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Urban Greening

Grantor:
CA Natural Resources Agency
Portal ID:
1050
Status:
Closed (76 total applications submitted)
Opportunity Type:
  • Grant
Last Updated:
 | 
Categories:

Details

Purpose:

Support the development of green infrastructure projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide multiple benefits.

Description:

Urban Greening Program will fund projects that reduce greenhouse gases by sequestering carbon, decreasing energy consumption and reducing vehicle miles traveled, 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 improving air and water quality and reducing energy consumption, and creating more walkable and bike-able trails.

All projects are required to show a net GHG benefit and provide multiple other benefits. In order to quantify GHG emission reductions, projects must include at least one of the following project activities:• Sequester and store carbon by planting trees• Reduce building energy use by strategically planting trees to shade buildings• Reduce commute vehicle miles traveled by constructing bicycle paths, bicycle lanes or pedestrian facilities that provide safe routes for travel between residences, workplaces, commercial centers, and schools.

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 community2. Proposed by a critically underserved community or disadvantaged community3. 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 training4. Uses interagency cooperation and integration5. Uses existing public lands and facilitates the use of public resources and investments, including schools

This program intends to award funding to disadvantaged or low-income communities, also known as priority populations, as follows:1. 65 percent to projects located within and benefitting disadvantaged communities (top 25% in CalEnviroScreen 3.0)2. 10 percent to projects located within and benefitting AB 1550 low-income communities (at or below 80 percent of the statewide median income)3. 5 percent to projects located within and benefitting AB 1550 low-income communities that are within a half mile of a disadvantaged community.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants:

  • Nonprofit
  • Public Agency

Grant Funds will be awarded to a city, county, special district, nonprofit organization, or an agency or entity formed pursuant to the Joint Exercise of Powers Act [Chapter 5 (commencing with 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.

Eligible Geographies:

Statewide. Priority will be given to projects that are in and serve disadvantaged and/or low income communities.  If a project does not qualify as a disadvantaged community under CalEnviroScreen 3.0 or a low-income community, it must be located in an urban area. 

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.
Spring 2021
The length of time during which the grant money must be utilized.
Spring 2023

Funding Details

The total projected dollar amount of the grant.
$28,500,000
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 (Agency) Urban Greening Program, funded by theGreenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) to support the development of green infrastructure projects that reduce GHG emissions and provide multiple benefits. In 2018, AB 74 allocated $30 million from the GGRF 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

For questions about this grant, contact:
1-916-653-2812, urbangreening@resources.ca.gov

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