The Responsible Endowments Coalition (REC) is a national organization founded to “build and unify the college and university-based responsible investment movement, both by educating and empowering a diverse network of individuals to act on their campuses, and by fostering a national network for collective action.”

REC builds relationships with on-campus groups like Divest Whitman, strengthening the divestment movement and building long-lasting partnerships. The staff of the REC model success: our primary partner, Jess Grady-Benson, led Pitzer’s successful divestment campaign and provides invaluable advice about organizing, fundraising, and campaign strategy. Additionally, Divest Whitman co-founder, Sierra Dickey ‘15, interned at REC.

REC ensures that donated funds contribute to the fight against climate change, regardless of divestment. The alternate recipient of the funds, should the college choose not to divest, is the Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy, Washington’s strongest coalition that fights for an equitable transition away from fossil fuels and to the clean energy economy. In contrast, funds in the second most prominent fund, the Multi-School Divestment Fund, would be given to schools that have divested but without earmarks such that funds should be dedicated to environmental or social justice efforts.