Family Foundation (TRFF) today released a progress report detailing advancements made over the past three years toward its commitment to net zero following the launch of its Catalytic Climate Finance (CCF) Program. The report outlines the Foundation’s philosophy and approach to advancing environmental solutions, highlights impact across key focus areas, shares lessons learned and identifies priorities for the years ahead.

“This is our first formal progress report from the Catalytic Climate Finance program, and we hope it will inspire and empower foundations and other asset owners with practical insights and learnings that can support advancing planet-positive solutions,” said Kathleen Simpson, CEO, TRFF. “We are proud of the progress we’ve made and committed to continuing to learn and collaborate as we advance solutions that help communities thrive today and restore the health of the Earth for future generations.”

Launched in 2022, TRFF’s Catalytic Climate Finance Program is guided by four core principles that shape its climate strategy across investments, grantmaking, and partnerships.

Invest for a Healthy Planet reflects the Foundation’s commitment to using the full strength of its investment portfolio to advance real-world climate solutions. This includes aligning investments with net-zero goals and utilizing sustainable, thematic, and catalytic investments, alongside transparency, accountability, and active ownership. Capital is directed toward both decarbonization technologies and nature-based solutions.

Empower Solutions focuses on supporting promising environmental movements, solutions and campaigns through grantmaking. To date, the Foundation has funded clean energy initiatives, building decarbonization efforts, and other community-centered approaches.

Collaborate on Action emphasizes engagement with peer philanthropies, investors, and industry leaders to share knowledge, align strategies, and accelerate collective impact.

Promote Resilience ensures that solutions protect the most impacted communities and workers as the world transitions to a regenerative future.

Since launching the CCF program, TRFF has aligned its investment portfolio—95% of which was already aligned with impact—with climate-focused values, is engaging with its top 20 holdings to encourage climate targets and net-zero commitments, and has taken significant steps to reduce its own emissions.

To achieve net zero, TRFF has committed to limiting its carbon emissions intensity by 2030. The Foundation has also established shareholder engagement targets for its top 20 emitters, supporting climate targets and net-zero commitments approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. By 2030, TRFF plans to have at least 75 percent of its assets under management invested in climate solutions.

“The Russell Family Foundation’s commitment to a net-zero future underscores the role philanthropic capital can play in accelerating climate solutions while maintaining accountability and transparency,” said Brad Harrison, Managing Director, AlTi Tiedemann Global. “At the same time, aligning investments with climate goals—particularly in hard-to-abate sectors—remains complex and challenging. This work requires patience, transparency, and a willingness to engage deeply with companies and partners as we collectively navigate the transition.”

To date, CCF has provided over $1M in grant funding to organizations like Shift Zero, Emerald Cities Collaborative, and VC Include.

In addition to its investment and grantmaking efforts, TRFF has co-hosted and convened multiple events with partners, including the Sierra Club Foundation, David Rockefeller Fund, and McConnell Foundation, to share insights on aligning endowments with climate goals. In 2024, the Foundation earned a Platinum Rating from the Intentional Endowments Network’s (IEN) Endowment Benchmark, reflecting its leadership in transparency and shared learning.

Looking ahead, TRFF aims to deepen its impact, expand collaboration, and continue refining its investment approach in response to evolving climate risks. The Foundation has also been conducting research into climate-aligned investing, and how the philanthropic community can do this in practice.

To read the full report, download it here.

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About the Catalytic Climate Finance Program

In response to the rapidly changing climate, TRFF is advancing planet-positive solutions across every aspect of our work. Building on our legacy of environmental and social impact, we are committed to achieving a net-zero portfolio as part of this work. We put this commitment into practice through our Catalytic Climate Finance (CCF) program. This is our pioneering work to explore all the ways that philanthropy can create a healthier planet, as well as our commitment to share our learnings along the way. Our goal is to empower foundations and other asset owners to support environmental solutions that will help repair the health of the Earth for all. For more information, visit trff.org/catalytic-climate-finance

About The Russell Family Foundation

The Russell Family Foundation (TRFF) invests in people and places to advance environmental sustainability and address the climate crisis. Its vision is to support a thriving, equitable, and sustainable earth. It does so through its commitment to Net Zero in its investment portfolio and operations, grantmaking programs in environmental education and food for climate solutions, and a leadership development program for grassroots leaders in Pierce County. Founded by George and Jane Russell, TRFF has been a way for extended family members to make a positive philanthropic impact locally, regionally, and globally since 1999. For more information, visit www.trff.org.