Youth Climate Action Fund

The District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) is accepting applications for the DOEE Youth Climate Action Fund, a local microgrant initiative supporting youth-led climate action in Washington, DC. Washington, DC was selected by Bloomberg Philanthropies as one of the cities participating in the Youth Climate Action Fund initiative, and the Request for Applications states that the work was made possible through the support of the Youth Climate Action Fund, a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. The program is designed to provide young District residents ages 15 through 24 with resources to develop and implement climate initiatives. Each proposed project must be proposed, designed, led, and implemented by at least two young people in that age range in cooperation with an eligible sponsor organization. Funds are paid to the sponsor organization, while the participating youth are responsible for the project budget. Projects must align with the District's sustainability and climate plans and must emphasize youth leadership while addressing at least one of four themes: art, action, research, or education. Each project must identify at least one measurable output and one measurable outcome, with a numerical target for each. Eligible examples include climate education and awareness; environmental health research and data collection; resilience and adaptation efforts addressing issues such as water quality or heatwaves; green infrastructure, reforestation, and environmental protection; sustainable agriculture and food systems; circular economy projects; sustainable waste management; and sustainable transportation. Projects must be feasible and fully completed by April 15, 2027. A total of $40,000 is available. Individual microgrants range from $1,000 to $5,000 per project, and approximately eight awards are expected. A single eligible organization may receive up to three microgrants when they support separate projects. Eligible costs include project supplies and materials; equipment, tools, art supplies, and technology directly needed for the project; community event, workshop, or educational session costs; necessary permits; reasonable ground transportation; promotional and project-documentation costs; and reasonable training and mentorship fees. Administrative costs charged for administering a youth microgrant may not exceed 15 percent of the grant value. Capital investments may not exceed 50 percent of the microgrant and must be an essential part of the youth-led project. Small participation expenses such as food per diems or gift cards may be allowed when reasonable but may not constitute the majority of a grant. Ineligible costs include expenses already covered by city initiatives, general rent or utilities except where otherwise allowed, nonprofit incorporation fees, speaker honoraria or fees, scholarships, direct support to individuals or families, partisan political activity, lobbying, voter registration, commercial activities, capital campaigns, endowments, payments to government officials, unrelated events or fundraisers, and regranting or sub-granting. Eligible recipients are nonprofit or charitable sponsor organizations, including youth-led organizations, youth-serving organizations, community organizations, faith-based organizations, and non-public universities. Organizations and universities must be legally registered in the District of Columbia, recognized as nonprofit or charitable organizations under local law, and maintain a bank account in the organization's name. Private companies, individuals, political parties, and party-affiliated organizations are ineligible. Selected applicants must provide a Tax Exempt Affirmation Letter, Certificate of Clean Hands, and proof of Commercial General Liability insurance naming the District as an Additional Insured within one week of selection. Organizations working with youth under age 18 must also provide evidence of Sexual/Physical Abuse and Molestation insurance naming the District as an Additional Insured and maintain complete criminal background checks for staff working with minors. DOEE may require additional insurance depending on project activities. Applicants must also agree to the three appendices covering microgrant terms and conditions; promises, certifications, assertions, and assurances; and image release, consent, and indemnification terms. Applications opened August 28, 2026 and must be submitted through DOEE's online application form by 11:59 p.m. EST on October 10, 2026. DOEE accepts clarification questions at doee.ycaf@dc.gov until 5:00 p.m. five calendar days before the application deadline, which corresponds to October 5, 2026. An optional information session is scheduled for September 16, 2026, and an optional technical assistance session is scheduled for September 23, 2026. Attendance at either session does not affect application scoring. The RFA does not enumerate every question contained in the online application form, but it requires applicants to demonstrate project alignment, youth leadership, feasibility, measurable outputs and outcomes, and a clear budget. DOEE will evaluate proposals based on relevance to the local climate action plan, the role of young people, feasibility and planning, budget clarity, and impact, for a maximum of 54 points. DOEE also reserves the right to diversify project types and locations to provide distinct opportunities and reach a broad range of District neighborhoods. Initial screening, scoring, and selections are scheduled for October 11 through October 23, 2026. Awards are expected to be announced, agreements issued, and projects begun during November 2 through November 13, 2026. The grant period runs from November 2026 through April 15, 2027. All grantees must attend a virtual orientation, become DIFS Suppliers to receive project funds, and participate in monthly 30-minute check-in calls with DOEE, with at least one check-in conducted as a site visit or virtual project walkthrough. A final project report is due April 30, 2027 and must include the number of youth volunteers, the final project budget, and the number of outputs and measured outcomes. Grantees must also attend an in-person closing and celebration event. The RFA does not state that this opportunity recurs annually or on another regular schedule.

Directly connect the proposal to DC climate priorities; clearly describe how youth will lead the project and identify their roles and responsibilities; present a realistic plan that can be completed by April 15, 2027; submit a clear budget; define at least one measurable output and one measurable outcome with numerical targets; consider that DOEE may diversify project types and locations to reach a broad range of District neighborhoods.