Change is Simple (CiS) is a left-of-center education curriculum developer that presents climate-alarmist and environmentalist views to children through educational programs designed to supplement traditional grade school education.
Background
Change is Simple was founded in 2011 with the stated mission of instilling a lifelong commitment to environmentalism through experiential learning. 1 In 2012, the program received the endorsement of then-Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick (D). 2 In 2013 CiS received a $100,000 contribution from the Cummings Foundation, which allowed the organization to begin hiring staff. 2 In 2018, with help from a $100,000 contribution received from the Woodard and Curran Foundation, CiS was able to build a mobile education center. 2
Finances
In 2019, Change is Simple received $327,952 in contributions, 3 $436,857 in total revenue, 4 made $525,383 in expenditures, 5 and possessed $451,839 in net assets. 6
Impact
In 2019 Change is Simple participated in a three-year study with Northeastern University to evaluate the impact of CiS’s programs. 7
A 2020 interim report from the study, which evaluated pre-CiS and post-CiS “intervention,” found that student knowledge and passion for topics such as climate change and environmentalism increased after being exposed to the program. 7 The study found that while only a negligible number of students responded “correctly” to questions relating to climate change posed to them prior to the program, students responded “correctly” 85% of the time after the CiS education program. 7 The report also noted an “improved student motivation” to learn more about climate change and environmentalism in school after having participated in the CiS program. 7
Leadership
Lauren Belmonte is the executive director of Change is Simple. 8 Prior to joining CiS, Belmonte was an environmental compliance specialist for the Massachusetts State National Guard. 8 Belmonte received a bachelor of science in environmental science from Merrimack College. 8
Patrick Belmonte is the CEO of CiS. 9 Prior to joining CiS, Belmonte worked in marketing for LEGO, Mullen Advertising, and Westport Communications. 9 Belmonte received a Bachelor of Arts in marketing from Western New England University and is a self-styled “sustainability expert.” 9
References
- Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Alliance for Justice. Part I, line 8. 2019.
- “History” Change is Simple. https://www.changeissimple.org/history
- Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Change is Simple. Part I, line 8. 2019.
- Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Change is Simple. Part I, line 12. 2019.
- Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Change is Simple. Part I, line 18. 2019.
- Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Change is Simple. Part I, line 22. 2019.
- “Change is Simple Program Evaluation-2020” Change is Simple. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/52cdeef1e4b0874a24181252/t/5f7f3f656def3f7fb4a97730/1602174827975/Change+is+Simple+Program+Evaluation+Report+9.29.20+.pdf
- “Lauren Belmonte – Staff Bios” Change is Simple. https://www.changeissimple.org/staff-bios
- “Patrick Belmonte – Staff Bios” Change is Simple. https://www.changeissimple.org/staff-bios