Making Grants More Accessible: Learn how we are improving the grant process

CNRA views the Climate Bond as an opportunity to improve our grant processes across the board. We launched a survey to hear directly from potential applicants about the changes they wanted to see. Nearly 500 responded and we used that input with additional feedback from tribes, community groups and other engaged parties as well as existing best practices to develop clear guidance for our departments.

Required Updates

The updates CNRA is requiring for departments are summarized below. For more details, please review Delivering a Successful Climate Bond: Requirements & Best Practices to Implement Proposition 4 , which is a guide for departments to make their funding more accessible:

1. Simplify Funding Pathways

Departments must make it easier for applicants to find and apply for funding.

  • Use clear, plain language in all guidelines and materials.
  • Adopt a two-step and/or rolling application process with a short pre-application to save applicants time and effort.
  • Provide staff assistance to help applicants navigate program requirements.
  • Use a shared online application portal (currently in development) to create a one-stop shop for Climate Bond funding opportunities.

2. Ensure Community Input and Transparency

Programs must welcome public and Tribal voices and share information openly.

  • Seek public input on program guidelines and invite ongoing feedback.
  • Seek tribal consultation early and meaningfully when developing or updating guidance.
  • Keep information current on the CNRA Climate Bond website.
  • Publicize funding opportunities through both department and CNRA channels using the shared Climate Bond logo.
  • Report program information and updates as required by statute on the State Library Grants Portal to ensure statewide visibility.

3. Use Common Definitions and Methods

  • Use CNRA-approved framework to ensure that at least 40% of overall bond funds are allocated to projects that fund disadvantaged and , severely disadvantaged communities, and vulnerable populations (required for all state agencies’ bond programs).
  • Identify and report climate benefits using a consistent CNRA-approved framework for funded projects.

4. Use Consistent Approaches to Administer Programs

  • Allow reimbursement for indirect costs as an eligible cost. Use the indirect cost rate options listed in the bond statute to determine reimbursement percentage.
  • Allow advance payments to grantees if allowed and requested by grantee.
  • Require project location data through the Resources Agency Project and Tracking System (RAPTR).
  • Prioritize partnerships with the California Conservation Corps, community conservation corps, or tribal corps where applicable. Include language in guidelines.
  • Promote visibility of bond projects by including language within guidelines and grant agreements requiring grantees requiring signage, press releases and/or short videos.
  • Work respectfully with tribes by using consistent principles and language regarding limited waivers of sovereign immunity if required in bond programs, collaborate with tribes on sensitive data and promote tribal data sovereignty. Use CNRA Tribal Grant Guidance as resource.
  • Build staff capacities by providing opportunities for staff development in areas such as facilitation, program management, tribal consultation, implicit bias and cultural humility.

5. Align with State Established Priorities

Programs must reflect California's broader climate and equity goals.

  • Connect projects to state laws, strategies and targets on climate change or other key priorities.
  • Follow CNRA policies on Tribal Consultation, Tribal Stewardship and Equity and Environmental Justice Policy (currently under development). Aligning bond programs with these policies will support communities most vulnerable to climate change impacts.

6. Collaborate Across Programs

  • Identify and coordinate with complementary Climate Bond programs to streamline and align processes to reduce administrative burdens for grantees.
  • Work with other bond programs to achieve projects or outcomes not possible within a single program. Collaborate in creative ways to achieve transformative, multi-benefit outcomes.
  • Build communities of practice to share lessons, develop common tools and improve consistency across CNRA. Empower staff to collaborate.

7. Strengthen Accountability and Reporting

Departments must report all program and project information accurately and on time.

  • Report all program and project-level information through the Agency Bonds Consolidated Reporting System (ABCRS). Provide timely responses to the Statewide Bond Accountability team regarding cash projection surveys, allocation balance requests and other requests (required by all state Agencies' bond programs)
  • Report completed project information through the Resources Agency Project Tracking and Reporting (RAPTR) system to track benefits and outcomes of funded projects toward state goals.