Maximizing impact: Southern California leaders’ blueprint for funding success
We convened regional leaders from across Southern California for a peer-to-peer networking event. Here are the key takeaways about Southern California’s climate, energy, and environmental funding future.
Southern California’s climate and environmental funding landscape is at a pivotal moment. Given changes in funding opportunities from the federal government, many state and local agencies face overall funding reductions. However, this isn’t uncharted territory.
Regional leaders have long been familiar with the boom-and-bust cycle of federal funding. Although the scale of this cycle is greater than in the past, regional leaders have navigated this path before.
"One of the main themes for the next few years is how creative can we be.”
Plan now for current and future opportunities
Despite changes in the funding landscape, the demand for investment in climate, environmental, and resilience initiatives is only increasing in Southern California. The region is particularly vulnerable to impacts from extreme heat and wildfires and needs to continue to invest in resilience.
State and local leaders recommend not pressing pause on planning just because the funding landscape has changed:
- Invest now in robust planning:
Ensure that agencies have “shovel-ready” projects to take advantage of alternative funding sources available today.
- Proactively identify needs and challenges—and know how to prioritize them:
Be prepared to apply for the right grants with strong applications as the opportunities arise.
Position yourself for existing funding opportunities and mechanisms
Prop 4 is currently a major focus for regional leaders to secure new funding for climate and environmental priorities. Although the influx of funding from Prop 4—expected to be $10B over the next few years—won’t make up for the overall reduction of funds, the level of state investment is significant. Regional agencies are positioning themselves to take advantage of this funding as it becomes available.
Now is the time to explore alternative funding streams and mechanisms, such as cap-and-trade revenues and local finance tools like Climate Resilience Districts.
"Continuing to do good work now can help [better] position the region moving forward."
Maximize your existing budget and funds
With fewer funds available, it’s critical to make sure that dollars in hand are being optimally and efficiently deployed. State and local leaders in Southern California recommend scrutinizing whether grant dollars are being maximized to ensure the greatest community impact:
- Audit current programs for impact.
- Use data tools to optimize spending.
- Align budgets with strategic goals.
Data-based tools that can measure program success and optimize programs can play a powerful role in ensuring efficiency of existing budgets and programs—not just how much funding is available, but also how effectively it is deployed.
Embrace the power of regional collaboration
Competition between regional agencies for the same dollars weakens everyone’s chances, especially when agencies share similar goals for climate and environmental priorities. Teaming, whether across neighboring jurisdictions or between regions with a similar risk landscape, strengthens grant applications and can help maximize funding for Southern California as a whole.
Additionally, agencies are looking at ways to compliantly layer projects and braid funds to efficiently deploy resources for the region. Regional collaboration and partnerships can help identify areas where collaboration doesn’t just improve grant odds but also helps build resilient, community-driven solutions.
Agency leaders continue to see peer-to-peer networking events and convenings as vital to help Southern California navigate the current funding landscape and advance shared climate and environmental goals for the region.