Module 5: Funding Strategy

An effective funding strategy can guide your team in securing the resources needed for critical facility upgrades and ongoing programs to keep your Community Resilience Hub active and responsive to community needs, now and into the future.

The costs associated with developing and operating a Community Resilience Hub can vary significantly depending on the scope, services, and location of each Hub, as well as the facility’s existing infrastructure and capacity. When assessing funding needs, your team should consider both immediate priorities to establish the facility as a Hub and ongoing operations and maintenance expenses. Community Resilience Hubs are typically supported by a mix of sources that provide funding for both development and operations. In most cases, grants represent the primary funding stream for Hubs, including through federal, state, and local government grant programs and philanthropic and community foundation grants. Donations, corporate sponsorships, in-kind contributions, pro-bono technical assistance, and volunteer support can also help to reduce both development and operational costs.

Module 5 Purpose & Objectives

This module will guide your team through identifying potential funding sources to support the development, implementation, and sustainability of your Community Resilience Hub. It also helps prioritize projects and Hub components to strategically focus fundraising efforts on the most impactful elements. Many grant programs encourage or require collaboration with multiple partners; widening the tent to invite trusted community organizations into the planning process early not only strengthens proposals but also builds shared ownership, expands capacity, and increases the Hub’s long-term success.

Key Steps Involved in Developing a Funding Strategy

Based on findings from the Facility Improvement and Emergency Management modules, and guided by findings from community outreach and engagement efforts, complete a Resilience Funding Plan Matrix with your team.

The Resilience Funding Plan Matrix is designed to be completed as a group to allow team members to share their ideas, align on priorities, and set realistic expectations. The completed matrix will organize needed facility and site upgrades, emergency equipment and supplies, and community programs based on urgency and feasibility to identify immediate, near-term, and longer-term funding priorities. This process will help your team determine which investments to pursue first, which require additional planning or resources, and which may not be feasible at this time.

Based on your team’s completed Resilience Funding Plan Matrix, compile a list of top-priority projects to pursue funding for in the next 1-3 years.

Further develop each project to include a short description, a high-level work plan and timeline, estimated costs, and potential implementation partners. Consider what types of approvals, permits, or partnerships (e.g., with utilities or local government agencies) will be needed for the successful implementation of each project as part of work plan development. Identify relevant partners and stakeholders to involve in each priority project and, through early and ongoing coordination, determine each partner’s role in supporting proposal development and/or project implementation.

Recommended Resource

California Adaptation Planning Guide
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES)

  • Phase 4: Implement, Monitor, Evaluate, and Adjust
    PDF pg. 149-162
Research funding opportunities across multiple levels and sectors to match your list of priority projects, including local, regional, state, federal, philanthropic, and nonprofit grant programs, impact investment and donor-advised funds, utility rebates and incentives, and other funding sources and financing tools.

Funding sources vary widely in scope and structure. Some opportunities could fund entire projects, while others support specific components. Some could provide ongoing, annual funding to support Hub development and operations, while others provide one-time capital funding to achieve a specific milestone. By remaining flexible and creative, your team can adapt, scale, expand, or phase projects to meet the eligibility criteria and constraints of different funding sources while making continuous progress towards fully funding Hub development and operations. For example:

  • HVAC upgrades may qualify under energy efficiency, weatherization, indoor air quality, wildfire smoke resilience, building safety, and public health grants.
  • Solar + battery storage systems may qualify under renewable energy, grid resilience, emergency preparedness, climate mitigation/GHG emissions reduction, energy equity, and decarbonization funding programs.
  • Tree planting could be funded through urban forestry, flood mitigation, heat resilience, energy efficiency, or environmental justice programs. Tree planting could also be implemented at no- or low-cost in partnership with a local nonprofit that organizes tree planting events with volunteers.
  • Green infrastructure (e.g., rain gardens, permeable pavement, bioswales) may be eligible for stormwater management, flood mitigation, urban greening, climate adaptation, water quality improvement, or nature-based solutions funding.
  • Digital infrastructure upgrades may align with broadband equity, emergency communications, telehealth access, rural connectivity, digital literacy, and education funding.
  • Emergency equipment and supplies could be funded through emergency response, disaster preparedness/relief, public health and safety, energy reliability, workplace safety, and emergency shelter/mass care grants. Exploring avenues for securing donated supplies and used equipment can help to reduce costs.
Recommended Resources

Community Resilience Centers Grant Program
California Strategic Growth Council (SGC)

Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Grant Program
California Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI)

California Grants Portal
California State Library

As funding opportunities aligned with priority projects are identified, coordinate proposal/application development to secure the necessary resources.

Assign clear roles and responsibilities to proposal team members to ensure timely and thorough completion of proposal components, including narrative content, work plans, budgets, timelines, and required attachments. Collaborate closely with project partners to confirm their roles and to gather necessary materials, such as organization bios, staff qualifications, staff resumés, support letters, and budget information.

It is important to tailor each proposal to the specific priorities, eligibility criteria, and evaluation metrics of the funding program, clearly demonstrating how the project advances the funder’s goals. Including supporting evidence, such as findings from community engagement efforts, data on local vulnerabilities and climate risks, and relevant scientific or policy guidance, can strengthen your proposal. The time invested in developing each proposal can be paid forward by treating submitted proposals as building blocks. By refining existing narrative language, reusing budget and work plan templates, and replicating effective coordination processes, your team can continuously improve the quality and efficiency of future proposals. A key part of this continuous improvement is seeking feedback from funders, on both successful and unsuccessful proposals, to understand strengths and opportunities for improvement.

Many organizations provide grant writing support, including the Central Coast Climate Collaborative (4C) through our no-cost Grant Services Program for 4C members.

Reach out to 4C or other technical assistance providers early in the process to explore how they can support your team in identifying funding opportunities, preparing proposals, and navigating the often complex landscape of grant requirements. Consider requesting proposal development training to invest in your team’s skills in grant writing, budgeting, and project planning to position your team to respond more effectively and efficiently to new funding opportunities.

Recommended Resource

Support for Community Resilience Hubs
Community Environmental Council

Securing funding is an ongoing process that requires relationship-building, strategic learning, and growing capacity over time. After submitting initial proposals, continue to cultivate relationships with funders by providing project updates, sharing outcomes, and expressing appreciation.

Strong funder relationships can lead to repeat funding, helpful insights, and referrals to other funders. As projects are implemented and results are tracked, document successes and lessons learned to strengthen future proposals, such as to develop more accurate budgets and efficient work plans.

For more complex, higher-cost projects, explore innovative and nontraditional funding strategies. These may include social impact bonds, revolving loan funds, community benefit agreements, resilience-related incentive programs, and blended or “braided” financing approaches that combine multiple funding sources and financing mechanisms to fully resource a project. Leveraging Hub outcomes, such as improved access to services, strengthened partnerships, or enhanced community resilience, can help to make a strong case for deeper investment.

Sustaining operations and building resilience is a long-term commitment. By investing in relationships, staying agile and creative, and aligning funding strategies with evolving community needs, your team can maintain momentum, expand what’s possible, and ensure your Community Resilience Hub continues to serve and evolve with your community.

Revisit Module 4: Emergency Management

Understand local emergency activation procedures and build the Hub’s emergency response capabilities by developing comprehensive plans, securing essential supplies, and providing training to Hub staff, volunteers, and community members.

Reach Out for 4C Support

Explore opportunities to connect with 4C’s Management Team to receive no-cost technical assistance to support your Hub development efforts, join 4C’s subcommittee on Community Resilience Hubs, and more!