Lauren Click

Founder and Executive Director

“Becoming a Stanley Creators Fund grantee was and will forever be a turning point for Let’s Go Compost! We cannot put into words how grateful we are, and — most importantly — the thousands of students we are able to serve.” 

Lauren Click founded Let’s Go Compost after learning to compost in her own home during the pandemic, using a composting tower created from worms and discarded bakery buckets. Inspired, she shared the eco-friendly method with her community and local teachers. Now, the non-profit is dedicated to making composting free and accessible across the United States, with free compost bins, a classroom composting program, advocacy, and funding for underserved communities. 

What will Stanley’s grant make possible for Let’s Go Compost?   

This funding will empower Let’s Go Compost to grow our STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Classroom Composting program for school gardening and sustainability efforts, as well as help us support more community gardens in becoming free food waste drop off sites for the general public to enjoy. We’re able to get one step closer to our mission of making composting free and accessible to everyone in the United States, regardless of location or income. 

Stanley Creators Fund celebrates the creators, builders, and inventors among us. What does it mean to you to be a creator, builder, and inventor? 

I think I’ve always been a ‘creator.’ When I was younger, I could pretty much always be found with my hot glue gun in my hand, an assortment of scrap craft materials scattered across my bedroom floor, and a mission to create treasure out of ’trash.’ So, it fits that Let’s Go Compost got its start when I wanted to make a worm compost bin out of an empty frosting bucket from a bakery.

What is something that you discovered about yourself through your work? 

Composting has allowed me to foster my love of creative problem-solving through practical, hands-on science concepts, turning abstract ideas into something not only understandable, but that can be put to use in day-to-day life.

What inspires you about Stanley Creators Fund? 

I was really intrigued that the Fund supported early-stage non-profits (a rarity) and uplifts creators who are approaching their cause through systems change. We show people how to compost in apartments, homes, and offices, and drive people to their local community and school gardens for free food waste drop-off sites — fostering local food systems and promoting circularity within neighborhoods.  

“We like to say we’re high-level during the week and have our hands in the dirt on the weekends.”