Berkeley Disaster Preparedness Neighborhood Network is partnering with Collective Resilience for pilot testing of its first mini-grants program! The program will distribute $9000 in funding for neighborhood groups and community spaces, for projects related to disaster preparedness and community resilience.
We have two types of grants:
- Seed Grants ($500): for emerging neighborhood groups;
- Cultivation Grants ($1000): for more establish neighborhood groups and community spaces/facilities
Applications are due on August 10, 2026.
Grants Overview
Program Goals
- To provide incentives for neighborhood groups and sites to organize projects and events which both prepare for disasters and strengthen community ties
- To support disaster preparedness in neighborhoods which are first and worst hit by the climate crisis
- To pilot test this program, for replication and scaling
Program Priorities
We encourage all groups to apply, and all project ideas are welcome! We will prioritize applications which:
- Serve 30 more more individuals
- Directly serve underserved neighborhoods and high-risk populations
- Serve new or emerging neighborhood groups (which can include funding for experienced groups mentoring these new groups)
- Benefit BOTH disaster preparedness and community building
- Center sustainability practices (or at least, are not polluting)
- Spend the funds by December 31, 2026
Grant Types
Seed Grants (up to $500):
- For new neighborhood groups/pods just getting organized (over the past year or less); or longstanding groups who haven’t met for a while
Cultivation Grants (up to $1000):
- For established neighborhood groups with an existing track record, wanting to expand or strengthen your preparedness efforts OR
- community facilities in the process of developing their sites as resilience hubs
Types of Grants and Project Ideas
SEED GRANTS: For new or inactive groups
Seed grants are for new neighborhood groups/pods just getting organized (over the past year or less); or longstanding groups who haven’t met for a while. We would love to see applications from participants in the City of Berkeley’s recent neighborhood group workshop; neighbors wanting to expand activites beyond your annual block party; or Bay Resistance neighborhood pods interested in integrating disaster preparedness or mutual aid. We can help you to reach out to experienced groups if you need support.
- Host a neighborhood potluck or block party with disaster preparedness themes
- Host a potluck and buy emergency supplies, to start an emergency cache
Resources for New Neighborhood Groups:
Six Critical Steps for Neighborhoods
Starting a Neighborhood Group Checklist
Event Ideas for Six Critical Steps
CULTIVATION GRANTS: For Established Groups
Are you a group with an emergency cache, meets on a regular basis about emergency preparedness? Apply for a cultivation grant! Your group could:
- Re-up your emergency supplies, and host a community gathering to introduce them to neighbors
- Mentor a new group and host an event with them
- Organize an extreme weather tabletop exercise
- Start a new project in your neighborhood, like planting trees or helping out at the nearby community garden
Other Resources for Neighborhood Groups:
How to Organize Neighborhood Evacuation Drills
CULTIVATION GRANTS: For Community Sites
Are you trusted community space (such as a place of worship, community center, library or school) wanting to provide more services during emergencies? Eager to start the path in becoming a resilience hub? Apply for a cultivation grant! Your site could:
- Community gardens could host a garden work day and skill share about growing food
- Community centers could work with nearby neighborhood groups to a visioning session or disaster preparedness workshop
- Sites could buy supplies for extreme heat and pilot test becoming a cooling center or hydration station
- Sites could purchase a mobile solar generator, and/or host a disaster preparedness workshop for neighbors
Resources for Resilience Hubs/Spaces:
Ava Community Energy’s Resilience Hubs Initiative
Recommended Programs & Projects for Resilience Hubs
Article about resilience hubs (Greenlining Institute)
Additional Resources and Organizations
Resources for Neighborhood Groups — Various resources from the Neighborhood Group training can be found here.
Program Recommendations for Resilience Hubs — Ideas for how community sites can respond to extreme heat and other extreme weather events.
And check out the City of Berkeley’s Six Critical Steps for Neighborhood Groups.
Listos California — Many resources about disaster preparedness, in multiple languages.
Berkeley Firesafe Council — Great resources + ways to join groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an underserved community?
An underserved community refers to groups of people or geographic populations that face systemic barriers and lack adequate access to essential services, resources, or opportunities. These communities are frequently hindered by economic, social, or geographic factors that prevent them from fully participating in civic, economic, and social life, such as redlining.
Who is funding this grants program?
The Berkeley Disaster Preparedness Neighborhood Network received a grant to fund it.
Who is deciding who receives the grants?
A grants committee comprised of BDPNN Board members, Collective Resilience staff an community members will be deciding the funding.