An initiative of

Clean Air Capitals

Clean Air Capitals helps cities make progress toward clean air in every classroom and child care room. We’re in early conversations with cities about the 2027 Cohort: a small national group of cities working with school districts, charter school networks and networks of early childhood centers to build ambitious, durable clean-air projects, with cleaner air in classrooms when school opens in fall 2027. If your city is interested, please get in touch.

~5 citiesor regional clusters in the first cohort
Fall 2027cleaner air in classrooms and child care rooms
1–3 yearsof partnership, depending on scope
Spring 2027an in-person cohort convening

The partnership

A working partnership

To close the gap between a compelling opportunity and a fundable, implementation-ready project.

What we offer

Tailored technical assistanceProject development, technical and implementation planning, procurement, measurement and operations.
Coalition and fundraising supportHelp strengthening alignment, defining the investment case, and pursuing resources together.
A small peer cohortCross-sector experts, shared learning, and an in-person working session in spring 2027.
Strategic communicationsSupport building local momentum and making the city’s leadership visible beyond its borders.

What we ask

Committed local leadershipFrom the mayor’s office and at least one school district, charter school network or network of early childhood centers.
The right cross-sector partnersPublic health, facilities, community and funding partners around a shared plan.
An implementation-ready, sustainable planWith ownership, operations, measurement and budget built in from the start.
Shared learningTaking part in the cohort’s shared learning, measurement and storytelling.

The 2027 Cohort

Inside the 2027 Cohort

The partnershipTurning cities’ clean air ambition into actionWhat a 2027 Cohort partnership can unlock, what we offer, and what we ask of partners. The cohortA national effort for clean classroom airA small founding group of cities across regions, and the local partners each one brings together. ParticipationWhat participation would involveThe timeline from first conversation to cleaner classrooms, and answers to common questions.

Printable one-pagers: The partnership The cohort Why clean air (PDF)

Why clean air

The missing input where children learn and grow: clean air

The biggest unmeasured input in education is the air. Schools and child care programs are licensed and inspected for safety, food handling, and building conditions, and are increasingly tested for lead in drinking water, yet most have never monitored the air children breathe.

The case for clean air

Clean Air Capitals is an initiative of the Inspired Air Fund.

Get in touch

To learn more about Clean Air Capitals and the 2027 Cohort, write to us at [email protected].