SACRAMENTO –Today, the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) announced $8.5 million in funding is available for the Regional Climate Collaboratives program to ensure under-resourced communities have a fair chance to access historic state and federal funding. Now in its second year, the capacity building program will award between $500,000 to $1,750,000 to eligible entities, including California Native American Tribes, community-based organizations and non-profits, local government agencies, small businesses, and other local organizations with a history of providing community-based outreach and technical assistance.
Program funding will support under-resourced communities to identify, develop, and deliver transformational climate projects that strengthen community resilience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Due to longstanding disinvestment and worsening climate impacts, many communities in California do not have the resources and staffing levels to successfully compete for or implement grant funding. As part of the Newsom Administration’s commitment to advancing equity and opportunity for all Californians, the Regional Climate Collaboratives program ensures historic state and federal funding opportunities support the greatest range of communities, especially those with the greatest need.
“No one understands a community’s needs better than those who live there,” said Lynn von Koch-Liebert, Executive Director of the Strategic Growth Council. “This program will help equip organizations and local leaders with the resources, knowledge, and targeted assistance they need to access unprecedented state and federal funding and realize their visions for healthy, thriving communities.”
In Round 1 of the program, SGC received applications for nearly $65 million dollars’ worth of projects representing communities and climate related issues in nearly every county of the State, demonstrating significant need for continued capacity building investments in California. More information about Round 1 awardees can be found here, with details regarding applicants who were not awarded due to lack of funds available here.
Eligible applicants include California Native American Tribes, community-based organizations and non-profits, local government agencies, small businesses, and other organizations with a history or providing community-based outreach and technical assistance.
The Regional Climate Collaboratives program is part of SGC’s overall approach to increasing readiness in under-resourced communities by helping local organizations, governments, and their partners to access grant funding, undertake planning activities, build partnerships, and implement other activities that support community investment and project delivery.
Pre-Proposals for SGC’s Regional Climate Communities program are due by 5:00 PM PST on September 6, 2023. Click the link here for additional information, including eligibility requirements, and to apply. The Strategic Growth Council will host a series of virtual workshops for applicants interested in learning more. Sign up here.
Media Contact
Agustin Arreola, 279-386-2183
agustin.arreola@opr.ca.gov
About the California Strategic Growth Council
The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) is a 10-member council comprised of seven state agencies and three public members with the mission to build healthy, thriving, and resilient communities for all. Funded through California’s Cap and Trade system and the California General Fund, SGC’s grant programs, strategic initiatives, and interagency coordination focus on multi-benefit and community-centric solutions at the nexus of climate and equity. Since 2008, SGC has invested over $3.5 billion in projects strengthening communities and addressing climate change across California.