Bellevue Youth Climate Action Fund

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Bellevue Youth Climate Action Fund

Bloomberg Philanthropies launched the Youth Climate Action Fund to help empower the next generation of climate leaders. As a Bloomberg Sustainable City, Bellevue received funds to distribute as microgrants to youth groups seeking to address climate change and its impacts on our community. The city was awarded $50,000 to fund projects through microgrants to youth teams to lead the climate action they want to see in their communities.

Microgrants of $1,000-$5,000 will enable youth-led organizations to implement new projects related to one of the following focus areas in our Sustainable Bellevue Plan:

  • Climate Change
  • Energy and Buildings
  • Mobility and Land Use
  • Waste and Materials Management
  • Natural Resources

Projects can be focused on climate mitigation (reducing pollution), climate resilience (adapting to the impacts of climate change), or climate engagement (getting people educated or involved). View the Sustainable Bellevue Dashboard to see the data behind each focus area.

Applications will now be accepted on a rolling basis starting August 15 to October 1, 2026. The application open call date has been moved back by a month to give applicants additional time.

Interested and want to stay up to date? Fill out the early interest form to get started.

How to Apply:

  1. Applications for project proposals will open on August 15.
  2. Fill out the Early Interest Form before August 15 to receive a direct link to the application when it opens.
  3. Direct access to applications will be available under "Important Links" on the right side column of this page.

The city will be holding application support workshops in late August and early September to offer technical assistance and support for designing effective projects and writing successful proposals.


Program Details

Program Eligibility

  • Teams of no fewer than 3 must be ages 15–24.
  • At least one team member must be of at least 18 years or older and live in / go to school in Bellevue.
  • Youth must be involved in project planning, proposal writing, and project execution.
  • Projects must be implemented by youth teams but may intend to impact residents of all ages.

Microgrant Details

  • $1,000-$5,000 per project.
  • Funding available for youth-led climate action initiatives.
  • Projects should demonstrate clear environmental or community impact.
  • Funding will be dispersed to recipients in Nov. 2026.

Project Requirements

  • Projects must be new and located in the City of Bellevue
  • Grant recipients must submit regular reports and documentation of expenditures.
  • Projects must demonstrate impact toward the goals outlined in the Sustainable Bellevue Plan and be related to:
    • Climate Change Mitigation and Resilience
    • Energy and Buildings
    • Mobility and Land Use
    • Waste and Materials Management
    • Natural Resources

Example Projects:

  • Community gardens, tree and native species planting
  • Programs to encourage or facilitate recycling and composting
  • Public art and awareness campaigns
  • Education programs on climate change mitigation and resilience
  • Initiatives to promote biking, walking and pollution-free transportation

Get creative!


Fiscal Sponsorship

Projects are led by young people, but funds must be disbursed to organizations. Project Teams are encouraged to work with a community-based organization (CBO) that they have an existing relationship with. If you do not currently work with a CBO or are unsure of how to find a fiscal sponsor, the city will match you with one.

Eligible fiscal sponsors include:

  • Youth-led organizations (e.g. youth clubs or groups)
  • Youth-serving organizations (adult-led organizations supporting young people)
  • Sponsor organizations, such as city agencies, schools or other educational institutions, museums, or community organizations

All organizations must:

  • Be legally registered entities
  • Be recognized as a non-profit or charitable organization
  • Have a bank account in the organization’s name

A single organization may receive up to three microgrants for separate projects.

Eligible Costs
Funding may be used for materials, supplies, and services needed to implement and promote the project, as well as youth participation expenses such as transportation and food. Limited costs associated with adult project sponsorship are also eligible.

15% of the total project budget should be allocated for fiscal sponsor administrative expenses.

Ineligible Activities
Funding cannot support projects that are already underway or services already provided through existing City initiatives. It also may not be used for speaker honorariums or fees, projects that primarily benefit religious organizations, or indirect expenses such as rent or utilities. Additional ineligible uses include nonprofit incorporation fees, scholarships, direct financial support to individuals or families, and any activities related to partisan political organizations, candidates, or fundraising. Legislative advocacy, lobbying efforts, capital campaigns, endowments, and endowed chairs are also not eligible for funding.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, contact ycaf@bellevuewa.gov.

Bellevue Youth Climate Action Fund

Bloomberg Philanthropies launched the Youth Climate Action Fund to help empower the next generation of climate leaders. As a Bloomberg Sustainable City, Bellevue received funds to distribute as microgrants to youth groups seeking to address climate change and its impacts on our community. The city was awarded $50,000 to fund projects through microgrants to youth teams to lead the climate action they want to see in their communities.

Microgrants of $1,000-$5,000 will enable youth-led organizations to implement new projects related to one of the following focus areas in our Sustainable Bellevue Plan:

  • Climate Change
  • Energy and Buildings
  • Mobility and Land Use
  • Waste and Materials Management
  • Natural Resources

Projects can be focused on climate mitigation (reducing pollution), climate resilience (adapting to the impacts of climate change), or climate engagement (getting people educated or involved). View the Sustainable Bellevue Dashboard to see the data behind each focus area.

Applications will now be accepted on a rolling basis starting August 15 to October 1, 2026. The application open call date has been moved back by a month to give applicants additional time.

Interested and want to stay up to date? Fill out the early interest form to get started.

How to Apply:

  1. Applications for project proposals will open on August 15.
  2. Fill out the Early Interest Form before August 15 to receive a direct link to the application when it opens.
  3. Direct access to applications will be available under "Important Links" on the right side column of this page.

The city will be holding application support workshops in late August and early September to offer technical assistance and support for designing effective projects and writing successful proposals.


Program Details

Program Eligibility

  • Teams of no fewer than 3 must be ages 15–24.
  • At least one team member must be of at least 18 years or older and live in / go to school in Bellevue.
  • Youth must be involved in project planning, proposal writing, and project execution.
  • Projects must be implemented by youth teams but may intend to impact residents of all ages.

Microgrant Details

  • $1,000-$5,000 per project.
  • Funding available for youth-led climate action initiatives.
  • Projects should demonstrate clear environmental or community impact.
  • Funding will be dispersed to recipients in Nov. 2026.

Project Requirements

  • Projects must be new and located in the City of Bellevue
  • Grant recipients must submit regular reports and documentation of expenditures.
  • Projects must demonstrate impact toward the goals outlined in the Sustainable Bellevue Plan and be related to:
    • Climate Change Mitigation and Resilience
    • Energy and Buildings
    • Mobility and Land Use
    • Waste and Materials Management
    • Natural Resources

Example Projects:

  • Community gardens, tree and native species planting
  • Programs to encourage or facilitate recycling and composting
  • Public art and awareness campaigns
  • Education programs on climate change mitigation and resilience
  • Initiatives to promote biking, walking and pollution-free transportation

Get creative!


Fiscal Sponsorship

Projects are led by young people, but funds must be disbursed to organizations. Project Teams are encouraged to work with a community-based organization (CBO) that they have an existing relationship with. If you do not currently work with a CBO or are unsure of how to find a fiscal sponsor, the city will match you with one.

Eligible fiscal sponsors include:

  • Youth-led organizations (e.g. youth clubs or groups)
  • Youth-serving organizations (adult-led organizations supporting young people)
  • Sponsor organizations, such as city agencies, schools or other educational institutions, museums, or community organizations

All organizations must:

  • Be legally registered entities
  • Be recognized as a non-profit or charitable organization
  • Have a bank account in the organization’s name

A single organization may receive up to three microgrants for separate projects.

Eligible Costs
Funding may be used for materials, supplies, and services needed to implement and promote the project, as well as youth participation expenses such as transportation and food. Limited costs associated with adult project sponsorship are also eligible.

15% of the total project budget should be allocated for fiscal sponsor administrative expenses.

Ineligible Activities
Funding cannot support projects that are already underway or services already provided through existing City initiatives. It also may not be used for speaker honorariums or fees, projects that primarily benefit religious organizations, or indirect expenses such as rent or utilities. Additional ineligible uses include nonprofit incorporation fees, scholarships, direct financial support to individuals or families, and any activities related to partisan political organizations, candidates, or fundraising. Legislative advocacy, lobbying efforts, capital campaigns, endowments, and endowed chairs are also not eligible for funding.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, contact ycaf@bellevuewa.gov.

  • City receives Bloomberg Philanthropies funds to empower young people in finding innovative climate solutions

    Share City receives Bloomberg Philanthropies funds to empower young people in finding innovative climate solutions on Facebook Share City receives Bloomberg Philanthropies funds to empower young people in finding innovative climate solutions on X (formerly Twitter) Share City receives Bloomberg Philanthropies funds to empower young people in finding innovative climate solutions on Linkedin Email City receives Bloomberg Philanthropies funds to empower young people in finding innovative climate solutions link

    Bellevue, Wash. – With a $50,000 award from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund, the City of Bellevue is expanding opportunities for young residents to lead in developing innovative climate solutions for their community this summer.

    As a participating city in Bloomberg’s global Youth Climate Action Fund, Bellevue’s Sustainable Bellevue team will launch an open call in July seeking ambitious, youth-led climate project proposals. Bellevue’s young people ages 15–24 will be invited to submit their own project ideas that align with the city’s broader sustainability goals and are aimed at mitigating climate-related risks and strengthening community resilience.

    “Bellevue is honored to be one of 300 cities worldwide that were given this opportunity to invest in our young people’s futures and ideas,” said Mayor Mo Malakoutian. “We are proud to demonstrate our commitment to Bellevue’s core values of innovation and stewardship by empowering today’s youth to lead tomorrow’s solutions.”

    From start to finish, selected projects and the young people managing them will receive micro-grants of up to $5,000 to help bring these climate solutions to life, as well as ongoing guidance from the city and Bloomberg Philanthropies.

    “The Youth Climate Action Fund is helping city halls around the world work alongside hundreds of thousands of young people to take action on city climate challenges and improve their communities,” said Patricia E. Harris, CEO of Bloomberg Philanthropies. “They are showing how local government can be a partner on issues youth and residents care deeply about – and they are building trust along the way. We look forward to expanding on these efforts and inspiring a new generation of civic leaders.”

    Bellevue, Wash. – With a $50,000 award from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund, the City of Bellevue is expanding opportunities for young residents to lead in developing innovative climate solutions for their community this summer.

    As a participating city in Bloomberg’s global Youth Climate Action Fund, Bellevue’s Sustainable Bellevue team will launch an open call in July seeking ambitious, youth-led climate project proposals. Bellevue’s young people ages 15–24 will be invited to submit their own project ideas that align with the city’s broader sustainability goals and are aimed at mitigating climate-related risks and strengthening community resilience.

    “Bellevue is honored to be one of 300 cities worldwide that were given this opportunity to invest in our young people’s futures and ideas,” said Mayor Mo Malakoutian. “We are proud to demonstrate our commitment to Bellevue’s core values of innovation and stewardship by empowering today’s youth to lead tomorrow’s solutions.”

    From start to finish, selected projects and the young people managing them will receive micro-grants of up to $5,000 to help bring these climate solutions to life, as well as ongoing guidance from the city and Bloomberg Philanthropies.

    “The Youth Climate Action Fund is helping city halls around the world work alongside hundreds of thousands of young people to take action on city climate challenges and improve their communities,” said Patricia E. Harris, CEO of Bloomberg Philanthropies. “They are showing how local government can be a partner on issues youth and residents care deeply about – and they are building trust along the way. We look forward to expanding on these efforts and inspiring a new generation of civic leaders.”

Page last updated: 19 Jul 2026, 11:30 AM