Clean Power Alliance Invites Applications for 2026-27 Community Benefits Grant
$358,000 Earmarked for Nonprofits Working to Advance Clean Energy Goals Across Southern California
For immediate release: September 1, 2026
Los Angeles, Calif. – Clean Power Alliance (CPA) is now accepting applications for its 2026-27 Community Benefits Grant. The program, launched in 2021, is a partnership between CPA and Calpine Community Energy that provides funding to nonprofit organizations working to advance clean energy, community resilience, workforce development, environmental education and stewardship, and equitable access to clean energy in the communities CPA serves. This year, a total of $358,000 will be distributed among successful applicants across Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
“At Clean Power Alliance, we believe meaningful progress happens when we invest in the organizations that understand and serve our communities every day,” said CPA Senior Director of Government Affairs, Gina Goodhill. “Through this grant program, we are proud to support nonprofit partners whose work advances sustainability, strengthens community resilience and expands access to opportunities that help create a cleaner, healthier and more equitable future for the people we serve.”
The Community Benefits Grant is open to organizations and projects focused on five pathways to advance clean energy: 1) Research 2) Education 3) Environmental and Social Justice Communities 4) Workforce Development 5) Resilience.
The grant application period is open from Sept. 1 through Sept. 15, 2026. Grants ranging from $20,000 to $35,000 will be awarded. Eligible nonprofits must be working within at least one of the 38 communities CPA serves throughout Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
“We’re honored to continue our partnership with Clean Power Alliance and support the nonprofit organizations that play such a vital role in their communities,” said Josh Brock, vice president of CCA commercial operations at Calpine Community Energy. “These organizations bring local knowledge, trusted relationships and innovative solutions to the challenges communities face. By expanding access to funding, we can help strengthen their capacity, advance meaningful initiatives and build on the positive impact Clean Power Alliance is creating across the region.”
With grant support, numerous organizations over the years have been able to bring diverse and inspiring projects to life. Last year, grant funding was provided to several nonprofits working on a variety of initiatives. Recipients included:
API Forward Movement ($20,000) Funds were provided to support a six-week, hands-on environmental justice leadership program for high school students from communities in the West San Gabriel Valley.
California Green Business Network ($26,400) Funds were provided to support the expansion of the Green Business program in Ventura County, which helps small businesses in disadvantaged areas overcome barriers to clean energy adoption.
California Housing Partnership ($30,000) Funds were provided to help modernize Public Housing Authority (PHA) Utility Allowances in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Through comprehensive research, the partnership analyzed how PHAs account for modern technologies like heat pumps and induction cooktops, creating a public tracking database to identify gaps and best practices.
Climate Mental Health Network ($21,516) Funds were provided to expand the Climate Emotions Toolkit and professional development for teachers in Los Angeles County, equipping educators to address students’ emotional responses to climate change.
Community Environmental Council ($26,000) Funds were provided to expand clean energy and heat resilience efforts through the Ventura County Heat Action Plan by delivering bilingual education, technical assistance and outreach to vulnerable Latino, Indigenous and low-income communities.
Designing Resilience ($28,500) Funds were provided to support expanding the Altadena Community Designing Resilience Initiative into a year-long program focused on education, engagement and resident-led planning.
Food Education and Discovery ($30,000) Funds were provided to support Food Ed’s Entrepreneur Program—a hands-on climate and sustainability education initiative serving Title I middle and high schools in the cities of Arcadia, Temple City and Monrovia.
Grades of Green ($20,000) Funds were provided to support the SOAR (Service, Ownership, Achievement, Respect) Eco-Innovation Virtual Academy and a community outreach day in Los Angeles County—advancing education, workforce development and environmental justice.
MERITO Foundation ($25,000) Funds were provided to support MERITO Foundation’s Energy & Climate Education, Skill Building & Green Workforce Development project for economically disadvantaged 7th–12th grade students from Title I schools to become climate innovators and future green workforce leaders.
Pando Populus ($22,500) Funds were provided to support a project-based learning initiative that takes sustainability ideas from Southland college and university classrooms and turns them into real-world projects.
Reel Guppy Outdoors ($15,000) Funds were provided to expand the Dockside Multimedia Learning and Research Center, a floating laboratory that provides Ventura County youth and families from underserved communities with hands-on environmental science, clean energy education and workforce development opportunities.
Ventura County Community Foundation ($24,933) Funds were provided to strengthen the Environmental Workforce Collaborative (EWC), a regional partnership of five nonprofit organizations that builds environmental resilience, advances green workforce pathways and delivers hands-on education across Ventura County.
Nonprofit organizations interested in learning more and applying for the 2026-27 Community Benefits Grant can visit www.cleanpoweralliance.org/CBG.
In addition to grants, CPA provides scholarships at 11 community colleges and supports pre-apprenticeship and labor training programs that connect people in marginalized communities with clean energy careers. Learn more at www.cleanpoweralliance.org/workforce/.