Dear Friend:

I am writing to share important updates at ACE as we assess our impact, celebrate rising leaders and prepare for new fiscal realities in 2014.

The momentum. This fall we launched an amazing new suite of programs including an updated ACE Assembly that inspired 85,000 high school students, Youth Action Labs that trained 220 leaders and a national Right to Know campaign. We are seeing teens leading powerful solutions across the country like creating a gas to electric car conversion and rallying for a binding climate action plan in Los Angeles Unified Schools.

As we celebrate our momentum towards deeper impact, we are adapting to the financial constraints we face in 2014. While we are grateful for our growing community of funders, the amount of new funding has not kept pace with the expected reduction in our founder’s financial support. As a result, ACE is scaling back some of its operations in 2014.

The leadership. As part of our 2014 planning, I have decided to leave ACE and create space for new leadership to carry on ACE’s mission and vision. I’m proud to introduce ACE’s new Executive Director, Matt Lappé. Matt has been with ACE since the beginning and has been a key partner in defining our strategy, developing our programs and modeling a collaborative culture. Matt will lead an exceptional team to advance the organization on a more sustainable growth path, strengthen core program components, and continue to build the relationships needed to sustain our work over the long-term. Please watch this video to see Matt’s leadership in action.

At a critical time. The need for our work has never been greater. We are rapidly spending our carbon budget and there remains a chasm between what the science tells us is needed and what the public understands. ACE must continue to build the leadership pathways of informed, diverse and climate-focused youth acting now for a stable future.

We thank you for your continued support. Please feel free to reach out to me or Matt directly with any questions. I will remain an active member of the ACE community both as a donor and an advisor to the Board’s fundraising committee.

With gratitude,

Sarah Shanley Hope