Putting Your Money Where Your Value Is

Climate change feels massive and overwhelming. Our society is becoming more and more flooded with misinformation and noise nowadays. So, it’s easy to wonder: What can I do that makes a difference?

The truth is that what you can do with your money matters. We are talking beyond where or how you spend it daily, which is also relevant. So we will focus here on why investing can be impactful. At Climatize, we thought, what if money could do more than grow? What if it could help drive the energy transition at a higher pace?

That’s where impact investing comes in. It's the choice to support projects and/or companies prioritizing purpose, not just profit. And that doesn’t mean an impact investment can’t be both meaningful and potentially return-producing. For some, it’s the first time investing feels personal. And that’s a precedent that changes the investor perspective.

Of course there are always risks involved when investing and we want you to make informed decisions before deciding how to spend your money.

Understanding Impact Investing

According to the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), impact investing is defined as:

Investments made with the intention to generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return.

This definition highlights a powerful shift: You now can stay true to your values while pursuing financial goals. This new investing niche catapulted the ecosystem into a thriving global movement, proving that aligning capital with purpose is not just ethical, but viable.

The Growth of the Impact Investing Market

As of 2024, over $1.5 trillion has been committed to impact investments worldwide, spanning sectors from renewable energy and sustainable agriculture to affordable housing and financial inclusion, helping fund projects environmentally relevant to help in the energy transition. Why is this growing so fast?

Governments and corporations have roles to play, sure. But they’re not moving fast enough. That’s why Community Funding is becoming such a powerful force. Unlike traditional philanthropy, impact investing offers the opportunity to recycle capital, allowing your money to generate ongoing, measurable, impactful action with the possibility of generating returns. Of course, we are not financial advisers, and any decision should be made carefully as there is a chance of all or some of your investment.

Impact investing is not charity or donations, it is an investment with dual intentionality. Impact investing recognizes that the money that flows today will shape the world we want to live in tomorrow. 

Types of Impact Investments

Impact investing comes in different shapes and sizes. There are plenty of causes you can support, and different ways to do it. Some people put their money toward healthcare, education, or small business lending. Others focus on housing, agriculture, or clean water.

At Climatize, we keep it simple. We created an investing platform that shows you renewable energy projects across the U.S. Every project is thoroughly vetted for transparency and exposes its impact: the communities it supports and the emissions it reduces, for example. 

Here’s a dynamic look at the types of projects we host on our platform:

Solar Projects

Solar panels on rooftops and farmland are doing more than just capturing sunlight –they’re powering places like grocery stores, farms, or schools generating reliable energy. They also help lower electricity bills and ease dependence on the grid. 

One of our earlier projects at Climatize brought solar to a family-run farm in Hartsville, helping cut operating costs while supporting sustainable agriculture. Another powered a local supermarket in rural Florida, reducing their energy spend and boosting resilience in a region where outages are common.

EV Charging Stations

As electric vehicles hit the road in record numbers, the demand for charging infrastructure is rising just as fast. Projects hosted on Climatize are installed in strategic places like local businesses, highway stops, and/or community centers. Investors have helped fund the Windmill Market EV hub in California, bringing charging access to Highway 156. 

Heat Pump Installations

Heat pumps are a smarter way to heat and cool homes—cutting energy use and carbon emissions at the same time. Through Heat Pumps for New England, the funds bring these systems to low- and moderate-income households, making clean, efficient comfort more accessible where it matters most.

Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Sometimes the biggest impact comes from using less. That’s exactly what happened with Electrify America’s Buildings and Electrify Everything. By upgrading insulation and HVAC systems, these projects help reduce energy waste and lower utility costs, without changing how people live or work.

These are the types of infrastructure projects accelerating the energy transition—supported by people who care about where their capital goes.

So, What Does Performance Look Like?

Impact investing has challenged an old assumption: that doing good means earning less. But data says otherwise. Many impact investors report achieving their return expectations, and sustainable funds have often performed well, even during economic downturns.

However, it's important to note that past performance does not guarantee future results. 

On Climatize, it’s already happening. Investors have helped fund 17 renewable energy projects across the U.S., raising over $8 million. More than $1.75 million in principal and interest has already been returned. Many projects aim to offer competitive annual interest—potentially up to 10%—with repayments typically occurring a few times a year.

If you invest $50 and a project pays you back $55 → $50 is principal, $5 is interest.

However, returns aren’t guaranteed, and every investment carries risk. But each project on Climatize is built on a transparent financial model, so you can see how it works before deciding to invest.

A Word From Someone Who’s Using It

Let’s pause the data and hear from someone who’s been doing this.

Scott Borden, a clean energy advocate and Climatize investor, shared his advice for anyone interested in impact investing:

You will find over time that the Climatize team has done their homework and built an excellent investment platform featuring well-vetted projects, proving that you can do well while doing good.

Please note that Scott Borden, who provided this testimonial, is an investor in Climatize and is not a financial adviser. Scott may have received compensation for his endorsement."

This is the shift we’re seeing. People aren’t waiting for perfect. They’re looking for ways to align their money with their values, and to do it in a way that makes sense financially.

Because climate change isn’t some future problem. It’s already here. And how we use capital today will shape the solutions we have tomorrow.

How to Get Started

If you’ve made it this far, you probably care about where your money goes, and you’re thinking about how to take that first step.

Here’s what that can look like:

1. Start with what matters to you.
Whether it's climate change, sustainable energy, or the transition away from fossil fuels, start there. Impact investing is personal. The most important step is choosing causes that align with your values.

2. Understand your risk and return comfort zone.
Impact investments vary. Some are designed for steady, lower-risk returns. Others take on more risk in pursuit of higher potential upside. Think about your timeline, your goals, and your willingness to wait for results.

3. Look for transparency.
Not all “green” investments are what they claim to be. Some sound good, but fall short on details. On Climatize, every project includes clear information about the terms, impact, and expected performance. You will also find full disclosures on how it works.

4. Start small and build confidence.
You don’t need to commit a large amount on day one. With Climatize, you can start with as little as $10 and see how your investment performs. It’s a simple, low-barrier way to learn by doing.

Ready to take the next step?
Explore the projects and start putting your money where your values are.