Bellevue Youth Climate Action Fund

The Bellevue Youth Climate Action Fund is a locally administered grant program supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies as part of its broader Youth Climate Action Fund initiative. The program is designed to empower young people to take leadership roles in addressing climate change at the community level. As a designated Bloomberg Sustainable City, Bellevue received a total allocation of 50000 dollars to distribute through microgrants to youth-led teams. The initiative emphasizes grassroots climate action and seeks to engage youth directly in designing and implementing solutions that align with the city’s sustainability priorities. The primary purpose of the fund is to support youth-driven projects that contribute to climate mitigation, resilience, and engagement. Projects must align with one or more focus areas outlined in the Sustainable Bellevue Plan, including climate change, energy and buildings, mobility and land use, waste and materials management, and natural resources. Eligible projects may include activities such as community gardens, recycling initiatives, public awareness campaigns, or programs promoting sustainable transportation. The program encourages creativity while requiring that projects demonstrate measurable environmental or community impact. Funding is provided through microgrants ranging from 1000 to 5000 dollars per project. These funds may be used for materials, supplies, services, and certain participation-related expenses such as transportation and food. Limited administrative costs for fiscal sponsors are also allowed, with a guideline that 15 percent of the project budget be allocated for administrative expenses. However, funds cannot be used for projects already underway, speaker fees, religious programming, indirect costs like rent or utilities, or political and lobbying activities. Additional restrictions include prohibitions on scholarships, direct financial assistance to individuals, and capital campaigns. Eligibility is focused on youth teams consisting of at least three individuals between the ages of 15 and 24. At least one team member must be 18 years or older and either reside in or attend school in Bellevue. Youth must play a central role in all aspects of the project, including planning, proposal development, and implementation. While projects may benefit broader community populations, they must be led and executed by youth teams. Because funds must be disbursed to legally registered entities, applicants are required to work with a fiscal sponsor such as a nonprofit organization, school, or community group that meets specified legal and financial criteria. The application process begins with an optional early interest form, which allows applicants to receive direct access to the application when it opens. Formal applications open on August 15, 2026, and are accepted on a rolling basis until October 1, 2026. The city provides application support through workshops held in late August and early September, offering guidance on project design and proposal development. Applicants must submit project proposals detailing their planned activities, expected impact, and alignment with program goals. Applications are evaluated based on their potential to deliver meaningful environmental or community outcomes and their alignment with the Sustainable Bellevue Plan. Successful applicants will be notified and receive funding in November 2026. Grant recipients are required to submit regular reports and documentation of expenditures, ensuring accountability and transparency throughout the project lifecycle. The program emphasizes both impact and youth engagement as key evaluation criteria. For additional information or inquiries, applicants may contact the program via the official email address. The program operates within a defined timeline, with key milestones including an early engagement phase prior to application opening, a defined application window, and a post-award implementation period. While the program is tied to a specific funding allocation, its structure suggests potential recurrence depending on continued support from Bloomberg Philanthropies and local sustainability initiatives.

Ensure strong alignment with Sustainable Bellevue Plan priorities and clearly demonstrate measurable environmental or community impact; engage youth meaningfully in all project stages