PRIME Coalition

PRIME Coalition

PRIME Coalition was launched by Sarah Kearney in 2014 as a 501(c)(3) public charity headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. Its model is distinct: it pools philanthropic donations and program-related investments from foundations and high-net-worth individuals to back climate-tech startups that are too early or risky for conventional VC, yet offer measurable emissions-reduction potential. The organization focuses on hardware-heavy climate solutions, including renewable energy, carbon removal, industrial efficiency, and sustainable materials. It does not write equity checks in the traditional sense — it uses grants, recoverable grants, and PRIs (program-related investments) to support companies, and structures deals as charitable contributions with a return-of-capital option for donors when ventures succeed. Portfolio companies include firms in direct air capture, green hydrogen, and advanced recycling, all vetted for climate impact using a proprietary tool called the PRIME Impact Lens. As of 2023, PRIME Coalition had deployed over $35 million to more than 30 ventures. The organization has a small team — approximately five to ten staff — and operates with a board chaired by Michele Kimball. It does not manage outside LP capital or charge management fees; donors receive tax deductions for contributions. PRIME's network includes partner foundations such as the Grantham Foundation and the Jeremy and Hannelore Grantham Environmental Trust. PRIME Coalition's structural differentiator is its hybrid grant-investment model that treats climate impact as the primary return metric. Unlike a family office or asset manager, it operates as a public charity with a public-facing evaluation methodology (the Impact Lens) and publishes its investment criteria and portfolio performance transparently. Its governance separates charitable grantmaking from the co-investment program — donors can choose to recycle returns into new ventures.