Values

Additionality

From investments to impact assessment efforts, every program or organization in the Prime family is designed to catalyze, deepen, or accelerate solutions that we believe will massively reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We say “no” as a love word and are laser-focused on bringing value and impact that others are not, because overlooked innovation and overlooked people are missed opportunities. We call this way of thinking “additionality.” 

At our founding in 2014, Prime Coalition was one of very few organizations — nonprofit or for-profit — channeling capital to early-stage climate solutions. Today, we’re delighted that more have joined us. Our definition of additionality continues to evolve to ensure that Prime capital and programs work to create the deepest possible impact through our focus on effective solutions that can’t otherwise reach implementation. 

Tenacity

The problem of climate change is overwhelming; some days, it seems insurmountable. Staying laser-focused on our mission gives us strength, and a deep sense of urgency shapes our daily priorities. We support emerging climate solutions that, like us, are bold, brave, and precise in entering the unknown to create a future that we would love to live in.

When Prime first formed, many believed it wasn’t possible to aggregate catalytic capital in a meaningful way toward climate solutions. We listened, but we also kept at it. Today, our relentless spirit shows up in how we work tirelessly to advance our nonprofit mission at scale.

Collective Abundance

Climate change is the responsibility of many people in positions of structural power who have perpetuated narratives of scarcity, racial hierarchy, and bigotry to prioritize the wants of the few over the health and well-being of all. We must work hard to undo the false narratives embedded in our systems, thinking, and action.

Human brilliance can also light the way to solutions, and our planet has everything we all need to thrive. In reimagining what’s possible, we are working to model generosity, openness, inclusion, and justice — norms for healthy souls, communities, and economies, no matter what sector or industry we’re in. 

Humility

We are humbled every day: by the threats of climate change and what it will take to address them; by institutional and individual mistakes on this road to a better world; by how often the wisdom of people blocked from structural power is ignored or undermined. Prime is changing how we work and think to center the fact that structural power — including financial and academic assets — doesn’t equal insight, and “impact” doesn’t equal justice.  

In America, the majority of leaders in philanthropy and nonprofits are white men and women. Additionally, most investors and VC-backed founders are white men. Understanding this broader context, the Prime family is committed to addressing our biases, widening our circles of community, and building a diverse team where everyone feels they belong.

Care

Guided by collective good — not individual benefit — Prime works to foster an atmosphere that is collaborative rather than competitive. In service to our nonprofit mission, we listen, support, lead, and follow, leveraging our financial and non-financial resources without pride of place. 

In addition to treating our colleagues and partners with care, we think about which activities or organizations can generate the most impact and need the support that the Prime family can best provide, whether it’s building and supporting catalytic investment funds, conducting research to share with the whole field, or fostering working groups around topics that are challenging for many.