Initiatives

People. Planet. Purpose.

San Diego Skyline Equinox Project's Quality of Life Dashboard The Equinox Project is a locally recognized nonpartisan civic initiative that informs and engages the public and decision-makers in creating better solutions to regional economic and environmental challenges and is moving from the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) to The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego (USD). Since its founding in 2009, the Equinox Project has conducted research and analysis on quality of life issues in the San Diego region by providing insightful, transparent data useful for addressing and balancing regional growth with available resources to create more vibrant neighborhoods and communities.
Group of smiling emerging leaders Equinox Project's Leaders 2020 Equinox Project's Leaders 2020 is a leadership network of passionate young professionals dedicated to advancing a more sustainable future for San Diego County. Through civic engagement, training and networking, this group of emerging leaders keep climate change, housing affordability and other quality of life issues on the forefront of conversations throughout the region. Using the Equinox Project’s Quality of Life Dashboard as a resource, Leaders 2020 is training the next generation of decision-makers, activists and advocates who will ensure that all San Diegans share a healthy and equitable future.
Group of hikers in the mountains Outdoor Leaders Initiative The Outdoor Leaders Initiative is built on the premise that the future health and vitality of our great outdoors depends on the next generation of leadership both in business and nonprofits, to champion the wild and special places that we call home. This program includes a mentor/mentee leadership program, individualized coaching, education on conservation and environmental issues of importance to the outdoor industry and nonprofit community, and opportunities to benefit from The Nonprofit Institute’s other nonprofit conferences and trainings.
Meeting of regional leaders looking at presentation San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative

The SD Regional Climate Collaborative provides a regional forum for public agencies to share expertise and leverage resources to facilitate climate action planning. By partnering with academia as well as nonprofit, business and community leaders, the Collaborative works to inspire regional leadership and ensure a vibrant economy and healthy environment. The main goals of the Climate Collaborative are to address and prevent the harmful effects of climate change, promote a high quality of life for the San Diego region, and foster a green and growing economy.
College student smiling at colleague Strengthening Our Leadership Community The CLIMATE Conscious Leadership Coaching Model is designed to offer individuals and organizations an opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills as climate-conscious leaders. Based on a philosophy that prioritizes “people, planet and purpose” participants will benefit from coaching sessions that are based in a transformational leadership model.
Family on beach building a sandcastle Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion The Environment Initiatives Hub at NPI is advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in the environment sphere by developing a guiding framework that will help to integrate an equity and inclusion focus across all of our initiatives. We will develop and incorporate resources and trainings, as well as create new and utilize existing communication platforms to highlight local leadership and progress in equity work.
Reception on top of one of University of San Diego's buildings next to solar panels. Promoting USD's Sustainability Leadership The Environment Initiatives at NPI is working to better understand and promote USD’s sustainability and changemaking efforts that support USD’s strategic plan, Envision 2024. We have surveyed on-campus organizations with a sustainability focus to open the door for inter-campus collaboration to co-promote sustainability efforts. Environment Initiatives at NPI is also working with the USD Office of Sustainability’s in order to better communicate USD’s sustainability initiatives.
Collage of San Diego leaders Strategic Communications for Environment Leadership Leveraging the communications work of NSF-funded Climate Education Partners, the Environment Initiatives at The Nonprofit Institute is building a community of concern around environmental issues by promoting local solutions and highlighting local leaders. Environment Initiatives at NPI is utilizing these resources to further develop strategic communication sessions for new audiences.