Community Composting for Green Spaces, Cycle 5 (FY 2021-22)

Staff proposes to use the same eligibility criteria and evaluation process that was used in FY 2021-22, Cycle 2 - Regional Cycle, except as described under the Proposed Changes section and summarized below. 1. Limited eligible applicants to grantees funded in Cycle 2 of the Program. 2. Change in funding distribution. 3. Allow ongoing support costs to previously funded sites. 4. Change from application scoring to evaluation process. This is the fifth cycle of the Community Composting for Green Spaces Grant Program. The purpose of this grant program is to increase the number of community groups operating small-scale composting programs supporting green spaces within Priority Population communities. This effort will also increase local composting capacity while expanding community knowledge about the benefits of compost use and proper composting techniques. Green spaces include community gardens, urban farms, and other public spaces where small-scale composting is appropriate. This program will assist community groups in overcoming barriers to starting and managing community-based composting programs by providing targeted resources. Eligible Projects Eligible grant projects include regional plans for outreach for the grant project and collaboration with community groups on the creation, improvement, or expansion of community composting sites throughout the Region to increase composting of organics and reduce generation of methane from organic waste decomposing in landfills with a focus on providing benefits to Priority Populations. Project Requirements • All project sites must be located in California. • Site selection must include a focus on project sites within or benefiting Priority Populations and prioritize that population in the following order. 1. Project sites located in and serving communities identified as disadvantaged communities. 2. Project sites located in and serving communities identified as low-income communities. 3. Project sites providing benefits to, but not located in, communities identified as disadvantaged or low-income communities. • All project sites must result in the creation of new, improved, or expanded community composting sites. o Support costs for previously funded sites are allowed. • Grantee must provide proof that the project site is authorized for use for the grant term. • Project sites must be within the Region the applicant applies for. Exceptions may be made to allow project sites in or overlapping with a neighboring region near the border upon approval by the Grant Manager. • Project sites must be publicly accessible for at least four hours per week. • Project sites must include testing of compost produced at each project site at least once during grant term for quality and safety, including metal concentrations, physical contamination levels, and pathogen levels; and for specific characteristics, including pH, soluble salts, nutrient content, organic matter, maturity, stability, and physical contaminants (i.e., inerts, including glass, metal, and plastic).

Eligibility

• Programs related to farm

Award details

Applications close on March 30, 2026.

Categories

Not categorized