Delivering on the Promise of Proposition 4, AB 265, and GGRF—A Moral Imperative for TrueEquity

Dear Governor Newsom, Senate President Pro Tempore McGuire, and Speaker Rivas,

We write as a coalition of environmental justice advocates, spiritual congregations, and community-based organizations serving California’s most disadvantaged communities. We urge you to ensure that the transformative funding opportunities provided by Proposition 4—the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024—AB 265’s $100 million fund for Small Businesses and Nonprofits, and the Cap & Trade Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), are directly and equitably allocated through organizations rooted in the communities they are meant to serve.

A History of Overlooked Communities—and a Call for Accountability

For too long, vulnerable communities have been used as a justification for funding that ultimately enriches outside interests, while the people most impacted by environmental injustice remain neglected. This is not just a policy issue—it is a moral one. These communities face daily realities that Proposition 4 and related measures were designed to address:

● Unsafe drinking water, with families exposed to contamination and aging infrastructure.

● Constant threat of wildfires, with little access to prevention resources or recovery support.

● Chronic drought, which devastates local economies and disproportionately burdens low-income and rural residents.

● Dangerous air quality, leading to higher rates of asthma and other health disparities.

● Small businesses and nonprofits that are the backbone of these neighborhoods, yet struggle for the resources needed to serve their people.

Why Community-Based Organizations Must Lead

The intent behind Proposition 4, AB 265, and the GGRF is clear: to build resilience, health, and opportunity in the communities that need it most. But unless funding flows directly through trusted, community-based nonprofits—organizations with a proven record of service and deep local knowledge—these promises will go unfulfilled. As the Environmental Justice League has said, “Money that is for us, should come through us and to us.”

When funds are routed through large, distant entities, the result is inefficiency, waste, and a loss of community trust. In contrast, community-based organizations deliver real, measurable outcomes, ensure cultural competence, and build local capacity for lasting change. This is not hypothetical: programs like AB 617’s Community Air Protection initiative and local efforts such as the proposed BAAQMD People’s Air Grant Program show the effectiveness of direct, community-led action.

The Path Forward: Concrete Steps for Equity

To honor the spirit and the letter of these landmark measures, we respectfully urge your administrations and state agencies to:

● Prioritize direct allocation of grants and funding to nonprofit organizations with a demonstrated, long-term commitment to disadvantaged communities.

● Engage environmental justice and community organizations early and formally in developing program guidelines, eligibility criteria, and project selection processes.

● Ensure robust, accessible technical assistance programs—designed in partnership with community groups—to empower local nonprofits to apply for, receive, and manage these funds.

● Involve community-based organizations in planning, monitoring, and reporting for all funded projects, ensuring transparency and accountability.

A Moral Commitment to Justice

This is an uphill battle. Our communities have too often seen their struggles used as leverage for funding that never reaches them. We ask you to break this cycle. Investing directly in trusted, local nonprofits is not only the most effective and efficient approach—it is the only way to deliver on the moral promise of these historic investments. The

Environmental Justice Coalition stands ready to partner with you to ensure that every dollar reaches those for whom it was intended, building a healthier, more just California for all.