Compensation - California Climate and Energy Collaborative

Barrier 3: Compensation and Resource Gaps

Barrier Statement

When resources are scarce and funding structures are too rigid or short-term, communities struggle to participate fully and maintain long-term involvement.

Filterable Database

How communities are experiencing this barrier

View the details on what communities have shared with SLECC from across the state.

Key challenge discussed in - Los Angeles

Short grant timelines: Funding opportunities often give only weeks to prepare proposals, requiring professional grant writers. Smaller cities and CBOs without such staff cannot compete

Key challenge discussed in - Los Angeles

Lack of local funding: Philanthropic foundations often fund outside organizations with no local roots, displacing long-term local partners (“philanthropic gentrification”)

Key challenge discussed in - Los Angeles

Unpaid participation: Community reps on steering committees or coalitions are often expected to contribute without stipends, covering costs from their general operating budgets

Key challenge discussed in - Los Angeles

Grant restrictions: Many funding programs prohibit childcare, food, or resident stipends, which directly prevents working parents, single mothers, or low-income households from attending meetings. A striking example: meetings scheduled at 3pm (school pickup time) systematically excluded single mothers

Local Solution Opportunities

SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by local leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.

Local Solution

Pool regional resources to ensure smaller CBOs and rural jurisdictions can compete for grants and maintain participation

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Los Angeles

Local Solution

Advocate for local governments to adopt compensation standards for community engagement (stipends, travel reimbursements, childcare)

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Los Angeles

Local Solution

Philanthropic gentrification safeguards: Local/regional entities should advocate that funders prioritize existing CBOs rather than parachuting in outsiders

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Los Angeles

State Solution Opportunities

SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by state leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.

State Solution

Extend planning grant timelines (beyond 2 years) for deeper community engagement.

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Los Angeles

State Solution

Make childcare, food, and resident stipends allowable expenses across all state-administered grant programs

Existing Examples of Progress:

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Los Angeles

State Solution

Provide advance funding or flexible sub-grants to CBOs so they can staff up and provide early outreach so that engagement is not stalled by cash flow.

Existing Examples of Progress:

Southern California Edison - Utility-funded outreach: Edison provided advance engagement funding to CBO partners, enabling early outreach before state funding cycles caught up. This ensured participation wasn’t stalled by cash flow issues

Further Progress Pathways

Region(s): Los Angeles

Solution Spotlight

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