Youth Climate Action Fund

The Youth Climate Action Fund is a locally administered grant program delivered by the City of Savannah through its Office of Sustainability, supported by funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies as part of a global initiative. The program is designed to empower young people to take leadership roles in addressing climate change and environmental challenges within their communities. By allocating a total of fifty thousand dollars to Savannah, the initiative reflects a broader philanthropic effort to foster youth engagement in climate action while supporting cities in advancing sustainability goals through grassroots innovation. The primary purpose of the program is to fund youth led projects that contribute to environmental sustainability, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve community resilience. The fund prioritizes initiatives that are locally relevant and community focused, including but not limited to tree planting, recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation, climate education, and sustainable transportation. Projects must demonstrate clear environmental benefits and align with the overarching goals of the Youth Climate Action Fund, particularly the emphasis on youth leadership and measurable community impact. Funding is distributed in the form of microgrants ranging from one thousand to five thousand dollars per project. These funds are intended to support project implementation costs, with specific limitations on how funds may be used. For example, equipment and capital expenditures cannot exceed fifty percent of the total project budget, ensuring that the majority of funds are directed toward programmatic activities. All expenses must comply with established program guidelines and must be clearly justified in the applicant’s budget. Projects must also maintain a charitable purpose and demonstrate responsible financial management. Eligibility is centered on youth participation, requiring applicants to be between the ages of fifteen and twenty four. While youth must lead the projects, applications must be submitted through or in partnership with an eligible organization capable of receiving and managing grant funds. These organizations may include nonprofit entities, schools, formally established businesses, or other structured groups with a bank account and financial oversight capacity. Youth groups that are not formally incorporated may still apply by working with a fiscal sponsor that can administer funds on their behalf. All proposed projects must take place within the City of Savannah and primarily benefit its residents. The application process requires applicants to complete a formal application form, including a detailed project description and a simple budget outlining planned expenditures. Applications are submitted during a defined open call period and must meet all eligibility and compliance requirements to advance. Following submission, the City of Savannah conducts an initial review to confirm eligibility, after which a selection panel evaluates qualified applications based on alignment with program goals and overall project quality. Applicants whose submissions do not meet minimum criteria are notified, while successful applicants proceed to funding consideration. The program timeline begins with an application period running from early August through mid September, followed by a review and selection phase. Award notifications are expected in mid October, after which funded projects begin implementation. The project performance period extends from the fall through mid April of the following year, culminating in the completion and public sharing of results. This structured timeline ensures that projects are executed within a defined window while allowing sufficient time for meaningful community impact. Applicants have access to additional support resources, including an information session hosted by the Office of Sustainability to explain eligibility, application procedures, and program expectations. Questions can be submitted through a designated contact form, with responses provided by program staff. Overall, the Youth Climate Action Fund represents a targeted effort to mobilize young leaders in Savannah to develop and implement innovative solutions to local environmental challenges, while building capacity for long term civic engagement in sustainability initiatives.

Ensure strong youth leadership and clear community environmental impact; align project with climate goals; provide realistic budget within spending rules