Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is Carbonfund.org a nonprofit organization?

   Simple. What we do to help protect the environment is for a common good, not for private gain. When Carbonfund.org purchases and retires CO₂, the benefits accrue to our planet, not just an individual. Carbonfund.org is not seeking to profit from our activities. We are here to reduce the threat of climate change and pass on a cleaner environment to our children.

2. What does that mean for me?

   We keep our overhead costs exceptionally low, so more of your dollar goes to what matters. In fact, 92.3% of every dollar donated to Carbonfund.org supports carbon offset projects and the programs designed to sustain and expand our project portfolio and mission of increasing awareness about the causes and solutions to global warming. As a nonprofit organization, we provide financial transparency and your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

3. Where can I obtain more information about your nonprofit status, including your 990 forms?

   You can find more information about Carbonfund.org by going to Guidestar.org. You may also download our most recent 990 forms and audited financial statement by clicking here.

4. Does Carbonfund.org have an Annual Report I can review?

   Yes! Carbonfund.org’s 2008 Annual Report is available for download. Please click here for a PDF version of the document.

5. How do you ensure the CO₂ you offset represent real carbon emission reductions?

   The hallmarks of quality carbon offsets are third-party certification standards, verification and auditing. All Carbonfund.org offset projects are verified by a third party to the highest certification standards. This sort of review, coupled with an annual third-party audit of our finances and portfolio, ensure that our donors are supporting only high-quality carbon offset projects making real carbon emission reductions.
   
   The third-party verification of our projects also ensures that the emission reductions are additional to what would otherwise have occurred, surplus (i.e. not already mandated or required), and are permanent reductions. Learn more. You can also view our latest third-party project portfolio audit on the selection page.

6. Can I offset my carbon footprint if I live outside the US?

   Absolutely. There is much to do to reduce the threat of climate change. We already receive donations from around the globe, and encourage more. Our donation page accepts credit cards from most countries.

7. How does Carbonfund.org calculate how much CO₂ I am really responsible for?

   Our carbon calculators use averages and statistics from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Agency to estimate your usage based on your inputs. What we do know is the average American is responsible for about 10 tons of CO₂ emissions annually in direct emissions (home, car, travel) and about 23 tons annually in total throughout the economy, including when we buy clothes, food, and other goods and services. Find out more on our How We Calculate page.

8. How do you retire carbon?

   Simply put, we retire carbon by not using it. When we purchase carbon offsets or support a carbon reduction project we gain the right to the emission reductions.  Many groups buy these rights and then use them to pollute or sell them. We buy the carbon reductions and retire them, meaning that they are taken out of circulation forever.

9. Can I upgrade from a basic contribution to ZeroCarbon™?

   Yes. Just make an additional donation for the tons needed to be ZeroCarbon and send an email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). We’ll sign you up, send you your certificate and add you to our ZeroCarbon members list.

10. How is my carbon footprint calculated if I want to go ZeroCarbon™?

    The U.S. DOE’s Energy Information Agency estimates that personal carbon emissions represent about 40% of overall U.S. emissions. The other 60% are from the commercial, industrial and non-residential transportation sectors. While every person’s actual carbon emissions vary depending on energy use, energy type and consumption patterns, we’ve set our ZeroCarbon™ at 2.5 times the personal amount to better reflect the likely averages. In order to qualify for ZeroCarbon™ supporters must support a minimum of 18 tons of CO₂.

11. Do you support carbon-reducing projects in the US?

    Yes. We support carbon reducing projects from trusted sources anywhere in the world.

12. How does reducing carbon in Brazil, for instance, reduce the effects of climate change in the US?

    Unlike other pollutants, carbon dioxide does not affect the local area where it is emitted. Rather, CO₂ impacts the entire earth, regardless of where it is emitted. Carbon dioxide emitted in the U.S. will impact Brazil as much as it does the U.S.  A reduction in Brazil or elsewhere will reduce the effects of climate change everywhere. Reducing a ton of CO₂ in Brazil, then, has the same benefit as reducing a ton here in the U.S. So does reducing a ton of CO₂ through wind, solar, energy efficiency or biomass. A ton is a ton is a ton.

13. How often do you offset CO₂, what is the procedure?

    We purchase and retire carbon offsets periodically, currently about twice a month. The procedure is pretty simple. We inform various project developers and sellers about our intention to support carbon reducing projects, solicit offers and choose the projects that best meet our objectives.

14. How can I reduce my carbon footprint, rather than offset it?

    Reducing your energy usage is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and, depending on the measure, may be cost effective vs. offsetting your carbon externally. However, it is virtually impossible to reduce your carbon footprint to zero by yourself. Carbonfund.org can help you reduce whatever remains of your footprint.

15. Do you sell carbon offsets and green power?

    No. Carbonfund.org neither trades nor sells carbon offsets and green power to our supporters. Our supporters donate to Carbonfund.org and we purchase and retire the carbon offsets and green power on their behalf. By retiring the offsets and power, Carbonfund.org ensures the CO₂ is reduced and the environmental protection is gained. While we encourage our supporters to highlight their carbon offset commitment with Carbonfund.org, supporters do not take title nor ownership over the offsets. Donations to nonprofits are tax deductible because no financial benefit accrues to the donor.

16. How long will it be before I receive my certificate?

    You should receive your certificate within two weeks. If you don’t receive it by then, please contact us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Please include the name on the certificate and when the contribution was made.

17. I don’t like to make contributions over the Internet. Can I send a check?

    Yes. Send a check to:
    Carbonfund.org Foundation
    1320 Fenwick Lane
    Suite 206
    Silver Spring, MD 20910
    
    Make sure to include what type of offsets you would like to support. It is Your Carbon, Your Choice.

18. I have more questions about carbon offsets or global warming. Whom should I contact?

    If you have a question, please contact us at: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).