Focus area
Recognition, Classifications & Awards
Receive recognition to lift your team's work, continue momentum, and unlock new opportunities.
What we do
Recognition that will bring your institution the most impact and visibility.
We help you decide, optimize data calls, and capture awards.
Capabilities
Where we have done this before
Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability
Helped lead development of the classification itself and supported several inaugural-cohort institutions in building their application frameworks.
AASHE STARS
STARS 3.0 certified & AASHE member organization, with direct experience running internal gap analyses, supporting credit strategy, and reporting.
Other Awards & Recognition
Higher ratings and finalist selections for the institutions we’ve supported. We know the requirements, fees, and timelines for dozens of individual-level and institution-wide programs.
Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability
Updraft Energy had the privilege of supporting the development of the Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability, a new national recognition framework established through a partnership between the University of Colorado Boulder, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and the American Council on Education (ACE).
Working on behalf of CU Boulder and in partnership with ACE, Updraft Energy is thrilled to be a part of this innovative initiative that recognizes higher-education institutions that are shaping the field by embedding sustainability into each fabric of campus life.
Updraft's role in shaping the framework
Integrated pilot feedback into the final framework
Engaged in pilot listening sessions and synthesized first-hand insights from participating institutions to inform improvements to the application structure and guidance.
Managed development and implementation
Supported project coordination across partners to maintain key timelines, track revisions, and ensure consistency across documents and project materials.
Facilitated in-person working sessions at CU Boulder
Co-facilitated sessions with CU Boulder, ACE, and GivePulse leadership to refine the classification and plan supporting programming throughout the cycle. Our work supported CU Boulder as operational host and provided strategic direction to GivePulse to develop features that power the program through its engagement platform.
Ensured platform alignment and usability
Led verification and quality assurance to ensure the application portal accurately reflected all updated framework language, structure, and guidance for user experience.
Status
Applications for the Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability are closed.
We're happy to help you think through participating in a future cohort.
Get in touchEarning international recognition for a campus-wide sustainability portfolio
We supported a partner to better pursue recognition programs for its institution-wide sustainability work. We built an inventory of relevant programs, then supported applications and narratives that have received international attention.
What we supported
- Identification of programs offering recognition, awards, and rankings
- Inventory covering schedules, requirements, fees, and partner organizations
- Selection of applicable projects and drafting of program narratives
- Application development and supporting documentation
- Communications and engagement around submissions and results
The result
Our partner won an international award for university sustainability, judged by representatives of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), and other leading organizations.
The work also gave the institution ongoing awareness of recognition programs, stronger internal processes, and a repeatable approach to the data calls each program requires.
Get in touch
Some work can't wait.
Tell us what you're trying to accomplish, and we'll tell you honestly whether we're the right partner.
Start a conversation