Baldwin Hills & Urban Watersheds Conservancy (BH UWC) Proposition 4: Community and Climate Resilience Grant Program
🏛 Baldwin Hills & Urban Watersheds Conservancy (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Oct 7, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for county offices of education and consortiums of county offices seeking to improve literacy instruction for multilingual learners and English Language Learners.
Applicants must demonstrate expertise in both literacy instruction and multilingual education. They must show a track record of improving literacy outcomes through programs like dual language immersion and professional development.
Priority is given to applicants partnering with higher education institutions that have proven success in statewide professional development for expert literacy practice.
This grant is restricted to California county offices of education only.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
The Climate Bond, Proposition 4: the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 (Senate Bill (SB) 867), was approved by voters in November 2024. It added Division 50 (Commencing with Section 80000) to the Public Resources Code (PRC). Section 93020 (a)(1) of Chapter 6: Protect Biodiversity and Accelerating Nature-Based Climate Solutions authorizes the Legislature to appropriate $48,000,000 (forty-eight million dollars) to the Baldwin Hills & Urban Watersheds Conservancy (Conservancy) for projects and programs that reduce the risks of climate change impacts upon communities, fish and wildlife, and natural resources, and increase public access. Grant funds shall be awarded to projects and programs that: Produce direct, measurable, and non-speculative benefits; Improve climate resilience for Disadvantaged Communities (DACs), Severely Disadvantaged Communities (SDACs), Tribes, or vulnerable populations; Avoid creating burdens or harms to any vulnerable community; Demonstrate community engagement, co-design, or community-identified need; and/or Provide benefits reasonably proportional to the project’s scale and cost. The Conservancy shall ensure that Proposition 4 investments provide meaningful and direct benefits to Vulnerable Populations, DACs, SDACs, and Native American Tribes. These requirements implement the California Natural Resources Agency’s Meaningful and Direct Benefits Assessment Framework and ensure that climate-resilience investments advance equity, reduce climate burdens, and strengthen community capacity to adapt to climate impacts. The Conservancy will utilize the BH UWC Community and Climate Resilience Framework to evaluate proposal applications for their ability to advance one or more of the Conservancy’s eight Community and Climate Resilience Goals: Empower Safe and Resilient Communities Increase Access to Parks and Open Spaces Protect and Manage Water Resources Increase Biodiversity Advance Urban Forest Health Remediate Degraded Lands Mitigate Impacts from Extreme Heat Prevent Wildfire These goals ensure that Proposition 4 investments advance the Conservancy’s statutory mission and deliver direct, measurable, and equitable benefits to communities experiencing persistent underinvestment. Applications will be submitted in two phases: a Concept Proposal and a Full Application. It is strongly recommended that prospective applicants contact BH UWC staff and attend a grant workshop for a consultation prior to submitting a Concept Proposal.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Proof of expertise in literacy instruction and multilingual education
- Evidence of successful literacy programs and outcome data
- Letter of commitment from higher education partner (if applicable)
- Detailed professional development plan aligned with state frameworks
- Budget and budget narrative
Program contact
- 📧 info@bhc.ca.gov
- 📞 1-111-111-1111
Funding track record
Past applications & awards under this program (California Grants Portal) — how competitive it is.
By fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Applications | Awarded | Award rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | 6 | 6 | 100% |
Source: California Grants Portal
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
County offices of education and consortiums of county offices of education are eligible. Applicants must demonstrate expertise in literacy instruction, multilingual education, and success in improving literacy outcomes.
Is a higher education partner required?
No, but partnerships with institutions of higher education showing success in statewide professional development receive priority consideration.
What types of professional development are supported?
Programs based on the English Language Arts/English Language Development Framework, the English Learner Roadmap, and the Literacy Roadmap, particularly benefiting English Learners and high-need student groups.
What is the total funding available?
$15 million is available in this second competition. Individual award amounts are not specified in the authorizing legislation.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is February 23, 2026. Check the California Department of Education website for specific submission details and timeline updates.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Document your track record clearly. Include specific examples of literacy instruction improvements and student outcome data for multilingual learners.
- If partnering with higher education, highlight their statewide professional development credentials and past success with expert literacy practice.
- Frame your approach around the three frameworks: ELA/ELD Framework, English Learner Roadmap, and Literacy Roadmap. Show direct alignment.
- Consider forming a consortium if your county office lacks certain expertise. Consortiums can strengthen applications by combining complementary strengths.
- Submit your strongest evidence early. This competitive grant likely receives many strong applications from well-resourced districts.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to demonstrate prior success in improving literacy outcomes for multilingual learners and English Language Learners. Vague descriptions of expertise without specific program examples or data. Not clearly aligning proposed work with the three required frameworks.
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