In RFF’s Supporter Spotlight, we hear directly from donors about their commitment to issues in climate, energy, and the environment; how they make a difference; and why they support Resources for the Future—all in their own words.
Resources magazine recently spoke with three individuals who, in addition to their professional work at Resources for the Future (RFF), also choose to support RFF philanthropically: Elizabeth Albert, benefits and payroll administrator; Emma DeAngeli, senior research analyst; and Kristin Hayes, senior director for research and policy engagement. Below are excerpts from the conversation, which covered the influence of family, the search for truth, what excites them about their work, and more.
Resources magazine: What initially attracted you to RFF?
Emma: I found previous environmental conservation work that I was doing to be meaningful but thought it was missing a strong foundation: What do the economics say? What impacts will this policy have? I appreciated that RFF was trying to tackle those types of questions objectively. Environmental policy is something I’m passionate about, and working on environmental policy in a way that’s focused on facts and data aligns with my personal interests. It’s important to have that strong research foundation to essentially put forward the truth.
Kristin: I had been working for advocacy organizations up to that point, and I really wanted to work someplace nonpartisan. I was drawn to this “nerd ethos” at RFF, and the desire at RFF to infuse new information into environmental conversations was appealing to me.
What do you enjoy most about your work at RFF?
Kristin: I feel fortunate that I have a role in the organization that lets me interact with pretty much everyone, so I have a bird’s-eye view of things. That means I get to see the maximum amount of creativity from all the departments. The breadth of information I get to work on and the diversity of people I get to connect with is great. It’s been a joy.
From left to right: Elizabeth Albert, Emma DeAngeli, Kristin Hayes
Elizabeth: The people, culture, and RFF community we’ve created are key for me. Within a few weeks of joining, I developed an immediate love for RFF’s culture, community, and the immense value of the work. We focus on hiring staff who will work well together, which has a huge overall impact on the organization. Ultimately, this intentionality creates a community of sincere, kind, good people who care about one another, and who share their personal talents and scholarly expertise. I’ve also come to know our research experts individually and their passion to effect change, inform, and educate, which is ever present and evident in their work ethic and philosophies. I consider myself fortunate to have become part of this amazing community.
Why do you support RFF philanthropically, in addition to the work you do day to day?
Emma: I went straight from my undergraduate program to graduate school to RFF, so this is my first job. When I joined, my parents told me, “It’s good to give to your organization; it’s just something that you should do.” I definitely agree with my parents—I think it’s the right thing to do—and it’s a reflection of RFF’s value to me, in the economics sense. I’m valuing the place where I work—an organization whose mission I believe in—and the research that my colleagues and I do.
Why should others support RFF?
Kristin: For people who don’t have the experience of being here with our colleagues day to day, I personally can attest that it’s such a wonderful community. I think people who search for truth as best they can and follow where the data leads them are even more important now than in recent years. We have an honest desire here to wrestle with hard questions and think about impacts across a range of factors. Combine smart people with important questions, and that’s RFF.
I hope that other people also want to find the truth in terms of science, economics, and good environmental policy, so that we can responsibly and effectively tackle the climate crisis together.
Emma DeAngeli
Emma: We’re doing valuable research at RFF that could help a lot of people. I hope that other people also want to find the truth in terms of science, economics, and good environmental policy, so that we can responsibly and effectively tackle the climate crisis together.
Elizabeth: An organization like RFF, which executes crucial research that guides decisionmaking at a global level, should be supported by others who also believe in RFF’s mission. I’m proud that RFF and its expertise exist to sustain the earth—not only today or for the next few generations, but for hundreds of years to come! I want to be part of ensuring RFF’s longevity, while being a small part of helping our world to thrive. Why wouldn’t you want to be part of this, too?
Four Ways You Can Support RFF
- Give through our website: Visit www.rff.org/donate to make a one-time donation, or to set up a monthly recurring donation.
- Give through the mail: Send your check to Resources for the Future | 1616 P Street NW, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 2003
- Give through a donor-advised fund: Donate through a DAF account at a community foundation or financial institution to support RFF while receiving favorable tax benefits.
- Give through a will, trust, or gift plan: Include RFF in your estate plans to provide meaningful, long-lasting support.
Discover other ways to give at rff.org/waystogive or contact Ryan Sabot at [email protected]
A version of this article appeared in print in the Spring 2025 issue of Resources magazine.
