California Restores $7.3M for Climate Projects in San Diego’s Historic Barrios After EPA Cuts
State funding revives the Rooted in Comunidad, Cultivating Equity initiative led by San Diego Foundation and the Environmental Health Coalition
Long-planned investments in cleaner air, safer streets, and expanded green space will move forward in San Diego’s historic barrios after the California Strategic Growth Council approved an additional $7.3 million to close a funding gap left by cuts to previously awarded EPA grants.
The Dec. 10 decision restores the Rooted in Comunidad, Cultivating Equity (RICCE) initiative — a Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) grant — to its originally proposed $29.5 million funding level, ensuring that all community-identified improvement projects can proceed as planned. The additional funding was made possible by the passage of Proposition 4 in 2024, which supports expanded investment in climate-related projects. The initiative is led by San Diego Foundation and the Environmental Health Coalition, working alongside 10 dedicated community partner organizations.
Developed through extensive community engagement in Barrio Logan, Logan Heights, Sherman Heights, Shelltown, Stockton, Grant Hill, Mount Hope, and Southcrest, the project reflects priorities identified directly by residents, including:
- Improved air quality near industrial corridors
- Safer, more accessible streets and transit connections
- Urban greening and expanded open space
- Workforce development tied to climate-related careers
- Increased affordable housing and anti-gentrification efforts
“This funding restoration demonstrates California’s commitment to supporting community-driven climate solutions, even during times of uncertainty,” said Mark Stuart, President and CEO of San Diego Foundation. “San Diego Foundation remains dedicated to being a steady, reliable partner for the residents of the historic barrios, ensuring that investments align with community priorities and that a healthier, more sustainable future can move forward as planned.”
The supplemental award restores California’s original level of support for the project following funding volatility that affected climate initiatives statewide:
- The Rooted in Comunidad, Cultivating Equity initiative was initially awarded $22 million in 2023, with project partners encouraged to seek additional resources to close the remaining gap.
- While federal funding for the initiative awarded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2024 was later rescinded in 2025 as part of a national policy shift, the state of California’s action ensures stability for the community-driven work and allows implementation to proceed as planned.
“This funding is an initial step in restoring hope and trust in a community that wasn’t just devastated by the EPA funding cuts this year, but that has been underinvested in for generations,” said Jose Franco Garcia, Executive Director of Environmental Health Coalition. “This is a huge win for San Diego’s historic barrios, especially the over 400 community members who participated in the grant application process, helping identify which improvement projects will preserve, protect, and strengthen their community.”
California’s TCC program invests in neighborhood-level climate solutions in communities facing longstanding environmental and economic challenges. Projects are required to be developed with meaningful community input and to deliver measurable benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved public health, and economic opportunity. The RICCE initiative represents one of four projects across the state selected for TCC funding in 2023.
With full state funding now secured, project partners are moving forward with implementation while continuing to explore additional resources to address the loss of federal support.
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About San Diego Foundation
San Diego Foundation believes in just, equitable and resilient communities where every San Diegan can prosper, thrive and feel like they belong. We partner with donors, nonprofits and regional leaders to co-create solutions that respond to community needs and strengthen San Diego. Since our founding in 1975, our community foundation has granted $1.8 billion to nonprofits to improve quality of life in San Diego County and beyond. Join us in commemorating 50 years of impact — and looking toward the next 50 — by learning more at SDFoundation.org.
About Environmental Health Coalition
Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) works for environmental justice in the San Diego/Tijuana region and throughout California. Founded in 1980, EHC has worked to reduce pollution and improve health and well-being for thousands of people in underserved, low-income communities.