The Footprint Fund is a community carbon offset program that will allow you to offset your carbon footprint by supporting local projects that benefit Missoulians. 

What is an offset?

What types of projects will this fund in our community?
An offset is a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in one place that can be used to compensate for emissions elsewhere. 

For example, you can offset the emissions from a plane flight by giving money to a project that will improve the energy efficiency of a home, which would not have been done otherwise. 
We are partnering with the Human Resource Council to evaluate the potential for offering local offsets here in Missoula. Purchased offsets would help fund residential energy efficiency projects for low-income households, allowing you to offset your impact while making a difference in a neighbor's life. 

We often hear that housing affordability and climate change are the two most pressing issues facing our community. The Footprint Fund aims to address both in tandem. 

Why should you buy offsets?

There is a lot we can do to shrink our climate footprints,  but we are still connected to energy and transportation systems that make it nearly impossible to get to zero on our own. Offsets can help bridge that gap.  

The projects of the Footprint Fund go a step further - not only do they help you reduce your footprint, but they help reduce a community member's footprint, too. All offset purchases go towards low-income weatherization projects, reducing the energy use in homes where residents need a reprieve from their energy bill the most. 

Offset Fun Facts

  • The majority of air travel emissions occur during take off and landing, so the fewer legs of your trip, the smaller your carbon footprint! 

Calculate your carbon footprint

(all of our calculations output an estimation of annual emissions - if you would like to offset less than a year, please divide appropriately.)
E-mail caroline@climatesmartmissoula.org if you have questions