Mesa is now taking applications for its Youth Climate Action Fund.
Groups of three or more applicants ages 15 to 24 who live in or attend school in Mesa can apply for the grants of up to $5,000 for projects focused on issues like air quality, water stewardship or heat mitigation.
“I really like it because it’s going to tackle our climate challenge issues and works toward a sustainable community here in Mesa,” said Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman.
This is the second year Mesa has offered the grants. Bloomberg Philanthropies awarded the city $50,000 to launch the Youth Climate Action Fund in 2024 and is providing $85,000 for the program this year.
Freeman said last year’s projects are already making impacts.
“The BASIS environmental club deployed nine air quality sensors across Mesa to monitor pollution like ozone and PM2.5. I applaud them for that,” Freeman said. “Heartwood Montessori did a project addressing food systems by transforming a grassy field into a sustainable garden.”
Some of last year’s grants also paid for student groups to plant shade trees on school campuses, or to create school composting programs.
This year’s priority review deadline is March 28, but applications will be accepted through May 23.
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