City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JULY 28, 2026 FROM: CITY MANAGERS OFFICE WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: ACCEPT A $50,000 GRANT FROM BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES FOR THE YOUTH ACTION CLIMATE FUND PROGRAM, TO COMPLETE YOUTH-LED CLIMATE PROJECTS BETWEEN NOVEMBER 2026 AND MAY 2027 – SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUE:
Accept a $50,000 grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies for the Youth Climate Action Fund program to fund youth-led (ages 15-24) climate projects between November 2026 and May 2027 and authorize a supplemental appropriation for grant funding.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Authorize the City Manager or designee to sign any and all documents associated with the award of the Youth Climate Action Funds, including any extensions, and making minor corrections as necessary; Accept a grant of $50,000, or the actual awarded amount, from Bloomberg Philanthropies, FY 2026-27, to fund the Youth Climate Action Fund project for the purpose of mobilizing young residents ages 15 to 24 to design and deliver solutions aligned with citywide climate priorities; and By at least five affirmative votes and upon grant award, authorize the Chief Financial Officer or designee to record an increase in revenues and appropriate expenditures in the amount of $50,000 or the actual grant award amount to the Youth Climate Action Fund Round 1 - FY 26/27 account to be established in 215 Grants and Restricted Funds.
BACKGROUND:
The Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund began in 2024 to help municipalities mobilize young residents ages 15 to 24 in designing and delivering solutions aligned with the City’s climate priorities. In 2026, 300 cities worldwide are being funded with at least Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) to host this program. The City of Riverside was awarded a Grant in the current cycle becoming one of only 57 American cities to successfully compete for funding.
This Grant is set to be distributed as microgrants from a minimum of eight (8) and maximum of forty (40) project groups, depending on the budget of the selected projects. Each project group will be youth led; however, the funds will be distributed to eligible organizations that will serve as fiscal sponsors for the selected projects.
Grant funds will be used in conjunction with development of the City’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) which sets ambitious emission reduction targets for the city. The CAAP serves to identify how to achieve citywide carbon neutrality and outline adaptation strategies to address climate change-induced challenges, such as extreme heat, prolonged drought, and poorer air quality. Youth are a population that is disproportionately affected by climate change and experience many of its localized effects in their schools, neighborhoods, and homes. The Youth Climate Action Fund will serve as a vehicle to engage youth in civic engagement related to locally focused climate action solutions.
DISCUSSION:
As a Grant recipient the City’s Office of Sustainability and Youth Opportunity Center will collaborate with local and youth organizations to support project development and completion. The Youth Climate Action Fund will serve to mobilize youth to design and deliver climate solutions aligned with citywide priorities. Approximately $10,000 may be used for the city’s administrative costs, which include events, communication, City staff time, and fees. The remaining balance of $40,000 will be used for 8 to 40 microgrants.
Eligible microgrant recipients may include youth-led organizations, youth-serving organizations, and sponsor organizations. All organizations must be recognized as nonprofit or charitable organizations under local laws (unless a public entity) and have a bank account in the organization’s name.
Funding for regional coaching, learning opportunities, and templates and guidelines are all provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies. The City is expected to hold an open funding call, administer the program, host a co-design session, select projects, and disburse funding. Additionally, active participation of the mayor and city leadership is expected, as is at least one event for the grantees to meet with the Mayor.
The timeline of the Fund is as follows:
Design Phase (1-2 months);
Launch Phase (1-2 months);
Support Phase (5 months); and
Amplification and Reporting Phase (1 month).
Activities for the Youth Climate Action Fund will conclude in the second quarter of 2027.
Because this is the City’s first year participating in the Youth Climate Action Fund, it is considered to be in Round 1. Round 1 includes distributing the $50,000 as microgrants awards between the program period of November 2026 through May 2027. Depending on program’s success, there is the potential to be selected for Round 2, in which the City would receive an additional $50,000 in FY 2027-2028 to support more youth-driven projects and expand Round 1 participation.
The Office of Sustainability will return to the City Council in the fall to present the grant agreement template and a list of recommended microgrants to award for this program cycle.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact associated with this item is an increase in both revenues and expenditure of $50,000.00. Upon City Council approval and receipt of the award, an increase in revenue and appropriation of expenditure will be recorded in the funds and accounts listed in the table below.
Fund
Program
Account
Amount
Grants and Restricted Funds
Youth Climate Action Fund Round 1 - FY 26/27
Revenue
9937800885 – 33900000
$50,000.00
Expenditures
9937800885 – 44030900
$50,000.00
Prepared by: Fortino Morales III, Sustainability Manager Certified as to
availability of funds: Julie Nemes, Finance Director
Approved by: Gilbert Hernandez, Assistant City Manager Approved as to form: Rebecca McKee-Reimbold, Interim City Attorney Attachment: 072826 Youth Climate Action Fund CC Presentation YCAF Grant Approval Request ● Page 2