Community Resilience Centers Round 2 PLANNING Grant (FY 26-27)

The Community Resilience Centers Program is administered by the California Strategic Growth Council, a state-level entity housed within the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation. The program was created to address increasing climate-related risks such as extreme heat, wildfires, drought, and public health emergencies affecting communities across California. Through this initiative, the Council aims to strengthen both physical and social infrastructure by funding projects that improve local resilience, particularly in communities that have historically experienced underinvestment and disproportionate environmental burdens. The Planning Grant component of the program is designed to support communities in the early stages of developing Community Resilience Centers. These centers are intended to serve as neighborhood-based hubs that provide emergency shelter and resources during climate events while also delivering year-round programming that enhances community well-being and preparedness. The planning grants focus on building the foundational elements necessary for future implementation funding, including site identification, feasibility assessments, and community engagement processes that reflect local priorities. Funding for Planning Grants ranges from 100000 to 500000 dollars per award, with approximately 5 million dollars allocated for this category in the current funding round. These funds may be used for a wide range of planning activities, including community needs assessments, partnership development, feasibility studies, architectural and engineering design, environmental review processes, and development of resilience-related plans such as climate adaptation or emergency response plans. However, funds cannot be used for land acquisition or construction activities. The grant term is typically two years, with potential extensions granted on a case-by-case basis. Eligible applicants include a broad set of California-based entities such as public agencies, local governments, nonprofit organizations, special districts, Tribes, and certain utilities. Each Planning Grant application must include at least one partner organization, and applicants are required to establish a collaborative governance structure that includes community members and stakeholders. The program places a strong emphasis on community engagement and requires grantees to develop a Community Engagement Plan within six months and a formal governance agreement within the first year of the grant term. The application process is conducted through an online platform and involves submission of detailed planning proposals during a defined application window. For the current round, applications open in early July and close in early September. Applications are reviewed through a multi-stage process that includes eligibility screening, scoring based on program criteria, and potential follow-up for missing documentation. Final award decisions are expected in spring following the review period, after which selected applicants enter a post-award consultation phase to refine their project scope and finalize grant agreements. Evaluation criteria focus on the strength of community engagement, feasibility of proposed planning activities, alignment with program objectives, and the extent to which projects benefit priority populations such as low-income communities, rural areas, and Tribal communities. The program also prioritizes geographic diversity and equity considerations in funding decisions. Technical assistance is available to applicants throughout the process, and interested parties may request support prior to submitting their applications. The Planning Grant is part of a recurring funding program supported by California’s Climate Bond, indicating future funding rounds are anticipated. Applicants are encouraged to align their planning efforts with long-term implementation goals, as successful planning projects are expected to position communities for future capital investment in resilience infrastructure. The program ultimately seeks to create a statewide network of resilience centers that enhance preparedness, reduce vulnerability, and promote equitable outcomes in the face of climate challenges.

Focus heavily on community engagement and demonstrate readiness for future implementation funding as this is a key evaluation priority