Past
Clean Energy Climate
Grant

2026 USGBC-CA Environmental Justice Project Request for Proposals

Deadline:
August 17, 2026

Deadline Extended

Total Funding
Not specified
Maximum Award
$10,000
Overview

The USGBC California Annual Environmental Justice Project (EJP) bridges social justice and environmental resilience, addressing how climate change disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities. Historical inequalities like segregation and pollution placement have created disparities in California and beyond. Enhancing equity is key to building sustainable cities for all. This project empowers local communities to lead initiatives that promote sustainability and social justice, driving real change.

Funder

U.S. Green Building Council, California (USGBC-CA)

Resources

Applications Due

August 17, 2026

Deadline Extended

Total Funding

Not specified

Funding Source

Nonprofit

Maximum Award

$10,000

Award Details

  • $10,000 in funding
  • Technical and strategic support from USGBC-CA’s professional network
  • Increased visibility through USGBC-CA platforms

Applicants are also encouraged to seek additional funding through sponsorships or fundraising to expand impact.

Eligibility

This cycle accepts up to four proposals from the following regions: Central Coast, Greater LA, Inland Empire, and Redwood Empire.

Eligible Activities

A resilience project helps buildings, landscapes, communities, and regions better respond to natural and manmade shocks and stressors, such as sea level rise, increased frequency of heat waves, or civil unrest. A building or occupant health project leverages the built environment to proactively improve the health of the people inside or impacted by using healthy materials, improving air quality, or expanding access to light, clean water, or green space. A project that is innovative in conservation showcases thought-provoking and potentially catalytic approaches to reducing energy, water, waste, or carbon in our built environment.

Environmental Justice Project proposals should address at least one or more of the following category areas: Resilience, Building and Occupant Health, or Innovation in Conservation.

Your project should incorporate at least one of the sustainable building focus areas below:

  • Sites
  • Water
  • Energy
  • Materials
  • Health & Wellness
  • Social Equity
  • Air Quality
  • Transportation
  • Resilience
  • Other

Notable Requirements

Up to six visual representations of the project and site; resume/CV or 200-word biography of key personnel with projects completed.

Preferences

The Environmental Justice Project Committee selects the annual grant recipient, ensuring projects have strong community support, educational value, sustainability, and replicability. The Committee also provides guidance, volunteer support, and resources to help each project succeed.

Proposals must address and include the following mandatory criteria: Deliverable on budget and on time by December 2027 (25 points), Addresses resilience, building and occupant health, or innovation in conservation (25 points), Serves varied socio-economic backgrounds and is community supported (20 points), Contains an educational aspect (20 points), Project location is publicly accessible or includes a plan to allow and encourage public access to the project (20 points), Permanent and enduring (10 points), Easily maintained over time (10 points), Scalable and/or replicable (10 points), Inspirational (5 points), and Vibrant (5 points) for 150 total possible points.

How to Apply

Proposals must be submitted electronically via the 2026 Environmental Justice Project RFP Response web form.

Air QualityEnergy EfficiencyHealthPollutionWater

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