What You Need to Know: 
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) awarded a record $20.9 million from the Community Air Grants program to 43 nonprofit community groups and four Tribes to carry out a total of 51 projects. Funded by cap-and-trade dollars, these projects support air monitoring and pollution reduction in California’s most impacted regions. Community Air Grants, help build capacity and partnerships to reduce air pollution in the communities that need it the most in California.  

SACRAMENTO — In a record-setting investment to strengthen community-led air quality efforts, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has awarded $20.9 million to 51 projects statewide in the latest round of its Community Air Grants program — doubling the amount awarded in previous years. 

The grant awards — the largest total amount in the program’s history — will support 43 community-based organizations and four California Native American Tribes in building local capacity to identify and reduce sources of harmful air pollution. Funded through the state’s Cap-and-Trade Program, these awards support projects in some of California’s most pollution-burdened regions, including Sacramento, the Central Valley, Los Angeles, the Bay Area, San Diego, and the Imperial Valley. 

Why it matters: 
The Community Air Grants program is part of California’s nation-leading effort to empower residents in frontline communities to protect public health by tracking local air quality and shaping air pollution reduction strategies. The Cycle 5 awards represent the fifth round of funding for the Community Air Grants program and mark a milestone in its expanding reach and impact. 

“These investments are helping make California communities healthier and more livable—especially in neighborhoods that have long faced the greatest air quality challenges,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “By supporting community-driven solutions, we’re building local capacity to improve air quality and quality of life where it's needed most.” 

Under CARB’s new Blueprint 2.0, the Community Air Grants program is expanding to serve more communities that have been consistently nominated for air quality support. This evolution aligns with CARB’s commitments to racial equity, inclusion, and environmental justice. 

Highlighted initiatives supported by Cycle 5 funding:  

• Breathe Southern California (Los Angeles County) 
  Conducting an air quality assessment in Sun Valley to develop a community-led Local Community Emissions Reduction Plan (L-CERP) that includes public engagement, education, and installation of 10 new air quality monitors.  

• Californians for Pesticide Reform (San Joaquin Valley & Central Coast) 
  Studying farmworker exposure to agricultural pesticides using air monitors and silicone wristbands. Data will be shared with participants and used to raise awareness about pesticide air pollution. 

• Coalition for Clean Air (Statewide: Sacramento, LA, San Diego) 
  Hosting “All About Air Quality” bootcamps to train 210 community members across three cities, plus four follow-up online forums for ongoing education and support. 

• Just Cities Institute (Vallejo & East Palo Alto) 
  Partnering with local organizations to deliver environmental justice training, build capacity, and produce the “Transformative Air Justice Planning Guide” in multiple languages. 

• Marie Harrison Community Foundation (Bayview Hunters Point, San Francisco) 
  Implementing a localized air monitoring study in partnership with the Bay Area Air District. The project also provides STEM career training to local youth. 

• UNIDOS Network (Kings County: Armona, Kettleman City, Stratford) 
  Deploying air monitors, drones, and providing air monitoring training in rural communities. Six residents will be certified as FAA drone operators. 

• Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians (San Diego County) 
  Partnering with the Pala Band of Mission Indians to install air pollution sensors and conduct technical training for Tribal staff to increase local air monitoring capacity. 

The Community Air Grants 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. 

These transformative projects are at the heart of CARB’s mission to create a cleaner, greener future for all Californians, driving innovation, equity, and economic opportunity. Discover how these community catalyst efforts are reshaping air quality across California by visiting CARB’s Community Air Grants Program webpage.