Thomas Steyer Launches $2-Million Fund for Climate Victims

Billionaire financier-turned-climate activist Thomas Steyer and his wife, Kat Taylor, announced the formation Friday of a $2-million fund to aid victims of wildfires and extreme weather events he attributes to climate change, The Hill reports.

The Climate Disaster Relief Fund will be managed by the San Francisco Foundation and will make grants to organizations serving those affected by “climate-related disasters,” according to Mr. Steyer’s advocacy group, NextGen Climate. The fund will initially focus on those dealing with wildfires in the U.S. west.

The former hedge-fund tycoon is leading a $100-million push to put climate issues on the political agenda in this year’s mid-term elections. He had pledged last year to steer his profits from past oil and gas investments into helping wildfire victims.

Read Chronicle of Philanthropy articles on Mr. Steyer’s burgeoning activism and growing efforts by billionaire donors to shape political debates and electoral races.