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Community Investments Office
Learn about the Air District’s Community Investments Office's plan to direct funding to communities that are most impacted by air pollution.
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.
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: Catalyst Grant applications in Benicia
- Friday, May 29, 2026, at 5:00 PM PT: All other grant applications across eligible communities
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.
Upcoming Grant Information Sessions
The Air District will host two virtual grant information sessions to provide an overview of the program, application requirements, and answer questions.
- February 18, 2026 – Benicia and Surrounding Communities
- Register here: Benicia Registration Link
- February 19, 2026 – Richmond and Surrounding Communities
- Register here: Richmond Registration Link
To receive program updates, subscribe to Community Investments Office email notifications under the "Stay Informed" section of this web page.
Application Materials
Guidelines and Calls for Projects
- Round 1 Guidelines
- Call for Projects – Benicia and Surrounding Communities
- Call for Projects – Richmond and Surrounding Communities
Application Resources
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.
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: Application opens
- February 18–19, 2026: Grant information sessions
- May 1, 2026: Deadline for Catalyst Grant applications in Benicia
- May 29, 2026: Deadline for all other grant applications across eligible communities
- Summer–Fall 2026: Grant recommendations considered by Board of Directors
- Late 2026–2027: Grant agreements finalized and grantees commence work
Stay Informed
Subscribe to receive updates from the Community Investments Office, including application deadlines, events, and program announcements.
Sign up to receive updates on the latest Community Investments Office activities via email notifications.
Last Updated: 1/28/2026