Foundation’s Organizing for Water and Sustainability (FLOWS) is led by and for frontline communities, including People of Color, residents of affordable and mobile housing communities, and LGBTQIA+ communities. As a small nonprofit founded and led by Women of Color, the FLOWS team brings more than 40 years of combined experience in climate justice to their work, and their expertise is widely respected in Boulder County and beyond.
Many times over, FLOWS has led transformative change in our community. Supporting FLOWS means supporting the frontline communities, partner organizations, and local leaders they work with to create more equitable outcomes through programs benefiting our communities and our broader ecosystem. Collaborating with, for, and within frontline communities builds climate resilience, capacity, and solutions that help create long-term, equity-centered solutions for current and future generations.
FLOWS draws on the diversity and expertise of frontline communities to strengthen and uplift ecological knowledge, cultural strengths, and leadership within those communities. Their efforts focus on building local capacity, beautifying environments, and creating systems that support justice and resilience for and beyond climate emergencies. Their work is also grounded in the principles of a Just Transition — a practical framework for the transition from an unjust, extractive economy to an equitable, regenerative, social, and environmental justice-oriented economy.
A great example of FLOWS’ approach is their work with the San Lazaro Community, who have faced a nearly 30-year clean water injustice and crisis. In 2023, Once & Future Green (O&FG) and other partners helped create and support the community-led San Lazaro Water Action Council (WAC), helping grow their leadership, capacity, and understanding of their water infrastructure and potential natural solutions. Thanks to FLOWS’ founder Michelle Gabrieloff-Parish’s and the WAC’s advocacy for the human right to clean water, Boulder County supported O&FG, FLOWS, and the WAC in planning the first phase of natural solution installations in San Lazaro’s water reservoir. This work is helping restore balance to the pond’s ecosystem and improve water quality for more than 1,000 community members.
We’re proud to support FLOWS and their mission to advance climate justice in our community.
FLOWS was awarded a Community Trust grant in 2025.
(Photos Courtesy FLOWS)
