About
Collective Resilience is excited to be collaborating with the Berkeley Disaster Preparedness Neighborhood Network in pilot testing its first mini-grants program! The program will distribute $9000 in funding for neighborhood groups and community spaces in Berkeley, 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 (with potential for extended timelines)
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 are inactive
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 your sites as resilience spaces or hubs
Types of Grants and Project Ideas
Resources for New Neighborhood Groups
SEED GRANTS: For new or inactive groups
Seed grants are for new neighborhood groups/pods just getting organized (over the past year or less). For example, we welcome applications from inactive groups, participants in the City of Berkeley’s recent neighborhood group workshop series; neighbors wanting to expand activites beyond an annual block party; or Bay Resistance neighborhood pods interested in integrating disaster preparedness or mutual aid. Project ideas include:
- Organize a neighborhood potluck or block party with disaster preparedness themes
- Take an inventory with your neighbors and start a cache of emergency supplies with them
- Acquire supplies for neighborhood gatherings such as foldable tables, chairs, or canopies
Other Resources for Neighborhood Groups
CULTIVATION GRANTS: For Established Groups
Are you a group who has been meeting on a regular basis to prepare for emergencies and build community ties? Does your neighborhood already have an emergency cache of supplies? Apply for a cultivation grant! Your group could:
- Add to your emergency cache, and/or purchase emergency supplies for neighbors who can’t afford to do so
- Host a Fireproofing Fiesta (helping neighbors to harden their homes)
- Recruit and compensate young or underserved neighbors to host events or attend CERT classes
- Host meetings with nearby neighborhoods to create district emergency plans; or organize emergency drills with them
- Start a new project in your neighborhood, like planting trees or helping out at the nearby community garden
Resources for Resilience Hubs/Spaces
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
Additional Resources and Organizations
Resources for Neighborhood Groups
Various resources from the Neighborhood Group training can be found here.
Berkeley Firesafe Council
Great resources + ways to join groups.
Listos California
Lots of resources for extreme weather and emergencies, in multiple languages.
Shareable
Lots of How-To Guides to build a culture of sharing and caring in neighborhoods and community spaces.
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.
How will decisions about the grant funding be made?
A grants committee comprised of BDPNN Board members, Collective Resilience staff an community members will be deciding the funding.
What is a resilience hub?
What is a resilience hub? There is no official definition for resilience hubs, but they can be defined as: “a trusted, community-serving facility augmented to support residents and coordinate resources before, during, or after a crisis. Operating as neighborhood centers year-round, these spaces shift power to locals while enhancing emergency preparedness, promoting social cohesion, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.” These facilities are often located in places people already know and trust, such as community centers, libraries, schools, faith-based organizations, and nonprofit buildings.
It's hard to do anything with $500/$1000! What can we do to actually make an impact with so little money!
We agree, these grants are indeed “mini”. While we wish the grants could be larger, we are pilot testing the program with the very limited resources that we have (BDPNN is a volunteer-run nonprofit organization). We are raising additional funds until August 10th here, which will support either larger grants or more of them. Nonetheless, we have found that even small grants can inspire neighborhood groups and grassroots projects to organize and implement grassroots projects. We also encourage you to raise your own funds if this mini-grant does not cover all of your expenses.