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 Nov 1, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for nonprofits serving California's Coastal Region with focus on disaster preparedness and emergency response. Eligible organizations must serve multiple counties within the defined Coastal Region and target diverse populations disproportionately impacted by disasters. Nonprofits can apply independently or as subgrantees with local partners. Organizations must be located in or serve areas at moderate to high disaster risk.
Funding supports disaster training, resources, and capacity-building activities. Work should enhance communities' disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation capabilities. Equity considerations are prioritized in the evaluation process.
⚖️ 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
- 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
- Grant application form (Cal OES specific form)
- Project narrative describing disaster preparedness activities
- Budget and budget narrative
- Proof of nonprofit status and authorization
- Evidence of service area and disaster risk documentation
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 | 25 | 17 | 68% |
Source: California Grants Portal
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Nonprofit organizations serving California's Coastal Region across multiple counties. Applicants should focus on diverse populations disproportionately impacted by disasters.
What geographic area does this cover?
California's Coastal Region as defined in the grant guidelines. Applicants must operate in or serve areas at moderate to high disaster risk.
What activities can I fund?
Disaster training, preparedness resources, response planning, recovery support, and mitigation activities. Capacity-building work with vulnerable communities is supported.
Is there cost sharing required?
No. This grant does not require matching funds or cost-sharing contributions.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is February 23, 2026. Check with Cal OES for application portal details and any extension announcements.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus your proposal on serving diverse, underrepresented populations in high-risk disaster areas. Equity is a key priority.
- Clearly articulate the specific Coastal Region counties your organization serves and document disaster risk levels in those areas.
- Demonstrate partnerships with local nonprofits if you're applying to subgrant. Show how collaboration strengthens local capacity.
- Connect your activities directly to disaster preparedness, response, recovery, or mitigation outcomes. Avoid general community work.
- Use specific data on your target communities' vulnerability to disasters to strengthen your case for funding.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying without a multi-county service area within the defined Coastal Region. Focusing on general nonprofit services rather than disaster-specific training and preparedness activities. Failing to document how your work addresses equity and reaches disproportionately impacted populations.
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