Community Investments Office

About the Community Investments Office

The Community Investments Office directs penalty and mitigation funds back into communities impacted by air quality violations. Through the Bay REPAIR program (Reinvesting Penalties for Air Improvement and Resilience), funding supports projects that reduce air pollution, improve public health, and build community resilience. To date, enforcement actions have generated over $124 million for local and regional investments. Learn more about these funds in the Community Investments Overview(1 Mb PDF, 4 pgs, posted 5/13/2025)( Español ).

Local Community Benefits Fund - Applications Now Open

The Local Community Benefits Fund supports community-driven projects that reduce air pollution, improve health outcomes, and build economic resilience for a just transition away from the harmful effects of a fossil-fuel economy. Applications are now open for Round 1, which will distribute funds in Benicia, Richmond, and surrounding communities.

Application Deadlines:

• Friday, May 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM PT: Benicia Catalyst Grant applications
• Friday, May 29, 2026, at 5:00 PM PT: All grant applications across eligible communities (excluding Benicia Catalyst Grant)

Applicants are encouraged to review all application materials and join an upcoming grant information session to learn about eligibility, requirements, and how to submit a strong proposal.

Application Materials

Guidelines and Calls for Projects

• Round 1 Guidelines(448 Kb PDF, 41 pgs, posted 1/28/2026)( Tagalog | Español | 中文 )
• Call for Projects – Benicia and Surrounding Communities(207 Kb PDF, 6 pgs, posted 1/28/2026)( Tagalog | Español | 中文 )
• Call for Projects – Richmond and Surrounding Communities(168 Kb PDF, 6 pgs, posted 2/10/2026)( Tagalog | Español | 中文 )

Application Resources

• Application Instructions - Start Here!(174 Kb PDF, 6 pgs, posted 2/11/2026)
• Factsheet(296 Kb PDF, 2 pgs, posted 2/11/2026)
• Eligible Communities Maps 

Grant Support Sessions

Grant Information Webinar

Overview of the Local Community Benefits Fund, including program goals, eligibility requirements and application submission process.

• February 18, 2026, 6:00-7:30pm – Benicia and Surrounding Communities Registration Link
• February 19, 2026, 6:00-7:30pm – Richmond and Surrounding Communities Registration Link

Grant Development Webinar

Environmental Protection Network volunteer expert Robert Mejia will provide support in developing a strong project narrative. He has over 30 years of experience in grant development and management, has obtained $350 million in government grants and contracts, and has worked as a director of grants and contracts in the California Community College system.

March 3, 2026, 9:00-10:00am – Registration Link

Tips & Tricks Webinar

Practical guidance for submitting a complete application, including navigating the portal, organizing required documents, file naming, and key deadline reminders.

March 10, 2026, 11:00am-12:00pm – Registration Link

In-Person Networking Sessions

In-person networking sessions to support partnership development. More details and registration will be forthcoming. Final dates and times are subject to change based on venue availability.

March 16, 2026 – session for Richmond and surrounding communities, location and time TBD

March 19, 2026 – session for Benicia and surrounding communities, location and time TBD

Technical Assistance

Technical assistance is being provided by the Environmental Protection Network (EPN), a national nonprofit that leverages the expertise of more than 700 former US EPA alumni volunteers and regionally-deployed community outreach associates.

• Technical Assistance Information and Intake Form Instructions(238 Kb PDF, 2 pgs, posted 1/28/2026)

Questions and Answers

In addition to in-depth technical assistance, stakeholders may also submit programmatic and application questions in writing to communityinvestments@baaqmd.gov. Questions before April 10th for the Catalyst Grant and May 8th for the Seed and Opportunity Grants will receive an answer. We will do our best to respond to questions received after this date.

We recommend checking the FAQ and Q&A sheets regularly, as they will be updated throughout the application period.

• FAQ – common questions and answers
• Q&A – list of all questions and answers

Community Reviewers

Eligible applications will be scored by technical and community reviewers. Community reviewers will be selected through a process designed to reflect diversity, lived experience, and expertise. This web page will be updated with information on the community reviewer recruitment process. 

Program Timeline

• January 29, 2026: Grant applications open
• May 1, 2026: Benicia Catalyst Grant application deadline
• May 29, 2026: Deadline for all grant applications across eligible communities (excluding Benicia Catalyst Grant)
• Summer–Fall 2026: Grant recommendations considered by Board of Directors
• Late 2026–2027: Grant agreements finalized and projects begin

Meetings and Events

Stay Informed

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