Support Climate Resilience Funding

Subject: Please Protect OOS Grants in the City Budget

Dear Members of City Council,

I’m writing to express deep concern about the proposed reduction to the Office of Sustainability (OOS) grants program from $250,000 to $150,000 as discussed in the recent budget session.

This program currently faces over $1.2 million in community requests, a clear sign of both the growing need and strong public support for local climate action. The OOS grants are a vital tool for advancing RVAgreen 2050, the city’s own climate equity framework, which centers frontline communities in building resilience and reducing emissions.

Cutting this funding now, alongside potential reductions to participatory budgeting, would significantly undermine the city's ability to deliver on RVAgreen 2050's goals, especially as environmental organizations are being targeted by the White House administration and dealing with shrinking federal dollars. These grants provide direct support for neighborhood-scale solutions like tree plantings, community and school gardens, green jobs, energy efficiency, and climate justice.

I urge you to maintain the full $250,000 allocation for OOS grants in the FY2026 budget and reaffirm Richmond’s commitment to equitable, community-driven climate action.

Sincerely,
[Name]