The City of Boston’s Air Pollution Control Commission (APCC), operating under the Environment Department, administers the Community Clean Air Grant to support nonprofit-led projects aimed at reducing air pollution and carbon emissions. This initiative, piloted in 2021 and now in its 2025 cycle, funds community-based strategies that align with the city’s goals of carbon neutrality by 2050 and improving public health in Boston’s most affected neighborhoods.

Applications for the 2025 cycle opened on March 17, 2025, at 9:00 AM and will close on May 15, 2025, at 4:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time. The grant supports projects that eliminate local sources of pollution, promote the transition to clean energy, enhance indoor air quality, and raise awareness about the impacts of pollution and climate change. The program prioritizes projects that benefit communities located near highways or transportation infrastructure and populations considered socially vulnerable, such as people of color, older adults, children, and individuals with chronic illnesses.

Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations operating within Boston. Although a nonprofit may submit multiple proposals, the APCC will fund only one project per organization per fiscal year. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend one of two scheduled information sessions on March 25 at 5:30 PM and April 4 at 10:00 AM. Weekly office hours are also held on Wednesdays from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Translation services for the information sessions are available upon request with at least one week’s notice via email.

Applicants must submit a completed application, and they may also choose to submit an optional preliminary proposal and a partnership form. Once submitted, applicants will receive an email confirmation and subsequent updates on their proposal status. Awards are determined by a multi-departmental evaluation committee to ensure an equitable and comprehensive selection process.

For more information or to ask questions, applicants can contact the APCC at apcc@boston.gov using the subject line “Community Clean Air Grant Question.” Additional details, including resources and application links, are available on the City of Boston’s website.