PROPOSITION 68 FUNDING OPPORTUNITES
 
CLOSED SOLICITATIONS
 
California Department of Fish and Wildlife: Restoration Grant Programs
Deadline: December 18, 2018
 
California Natural Resources Agency: California River Parkways Grant Program
Deadline: September 27, 2018
 
OPEN SOLICITATIONS
 
California Natural Resources Agency: Cultural, Community and Natural Resources Grant Program (Proposition 68)

Deadline : Concept Proposal due February 13, 2019. Full application due March 18, 2019. Concept Proposal is submitted initially, full application is submitted by invitation only. (Both submitted through SOAR).

Amount: No maximum

Match: Yes

Eligibility: Eligible applicants include local agencies, nonprofit organizations, non-governmental land conservation organizations, federally recognized Native American tribes, or non-federally recognized California Native American tribes listed on the California Tribal Consultation List maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission.


California voters passed the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 (Proposition 68) on June 5, 2018. Proposition 68 authorized the Legislature to appropriate $40 million to the California Natural Resources Agency (the "State") for competitive grants that protect, restore, and enhance California's cultural, community and natural resources.

It is the intent of the people of California that projects funded by Proposition 68 result in public benefits addressing the most critical statewide needs and priorities for public funding as well as improve a community's ability to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change; improve and protect coastal and rural economies, agricultural viability, wildlife corridors or habitat; develop future recreational opportunities; or enhance drought tolerance, landscape resilience, and water retention.
 


California Department of Parks and Recreation: Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP)

Deadline: Deadline will be Summer 2019 (Specific date TBD)

Amount: $200,000 to $8.5 million

Match: None

Eligibility: Cities, counties, districts, JPA's and Nonprofits


A PROJECT must involve either DEVELOPMENT or a combination of ACQUISITION and DEVELOPMENT to:
  1. Create a NEW PARK, or
  2. EXPAND an EXISTING PARK, or
  3. RENOVATE an EXISTING PARK
 
Office of Environmental Farming & Innovation: Healthy Soils Program (Proposition 68)

Deadline: March 8, 2019

Amount: $75,000 maximum

Eligibility: California farmers, ranchers and recognized Native American Indian tribes


The Healthy Soils Program stems from the California Healthy Soils Initiative, a collaboration of state agencies and departments to promote the development of healthy soils on California's farmlands and ranchlands.
The HSP has two components: the  HSP Incentives Program  and the  HSP Demonstration Projects . The HSP Incentives Program provides financial assistance for implementation of conservation management that improve soil health, sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The HSP Demonstration Projects showcase California farmers and rancher's implementation of HSP practices. On farm management practices that include but are not limited to: cover cropping, no-till, reduced-till, mulching, compost application, and conservation plantings is eligible for funding.
 

Office of Environmental Farming & Innovation: State Water Efficiency and Enhancement (Proposition 68)

Deadline: March 8, 2019

Amount: $100,000

Eligibility: California farmers, ranchers and recognized Native American Indian tribes


The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) provides financial assistance in the form of grants to implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save water on California agricultural operations. Eligible system components include (among others) soil moisture monitoring, drip systems, switching to low pressure irrigation systems, pump retrofits, variable frequency drives and installation of renewable energy to reduce on-farm water use and energy.
 

UPCOMING SOLICITATIONS
 
Wildlife Conservation Board: Lower American River Conservancy Program (Proposition 68)

Deadline: WCB will solicit grant proposals with the release of a solicitation, which will provide the solicitation schedule, and scoring criteria specific to the solicitation. It is expected that solicitations will be made once a year, at a minimum.

Amount: TBD

Eligibility: Local agencies and nonprofit organizations with projects improving and enhancing lands within and adjacent to the American River Parkway.


The Program was created to provide a state partner to work cooperatively with local agencies, particularly the County of Sacramento in its role as the Parkway Manager, and nonprofit organizations to help fund projects and provide grants to restore, enhance, interpret, protect, and improve public access to the American River Parkway's natural, recreational, educational, and cultural resources. The Legislature's intent was for the Program to be a continuation of the state's historic role in providing funding to advance the protection and restoration of the natural resources of the Lower American River while continuing the County of Sacramento's historic role in managing the lands and public uses of the American River Parkway.
 


California Natural Resources Agency: Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (Proposition 68)

Deadline: TBD

Amount: TBD

Eligibility: Districts, JPA's, cities, counties, nonprofit organizations, public utilities, federally recognized Indian tribes within the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Zone.
The Conservancy's strategic objectives continue to be guided by the goal of an interlinking network of parks, trails and open space for public use and wildlife habitat ensuring future open space and recreational lands in Los Angeles and Ventura County.
 
Sierra Nevada Conservancy: Sierra Nevada Watershed Improvement Program (Proposition 68)

Deadline: Deadlines for future grant cycles are not yet determined.

Amount: $25 million for entire program

Eligibility: Public agencies, 501c3 nonprofit organizations, federally recognized Indian tribal governments located within a conifer or mixed-conifer forested area of the Sierra Nevada Region


The Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 and the  California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018  allocate funding to the Conservancy for a competitive grant program supporting forest health projects that result in multiple watershed benefits.
 


California Department of Parks and Recreation: Regional Parks Program (Proposition 68)

Deadline: TBD. Draft Guidelines will be posted for public review in 2019

Amount: $23,125,000 for entire program

Eligibility: Counties, regional park districts, JPA's and nonprofit organizations


Eligible Projects:
  1. Acquisition for new or enhanced public access and use
  2. Development to create or renovate:
  • Trails, with preference given to multiuse trails over single-use trails
  • Regional sports complexes
  • Visitor and interpretive facilities
  • Other types of recreation and support facilities in regional parks
  •  
 
California Department of Parks and Recreation: Rural Recreation and Tourism Program (Proposition 68)

Deadline: TBD. The Draft Application Guide will be posted here for public review in 2019.

Amount: $23,125 for entire program

Match: Projects located in an area with a median household income below $51,026 will have no match requirement. If above $51,026, the grant may fund up to 80% of the total project with at least 20% of the total project matched.

Eligibility: Cities, Counties, and eligible Districts in nonurbanized areas


Competitive grants will create new recreation opportunities in support of economic and health-related goals in rural communities. Projects must be located in nonurbanized counties with populations of less than 500,000 people and low population densities per square mile, as determined by the Department.
Eligible Projects and Priorities:
Acquisition and development, or development of land to:
  1. Create new recreational opportunities in rural communities that have a lack of outdoor recreation infrastructure. Projects that support both economic and health-related goals for residential recreation and will attract out-of-town tourists will be given priority.
  2. New opportunities are the creation of facilities that currently do not exist, and may include but are not limited to:
  • Accessible trails and bikeways for wildlife viewing or other significant draws
  • Sports complexes that host travel ball tournaments and leagues
  • Visitor centers that interpret a significant historic or natural resource
  • Amphitheaters that support performing arts and other cultural recreation attractions
  • Campgrounds
  • Access to waterways
  • Aquatic centers
 
CalFire and State of California Parks and Water Bond 2018 (Proposition 68): Urban and Community Forestry Program

Deadline: 2018 round has passed. Another grant round may be released later this year.

Amount: $150,000 to $1.5 million (Depending on project type - see page 21 of guidelines)

Match: All of the grant types require a cost share (matching) rate of 75/25. The proportion of the project's cost funded by CAL FIRE Urban & Community Forestry shall not be greater than 75%. Matching requirements (25%) for State funds may be met with in-kind activities or materials related to the project, as well as with any State funding source related to the project that is not the same as the State source of funding awarded by CAL FIRE.

Eligibility: State and local agencies and nonprofit organizations. Projects that are either in or serving disadvantaged communities (DAC) and severely disadvantaged communities (SDAC) will receive scoring preference in this grant program.


Proposition 68 investment benefits can include:
  1. Projects to mitigate the impact of climate change (AB 32, 2006), by expanding urban forests across the state with emphasis to previously underserved local entities to achieve geographic balance.
  2. Improving urban forest resources under in parks, trails, recreation areas, and urban settings to increase the value of outdoor experiences and opportunities for physical activity opportunities that will improve public health.
  3. Programs that improve long-term management of urban forests and improve urban forest performance and resiliency over time.
  4. Education and outreach programs to diversity serving and youth-serving organizations, programs, and partnerships that will serve urban areas. A program will focus on the benefits of the urban forest and will encourage maximum citizen participation in development and implementation.
  5. Economic opportunities to facilitate the creation of permanent jobs in tree maintenance and related urban forestry activities in neighborhood, local, and regional urban areas with particular emphasis to underserved and disadvantaged communities.
  6. Environmental benefits to include improvements to water infrastructure, flood and storm water capture and infiltration, clean air, reduced energy use, urban revitalization, and producing useful products such as bio-fuel, clean energy, and high-quality wood products.
  7. Projects may provide a combination of these co-benefits or other co-benefits not mentioned, or even benefits that are not yet clearly defined.
 
Comparison of CCNR and SPP Programs:
 
CCNR:             Projects should begin no sooner than July 2019
SPP:                Projects should begin no sooner than December 2019
 
California Natural Resources Agency: Cultural, Community and Natural Resources
Grant Program (CCNR) (Proposition 68)
 
CCNR Applicant Eligibility:
 
Eligible applicants include local agencies, nonprofit organizations, non-governmental land conservation organizations, federally recognized Native American tribes, or non-federally recognized California Native American tribes listed on the California Tribal Consultation List maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission.
 
Eligible projects:
 
  1. Acquisition of sites with natural, cultural or historic significance
  2. Restoration of cultural or historic structures
  3. Restoration of riparian, aquatic, and terrestrial habitat
  4. Fee title or conservation easement acquisition of properties that served as the site of a fossil fuel powerplant to create permanently protected open space, tourism and park opportunities
  5. Demolition and removal of fossil fuel powerplant systems, structures and equipment to create open space
  6. Creation of new permanent exhibits in cultural or visitor centers, science centers, or aquariums
  7. Renovation or enhancement of exterior landscapes, gardens and outdoor plazas
  8. Installation of interpretive features that enhance understanding of natural, cultural, or historic elements in public parks, trails, and eligible public venues
  9. Construction of ADA upgrades, parking areas, restrooms, drinking fountains, and other visitor amenities
  10. Establishment or enhancement of neighborhood parks and community spaces
  11. Creation or expansion of trails for walking, bicycling, and/or equestrian activities
  12. Development or improvement of trailside and trailhead facilities, including visitor access to safe water supplies
  13. Acquisition or development of unused open space to provide new urban recreational opportunities
  14. Creation or restoration of existing wetlands, recharge ponds, floodplain, or riparian corridors.
  15. Renovation of existing venues to expand space for athletic, recreational and/or educational activities or cultural program services
 
California Department of Parks and Recreation: Statewide Park Development and
Community Revitalization Program (SPP) (Proposition 68)
 
SPP Applicant Eligibility:
 
  • Cities
  • Counties
  • DISTRICTS (as defined on page 69 of draft guidelines - see below for definition)
  • JOINT POWERS AUTHORITIES (one member of the JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY must be either an eligible DISTRICT, City, or County)
  • NON-PROFITS with 501(c)(3) status
 
DISTRICT DEFINITION - one of the following as defined in SPP legislation:
  1. A recreation and park district formed under Division 5 of the Public Resources Code, Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 5780).
  2. A public utility district formed under Division 7 (commencing with Section 15501) of the Public Utilities Code in a non-urbanized area that employs a full-time park and recreation director and offers year-round park and recreation services on lands and facilities owned by that district.
  3. A memorial district formed under Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1170) of Division 6 of the Military and Veterans Code that employs a full-time park and recreation director and offers year-round park and recreation services on lands and facilities owned by that district.
  4. The Malaga County Water District exercising powers authorized under Section 31133 of the Water Code.
  5. A community service district formed under Division 3 (commencing with Section 61000) of Title 6 of the Government Code in a nonurbanized area that is authorized to provide public recreation as specified in subdivision (e) of Section 61100 of the Government Code.
  6. A county service area or zone in the county service area, within the County of San Bernardino that is empowered to provide public park and recreation services pursuant to Chapter 2.2 (commencing with Section 25210.1) of Part 2 of Division 2 of Title 3 of the Government Code, that is actually providing public park and recreation services that was reorganized prior to January 1, 1987, from a park and recreation district to a county service area or zone.
  7. A regional park district formed pursuant to Division 5, Chapter 3, Article 3 (commencing with Section 5500) of the Public Resources Code.
 
Types of Projects:
 
A PROJECT must involve either DEVELOPMENT or a combination of ACQUISITION and DEVELOPMENT to:
  1. Create a NEW PARK, or
  2. EXPAND an EXISTING PARK, or
  3. RENOVATE an EXISTING PARK
 
 
Examples:
 
  1. ACQUISITION of land:
  • Must be combined with DEVELOPMENT of a NEW RECREATION FEATURE.
OR
  • Must already have a RECREATION FEATURE for public use at close of escrow.
  1. Aquatic center, swimming pool, splash pad, fishing pier or paddling launch site
  2. Amphitheater/performing arts dance, music, and theater stage
  3. Athletic fields (soccer regulation or "futbol-rapido", baseball, softball, football, etc.)
  4. Athletic courts (basketball, "futsal", tennis, pickleball, etc.)
  5. Community gardens, botanical or demonstration gardens and orchards
  6. Community/Recreation center (only if it will be in or ADJACENT to a PARK)
  7. Dog park
  8. Jogging and walking loop, par course, running track
  9. Non-motorized trail, pedestrian/bicycle bridge, greenbelt/linear PARK
  10. Outdoor gym exercise equipment (stations fixed into ground)
  11. Open space and natural area for public recreation use
  12. Picnic/Bar-B-Que areas
  13. Playground and tot lot
  14. Plaza, Zocalo, Gazebo
  15. Public art (mosaic tiles, sculptures, murals)
  16. Skate park, skating rink, and BMX or pump track (non-motorized bike tracks)
  17. Lighting to allow for extended night time use of a RECREATION FEATURE
  18. Shade structure/COVERED PARK areas over a RECREATION FEATURE to allow for extended day time use
 
Major Support Amenities
 
A PROJECT may also include MAJOR SUPPORT AMENITIES such as:
  1. Restroom building, snack shack
  2. Parking lot, staging area, pathway for access to a RECREATION FEATURE
  3. Landscaping or lighting that will be constructed throughout the PARK
 
However, APPLICATIONS where the majority of the TOTAL PROJECT COST is for a MAJOR SUPPORT AMENITY such as a parking lot or restroom will be less competitive. PROJECTS should create a NEW RECREATION OPPORTUNITY(S) as the primary goal.
 
APPLICATIONS that only have MAJOR SUPPORT AMENITIES are ineligible; a PROJECT must include a RECREATION FEATURE.
 


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