Community Air Grant Applications Accepted until November 1, 2024

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CARB releases Cycle 5 Request for Applications 

Authorized by Assembly Bill (AB) 617 (C. Garcia, Chapter 136, Statutes of 2017), the California Air Resources Board (CARB) established the Community Air Protection Program (Program) to develop and implement a statewide strategy and implementation guidance, known as Blueprint 2.0, to reduce emissions and exposures in communities heavily impacted by air pollution. AB 617 requires CARB to provide grants to community-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations for technical assistance, which helps build community capacity to support participation in the community air protection process. The Program also provides Community Air Grants (CAGs) to California Native American Tribal governments. 

Blueprint 2.0, adopted by the CARB Board in October 2023, includes the use of CAGs as a key strategy in bringing Program benefits to communities overburdened by air pollution. CARB is pleased to announce that the application period is now open for the Cycle 5 Community Air Grants Program Request for Applications (RFA) until November 1, 2024. Almost $16M will be available for funding for CAG Cycle 5 projects. The RFA provides the application and instructions for submitting a proposal to CARB for consideration of award for a community air grant. 

CARB will conduct remote-access (Zoom) public workshops for the RFA that will be scheduled for Fall 2024. There will be two Pre-Application Assistance Workshops and one Workshop on How to Prepare a Grant Proposal. 

Applicant Eligibility: 

  • California community-based organizations holding a current tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) federal Internal Revenue Code. 
  • California organizations holding a tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code as the Grantee, in partnership with a California community-based organization without Section 501(c)(3) status designated as a sub-grantee. 
  • California Native American Tribe. For the purposes of this grant, this includes all Federally Recognized Tribes, and other California Native American Tribes, as defined by Governor’s Executive Orders B-10-11 and N-15-19. 

Not Eligible for Grant Funding: 

  • Individuals 
  • Schools, school districts, universities, or colleges (public or private) 
  • California organizations holding a tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code ancillary or affiliated to a local, municipal, city, county, or state governmental agency or entities. 
Project Locations: All projects must be wholly located in and benefit disadvantaged or low-income communities in California.

General Project Types and Maximum Award Amounts: 

  • Educational ($300,000) and Technical/Focused ($500,000) 

Project Objective Examples, not limited to the following: 

  • Community engagement and outreach related to the Community Air Protection Program 
  • Hiring of consultants and/or technical experts 
  • Travel and/or logistical support for hosting/attending meetings related to the Community Air Protection Program 
  • Support for community operated air monitoring 
  • Data collection and analysis, including community based participatory research projects 
Important Note: CAG applications may not be signed by or include in the workplan or budget, current members or member alternates of any CARB or CalEPA advisory body in compliance with CARB Advisory Committee Transparency Requirements. CAG applications may not include letters of support signed by any CARB or CalEPA advisory body member. The CAGs are funded, in part, through the State’s portion of Cap-and-Trade auction proceeds from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. 
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The CAG Program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities. 
To date, $27.9 billion in cap-and-trade proceeds has been appropriated to 22 state agencies that have distributed $13.9 billion to projects that are either completed or underway across the state. Nearly $8.1+ billion in implemented investments is benefiting the state’s most vulnerable populations. Projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling and much more

Contacts 

If you have questions or comments regarding the Cycle 5 grant cycle, please contact the Community Air Grants Program. 
If you require a special accommodation or need this document in an alternate format (i.e. Braille, large print) or another language, please contact Ms. Leah Asay, Grant Coordinator, as soon as possible. TTY/TDD/Speech to Speech users may dial 711 for the California Relay Service.