Billions of Dollars Are Available for Communities
We are in a unique time in California history, where billions of dollars in public investment are available for projects to create healthier, more equitable, and more sustainable communities. The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, Prop 68, Prop 3, and SB 1 are all sources of significant funding. In addition, state legislation mandates that a significant portion of these funds be directed to disadvantaged communities.
But Accessing These Funds Can Be Daunting
Winning these new and evolving funding sources is another story. Too often, the small and low-income communities that most need investment do not have the resources to compete for these funds. For some, there is a lack of information about public dollars available; for others, there is not enough capacity to take on what can be onerous application processes.
New Approach Seeks to Connect Communities with Resources
A recent partnership between The California Endowment and Resources Legacy Fund provided support to the Local Government Commission (LGC) to help communities overcome this challenge. On our funder-only webinar earlier this week, these partners announced the launch of a new funding navigation program to help California communities access and compete for these much-needed dollars: Funding Navigation for California Communities.
At www.FundingResource.org, you can get a snapshot of potential funding sources with curated content to help users quickly assess the timing, resources, and partnerships need to apply, plus the level of difficulty and competitiveness of a grant. The program covers a wide range of funding categories including: Active Transportation; Drinking Water Supply and Quality; Local Street Repair; Parks; Public Transit and Shared Mobility; and Wastewater Management.
A consultation and report then follow, with recommendations for the best funding programs to pursue, next steps to making a project proposal-ready, plus experts and grant writers to assist with proposal development and application preparation. Technical assistance is available in both English and Spanish.
Funders: Spread the Word!
Public funding opportunities like these in California “offer tens of billions of dollars to help leverage your foundation’s investments,” said Corey Brown from Resources Legacy Fund on the webinar. Corey encouraged funders to spread the word.
This resource is incredibly exciting. Responsive, creative, and impact-oriented funder collaboration continues to inspire us here at Smart Growth California.
If you are a funder and would like a recording of the webinar, please contact Kerry Hastings.
