Community Clean Air Grant
This pilot grant program provides funding for community projects to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions. This opportunity helps improve public health and combat climate change on a local level.
The Air Pollution Control Commission (APCC) administers programs that promote clean air. This pilot grant program funds and brings visibility to community-driven projects that reduce air pollution and carbon emissions. The projects will help achieve Boston’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 and bring short-term benefits to our neighborhoods. Applications are currently closed and we are evaluating the first year of this program.
Learn more about the APCC, and about climate action in Boston.
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Have questions? Contact:
Air Pollution Control Commission
Multilingual applications
Multilingual applicationsAir pollution in Boston
Air pollution in Boston
DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT
Air pollution in Boston affects us all. But it affects some of our communities more than others including:
- communities located near highways and other major transportation infrastructure, and
- socially vulnerable populations. These include people of color, older residents, children, and people with chronic illnesses.
HEALTH and ENVIRONMENT IMPACT
Air pollution contributes to higher rates of cardiovascular and respiratory disease, like asthma, and has been linked to higher COVID-19 mortality rates. Some air pollutants, like methane and carbon dioxide, are also greenhouse gases. They increase the retention of heat in the atmosphere. The effects of climate change in Boston will likely include:
- greater flooding
- more intense storms, and
- more frequent and intense heat waves.
WAYS TO IMPROVE
We can improve air quality at the local level in a variety of ways:
- eliminating sources of pollution
- shifting from polluting to clean energy sources
- improving indoor air quality with filters, and
- education and awareness.
Application and Eligibility
EligibilityWe invite residents, nonprofit organizations, and businesses to submit proposals for community projects located within Boston. It is open to any individual or entity who would like to respond. The City encourages participation from:
- small and local
- minority-owned
- women-owned, and
- other disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) and entities.
The City strongly encourages partnerships with and among local community groups and partners. If you are interested in collaborating with others on a potential clean air project, you may:
- add your contact information to a publicly-available list, and
- view the list of potential partners.
PROPOSAL FOCUS
In order to be eligible for funding, proposals must do at least one of the following:
- eliminate or otherwise address point sources of air pollution within Boston
- mitigate the negative health impacts of air pollution emissions within Boston
- enhance the ability of local communities in Boston to improve local air quality, and
- have a measurable impact on air quality or carbon emissions within Boston.
TIMELINE
Project timeline duration should be a maximum of one year. Note: The evaluation committee will consider proposals that have timelines in excess of one year based on potential impact.
BUDGET
The maximum grant award is $50,000 available to an individual, business (e.g. LLC) or non-profit organization. Note: The evaluation committee will consider proposals that request funding in excess of $50,000 based on potential impact.
VENDOR ID
To apply, you need to become a registered vendor with the City of Boston and have received your vendor ID. You can sign up for a Vendor ID through these instructions:
EVALUATION CRITERIA
The evaluation criteria for this grant’s review process are available online.
AIR POLLUTION IMPACT
Air pollution in Boston affects some of our communities more than others. Below are helpful resources to identify the impact of air pollution in your proposals area of focus.
Once you begin the application, you will not have the option to save your work. Before you begin the application, you can preview the questions.
Applications were accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed three times in the pilot year. The following were the application submission deadlines:
- Round One: Friday, June 4, 2021, at 11:59:59 p.m.
- Round Two: Friday, September 24, 2021, at 11:59:59 p.m.
- Round Three:
Friday, January 28, 2022, at 11:59:59 p.m.Friday, February 25, 2022, at 5 p.m.
Application help
OFFICE HOURS
Do you have a question about your application? Do you need help applying? Join us for weekly office hours with staff to receive limited one-on-one assistance in navigating the application process.
- Wednesdays, 3 - 5 p.m. (EST)
- When you sign up, you can indicate if you have a language accommodation need.
If you are unable to attend an office-hour session, you can schedule an alternative time by emailing apcc@boston.gov
EVENTS
Two information sessions were held on Tuesday, May 4, at 9 a.m. and Thursday, May 6, at 5:30 p.m. Cantonese and Spanish interpretation were available for both webinars, as well as additional language accommodations upon request. Video and audio recordings are below.
Review process
You will receive an email confirmation after your submission has been received.
After reviewing your application, you will be updated on your applications status. Applicants can expect to be notified about awarding decisions by:
- Round 1: July 2021
- Round 2: November 2021
- Round 3: March 2022
Proposals that are not selected will be automatically carried over to be evaluated in the next funding round. Proposals expire one year from the original submission date.
EVALUATION COMMITTEE
Who? The committee makes the final recommendation on who is awarded grants. Evaluation committee members include staff from:
- the Environment Department
- the Boston Transportation Department
- the Boston Public Health Commission
- the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics, and
- the Mayor's Office of Equity and Inclusion.
How? The evaluation criteria for this grant’s review process are available online.
The maximum grant award available to an individual, business (e.g. LLC), or nonprofit organization is $50,000.
- Note: The evaluation committee will consider proposals that request funding in excess of $50,000 based on potential impact.
An individual, nonprofit organization, or business may submit more than one proposal. However, any given individual, business entity, or nonprofit will be awarded a maximum of one project per fiscal year.
