Tucson Youth Climate Action Fund Doubles to $100,000

Funding available for youth-led climate projects in Tucson has doubled to $100,000 through a new matching investment from the Arizona Community Foundation, expanding opportunities for young people to turn their climate ideas into action. To give more young people an opportunity to participate in the expanded program, the City of Tucson is extending the application deadline to October 30, 2026. 

The Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) is matching the City of Tucson’s support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, through its participation in the Tucson Youth Climate Action Fund, dollar for dollar. Building on the City of Tucson’s work in the program, the investments from ACF will further expand resources for young people ages 15–24 to develop and lead projects that help make Tucson more sustainable, resilient, and climate-ready. 

With the expanded funding and additional time to apply, Tucson youth can request microgrants of $1,000–$5,000 to bring their ideas to life. Projects can address issues young people care about in their schools, neighborhoods, and across the Tucson community—from extreme heat and water conservation to energy, transportation, waste reduction, community resilience, education, art, research, and other locally relevant climate solutions. 

“The Youth Climate Action Fund has helped hundreds of thousands of young people around the world come to see local government not as the problem—but as their partner—in solving the issue they care most about,” said Jaime Lavin, who leads Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund. “When mayors invite residents in and put real capacity behind their ideas, engagement stops being a promise and starts producing results—and rebuilds faith in what city hall can do. That is the model 98 municipalities helped prove and 300 more will now put to work—pushing even further.” 

The City of Tucson is implementing its work through the Youth Climate Action Fund locally, providing outreach, application resources, technical support, and connections to community partners. The program also builds on years of collaboration between Tucson’s young people and City leaders on climate action. 

“Tucson’s young people have been part of our climate work for years. They advocated for action, helped shape our Climate Emergency Declaration and Tucson Resilient Together, and continue to bring their experiences and ideas to our resilience work,” said Tucson Mayor Regina Romero. “The Youth Climate Action Fund builds on that history by giving young people resources to lead solutions of their own. I’m grateful to Bloomberg Philanthropies for bringing this opportunity to Tucson and to the Arizona Community Foundation for doubling that investment locally. To Tucson’s young people: this is your opportunity to lead. Apply, bring your ideas forward, and help us build a more sustainable and resilient Tucson together.” 

ACF’s $50,000 match continues the foundation’s investment in Tucson’s young people and in opportunities for them to help build a more resilient community. Building on ACF’s support for local youth climate and resilience efforts, the matching funds expand Bloomberg Philanthropies’ investment and help more young people move their ideas into action, while contributing to a broader effort to grow investment in Tucson’s next generation of climate leaders and locally led environmental solutions. 

Youth projects supported through the fund will also be highlighted at Arizona’s Environmental Convening, hosted by ACF in Phoenix on December 2–3, 2026, providing young people an opportunity to share their work alongside other community-driven solutions advancing heat resilience across Arizona.  

“Arizona is already facing the environmental challenges that cities around the world will soon confront, so the solutions built here will travel. Tucson's young people are already building them,” said Anna Maria Chávez, President and CEO of the Arizona Community Foundation. “We're proud to build on Bloomberg Philanthropies’ backing of the Youth Climate Action Fund in Tucson and to double that investment locally, because the young people who will care for Arizona's land and water for generations should have the resources to lead now. On December 2 and 3, the Arizona Community Foundation will bring leaders from across the state, the country and the world together with these young innovators, and their ideas will be at the center of that conversation.” 

This work is building on Tucson’s history of youth involvement in climate action. Young people helped build momentum for stronger climate policies, worked with City leaders on Tucson’s 2020 Climate Emergency Declaration, and helped shape Tucson Resilient Together, the City’s climate action and adaptation plan. They have continued to bring their perspectives and ideas into Tucson’s climate resilience work, including efforts focused on extreme heat. 

The Youth Climate Action Fund builds on that foundation by providing young people with dedicated resources to develop and lead projects of their own. Now, the City’s expanded $100,000 total investment in these efforts also creates an opportunity to demonstrate what is possible when philanthropy, local government, community partners, and young people work together—and to encourage additional investment in youth-led climate solutions. 

Young people do not need to be climate experts or have a fully developed project before getting started. The City has developed free resources to help applicants move from an idea to an application, including short how-to videos, a Youth Climate Action Fund Project Workbook, project examples, FAQs, and opportunities to connect with City staff for support.  

The extended October 30 deadline gives interested youth additional time to develop their ideas, connect with teammates and sponsor organizations, use the available resources, and prepare their applications. Youth who are already working on an application are encouraged to submit as soon as they are ready. 

Eligible teams must include at least two youth leaders, with the majority of the team between ages 15 and 24. Projects must be located within the City of Tucson and have an eligible sponsor organization, such as a school, university, nonprofit, museum, or youth/community organization. The City can help connect youth teams with potential sponsors when needed. 

Projects can request $1,000–$5,000 and should connect to at least one of Tucson’s climate priorities: Energy; Community Resilience; Resource Recovery & Management; Transportation & Land Use; or Governance & Leadership. 

Applications are now due October 30, 2026. Program information, how-to videos, the YCAF Project Workbook, application resources, and the application are available at: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Government/Youth-Climate-Action-Fund 

Direct resource folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1N0nSUfH3Wzb3_9UxlAlbwK2wk_YIhK2H?usp=sharing