Equity and Access Public Participation Grant

The Equity and Access Public Participation Grant aims to enhance the involvement of underserved communities in decision-making processes. With $30 million allocated by the California Legislature, this program provides capacity grants to Tribes and community-based organizations. It ensures financial barriers are removed, allowing eligible organizations to receive compensation for their participation in CPUC activities. Grants are capped at $15,000 per organization, promoting equitable distribution of funds and timely payments throughout the grant period.

NOTE: Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis until June 20, 2025 or until funds have been exhausted.
Program Overview
The CPUC strives to include the needs and voices of underserved and underrepresented communities in its decision-making processes. In 2022, the California Legislature appropriated $30,000,000 in the Budget Act of 2022 (AB 179) for capacity grants to Tribes and community-based organizations (CBOs) for participation in CPUC decision-making processes and supporting activities. The Equity and Access (E&A) Grant Program was created to implement this legislation.
The Public Participation (PP) Grant Account is intended to remove financial and capacity-based barriers to participation while creating a flexible and accessible process to apply for and receive compensation. Organizations are compensated for their time for participating in day-to-day CPUC activities that drive and influence policy decisions.
Grants will be awarded for specific eligible activities, such as speaking on a panel, participating in a working group, or participation in other decision-making processes. The PP Grant Account cap per organization of $15,000 will ensure a proportional distribution of funds over time and across various organizations. Submissions for grant awards will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the grant period and payment for these discrete engagements will be prompt.

Eligibility

The following Nonprofit and Tribal Government entities are eligible. TYPE 1: California tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. TYPE 2: Federally or non-federally recognized California Native American Tribes, as defined in Public Resources Code (PRC) Section 21073. PRC Section 21073 defines a California Native American Tribe as a Native American Tribe located in California that is on the contact list maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission for the purposes of Chapter 905 of the Statutes of 2004.TYPE 3: Tribal entities, including organizations incorporated under Tribal law and wholly owned by the Tribe, Tribal Section 17 Corporations, and Tribal utilities and authorities operated under Tribal law.