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.

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 and Resources

Guidelines and Calls for Projects

• Round 1 Guidelines
• Call for Projects – Benicia and Surrounding Communities
• Call for Projects – Richmond and Surrounding Communities

Application Resources

• Application Instructions - Start Here!
• Factsheet
• Eligible Communities Maps 

Informational Webinars

• Grant Info Sessions
  • Benicia and Surrounding Communities: Slides and Webinar Recording
  • Richmond and Surrounding Communities: Slides and Webinar Recording
• Grant Development Webinar: Slides and Webinar Recording
• Tips and Tricks Webinar: Slides and Webinar Recording

Please see the “Meetings and Events” section of this page to find upcoming grant support sessions.

Partner Information Sharing

To support information sharing among prospective applicants, the Air District is compiling a voluntary spreadsheet of interested organizations. Applicants may complete the form and review responses to connect directly with other interested entities.

• Benicia and Surrounding Communities: Complete the form; View responses.
• Richmond and Surrounding Communities: Complete the form; View responses. 

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 U.S. EPA alumni volunteers and regionally deployed community outreach associates. Submit an intake form.

• Technical Assistance Information and Intake Form Instructions

FAQ

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

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

Community Reviewers – Now Recruiting!

The Air District is recruiting approximately 15 Community Reviewers to help evaluate grant applications for Round 1. Reviewers must live or work in (or conduct work that benefits) the Benicia or Richmond and surrounding communities eligible geographies, be 18 or older, and be available for approximately 15–20 hours of work during the review window of May 11–July 10, 2026. Reviewers will receive a $750 stipend upon completion. 

Applications are due by April 10, 2026.

• Apply Now — applications must be submitted via this online form
  • Preview application questions — for reference only; submissions must be completed via the online form above
  • Please Note: Individuals who are currently employed by, contracted by, or serve on the board or governing body of an organization that intends to apply for a grant are not eligible to serve as Community Reviewers.
• Community Reviewer Description
• Community Reviewer FAQ

Stay Informed

Subscribe to receive updates from the Community Investments Office, including application deadlines, events, and program announcements.