Why do we exist?
The Ottawa Climate Action Fund (OCAF) exists to catalyze and scale low-carbon solutions to their full potential in Ottawa. We align this work with community benefit, bringing low-carbon initiatives, investments and people together to deliver tangible, lasting success.
- We’re incubated by the Ottawa Community Foundation.
- We’re a trusted, independent partner of the City.
- We’re part of the Low Carbon Cities Canada network (LC3).
- We have a world-class advisory Board.
Our Mission
Accelerate Ottawa’s transition to an equitable, carbon-neutral future.
Our Vision
A carbon-neutral, equitable, and economically thriving Ottawa.
Our Values
AMBITIOUS
We are determined, action-oriented, and confident that community benefits can be realized through carbon reduction.
COLLABORATIVE
We listen to and learn from diverse actors—aligning initiatives, building momentum, and co-creating sustainable change.
CREATIVE
We are nimble and curious, seeking out novel approaches to big problems and discerning realistic next steps within an aspirational long view.
EQUITY-FOCUSED
We pursue low-carbon solutions that advance social inclusion and oppose race- and class-based inequalities.
Our Leadership Team
Executive Director
Steve Winkelman has 30 years of experience in climate change, sustainable transportation, urban planning, clean energy, clean air, infrastructure resilience and climate finance. He has supported government officials, researchers, development banks, private companies and NGOs in more than 25 countries with policy and project development, finance, implementation, evaluation and capacity building. He thrives in bridging silos and building partnerships across sectors, agencies and organizations to unlock economic, environmental and community benefits and advance holistic, lasting solutions.
Director of Partnerships and Programs, Ottawa Climate Action Fund
Tina Nicholson has over 15 years of experience in the energy sector both in electricity and gas strategic initiatives and partnerships. She has led delivery of energy efficiency and conservation programs for residential, commercial, institutional and industrial sectors, including activities encompassing a broad set of technologies, program market interventions, promotional efforts and evaluation aimed at lowering or shifting customer’s demand, energy use and carbon emissions. Tina co-chaired the Technical Evaluation Committee for Natural Gas Demand Side Management initiatives in Ontario, resulting in the development of the first Ontario Natural Gas Technical Reference Manual used to assist in planning and evaluation of energy conservation programs. She is passionate in brokering relationships and partnerships to advance solutions to combat climate change.
OCAF Advisory Board
Program Director at The McConnell Foundation
CPA, CMA, ICD.D
Co-chair. Vice President, New Business for Shorefast Social Enterprises Inc.
Innovative Energy Market Chief, J.L. Richards & Associates
Canadian eco-Entrepreneur, Community Leader & Environmental Innovator
Ottawa City Councillor for Rideau-Goulbourn
Communications lead, Jaku Konbit
Co-chair. President, Tolcor Investments Ltd.
Partner - Theia Partners
Supporting Staff (non-voting members)
Director, Strategic and Community Initiatives, Ottawa Community Foundation
MCIP, RPP, PLE. General Manager, Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development, City of Ottawa
Section Manager of Climate Change & Resiliency, City of Ottawa
Part of the Low Carbon Cities Canada (LC3) Network
Each of the seven LC3 centres works in their city or region, supporting carbon reduction goals while improving public health, creating jobs and building resilient communities. The LC3 initiative is grounded in decades of experience by The Atmospheric Fund in Toronto.
The work of the seven Centres and the LC3 network is made possible by a generous endowment from the Government of Canada, administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. OCAF will work with other funding partners to finance projects in Ottawa and to grow the endowment.
Incubated by the Ottawa Community Foundation
The OCF has a keen interest in addressing climate change and in establishing new backbone organizations in Ottawa to help drive positive, systemic and sustainable change. In 2020, OCF signed an MOU with the City of Ottawa for mutual collaboration, through OCAF, to accelerate action on GHG mitigation in line with the City’s Energy Evolution Strategy.