LMF: Climate Resiliency RFP Grant

The Liberty Mutual Foundation is launching its Climate Resiliency RFP to enhance climate resilience in low-income and underrepresented neighborhoods in Boston. This initiative aims to support nature-based solutions, training for green jobs, and the development of sustainable infrastructure. By funding innovative programs, the foundation seeks to tackle climate challenges while empowering vulnerable communities. Eligible organizations can apply for planning or implementation grants, focusing on measurable outcomes that create lasting impact.

Liberty Mutual Foundation
To further this purpose, we are launching Climate Resiliency as a new priority area of funding. Building on its efforts to strengthen communities, Liberty Mutual Foundation believes philanthropy can play an important role in increasing climate resiliency in vulnerable communities. These efforts can bridge the divide between mitigation and adaptation approaches to climate change. Philanthropy can support innovative solutions, scale-proven strategies, support nature-based climate solutions, strengthen grassroots efforts, and more.
In this phase, Liberty Mutual Foundation seeks to support efforts to increase climate resiliency in low-income and/or underrepresented neighborhoods in the City of Boston. Within this new focus area, Liberty Mutual Foundation will support three strategic areas of investment:
Nature-based solutions to create more climate-resilient communities:Liberty Mutual Foundation seeks to support nature-based climate solutions in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color that will:Increase access to affordable, locally grown, healthy food, and/or
Increase green space, urban farms, and trees, creating more carbon-rich urban neighborhoods – places that absorb more carbon than they releaseTraining/skills development to prepare low-income, vulnerable, and underrepresented youth and adults for current and future green jobs:Liberty Mutual Foundation seeks to raise awareness, build career pathways, and increase access to clean energy jobs and other green jobs for unemployed and underemployed individuals who are traditionally underrepresented in these industries.Priority populations:Vulnerable youth and young adults, including youth experiencing homelessness, low-income youth, and youth with disabilitiesPeople of color, women, people impacted by the criminal justice system, and other low-income adults who are traditionally underrepresented in clean energy/green jobsDevelopment of resilient and sustainable infrastructure in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color:Liberty Mutual Foundation seeks to support efforts to:Scale up solutions aimed at retrofitting low-income housing to make it greener, more energy-efficient, and more resilient; and/orBuild community-powered solutions that reduce energy costs and increase access to affordable renewable energy in low-income communities
Grant Types
The Foundation will consider proposals from nonprofit organizations in the City of Boston (city limits) or those with a compelling case for expanding or launching programs in Boston, and will consider two types of applications:
Planning – a 12-month grant in the range of $25,000 to $75,000 to support planning activities to build partnerships and capacity to launch, expand, or leverage a longer-term initiative – e.g., to develop the capacity to apply for an implementation grant from government, private or philanthropic sources, including but not limited to the Liberty Mutual Foundation.Implementation – a 12-month grant of up to $100,000 for a discrete program or up to $200,000 for a collaborative project designed to achieve measurable outcomes. For collaborations, the applicant should be the lead partner.
Funding
Funding levels will be informed by the type, number and quality of proposals submitted. Organizations submitting proposals may choose to apply for a planning grant of $25,000 to $75,000; an implementation grant of up to $100,000 for a discrete program; or an implementation grant of up to $200,000 for a collaborative initiative.

Eligibility

Liberty Mutual will award grants through this initiative to organizations that:Seek support for discrete programs within their organization or for collaborative initiatives to support the goals described in this RFP. Collaborative initiatives should have clear measures of success and may include efforts to build capacity, improve quality and impact, or scale up efforts within low-income communities – or to increase climate resiliency in other significant ways;Have experience in addressing climate resiliency issues, with a focus on serving our most vulnerable communities;Currently operate in the City of Boston or have demonstrated support/relationships in Boston and a compelling case for expanding into the city; andAre designated by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizationFor this new focus area, the intent is to provide a one-year grant to support proposals selected through this RFP process. Some grantees may later be invited to apply for a subsequent grant.