SGC Catalyst Model Element: Catalytic funding for sustained, equitable investment

Leveraging philanthropic and private-sector dollars creates a more significant and longer-lasting impact from our climate investments. Directing leveraged funds to areas most in need ensures projects address rather than exacerbate existing inequities.

Outcomes

Catalyzes additional investments to communities in need
Targets investments in historically underinvested neighborhoods and communities

How to Do This

The following examples draw on existing SGC program guidelines. The examples are intended as a guide and can be adapted to suit the needs of particular programs and contexts.

Encourage significant leverage match to incentivize additional investment while understanding that leveraging requirements may be a barrier to participation

Leverage

Applicants must leverage additional funding sources that equal a minimum of 50 percent (50%) of the total requested grant funds.
Applicants must leverage additional funding to support the implementation of the TCC Proposal. Leverage funds may come from a variety of sources, such as federal, state, local public, private, and/or philanthropic. For additional information about eligible funding sources, refer to Appendix C.

SOURCE: Transformative Climate Communities Round 4 Program Guidelines (p. 28)

Require a significant portion of the Project Area to overlap with disadvantaged and low-income community areas

Project Area Eligibility

Applicants must provide a description and map of the Project Area that demonstrate the Project Area meets all requirements below. Applicants can use the TCC Mapping Tool to design an eligible Project Area.
Project Area Size
- Applicants must define a contiguous Project Area that is no larger than approximately five-square miles (5 mi²).
Priority Populations – Incorporated Areas and Tribal Territories
- At least 51 percent (51%) of the Project Area must overlap with incorporated areas or tribal territories in census tracts designated as disadvantaged communities through one or more of the following criteria:
- Within the top 25 percent (25%) of disadvantaged communities per CalEnviroScreen (CES) 4.0
- Census tracts scoring in the top 5 percent (5%) of the Pollution Burden indicator but without an overall CES 4.0 score due to unavailable or unreliable data.
- Within the top 25 percent (25%) of disadvantaged communities per CES 3.0
- All areas within federally recognized tribal boundaries in California
The remaining 49 percent (49%) or less of the Project Area must overlap with either a disadvantaged community per the criteria above or a low-income community as defined by AB 1550.

SOURCE: Transformative Climate Communities Round 4 Program Guidelines (p. 10)