A historic amount of public funding now exists in support of climate-resilient infrastructure in the United States, including parks, green infrastructure, stormwater capture, transportation, and clean energy. Billions are beginning to flow to California through the Federal Inflation Reduction Act, Infrastructure and Jobs Act, and Justice 40. Statewide, California’s historic climate budget, combined with existing countywide funding measures such as Measures W, A, and M, could support community-based projects that help California navigate the increasing challenges associated with climate change. 

Ensuring the implementation of these funds with robust community engagement to support the creation of equitable, resilient, and sustainable communities will not be easy. A key question has emerged: How do you do community-driven planning for the environment for communities to thrive in place? A coordinated and collaborative approach will be needed, and philanthropy will have a crucial role in helping California’s governmental and community organizations successfully obtain and administer these funds. Fortunately, several existing projects have shown what is possible when community-based organizations are resourced with the capacity, technical assistance, and power to bring community visions to reality. Link LA is a successful program that has created much needed greenspace in low-income communities of color. ReDesign LA is another program that has provided critical support to develop specific nature-based solutions to capture stormwater and provide needed native habitat. Equitable community Development Planning Work has also begun along Taylor Yard along the Los Angeles River, and statewide programs like the Transformative Climate Communities program have provided millions to communities across California. 

At this upcoming convening, we’ll discuss how community-driven planning and engagement can help land public funding in a way that supports equitable community development in California. We will explore the opportunities, barriers, and strategies needed to create climate-resilient, green infrastructure without displacement that allows communities to thrive in place. We’ll learn from a set of local stakeholders working on making the vision for resilient communities a reality.

About SCG Environmental Funders Group: 

The SCG Environmental Funders Group meets quarterly to educate prospective and current environmental funders about environmental challenges and opportunities in Southern California and foster collaboration, and share successes and challenges. Please contact Katy Pelissier at katy@socalgrantmakers.org for more information or visit the group’s page on the Southern California Grantmakers’ website.

This program is part of SCG’s 2023 recurring programs. To register for all upcoming dates, please click the “Register for Recurring Dates” button. This feature is only open to members; please contact us if you are a non-member and wish to register for the series at programsrsvp@socalgrantmakers.org or (213) 680-8866.

Recurring Dates:

• May 19, 2023 
• August 18, 2023 
• November 17, 2023