Funding Opportunities
Contact
The Funding Workbook for all California Tribes
In March 2024, California Climate Investments launched the Funding Workbook for All California Tribes (Funding Workbook). The Funding Workbook guides Tribal leaders and staff through the funding opportunities available within California Climate Investments, helps assess which programs may fit your Tribe’s needs and priorities, and identifies next steps your Tribe can take to pursue funding. Many programs offered through the California Air Resources Board are highlighted within the Funding Workbook.
The Funding Workbook is meant to support all Tribes and may be of particular interest if your Tribe:
- Is new to State California’s climate programs and could use support in finding programs that are a good fit.
- Does not currently have federal recognition or operates through a nonprofit and you have had difficulty finding programs available to your Tribe.
- Has limited capacity and would benefit from a streamlined way to narrow down the collection of programs offered through California Climate Investments.
- Has Tribal cultural preservation priorities like cultural burning, food sovereignty and cultural medicine, and more, but has a hard time identifying funding opportunities that can support those priorities.
- Likes to stay updated on available resources, even if you are not looking to design projects at this time.
The programs listed below have hundreds of millions of dollars available over the next several years to reduce air pollution across the State. Tribes may apply for funds from these programs to reduce air pollution on tribal lands. While CARB oversees these funding programs overall, some of these programs (such as the Carl Moyer Program) are implemented in partnership with local air districts.
Tribes are eligible to apply for funding in two categories, including educational and technical. Many tribes have received funding for programs. Some examples for the AB 617 program, are described here.
Cal Fleet Advisor
CARB has heard from many tribes statewide that access to and funding support for zero-emission vehicles is an important priority. Cal Fleet Advisor is a no-cost, one-on-one service, that has helped over 300 companies in California with their transition to zero-emission trucks, buses, and vans. Fleets can get information about zero-emissions vehicles, learn how they can save money, and find the best options for their fleet. Enrolling is easy, simply go to the Cal Fleet Advisor website and fill out the form, an advisor will be in contact within 1-2 business days.
AB 617 Community Air Grants
AB 617 Community Air Grants aim to provide support for community-based organizations to participate in the AB 617 process, and to build capacity to become active partners with government to identify, evaluate, and ultimately reduce air pollution and exposure to harmful emissions in their communities.
- Community engagement and outreach related to AB 617
- Hiring consultants and/or technical experts
- Travel and logistical support for hosting and/or attending meetings related to AB 617 (i.e., room rental, meeting facilitation, transportation)
- Support for community operated air monitoring
- Data collection and analysis, including community based participatory research projects
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 hold three pre-application virtual (Zoom) public workshops to help eligible entities develop competitive air grant proposals. Two workshops, scheduled for September 30 and October 8, 2024, will be interactive and focus on the RFA. The third workshop scheduled for October 1, 2024, is designed to guide applicants through the basics of the application process to develop competitive proposals. All workshops will be held on Zoom from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and will include simultaneous Spanish translation services.
Incentives
Financial incentives are a key part of California's efforts to ensure cleaner cars, trucks, equipment and facilities are operating in our neighborhoods. Incentives help drive the development of new, cleaner technologies and, by speeding up their sale and adoption, help clean up the air. A few are:
- California Climate Investments
- Clean Vehicle Rebates
- Hybrid & Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Vouchers
- Clean Cars 4 All
- Carl Moyer Air Quality Attainment Program
- Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions (FARMER) Program
- Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program
- Community Air Protection Incentives
- CARB also provides incentives to homeowners to replace old, polluting stoves with the Woodsmoke Reduction program.
Low Carbon Transportation
Low Carbon Transportation Investments and the Air Quality Improvement Program provide mobile source incentives to reduce greenhouse gas, criteria pollutant, and toxic air contaminant emissions through the deployment of advanced technology and clean transportation, which can include but is not limited to:
- Zero-emission drayage truck and infrastructure pilot project
- Capture and control system for oil tanker projects
- Sustainable transportation equity project (STEP)
- Hybrid and zero-emission truck and bus voucher incentive projects
- Electric bicycle incentive projects
Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs)
CARB's SEP Policy allows community-based projects to be funded from a portion of the penalties received during settlement of enforcement actions.
- Community outreach and engagement
- Pollution prevention or reduction (e.g., vegetative barriers, installation of air filtration systems)
- Community monitoring
- Trans-boundary projects
Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) Grants of 2021 (REAP 2.0)
REAP 2.0 will provide $30 million in funding to Tribal and Rural Entities for Transformative Planning and Implementation Activities that meet Housing and equity goals and reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Per Capita. HCD is the administrator of REAP 2.0 and CARB, as a collaborative state agency partner, has supported HCD with technical questions regarding REAP 2.0 specific to VMT reduction in rural/tribal areas. The application period for funding has now closed. The announcement of awards will be posted when made available.
California Climate Investments (CCI)
CCI puts billions of dollars of Cap-and-Trade auction proceeds to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, improving public health and the environment, and providing meaningful benefits to the most disadvantaged communities and low-income communities and households. There is a tribal focused workbook.
Technical Assistance Toolkit - California Strategic Growth Council (SGC)
The Technical Assistance Toolkit (Formerly “Technical Assistance Guidelines for State Agencies”) has been developed to support California state agencies and other public and private funders in developing technical assistance programs that make a meaningful difference in under-resourced communities. Due to historic and continued under-investment, under-resourced communities often lack the staff capacity, partnerships, or resources to secure competitive funding and implement projects and policies. Technical assistance and capacity building support can be pivotal in leveling the playing field and ensuring that State resources go to the communities that need them the most.