Business and Workforce Development 2025 Q1

The Business and Workforce Development 2025 Q1 Grant is part of the California Climate Investments (CCI) initiative, which is funded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The initiative seeks to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while simultaneously enhancing the economy, improving public health, and benefiting both the environment and disadvantaged communities. This specific funding round, named Business and Workforce Development 2025 Q1, aims to provide grants that support projects aligning with these objectives, with particular emphasis on providing benefits to low-income communities and households. The funding is part of a broader effort by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to promote sustainable business practices and workforce development in the context of climate change mitigation and resilience. The eligible applicants for this grant include local government agencies, academic institutions, Native American tribes, nonprofit organizations, private sector entities, schools and school districts, as well as state government agencies. This wide range of eligible entities reflects the comprehensive and inclusive approach of the California Climate Investments initiative. There are no specific regional or geographic restrictions, but applicants must align their projects with the grant’s overarching goals. The total funding available for the grant is up to $5 million, with individual awards ranging from $5,000 to $5 million, depending on the scale and scope of the proposed project. The matching requirement for this grant is recommended but not mandatory, and applicants may choose to provide either cash or in-kind contributions as part of their matching funds. This flexibility is intended to allow a wide array of applicants to participate, regardless of their specific financial capacities. Applications for the 2025 Q1 grant round will open on February 20, 2025, and close on April 26, 2025. While there is no specific pre-application deadline, applicants are encouraged to review the detailed guidelines available under the "Files" tab and on the CAL FIRE website. These guidelines contain crucial information for understanding the program's objectives, eligible activities, and evaluation criteria. Applicants must submit their proposals within this time frame to be considered for funding. The grant’s focus is on business and workforce development initiatives that can contribute to California’s climate goals. This includes projects that create or support job opportunities in sustainable industries, promote climate resilience, or advance the use of bioenergy and wood products in ways that align with state climate priorities. As such, the applications will be assessed based on how well they address these key areas. Applicants seeking more information or assistance can contact the program via email. The program’s primary contacts are Justin Britton, Wood Products Operations, and Jason Butcher, Wood Products Planning, both of whom can be reached via their CAL FIRE email addresses for further guidance. For a more in-depth overview of the application process, the CAL FIRE Wood Products and Bioenergy website should be consulted.