Aug. 6, 2025—The University of Colorado Boulder has received a $10 million gift from CU Boulder alumnus Spike Buckley (Econ’73) to establish the new Buckley Center for Sustainability Education and transform the way sustainability is taught at CU Boulder.
Through a venture-style investment designed for rapid impact, Buckley’s donation will provide $2 million annually for the next five years to implement a robust sustainability curriculum across campus, advance faculty impact and educate students for a more sustainable future.
“CU Boulder is already a powerhouse in sustainability and climate research,” said Chancellor Justin Schwartz. “Spike's remarkably generous gift will allow us to better support the growing number of students across disciplines who are seeking the knowledge, skills and experiences to lead and thrive in a rapidly changing world.”
Spike Buckley is a real estate redeveloper with four decades of experience across the U.S. and Canada. A longtime environmental philanthropist and advocate, Buckley founded the nonprofit Earth’s Call Fund in 2019 and One Earth Philanthropy in 2021 to help discover and fund climate solutions.
“Thanks to recent initiatives, events and awards, CU finds itself uniquely positioned to take a leadership role among universities in the drive toward a more sustainable world,” said Buckley. “It is my fervent hope that CU students, faculty and alumni will ultimately see the Center for Sustainability Education as their vehicle to make the world a better place for future generations.”
Universities play a key role in helping students engage with the environmental challenges shaping our future. The new Buckley Center for Sustainability Education will guide this work at CU Boulder, providing resources to students, faculty and staff to deepen their knowledge and strengthen their ability to integrate sustainability into the curriculum across campus. In this way, the center will help respond to the growing demand for sustainability education and support students in their pursuit of meaningful work.
“The Buckley Center will use a hub-and-spoke approach to accelerate this work, serving as the central coordinator for sustainability-related curricular efforts on campus,” said Andrew Mayock, CU Boulder’s vice chancellor for sustainability.
“By fostering a collaborative and dynamic environment for learning, research and real-world application, the center will not only prepare students to tackle environmental challenges but empower them to lead global solutions.”
CU Boulder is uniquely equipped to continue its leadership role in sustainability education. By combining its legacy of environmental leadership — including its fifth STARS Gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education — with world-renowned research institutes, academic programs and local partners, the university is an ideal hub for advancing innovative learning.
“The impact of these efforts will resonate around the world, preparing graduates who are equipped to shape a sustainable future for all,” Mayock said.
This gift is part of CU Boulder’s strategic vision and investments in a more sustainable future. For more information, visit colorado.edu/sustainability.
