Urban Greening

Portal ID:
46391
Status:
Closed
Opportunity Type:
  • Grant
Last Updated:
 | 

Details

Purpose:

Urban Greening Program will fund projects that reduce greenhouse gases while also transforming the built environment into places that are more sustainable, enjoyable, and effective in creating healthy and vibrant communities. These projects will establish and enhance parks and open space, using natural solutions to improve air and water quality and reducing energy consumption, and creating more walkable and bike-able trails.

Description:

 

Eligible urban greening projects will reduce GHG emissions, mitigate the effects of extreme heat, and provide multiple additional benefits, including, but not limited to, a decrease in air and water pollution or a reduction in the consumption of natural resources and energy.

In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, SB 859 requires all projects to achieve measurable benefits. Per statute, all projects must do at least one of the following-

• Acquire, create, enhance, or expand community parks and green spaces, and/or

• Use natural systems or systems that mimic natural systems to achieve multiple benefits

Additional points will be given to projects that meet two of the following:

1. Provides park or recreational benefits to a critically underserved community or disadvantaged community

2. Proposed by a critically underserved community or disadvantaged community

3. Develops partnerships with local community organizations and businesses in order to strengthen outreach to disadvantaged communities, provides access to quality jobs for residents of disadvantaged communities, or provides access to workforce education and training

4. Uses interagency cooperation and integration

5. Uses existing public lands and facilitates the use of public resources and investments, including schools

This program intends to award funding to disadvantaged communities with a minimum of 75% of funds to projects located within and benefiting disadvantaged communities.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants:

  • Nonprofit
  • Public Agency

Funds will be awarded to a city, county, special district, nonprofit organization, or an agency/entity formed under the Joint Exercise of Powers Act [Chapter 5 (Section 6500) of Division 7 of Title 1] if at least one of the parties to the joint powers agreement qualifies as an eligible applicant, notwithstanding the Joint Exercise of Powers Act. CA Native American tribal governments are eligible if they have a nonprofit corporation as defined.

Eligible Geographies:

Statewide. Priority will be given to projects that are in and serve disadvantaged communities.  If a project does not qualify as a disadvantaged community, it must be located in an urban area.  An urban area is defined as a geographic area designated or defined as urban by an applicable plan covering the project area, including, but not limited to general plans, specific plans, or community plans. 

Important Dates

The date (and time, where applicable) by which all applications must be submitted to the grantmaker. Time listed as “00:00” equates to midnight.
The date on which the grantor expects to announce the recipient(s) of the grant.
Fall 2024
The length of time during which the grant money must be utilized.
Fall 2024 to 2027

Funding Details

The total projected dollar amount of the grant.
$23,700,000
A single grant opportunity may represent one or many awards. Some grantors may know in advance the exact number of awards to be given. Others may indicate a range. Some may wish to and wait until the application period closes before determining how many awards to offer; in this case, a value of “Dependent” will display.
Dependent
Grant opportunities representing multiple awards may offer awards in the same amount or in varied amounts. Some may wish to wait until the application period closes before determining per-award amounts; in this case, a value of “Dependent” will display.
Dependent
Certain grants require that the recipient(s) provide a letter of intent.
No
Certain grants require that the recipient(s) be able to fully or partially match the grant award amount with another funding source.
No
The funding source allocated to fund the grant. It may be either State or Federal (or a combination of both), and be tied to a specific piece of legislation, a proposition, or a bond number.
  • State

Funding Source Notes:

SB 859 created the California Natural Resources Agency’s Urban Greening Program, funded by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to support the development of green infrastructure projects that reduce GHG emissions and provide multiple benefits. The Budget Act of 2022, as amended by the Budget Act of 2023 allocated $25 million from the General Fund to the Agency for its Urban Greening Program.

The manner in which the grant funding will be delivered to the awardee. Funding methods include reimbursements (where the recipient spends out-of-pocket and is reimbursed by the grantor) and advances (where the recipient spends received grant funds directly).
  • Advances & Reimbursement(s)

Funding Method Notes:

Generally, payments will be made on a reimbursement basis. This means the Grantee pays for services, products, or supplies; submits invoices and proof of payment; and is then reimbursed by the State. For acquisition projects, the State-approved purchase price, together with eligible acquisition costs, may be advanced into an escrow account within 60 days of close of escrow. All disbursements are subject to a ten percent (10%) retention. 

 

How to Apply

State agencies/departments recommend you read the full grant guidelines before applying.

Resources