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Page 2 of 21 <br /> <br />*Please be sure to check the Grant Project website regularly for updates and for notice about participating <br />in Application Q&A Sessions (to be recorded). <br /> <br />Eligibility: <br />All public and non-profit entities are eligible to apply as well as small businesses whose gross revenues do <br />not exceed $3 million annually. All proposed projects must demonstrate a positive impact on Orange <br />County’s residents and environment as described in the scoring criteria. All funds awarded through this <br />grant program should be spent in Orange County. Before funds can be distributed, successful applicants <br />must have the legal standing to enter into a contractual funding agreement with Orange County. Such legal <br />standing is not required at the time of application. <br /> <br />The Board of Orange County Commissioners (BOCC) intends to use the Climate Action Fund to support <br />projects that would not be completed without funding assistance. Existing projects and programs may be <br />eligible if the applicant can demonstrate that Climate Action Funding would significantly accelerate the pace <br />or amplify the scope of the project or program. Projects that contain repairs and replacement of necessary <br />technology or infrastructure must show both energy efficiency improvements and demonstrate that the <br />project is unlikely to be funded through another funding mechanism within the next 5 years. <br /> <br /> <br />Scoring Process and Technical Assistance: <br />For the FY 20-21 funding round, there will be a single open application period during the Fall of 2020 with <br />project awards announced by the end of the January 2021. <br /> <br />In addition to the guidance and online impact estimation tools provided, the Orange County Commission for <br />the Environment (CFE) and supporting staff will respond to applicants’ requests for clarification or technical <br />assistance if submitted before the posted deadline for questions. Applicants are encouraged to ask for <br />clarification and technical assistance as early as possible. Questions and requests for Technical Assistance <br />should be directed to the Orange County Sustainability Coordinator, Brennan Bouma <br />(bbouma@orangecountync.gov). <br /> <br />Once the FY 2021 application period closes, the CFE will review and score all eligible projects using a formula <br />that prioritizes social justice and racial equity. The CFE will consult with other experts or advisory boards on <br />any or all submitted applications for the purposes of ensuring diversity and inclusion and to reinforce their <br />scoring decisions. Upon request, comments from the reviewers on an application will be made available to <br />the Board of Orange County Commissioners and/or to the party who submitted the application. <br /> <br />The CFE will deliver a rank-ordered list of their recommended projects and scores to the Board of Orange <br />County Commissioners who will make the final funding decisions. In this process, the CFE may recommend <br />full or partial funding for their recommended projects. <br /> <br /> <br />Scoring Criteria: <br />Projects will be assessed by the CFE based primarily on the following criteria. Example metrics that can be <br />used to assign scores under the criteria are listed below each one. Not all example metrics will apply to each <br />project. <br /> <br />Application reviewers will pay close attention to any objective and authoritative evidence supporting a <br />proposed project. As you complete your application, please describe how your proposed programs align <br />with evidence-based approaches to addressing climate change. <br /> <br />DocuSign Envelope ID: 6F2DEF91-DA4B-449D-8062-2F5319D9C9CC