Private capital and fund raising for community infrastructure repair & resilience

Shovel Ready Capital (SRC) is a nonprofit climate action company that deploys innovative fundraising strategies and techniques to offset the rising cost of severe weather on communities. Our approach bridges the gap between declining government aid, costly or non-existent insurance, and a saturated bond market.

Working in partnership with local officials and businesses SCR’s unique approach delivers tangible financial value for all participants in the fundraising value chain to accelerate scale and maximize impact.

Bridging the gap between government aid, insurance, and green bonds.

Our mission is to streamline the flow of private capital to offset the rising costs of severe weather on communities.

A registered 501c3 non-profit using agile methods and technology to rapidly scale fund raising while delivering financial benefits for both donors and recipients.

Immediate impact

No R&D or project planning. Shovel Ready Capital projects deliver immediate impact, measurable results, and lasting benefits so donors know their generosity is funding effective, long-lasting projects.

  • Local campaigns require direct, ongoing, and engagement with each partner community.

  • Shovel Ready Capital invests in projects that have already been planned and approved by all agencies and are ready for immediate construction.

  • All projects must deliver some form of economic benefit to the local community, beyond debt-free project financing, such as local economic impact, homes and businesses saved, etc.

  • Materials and methods used must meet the highest, most recent standards to ensure projects can withstand future storms.

Reduced tax burden

Shovel Ready Capital can help lower the potential tax burden on local residents and small businesses by providing debt-free funding to local community partners, which can be used for debt service on an existing bonds, or to lower the project expenses lowering the need or size of future bonds and resulting associated local taxes.

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Partnerships and collaborations

Chairman Ken Smith was invited to join the 2025 Global Assessment Report (GAR) Steering Committee on Innovations in Climate Resilience Financing

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Execution team

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KEN SMITH

FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN

Career high-tech entrepreneur, life-long environmental steward, non-profit volunteer and leader, and sailor.

UN DRR Steering Committee on Innovations in Climate Resilience Finance.

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KEN NEWMAN

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Political consultant, risk and policy analysis, climate action leader, nonprofit board director.

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JUSTIN VERGARA

PARTNERSHIP DIRECTOR, SAAS CHANNEL

SaaS Technology Executive, Climate and Conservation Advocate, Waterman and Outdoorsman, Olympic Qualifier

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JONATHAN OKAFOR

STRATEGIC ADVISORY BOARD, PROJECT INVESTMENT ADVISOR

Investment Officer, Department of Energy, DOE Loan Program

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CHRIS LOWELL

STRATEGIC ADVISORY BOARD, INSURANCE INDUSTRY ADVISOR

Managing Director, InnSure

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DAVID DODD

STRATEGIC ADVISORY BOARD, PROJECT EVALUATION

CEO, International Sustainable Resilience Center

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NICK LAMPARELLI

STRATEGIC ADVISORY BOARD, FLORIDA STATE ADVISOR

Co-founder & CEO, The Insurance Advocacy Forum of Florida

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RICK PECK

STRATEGIC ADVISORY BOARD, FUND RAISING ADVISOR

The Philanthropy Guy

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Anne Marie Biernacki, Chief Technology Officer, Actual Meds

ANNE MARIE BIERNACKI

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Serial entrepreneur, startup coach and advisor, conservation volunteer, patron of the arts.

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Innsure

CHARLIE SIDOTI

STRATEGIC ADVISORY BOARD, INSURANCE INDUSTRY ADVISOR

Executive Director, InnSure

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Impact Hustlers

MAIKO SCHAFFRATH

STRATEGIC ADVISORY BOARD, EUROPEAN UNION LIASON

Founder of Impact Hustlers | Startup Ecosystem Leader

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