Category: Building Science

Description: The Clif Bar Family Foundation provides grants in support of grassroots organizations in the areas of the environment, food and agriculture, preventative approach to people’s health, and sustainable community development. Grants are awarded for general organizational support as well as funding for specific projects. Priority will be given to applicants that address two or more funding priorities at the same time (which include strengthening the nation’s food system, enhancing equitable community health outcomes, and safeguarding the environment and natural resources), demonstrate strong community ties, and operate within viable and clearly defined plans for positive change.

Award: unspecified

Eligibility: U.S.-based 501(c)3 organizations

Deadline: Oct. 1, 2021; grants reviewed three times a year, Feb. 1, June 1, Oct. 1

Description: The California Resilience Challenge is a statewide effort, led by businesses, utilities, and a diverse range of partners, to build local and regional climate resilience and to support a shared vision for a resilient California in the face of increasing climate threats. The Challenge is providing grants for diverse, replicable and innovative climate change adaptation planning projects across California. These projects will reflect California’s diverse geography and showcase leadership in climate change adaptation. Eligible projects will consist of planning projects that are targeted at improving local or regional resilience to one or more of the following four climate challenges and water and air quality impacts of the foregoing: drought, flooding, including from sea level rise, extreme heat and increasing frequency of hot days, and wildfire. Please see RFP for full details.

Award: $100,000-200,000

Eligibility: California-based non-government organizations, including community-based organizations, representing under-resourced communities are encouraged to apply, as are local California public entities that represent under-resourced communities. See website for more info on eligible applicants. and communities.

Deadline: 5 pm PT, Sept. 13, 2021

Description: The California Environmental Grassroots Fund supports small grassroots groups across California that are tackling tough environmental problems including toxic pollution, urban sprawl, sustainable agriculture, climate change, environmental degradation of our rivers and wild places, as well as, of our communities and our health. Guided by a board of community activists and veteran funders, the Fund’s mission is to bridge a significant gap between grassroots environmental groups and the traditional funding patterns of organized philanthropy by awarding small grants to small organizations that are underserved by most foundations’ funding strategies. Issues supported include but are not limited to environmental health & justice, land management & urban sprawl, habitat & wilderness protection, sustainable forestry, water resources, agriculture, sustainability, and pollution. 

Award: Up to $5,000

Eligibility: Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria: project impact must be within California; organization must have annual income/expenses of $100k or less; and applicants may be a nonprofit, be fiscally sponsored by another nonprofit, or ask for fiscal sponsorship from the fund. See website for full eligibility details.

Deadline: The Grassroots Fund has an application deadline every three months. Applications must be submitted by 5 pm on the deadline date of: Feb. 1, May 1, Aug. 1, and Nov. 1. If the deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or official holiday, then submissions are due at 5pm on the next business day. 

Description: New Earth Foundation seeks to fund innovative projects that enhance life on our planet and brighten the future, furthering peace. Smaller, newer 501(c)(3) organizations are the focus of grants given, so that the foundation’s gift can make a more significant contribution to the work of the recipient organization. NEF grants support a wide variety of projects in many fields of endeavor, including but not limited to environmental initiatives that are working to help eliminate pollution and to save the planet’s ecosystems, community efforts that create models of social sustainability, educational innovations that prepare youth to become the socially responsible leaders of the future, and strategies that offer economic improvement and opportunities. NEF particularly appreciates projects that are replicable so that excellent ideas and work can multiply and benefit many.

Award: Unspecified

Eligibility: Non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax status 

Deadline: LOI due July 1

Description: The Bank of American Charitable Foundation works to develop strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations working to address issues fundamental to economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities. The foundation welcomes proposals that address economic mobility in a community context, with a focus on affordable housing, small business, and neighborhood revitalization. Examples include housing development for vulnerable population through the construction or preservation of affordable single, multi-family, transitional, and supportive housing; sustainable development efforts creating healthy living environments through energy efficiency upgrades, retrofits, solar and other green building efforts; transit-oriented development efforts; community arts and cultural institutions that provide economic opportunity and contribute to the vitality and livability of communities; and environmental efforts through the preservation, creation or restoration of open space, parks, and community gardens. See website for more info.

Award: $5,000-50,000 in larger markets; $2,500-25,000 in smaller markets.

Eligibility: Open to organizations with tax-exempt status under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and note classified as a private foundation. See website for full eligibility. details.

Deadline: Applications accepted May 31-June 25, 2021