San Francisco, CA – Mayor London N. Breed today announced the City will award over $1 million in additional grant funding to 13 projects that support San Francisco’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) and its goal of achieving Zero Waste and net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2040 as part of the coordinated package of climate grants from the San Francisco Environment Department.
This completes San Francisco’s issuance of $2 million in community climate grants spanning seven categories that would directly support the City’s climate priorities such as building electrification, composting, urban greening, waste and toxics reduction, environmental justice, and youth development. Nine projects were selected to receive funding from the first round of awards of over $900,000 in February.
“San Francisco has made tremendous progress towards meeting our climate goals, but we know there is still a lot of work ahead to reduce emissions by 61% below 1990 levels by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2040,” said Mayor Breed. “Community partners and non-profits are vital to the City’s success, especially with our climate work, and so this next round of funding will play a big part in the work we are doing to protect our beautiful City and do our part in the fight against climate change.”
Every year, SF Environment partners with more than a dozen local organizations that lead on zero waste and educational programs, including composting, recycling, and source reduction. With the City increasing its focus on zero-emission buildings, climate grant projects dedicated to emissions reduction and eliminating natural gas were added to the grant collaborative this year.
The thirteen projects selected for funding in this second round and approved by the Commission on the Environment last week, emphasize environmental justice efforts to transition away from natural gas and meaningful community partnerships to embrace zero waste practices.
“These grants will empower environmental justice communities to lead zero waste projects,” said Tyrone Jue, Acting Director for SF Environment. “Changing our consumption habits can be a difficult process and will require community conversations and education. These grantees have demonstrated commitment and passion towards sustainable practices, and we are excited to see the impact they will have as partners in the implementation of our bold climate goals.”
This second round of awards covers two of the seven total grant categories first announced in October of 2022. The first round of grants was awarded in February 2023. These awards represent the final Climate Action Grants awards for this fiscal year. Administered by SF Environment, the following organizations have been awarded grants that will advance the City’s climate action goals from 2023-2025:
- Emerald Cities Collaborative: $100,000
- PODER: $100,000
- San Francisco Bay Physicians for Social Responsibility: $99,999
- Agricultural Institute of Marin: $67,267
- Asian Pacific American Community Center: $50,030
- Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco: $95,807
- Farming Hope: $90,855
- Garden for the Environment: $80,000
- Replate: $27,500
- San Francisco Market Corporation (The SF Market): $125,000
- SCRAP: $97,916
- SF New Deal: $64,000
- UCSF Health: $21,625
About the Projects:
Emerald Cities Collaborative and PODER
The Emerald Cities Collaborative is developing a robust workforce development opportunity to support high road contractors in the design and implementation of a building electrification project in the Mission/Excelsior neighborhoods. They are partnering with another grantee, PODER, who will be primarily organizing in Latinx communities. PODER will conduct outreach and community engagement to increase visibility in electrification efforts.
San Francisco Bay Physicians for Social Responsibility
The San Francisco Bay Physicians for Social Responsibility will demonstrate building electrification efforts with the installation of a new heat pump system at the Bayview Community Center and distribute induction cooktops and cookware to families. They
will organize public health professionals to promote environmental health and social justice.
Agricultural Institute of Marin
The Agricultural Institute of Marin operates nine farmer’s markets in the Bay Area. Two of the farmer’s markets will pilot the distribution of 20,000 reusable cotton mesh bags in an effort to reduce single-use plastic produce bags.
Asian Pacific American Community Center
The Asian Pacific American Community Center works to strengthen and support Asian Pacific American families in Visitacion Valley. They will conduct recycling and composting outreach to residents in Sunnydale Housing.
Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco
The Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco plans to install water refill stations at their club houses while delivering youth-led zero waste trainings to students and staff on the importance of reducing waste and promote BYO (bring your own reusable) water bottle.
Farming Hope
Farming Hope operates a garden-to-job nonprofit training program feeding the community at no cost. Farming Hope aims to recover 20,000 pounds of food per year from their culinary training program.
Garden for the Environment
Garden for the Environment is San Francisco’s local source of composting education. They lead an extensive gardening educator training program titled, Get Up! and provide free backyard compost education to adults and youth throughout San Francisco.
Replate
Replate is a tech-enabled nonprofit that aims to reduce food waste and food insecurity. Replate connects excess food to those who need it, using food donation matching software. They will work with 25 food-generating businesses to comply with SB 1383 by providing food donation service.
SF Market
The SF Market is the largest wholesale product market in San Francisco. They aim to recover one million pounds of healthy produce annually and coordinate the distribution of excess food to community groups.
SCRAP
SCRAP is a creative reuse center that provides reused and discounted materials to artists and teachers in San Francisco. They will aim to divert 500 tons of materials from landfill and provide 600 creative reuse classes and free teacher workshops and giveaways.
SF New Deal
The SF New Deal offers small businesses technical assistance and grants to help in the transition from single-use disposable foodware to reusable foodware.
UCSF Health
UCSF Health is committed to reducing waste and maximizing reuse, recycling, and composting at their campuses. Mission Bay and Mount Zion will be the benefactors of an innovative robotic waste sorting machine to reduce refuse contamination.
For more information, please visit the San Francisco Climate Action Plan website.
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