Community Climate Action Grant Program

CCAGP 1344X950Thank you for your interest in Orange County's Community Climate Action Grant Program! The FY 23-24 grant funding application period is now open!

The Community Climate Action Grant Program is dedicated to accelerating climate change mitigation actions in Orange County.  All public and non profit entities are eligible to apply as well as small businesses.  We are looking for great project ideas that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make a positive impact in our community.  Please see background information and application forms below for more information.  Applications must be received by August 18, 2023.

Orange County Community Climate Action Grant Application Materials:

Background and Instructions - FY 23-24

Orange County Community Climate Action Grant - Application FY23-24 - Fillable

Orange County Community Climate Action Grant-Application FY23-24 Word Document

Orange County Community Climate Action Grant FY 23-24 - Budget Worksheets - Fillable (MS Excel)

Resources for Applicants:

Impact Estimation Tools - It can be challenging to estimate the potential positive or negative impacts of a project as the grant application requests. There are many tools out there to assist with these calculations including the following: 

EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator - This easy to use calculator will convert your energy reduction estimates into greenhouse gas emissions reductions. It may also be used to quantify savings from planting or preserving trees, recycling waste, and more!

Emissions Factors for common energy types - When you save a gallon of gas or a kilowatt-hour of electricity, how many pounds of greenhouse gas emissions are avoided? It can depend on where you live and where your energy comes from, but it is a relationship that is summed up in one number, the emissions factor. Please refer to the table below for the emissions factors that will be applied in the scoring of all applications. 

Energy Type (Utility)2022 Emissions factor*Unit
Electricity  (Primarily Duke Energy Carolinas)0.47lbs CO2e / kWh
Natural Gas  (Primarily Dominion Energy)0.053metric tonnes CO2e (mt) / million BTU (mmBTU)
Gasoline  (various)19.36lbs CO2e / gallon

* Emissions factor for gasoline comes from EPA's 2023 "Emission Factors for Greenhouse Gas Inventories." All other emissions factors are sourced from Orange County's 2017 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory.


Additional Background:

The application and the scoring of proposed projects are based on the eligibility and scoring guidelines that the Board of County Commissioners created and adopted:

Community Climate Action Grant - Eligibility and Project Scoring Guidelines for FY23-24

Need Help?:

We want you to succeed! If you have any questions or you need technical assistance with your project design or application, please contact the Orange County Sustainability Programs Manager, Amy Eckberg at aeckberg@orangecountync.gov.