Transformative Climate Communities Round 6 PLANNING Grant (FY 25-26)
🏛 Strategic Growth Council (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Jul 10, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for California nonprofits providing free financial education and coaching to unbanked and underbanked consumers.
Eligible organizations offer classroom or web-based financial education, individualized financial coaching, or financial products/services to help consumers establish credit, save money, or reduce debt. Projects must promote economic security and follow CFPB principles of effective financial education.
Applicants must be California-based nonprofits able to submit quarterly reports and annual reports documenting program outcomes. Subcontracting is allowed, but redistributing grant funds to other nonprofits is prohibited.
Administrative costs cannot exceed 15 percent of the grant award. Financial incentives to participants (stipends, gift cards, savings matches) are not permitted.
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Program description
The Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program, established by AB 2722 (Burke, 2016), invests in community-led climate resilience projects in the state’s most overburdened communities. The program objectives are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve public health and the environment, and support economic opportunity and shared prosperity. The Planning Grants intend to support planning activities to prepare prepare low-income, disadvantaged, and Tribal communities for future implementation of programs aligned with TCC Program Objectives. Planning activities should address community priorities and directly benefit these communities. TCC Implementation Grants and Project Development Grants support holistic neighborhood-level projects and pre-development activities, respectively, to advance community-led goals and projects. Please see separate Grants Portal entries for more information. Some examples of eligible activities include: -Building internal and partner capacity to support collaborative partnerships that align land use with environmental, economic, and social justice priorities -Evaluating, updating, and streamlining policies and codes administered by the Planning Department and other local departments (e.g., public works, health and safety, fire, parks, and open space) -Conducting fiscal analyses to assess long-term service costs of future development and inform fee structures Preparing climate action and climate adaptation plans -Conducting inclusive community engagement that incorporates input from local residents and supports and prepares for the future development of innovative and meaningful programs and practices -Preparing for future funding opportunities, including TCC Implementation Grants or similar programs, through activities such as community needs assessments, community health needs assessments, partnership development, engagement to inform project selection, and development or formalization of a shared governance structure (e.g., a Collaborative Governance Structure) -Activities that support development of a Collaborative Governance Structure are strongly encouraged for applicants anticipating a future TCC Implementation Grant -Defining Health Equity and establishing related goals for the Project Area using available resources from the California Department of Public Health and other place-based sources -Identifying and preparing project sites for future community-serving uses, including feasibility studies, site identification (e.g., community land trusts or climate resilience projects), and planning for project implementation At least one Co-Applicant is required. Applicants from Tribal Communities, Tribally-owned non-profits, and with Project Areas in Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities are prioritized for Application Technical Assistance. July 31, 2026, is the priority deadline to request Application Technical Assistance via the TA Application Request Form. Application TA services may be available to additional applicants depending on funding availability and TA provider capacity after the July 31st deadline.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- Individuals
- Nonprofits
- Public Authority
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Tribal Nation
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Application form or proposal narrative
- Detailed project budget and budget narrative
- Scope of work describing activities and expected outcomes
- Subcontract agreements (if applicable)
- Evidence of California nonprofit status
- Organization capacity and staff qualifications documentation
Program contact
- 📧 tcc@sgc.ca.gov
- 📞 1-916-324-9775
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for CalMoneySmart funding?
California nonprofits providing free financial education or coaching to unbanked and underbanked populations. For-profits and organizations planning to distribute funds as sub-grants are not eligible.
What activities can grant funds support?
Free classroom or web-based financial education, individualized financial coaching, or financial products/services to improve credit, savings, and debt management. Funds cannot pay participant stipends or gift card incentives.
When is the deadline and when will funding be available?
The deadline is April 27, 2026. Grants cover two fiscal years (2026-27 and 2027-28) with separate disbursements. Year two funding requires a satisfactory annual report.
What reporting is required?
Quarterly reports and annual reports documenting fund allocation, data elements, program impact, and outcomes. Failure to submit satisfactory reports makes you ineligible for DFPI grants until submitted.
How much can I request for administrative costs?
Maximum 15 percent of your grant award can cover indirect/administrative costs. Exceeding this limit makes you ineligible for future DFPI grants until corrected.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus your narrative on how your financial education directly serves unbanked and underbanked populations in California. Show specific outcomes expected.
- Plan your budget carefully to stay within the 15 percent administrative cost cap. Include detailed subcontract terms if you plan to partner with other providers.
- Align your program design with the five CFPB principles of effective financial education. Reference the June 2017 CFPB report in your application materials.
- Build quarterly and annual reporting into your project plan from the start. Track all required data elements throughout implementation, not just at the end.
- Avoid any participant incentives like gift cards, stipends, or savings account matching. These are explicitly prohibited and will disqualify your application.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing to distribute grant funds to other nonprofits as sub-grants or fiscal sponsorship (not allowed). Including participant incentives like stipends, gift cards, or savings matches (explicitly prohibited). Budgeting more than 15 percent for administrative/indirect costs without clear justification.
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