Climate Equity Fund

Program Information

The 2026 Climate Equity Fund (CEF) will award up to $2 million in grants across two grant categories, Community Roots Grants ($20,000-$100,000) and Community Reach Grants ($100,000-$400,000). The CEF will award up to 28 grants, targeting approximately 10-20 Community Roots Grants and approximately 5-8 Community Reach Grants.

Program Timeline

The 2026 Climate Equity Fund will open on July 1, 2026 and close on August 31, 2026. To receive updates on the fund, sign up for our mailing list.

Project Areas

The Climate Equity Fund is designed to support a wide range of projects that take meaningful action on climate change and primarily benefit frontline communities or communities who are disproportionately impacted by climate change. Topic areas may include, but are not limited to:

• Land, air, water, and food systems
• Mobility, infrastructure, and the built environment
• Mutual aid, basic needs, and climate resilience
• Cultural resilience, healing, and connection*
• Storytelling, media, and arts*
• Workforce and economic justice
• Zero-waste and/or low-carbon living

*Recommended for “Community Roots” projects only

More information on project areas, including sample projects, will become available when the fund opens on July 1.

How to Apply

Application materials and resources for the 2026 Climate Equity Fund, including eligibility criteria and project development resources, will be shared on July 1, 2026.

Background Information

The Disproportionate Impacts of Climate Change

Climate change disproportionately affects those who contribute least to its causes, and racial and ethnically diverse communities are most intensely impacted by climate change. Racism, economic inequality, and class discrimination are some of the root causes of climate injustice, and Boulder County recognizes a long history of harmful practices and institutional racism that have further perpetuated climate injustices.

Strategic Priority

In 2024, the Boulder County Office of Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience (OSCAR) conducted a comprehensive review of climate justice best practices. Informed by recommendations from external environmental justice consultants, OSCAR staff—together with Commissioner Loachamin—began developing a vision for a Climate Equity Fund. The intent of the fund is to expand access to climate-related funding for frontline communities and individuals disproportionately impacted by climate change. In July 2025, Boulder County Commissioners directed OSCAR to launch the Climate Equity Fund.

Boulder County is committed to advancing equitable solutions to the climate crisis. Climate action and environmental stewardship is one of the Boulder County Commissioners’ Strategic Priorities.

Fund Administration

The Boulder County Office of Sustainability, Climate, and Resilience (OSCAR) manages the Climate Equity Fund. Due to the innovative nature, size, and community-involvement goals of this fund, the County underwent a competitive procurement process to select a vendor to co-create the fund with key community members and fiscally administer the fund. The county has selected JSI for this work.

Sources of Funding

The Boulder County Commissioners allocated ~$2.5 million for the 2026 Climate Equity Fund, supported by $1.1 million from the Sustainability Tax, $1 million from the Boulder County general fund, and $369,346 that rolled forward from the 2025 Climate Equity Fund (originally from the Gross Reservoir Settlement Fund).

Other Grant Opportunities

Boulder County offers a variety of grant programs, including additional grant programs focused on climate and sustainability. Visit the grants webpage to learn more.