Community Climate Action Grant

Community Climate Action Grants (1)

The Community Climate Action Grant program supports creative local projects that build capacity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Albemarle County. The program’s purpose is to leverage community resources outside of local government to tangibly advance the goals, strategies, and actions of the County's Climate Action Plan. These Grants make local climate action a more inclusive, participatory process.

We wish to thank all those who submitted grant applications in 2024 and recognize the hard of the 2023 Grantees! You can learn all about the organizations and the work they do at the link below.

Community Action Grant Funded Projects

Program Goals

Projects should contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in either transportation, buildings, waste, agriculture, or natural areas or contribute to increasing carbon sequestration in agriculture or natural systems.

Funds will be awarded to projects that address the following program goals:

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Advance equity and inclusion
Build community
Support thoughtful and achievable projects

Who Can Apply for a Grant?

Organizations or groups applying must be principally and physically located in Albemarle County. Any applicant or partnering group located outside of Albemarle County must demonstrate that the population or area served will primarily be people or places within Albemarle County. Eligible applicants must be community-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or community-based organizations affiliated with a 501(c)(3) willing to serve as a fiscal sponsor.

What Size Grants Will Be Awarded?

Grant requests may range from $5,000 to $25,000. The request can represent the total proposed project budget or a fraction of a larger project budget with additional funding sources beyond Albemarle County. The total amount of funding available for 2024 is $100,000.

Example Projects

increase building energy efficiency
support low- or zero-emission transportation
increase renewable energy generation
minimize waste and/or consumption of valuable resources
support regenerative land management and agricultural practices

Application Process and Review

Application Review

Application Criteria

Goal 1: Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions (18 possible points)

Project contributes to measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions
Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions continue beyond the duration of the project

Goal 2: Advance Equity and Inclusion (18 possible points)

Project incorporates equity and inclusion in project design and implementation
Project benefits residents who are economically and socially disadvantaged or vulnerable to the impacts of climate change
Any negative side effects of the project do not impact low‐income or disadvantaged communities/households

Goal 3: Build Community (12 possible points)

Project benefits the local community beyond reducing greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., improves public health, the local economy, the local natural environment, or community resilience to climate change impacts)

Project leverages existing resources, partnerships, or work in the community

Goal 4: Support Thoughtful and Achievable Projects (12 possible points)

Organization demonstrates capacity to implement the project successfully and on time
Timeline, activities, and budget are well-coordinated, feasible, and make efficient use of funds

Application Criteria Scoring

Answers will be scored using the following scoring instrument

3 = excellent: project proposal thoroughly and creatively addresses the question
2 = fair: project proposal addresses the question reasonably well
1 = poor: project proposal poorly addresses the question
0 = not at all: project or application answer does not address the question

Reporting Requirements

Albemarle County, VA

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