Urban Greening Grant Program

The Urban Greening Grant Program is administered by the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), a state agency responsible for managing and protecting California’s natural, cultural, and environmental resources. The program is funded through the voter-approved Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 (Proposition 4), also referred to as the Climate Bond. This bond allocates funding to projects that address climate change impacts across the state, including urban heat mitigation and environmental resilience. The Urban Greening Grant Program specifically focuses on funding projects that use nature-based solutions to reduce the impacts of extreme heat in urban communities. The primary objective of the program is to support development projects that mitigate the urban heat island effect, rising temperatures, and extreme heat impacts. Eligible projects include activities such as planting trees for shade, expanding green spaces, creating green streets and alleyways, and installing green stormwater infrastructure. These projects are expected to provide multiple co-benefits, including carbon sequestration, stormwater management, biodiversity enhancement, and public health improvements. The program emphasizes long-term climate resilience and alignment with statewide climate goals, including the Extreme Heat Action Plan and Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets. Funding for the 2026 grant cycle totals approximately 46,125,000 dollars for Round 1, with overall program funding reaching approximately 100 million dollars across two cycles. Individual grant awards range from a minimum of 200,000 dollars to a maximum of 5,000,000 dollars. At least 75 percent of awarded funds must be used for construction-related costs, while up to 25 percent may be used for non-construction activities such as planning, design, permitting, and community engagement. Projects must be located in urban areas, provide public benefit, and ensure public access. Planning-only projects, land acquisition, and active recreation facilities are not eligible. Eligible applicants include a wide range of public and nonprofit entities such as public agencies, local governments, nonprofit organizations, special districts, joint powers authorities, California Native American tribes, and certain utilities and mutual water companies. Applicants must demonstrate site control or ownership by the time of full proposal submission and are required to maintain the project for at least 20 to 25 years depending on the award size. Projects serving disadvantaged or vulnerable communities are prioritized, and at least 40 percent of total funding is reserved for such populations. The application process is competitive and occurs in two phases. Applicants must first submit a Concept Proposal through the CNRA’s RAPTR system. For the 2026 cycle, the Concept Proposal solicitation opens on May 4, 2026, and closes on June 4, 2026. Selected applicants will then be invited to submit a Full Proposal, which includes detailed project documentation and supporting materials. Evaluation criteria include extreme heat impact, community and tribal engagement, alignment with state climate goals, and project readiness. Additional points are awarded for projects that provide direct and meaningful benefits to vulnerable communities, leverage additional funding, or engage conservation corps services. The anticipated timeline for the 2026 grant cycle includes concept proposal review in June, invitations for full proposals in July, and full proposal submissions due in August. Evaluation and site visits occur through October, with final grant awards announced in December 2026. All funded projects must be completed by March 1, 2030, unless otherwise specified. Throughout the process, applicants may access technical assistance workshops and office hours to support proposal development. Applicants are required to submit proposals through the RAPTR system and include detailed project descriptions, eligibility documentation, environmental compliance materials, and supporting evidence of community engagement. Evaluation is based on a 100-point scoring system, combining technical merit and alignment with Climate Bond priorities. For questions or assistance, applicants can contact the Urban Greening team via email at urbangreening@resources.ca.gov or by phone at 916 653-2812.

Projects that clearly demonstrate direct and meaningful benefits to disadvantaged communities and strong climate resilience alignment score higher; prioritize readiness and community engagement