Community Assistance for Climate Equity Program

California Strategic Growth Council (SGC)

What does it fund?

Community Assistance for Climate Equity (CACE) is a suite of capacity building programs that aim to equip underinvested communities at the frontlines of the climate crisis with the tools to access funding for climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience.

Tribal Capacity Building Program is a part of CACE and funds staff salaries and activities that advance tribes' climate-related work. Activities may include planning, securing funding for, and implementing projects related to climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.  

Tribes work with a technical assistance provider and receive no-cost, flexible support that responds to each tribe's needs. The capacity building and technical assistance services offered include, but are not limited to:

• Trainings and workshops

• Grant application assistance

• Grant management support

• Planning support

• Implementation assistance

• Partnership building and peer learning

• Staff and economic development

Who is eligible for funds?

Disadvantaged and low-income communities who would like technical assistance.

Tribes eligible for the Tribal Capacity Building Program include: California Native American tribes listed on the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) Contact List, including federally recognized and non-federally recognized tribes. A non-federally recognized tribe is eligible to apply if they are registered as a nonprofit, a for-profit corporation, or a limited liability company. 

How does this program provide benefits to priority populations?

A majority of funds assist applicants from disadvantaged and low-income communities.

CACE’s Tribal Capacity Building Program provides grant funding and tailored technical assistance to California Native American tribes—a priority population—enhancing their staff capacity to advance tribes' climate-related work. The goal of the program is to help tribes develop long-term capacity to secure funding and implement tribal-led climate solutions. 

How do I access funds?

Apply through a statewide competitive process.

Funding Timeline

To learn more about the CACE suite of programs, including the The Tribal Capacity Building Program, visit the program website or email CACE@sgc.ca.gov.

Project Profiles

Read stories of projects funded by this program.

Additional Opportunities for Technical Assistance

The Climate Smart Agriculture Technical Assistance program provides support in the form of hands-on application assistance to farmers and ranchers participating in the Healthy Soils Program, the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program, and the Alternative Manure Management Program.