Funding Wizard

The program provides application assistance, partnership development and capacity building activities for eligible California Climate Investments applicants and is administered by the Strategic Growth Council to create more equitable opportunities by helping under-resourced applicants access funding.

The California Climate Investments Technical Assistance Program supports communities in applying to the California Climate Investments (CCI) funding programs. Created in 2016, the program aims to level the playing field for applicants that may lack the capacity to successfully access these funds, particularly those in that live in the state’s most disadvantaged communities. The Strategic Growth Council (SGC) works alongside a number of State agencies that implement CCI programs to provide application assistance, partnership development and capacity building activities to eligible applicants, enabling them to positively impact their communities. 

Each California Climate Investments program has its own set of goals and intended outcomes, meaning specific technical expertise is often required. In order to provide assistance that is tailored to each program, the SGC has divided resources amongst many of the agencies that administer programs. In many cases, technical assistance is provided through a partnership between state agencies and outside organizations with expertise in each program’s focus. A description of each of the participating CCI programs is listed below.

The SAFER program supports permanent and sustainable drinking water solutions that ensure all Californians have access to safe, affordable, and reliable drinking water.

The primary purpose of the SAFER program is to bring true environmental justice to California and address the continuing disproportionate environmental burdens in the state by creating a fund that will assist in providing safe drinking water in every California community, for every Californian.  SAFER funds will help water systems provide a safe, accessible, and affordable supply of drinking water to communities in both the near and long terms by accelerating implementation of short- and long-term drinking water solutions, moving water systems to more efficient modes of operation, providing short-term operation and maintenance support as a bridge until long-term sustainable solutions are in place, and providing long-term operation and maintenance support when necessary.

The program was established from the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water (SADW) Fund through Senate Bill 200 (SB200) in 2019. The Fund will provide $130 million per year that will be used to ensure that one million Californians who currently lack safe drinking water receive safe & affordable drinking water as quickly as possible. The SAFER program also aims to reach sustainable operations for all of the state’s drinking water systems and is a critical element for achieving the goals of safe, accessible, and affordable water for all Californians.

Projects and/or services that are eligible for Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Funds must address: 1) existing or potential water quality compliance issues;  2) Technical, Managerial, or Financial capacity deficiencies that prevent a system from sustainably providing safe and affordable drinking water; and 3) improvements to public water systems, community water systems, state small water systems and domestic wells that are in violation or considered at-risk.

The Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) promotes clean vehicle adoption by offering rebates of up to $7,000 for the purchase or lease of new, eligible zero-emission vehicles, including electric, plug-in hybrid electric and fuel cell vehicles. As long as funds are available, eligible California residents can follow a simple process to apply for a CVRP rebate after purchasing or leasing an eligible vehicle.

Through the California Climate Investments (CCI​) Fire Prevention Grant Program, CAL FIRE aims to reduce the risk of wildland fires to habitable structures and communities, while maximizing carbon sequestration in healthy wildland habitat and minimizing the uncontrolled release of emissions emitted by wildfires.

Project Types and Activities – The three qualifying projects and activities include those related to hazardous fuel reduction and removal of dead, dying, or diseased trees, fire prevention planning, and fire prevention education. Examples of qualifying projects and activities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Hazardous Fuel Reduction
• Fire Prevention Education
• Fire Prevention Planning

All project and activity work related to grants must be completed by March 15, 2025 or March 15, 2026, depending on the source of the funds awarded.

A Green Business Program is a community building program. A Green Business recognition program is a positive bridge between government agencies and businesses. It can be a powerful incentive for businesses to take advantage of government assistance to conserve resources and save money. It also engages the public to patronize businesses that operate more sustainably. The Green Business Program can also help government agencies meet City/County sustainability goals through GHG reductions, resource conservation mandates. These goals might those mandated in a Climate Action Plan or outlined in solid waste diversion or water conservation targets. A Green Business Program can also improve environmental compliance by encouraging businesses to adopt numerous “beyond compliance” related to waste reduction, pollution prevention, and water conservation.

Here’s some of what you get from CAGBN if your region is selected for funding:

• $30,000 first year funding;
• Training, mentorship and support;
• Waive your first year member fees to the network;
• Recruitment resources;
• Marketing: adwords, key business outlets, social media;
• Window Clings, certificates to give to certified businesses;
• Web based tracking system (green business program in-a-box);
• Sector specific checklists;
• Collaboration with peers and;
• Likely ongoing funding that exceeds member dues.

The Affordable Multifamily Financing program targets multifamily properties where at least 50% of the units are income restricted.

Like all of the programs highlighted on GoGreen Financing, the Affordable Multifamily Financing program is designed to encourage growth in private market lending and features a credit enhancement to help financing entities mitigate risk. It is designed to leverage and complement existing state and utility efforts to encourage affordable multifamily properties to install energy efficiency retrofits.

Property must receive electric and/or gas service from any of the following investor-owned utilities (IOU):

• Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E®)
• San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E®)
• Southern California Edison (SCE®)
• Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas®)

The Residential Energy Efficiency Loan (REEL) program was designed to help California homeowners and renters access affordable financing for energy efficiency projects.

Owners of any residential property are eligible for the REEL program, as are renters at the discretion of the lender and with the property owner’s permission. Customers may upgrade a single-family home, townhome, condo, duplex, triplex, fourplex or manufactured home. And, with REEL, renovations for up to four units can be bundled into the same loan.

Eligibility requires that the property receive electric or natural gas service from Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E®), San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E®), Southern California Edison (SCE®) or Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas®). For complete program rules and regulatory information, please reference the REEL Program Regulations+.

Reduce before you produce! The REEL program prioritizes energy reduction (through energy efficiency) over energy production. At this time, lenders are not offering solar loans through the REEL program.

With different lenders and loan options, there’s a REEL solution for your home improvement needs.

Corpsmembers aged 18 – 25 years old complete a year of paid service and receive on-the-job training while completing projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Energy Corps projects include energy efficiency audits and retrofits. Individuals can apply to participate in the Energy Corps and organizations can apply to provide projects for the Energy Corps.

The Small Business Financing (SBF) program offers affordable options to help California businesses shrink their energy bills and carbon footprints.

Administered by the State of California with support from the state’s investor-owned utilities, the SBF program is a flexible way to upgrade your business and save.

Program benefits

•  Finance 100% of project costs
•  Broad list of qualifying measures
•  Financing may be used for non-energy upgrades
•  Finance a simple replacement or a comprehensive building upgrade
•  Quick approval
•  Attractive terms

Corpsmembers aged 18 – 25 years old complete a year of paid service and receive on-the-job training while completing projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  California Conservation Corps (CCC) projects include reforestation, forest fuel reduction, habitat restoration, urban greening and community forestry.

Individuals can apply to participate in the Forest Health CCC program and organizations can apply to provide projects for the Forest Health CCC program.