Community Benefits Grant (CBG) Program

The Community Benefits Grant Program is an innovative partnership between Clean Power Alliance (CPA) and Calpine Energy Solutions. This annual program provides grant funding to organizations working to advance clean energy, green jobs, environmental education and stewardship, and energy equity and diversity in the communities that CPA serves. 

The 2023-2024 application period begins on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. Applications are due by 5 PM Friday, October 6, 2023.

Application Available August 1, 2023
Who is eligible to receive a Community Benefits Grant?

Eligible applicants must be an IRS-designated 501©3 non-profit organization serving the areas where CPA provides electricity. Qualifying projects must fall within the priority focus areas outlined below. 
 
Please note that funding is not permitted for political action committees, trade associations, government entities, or political candidates. 
 
Previous Community Benefits Grant recipients are eligible to apply for the 2023-2024 grant cycle.

What are the priority focus areas?

The CBG is available to projects and organizations focused on advancing clean energy, sustainability, and resiliency through the following pathways:  

  • Research 
  • Environmental and Social Justice Communities* 
  • Workforce Development 
  • Education 
* The CPUC identified environmental and social justice communities as those where residents are: 
  • Predominantly communities of color or low-income; 
  • Underrepresented in the policy setting or decision-making process; 
  • Subject to a disproportionate impact from one or more environmental hazards; and 
  • Likely to experience disparate implementation of environmental regulations and socioeconomic investments in their communities 
On the ground, targeted communities typically include but are not limited to: 
  • Disadvantaged Communities, located in the most environmentally burdened California census tracts, as determined by the 25 percent highest scores (75th percentile) when using the CalEnviroScreen tool
  • All Tribal lands; 
  • Low-income households (household incomes below 80 percent of the area median income); and 
  • Low-income census tracts (census tracts where aggregated household incomes are less than 80 percent of area or state median income). 
 
How much are the grant awards?

Awards will range from $15,000 to $30,000 for a one-year grant term.

What is the application and selection timeline?
  • Tuesday, August 1, 2023 — The opportunity to apply for a Community Benefits Grant will be made available at www.cleanpoweralliance.org/calpinegrant/.  
  • Wednesday, August 9 from 1–2 pm — Community Benefits Grant Program webinar. Sign up for the webinar. 
  • Friday, October 6, 2023 by 5PM — All applications and relevant attachments are due. 
  • Monday, October 9–October 27, 2023 — Application evaluation period 
  • Friday, November 3, 2023 — Awardees contacted. 
  • Grant funds will be disbursed by Mid November 2023.
Where can I apply?

Interested nonprofit and community-based organizations can download an application at https://cleanpoweralliance.org/calpinegrant/.  Completed applications and all relevant attachments can be submitted to communitybenefits@calpinesolutions.com no later than 5pm on Friday, October 6, 2023.  

What supporting documents will I be required to submit with my applications?

In addition to completing the 2023-2024 Community Benefits Grant application, applicants must submit the following documents, if your organization is working with a fiscal sponsor:  

  • A fiscal sponsorship letter taking responsibility for your organization’s fiscal administration. 
  • A letter of request authorizing your organization to apply for the community benefits grant for the amount requested. 
  • A Budget of the proposed project, program, or initiative (see attachment A in the application packet). 

These documents will assist the selection committee in understanding the proposed use of requested funding. 

Are there any reporting requirements for grant recipients?

Awardees of the Community Benefits Grant must agree to provide the following:  

1). Eight-month post-award status report, including pictures and videos, a statement of expenditures to date, and a description of the progress of the project, as applicable. 

2) One-year post-award interview, including pictures and videos, a statement of expenditures, and a project wrap-up summary. Note: During this interview, CPA, Calpine Energy Solutions, and the grant recipients’ staff will discuss the status of granted projects and their local impact.   

What if I missed the application deadline? Will there be additional opportunities to apply for a grant?

The Community Benefits Grant Program is an ongoing program. The 2024-2025 grant cycle will open in August 2024 Sign up for CPA’s monthly newsletter to be informed when additional grant funds will be available. Visit www.cleanpoweralliance.org/#newsletterto join the mailing list.

What is the CPA service territory?

Agoura Hills

Hermosa Beach 

Sierra Madre 

Alhambra 

Malibu 

Simi Valley 

Arcadia 

Manhattan Beach 

South Pasadena 

Beverly Hills 

Moorpark 

Temple City 

Calabasas 

Monrovia 

Thousand Oaks 

Camarillo 

Ojai 

Unincorporated Los Angeles County 

Claremont 

Oxnard 

Unincorporated Ventura County 

Carson 

Paramount 

Ventura 

Culver City 

Redondo Beach 

West Hollywood 

Downey 

Rolling Hills Estates 

Westlake Village 

Hawaiian Gardens 

Santa Paula 

Whittier  

Hawthorne 

Santa Monica 

 

How is the Grant Program Managed?
Calpine Energy Solutions awards the program funding, while Clean Power Alliance determines the grant guidelines and project criteria and helps recruit nonprofit organizations to apply for funding. Both entities work together to assess grant applications.