Extreme Heat Community Resilience Program (EHCRP) Round 2: Community-Based Organization (CBO) Co-Applicant Partnership

Sacramento County is seeking proposals from qualified Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to serve as Co-Applicant partner for the Extreme Heat Community Resilience Program (EHCRP) Round 2 grant, with proposals due August 27, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. PST and questions due August 19, 2026. This is a partnership-based grant opportunity rather than a traditional procurement; the selected CBO will jointly develop and submit a grant application with the County's Planning and Environmental Review team, and if awarded, implement the Sacramento Beats the Heat: Cool 20 Infrastructure Plan over a 30-month term.

Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits qualified to do business in California, with a staffed operational office within 100 miles of the North Highlands project site, and must provide two years of financial statements. The scope centers on community engagement and co-design: the selected CBO will lead meaningful community co-design processes, translate community knowledge into infrastructure solutions, facilitate partnership building, and support development of a broader planning framework to identify and prioritize cost-effective cooling investments in heat-vulnerable County communities. The proposed project pairs a community cooling demonstration at Foothill Community Park with infrastructure planning activities.

If the joint application is awarded, the grant will fund between $750,000 and $1.2 million over 30 months. Budget allocations include 25%–60% for the Infrastructure Demonstration Project ($187,500–$720,000), a minimum of 8% for Co-Applicant partnership funding ($60,000–$96,000), a minimum of 4% for Belonging and Design activities ($30,000–$48,000), $25,000 for a Post-Award Activities Reserve, and up to 15% for Indirect Costs ($112,500–$180,000). The grant operates on a cost-reimbursement basis, with eligible nonprofits able to request advance payment of up to 25% of the total award. The County's full application to the Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation is due October 13, 2026.

Proposals are evaluated on a 50-point scale: Organization Overview (5 points), Mission and Community Connection (10 points), Heat/Infrastructure/Environmental Justice Experience (10 points), Belonging and Community Co-Design approach (10 points), Community Heat Vulnerability understanding and meaningful benefits (10 points), and Partnership and Project Implementation approach (5 points). The selected CBO will execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the County and comply with all LCI co-applicant requirements, including quarterly reporting, mid-term and final reports, and case study documentation. All work products developed using grant funds are owned by the State of California as works made for hire. Submissions are electronic through OpenGov Procurement or email to PER-LongRange@saccounty.gov.