Mesa Youth Climate Action Fund

Open to groups of 3 or more applicants, the majority being between the ages of 15-24 years old, who reside in, attend school in, or whose initiative directly benefits the community of Mesa.

While all parts of the Climate Action Plan are important and applications addressing any part of the Mesa Climate Action Plan will be considered on merit, the city would like to take a moment to encourage student applications that address our most immediate identified needs such as Heat Mitigation, Water Stewardship, Clean Air, and increasing Mesa’s shade tree canopy.

Project Ideas to Inspire You

Here are some project ideas to get you thinking, but use your imagination! This is your project and your chance to make a difference.

Physical Projects – build a school or community garden; change out outdated lightbulbs with energy efficient options; create a rainwater harvesting basin; add desert-adapted plants to your neighborhood, church or school; create a public art display; organize tree plantings; hold neighborhood or roadway clean-ups. 

Build a Rain Garden on Your School Campus

Sow It Forward’s Tower Garden Farm-To-Market Program

Install a Hydration Station to Reduce the Use of Bottled Water

Outdoor Recreation Terracycle | Office of Sustainability (arizona.edu)

Events and Education – host an outreach event online or in person; host educational events such as a water conservation campaign or promoting the value of trees; organize a bicycle or pedestrian event; hold a waste collection or waste reduction drive; implement energy efficiency measures at your school or other community space. 

Palm Drive District - Shade Sail Installation | Office of Sustainability (arizona.edu)

Sustainability Summit 2024 | Office of Sustainability (arizona.edu)

Data-based Projects – tree inventories; data research; data collection.

RM Going Green (Red Mountain High School) Climate(PDF, 1MB)

Rubbish Ravagers (Red Mountain High School) Recycling(PDF, 263KB)

Undercover Slim Shady (Westwood High School) Urban Heat(PDF, 5MB)

Eco Innovators (Westwood High School) Urban Heat(PDF, 5MB)

UA Database for Metal Contaminants in Produce | Office of Sustainability (arizona.edu)

Key Dates 2025

May 23 - Applications are now closed. Thank you for your interest.  

October 31 - All projects must be completed.

November 14 - Final reports must be submitted.

Each application much include:

• Project Advisor: A project advisor must be an individual 18 years or older and associated with an organization such as a school or university, a 501c3 organization, Limited Liability Company (LLC), Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) or other similar organization.

Note: If your group has a project idea, but does not have a Project Advisor, please contact Kathrine Blomquist and we will do our best to pair you with one.      

• Project Description: A brief overview  of your project, including its main goals and objectives, along with the expected effect on the community and the environment.
  
  
• Project Outputs: The direct results of project activities, showing immediate accomplishments and progress. They provide a snapshot of the project’s activities and immediate achievements.
  
  

  Example: Plant 20 low-water-use trees to reduce urban heat island effect on school grounds.

• Project Outcomes: These are specific and measurable, lasting changes or benefits from a project, showing its real-world impact and demonstrating how the project makes a difference over time. They reflect changes in behavior, knowledge, feelings, or processes.
  

  Example: Shaded areas can experience temperature reductions of 2-9°F. Trees planted today will continue to provide environmental and educational benefits for decades, including improving air quality and biodiversity, and promoting a culture of sustainability within the school community. 

• Timeline: A timeline indicating key milestones and the expected duration of the project. 
  
  
• Budget: Detail the anticipated expenses associated with the project (Request for funding can range from $1,000 - $5,000). See a Sample Budget(PDF, 86KB).

The following expenses CANNOT be covered by grant funding: 

• services covered by existing city initiatives
• rent or utilities
• nonprofit/NGO incorporation fees
• speaker honorariums
• improvement projects that primarily serve churches and/or other religious organizations
• scholarships or other direct support to individuals or families
• partisan political organizations, political candidates, fundraisers, or projects
• capital campaigns, endowments, or endowed chairs
• events or fundraisers not related to youth climate action.

• Climate Action Plan Alignment: Explain how the project aligns with Mesa’s Climate Action Plan.
  
  
• Supporting Documents: Provide any additional materials that can strengthen your application. These can include, but are not limited to, budget outline, letters of support, or supplementary video for youth who feel more comfortable communicating verbally. Final reports are due November 14, 2025. 

Applications are now closed. Thank you for your interest.  

Scoring Rubric

Relevance to Climate Action Plan: 20 pts
A good project will directly address or align with one of Mesa’s six climate actions goals (Heat Mitigation, Water Stewardship, Air Quality, Food Systems, Energy, Materials Management).

Project Planning and Timeline Feasibility: 20 pts
A good project includes specific activities and steps your project will undertake and provides a timeline with easily obtained benchmarks that can be completed during a given timeframe. 

Project Outputs: 20 pts
The direct results of project activities, showing immediate accomplishments and progress. They provide a snapshot of the project’s activities and immediate achievements.

Example: Plant 20 low-water-use trees to reduce urban heat island effect on school grounds.

Project Outcomes: 20 pts
These are specific and measurable, lasting changes or benefits from a project, showing its real-world impact and demonstrating how the project makes a difference over time. They reflect changes in behavior, knowledge, feelings, or processes.

Example: Shaded areas can experience temperature reductions of 2-9°F. Trees planted today will continue to provide environmental and educational benefits for decades, including improving air quality and biodiversity, and promoting a culture of sustainability within the school community.

Innovation and Creativity: 10pts
A good project will be creative and/or innovative with a clear and narrowly defined focus.

Budget Rationale: 10 pts
A good project will have well-researched budget estimates that reflect a clear project focus and a clear vision of the project expenses as a whole.

Geographic Proximity to Mesa - School/Resident and Project Boundaries: 20 pts
Projects that are completed by youth, students, or residents in Mesa and projects that directly impact Mesa will be prioritized by geographic proximity. 

Design Jam Presentation(PDF, 3MB)
This handy resource provides more information on MYCAF and guidance on developing project ideas.

Sample MYCAF Application(PDF, 4MB)

Sample MYCAF Project Budget(PDF, 86KB)

 Mesa Climate Action Plan

Recorded in October 2024, these three workshops can help guide you through the process as you develop and implement your project. Our experts offer valuable insights and visuals on project management, reporting, and how to share the story of your project.

• Project Management & Budgeting

Presenter – Amie Perea, MYCAF Round 1 Project Manager
This workshop dives into the 5 essential components of managing a project. The workshop includes key information on how to break down project tasks, time management, and budgeting.

• Data Collection and Metrics

Presenter – Evan Allred, City of Mesa Chief Data Officer
This workshop shares the four steps to measuring the progress of your project and how to define and measure its success. You will learn how to develop your project’s objectives, data collection, as well as the importance of defining outputs and outcomes clearly.

• Storytelling and Audience Engagement

Presenters – Delia Johnson, City of Mesa Public Information & Communications Specialist and Lily King, City of Mesa Senior Public Information & Communications Specialist

In this workshop, you will learn essential techniques to tell your project’s story. The presenters go into detail about how to develop interview questions, the importance of storyboarding including a how to, video editing, and easy ways to share and promote your story on social media. 

Basic Information

What is a grant?
A grant is financial assistance provided by a government, organization, or person for a specific purpose. Unlike a loan, grants do not need to be repaid.

How many projects will be selected?
We expect to choose 20 to 35 projects, based on available funding and the amount each project requests ($1,000 to $5,000). 

Can we combine projects?
No. While more than one project can be granted to the same fiscal organization, each project much be separate and unique with different youth leadership teams. The goal is to include the maximum number of youth possible.

Can I apply for or participate in more than one project?
Potentially. Project leads/applicants need to be unique to each project. It only takes one youth lead and one fiscal agent to apply as long as the larger group has been identified or a plan to identify group members is included in the application. Ultimately each project group will need to consist of 3 or more group members with the majority of members being 15-24 years of age. Any youth can participate in more than one project if the projects are unique and separate from one another in one or more aspect such as different fiscal agents or project types.

What is a microgrant?
Microgrants are small grants that do not have to be paid back to ignite movement towards a specific goal. The Mesa Youth Climate Action Fund microgrants are between $1,000 and $5,000 and designed to empower youth to initiate and implement projects that address climate community needs or promote youth development in terms of the Mesa Climate Action Plan. Bloomberg Philanthropies would like to provide opportunities for young people to participate in youth-driven climate initiatives, foster innovation, leadership, and community engagement among youth.

What are the key dates?

• March 28 - Apply by this date to be considered for first-round funding. 
• May 23 - Final date to apply (Note: funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis). 
• October 31 - All projects must be completed.
• November 14 - Final reports must be submitted

For Youth

What if I need special accommodations, translation assistance or help with the grant?
We are committed to making our programs and services accessible to all. If you need special accommodations, translation assistance, help with your grant or additional information, please contact Kathrine Blomquist, MYCAF Program Manager, Environmental and Sustainability Department.

Nos comprometemos a que nuestros programas y servicios sean accesibles para todos. Si necesita adaptaciones especiales, asistencia de traducción, ayuda con su subvención o información adicional, póngase en contacto con Kathrine Blomquist, Directora del Programa MYCAF, Departamento de Medio Ambiente y Sostenibilidad.

My friends and I want to apply with our project, but we aren’t sure who would be our fiscal partner. Can you help us?
Yes! Please contact Kathrine Blomquist and request assistance finding an organization or group to partner with.

I have a great idea, but I am only one person. Can I still apply?
Applications have to include three or more youth between the ages of 15-24. If you need help connecting with other youth or you need a fiscal partner, please contact Kathrine Blomquist for assistance.

Can teams be larger than 3?
Absolutely. Teams can be any size that is reasonably manageable for the time allotted as long as the majority of team members are between 15-24.

We have a group member who would like to participate who is outside the age range of 15-24. Can they still participate?
Yes. If the group leadership is between 15 and 24 years of age and the majority of your group falls between 15-24, additional members outside that age range may participate. 

What if our project ends up not being selected?
You are invited to contact Kathrine Blomquist to receive feedback from the selection committee.

Money/Funding Questions

I have an idea, but I don’t need $1,000 to complete it. Can I still apply?
All projects must fall between $1,000 and $5,000. Look at expanding your project in some way to meet the minimum requirements.

What is a fiscal partner?
A club, organization, or nonprofit with a project advisor who is 18 years of age or older who can receive the check and make sure funds are spent appropriately.

Do the fiscal agents have to be charitable organizations?
No. Organizations are not required to be charitable entities, but they must be legally recognized as incorporated entities and possess bank accounts registered under the organization’s name. Funds cannot go to individuals or private companies.

Schools, clubs, community organizations and religious institutions can serve as fiscal agents as long as they have clear charitable goals. 

Can we pay youth for their time?
You can request grant funds for transportation, food and gift cards for participation. 

Is there a cap on how much of the grant can go toward things like equipment and building upgrades?
Yes. Equipment and capital investment for infrastructure improvements should not represent more than 50% of a project's grant budget. 

For Organizations

What is the definition of a youth-led organization?
A youth-led organization is composed of at least three individuals ages 15 to 24 in leadership positions who actively participate in decision making and oversight within the youth organization.

What is the definition of a youth-serving organization?
Youth-serving organizations, while generally led by adults, provide core programs and resources intentionally designed to meet the needs of young people.

Can our organization oversee more than one project?
Yes. Any organization can serve as a fiscal agent for more than one project. Each project needs to be unique and will be funded separately. However, there is a limit of three projects per organization. 

Our organization wants to help but we are concerned about staff time. What are the reporting requirements?
Receipts and invoices and detailed reports are not required. A summary template will be provided to share the story of the project, describe purchases, and compare them to the submitted budget summary. Staff time requirements will be minimal.

Can our organization leaders apply, or does it have to be youth only?
If your organization qualifies as youth-serving (such as FFA, Scouts, National Honor Society, Boys & Girls Clubs), the club organizers can apply with a single youth as project leader, age 15-24. All project ideas are encouraged to come directly from the youth. Please indicate that additional group members will be identified after selection and meet the 15–24-year-old age requirement.

For Teachers

Our school club is located in Mesa, but we are already working on a project in another city. We would like to use the location we are currently working in for our project. Can we still apply?
Yes. As long as Mesa is benefiting in some way you can apply. If your group or organization is located outside the city limits, but the project will be conducted in Mesa, you can apply. If your project is outside Mesa, but is being led by youth and youth-led organizations who reside in or attend school in Mesa, you can apply. **

**Please note: there will be a geographic category on the scoring rubric with Mesa-led, Mesa-targeted projects taking priority.

This year’s 18 projects reflect the diversity and energy of Mesa’s youth, as well as their commitment to climate resilience. The initiatives span a wide array of focus areas. The Grant Recipients and Projects for 2025 are:  

• Brewing a Sustainable Future at Jarrod's Coffee, Tea & Gallery (GreenLight Solutions) – Energy – The team completed water and energy audits, upgraded infrastructure, installed a Mill food recycler and improved fixtures and roofing at a beloved coffee shop and cultural hub in Mesa. The upgrades now divert food waste from landfills while reducing water, energy use, and operating costs. Reusable glass and ceramic mugs for in-person guests will replace an estimated 6,000 plastic cups sent to landfills each year. New washroom fixtures are projected to save more than 35,000 gallons of water annually, and food waste diversion is expected to total approximately 750 pounds annually.

• Buddy Benches (Mountain View High School) – Heat Mitigation, Water Stewardship – The Garden Club, Advanced Woodworking and Welding Students came together to create cooler and more inclusive spaces on campus by installing benches and planting trees and shrubbery to shade the areas. Eight unique benches were constructed with arbors and shade, giving students more shady spots on campus to sit and eat. Students will non-verbally show that they need a friend and other students will sit with them and make them feel welcome.

• Dirt to Dinner (Por La Tierra-Por La Cultura) – Food Systems – The team created From Dirt to Dinner: The Sustainable Cookbook & Resource Guide for Families in Mesa, Arizona, that helps youth and families learn about sustainable eating, local food systems, and community support resources. With 352 copies distributed to students across two Mesa public schools, the resource has the potential to ripple outward – informing family decisions, strengthening food awareness, and supporting long-term community well-being.

• Garden Expansion (Heartwood Montessori) – Food Systems – The community garden expansion added planting beds for 50 new plants, increasing planting and harvest capacity by 25%. Added trellises support vertical growing, boosting productivity by an estimated 15% per bed. The new beds also allowed for four additional worm composting bins, keeping 50 pounds of food waste out of the waste stream. Irrigation upgrades cut water use and watering days by 50%, providing a more consistent schedule and allowing nighttime watering, when evaporation is lower. The project also added recycled trailers and fencing, keeping 6,000 pounds of metal out of the waste stream.

• Hydrate & Conserve (Benedictine University) – Materials Management, Water Stewardship – This project added two Elkay water fountain refill stations at BenU’s gym and the Downtown Mesa campus and provided 500 reusable water bottles for students, faculty and staff. The stations encourage daily use of refillable bottles, displacing 25,000 disposable bottles annually, and preventing 450 lbs. of plastic waste from landfills. BenU celebrated with an educational pep rally that engaged the campus in learning about water conservation and environmental sustainability. Two additional educational events were held to share practical tips and information to empower the campus to take real, visible action toward sustainability.

• Monarch Waystation (Scouts BSA Troop 3030 and Arizona Wildlife Federation) – Air Quality, Heat Mitigation, Water Stewardship – This project designed, developed, and established a Monarch Waystation to help conserve and preserve the migratory path of monarch butterflies while also creating a space where community members can learn about the importance of conservation at the Red Mountain Library Monarch Haven & Reading Sanctuary. In addition to planting nine native host and nectar species across 227 square feet with water trenches, educational materials were incorporated into the setting, allowing visitors of all ages to engage with information about monarch populations, habitat loss, and broader environmental challenges. The Waystation is certified through MonarchWatch.org.

• Planting Trees in East Mesa (Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) - Red Mountain High School) – Air Quality, Heat Mitigation – This tree planting project selected desert-adapted, low-water-use trees to plant at schools in the Mesa Public School District. Four elementary schools lost trees during the monsoon season. The trees will remove CO2, reduce the temperatures in the shaded areas by 1-3⁰C and reduce surface temperatures, up to 6-11⁰C. Water usage is also reduced, saving around 1.45 million liters annually, when compared to water usage of non-desert-adapted trees.
  
  

• Plants, Panels & People: Growing Mesa’s Climate Action Capacity through Agrivoltaics (Arizona State University, Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation) – Energy, Food Systems, Water Stewardship – Led by ASU undergraduate students, being able to teach green energy to the younger generation is essential. The project team supported high school youth in developing knowledge and interest in solar energy that can be carried on into subsequent years. The undergraduates built 5 solar panel racking systems that added a total of 1000 watts of renewable energy capacity to our communities over 6 garden beds, and 5 solar power systems designed and built with a DC-powered materials kit. The team also created lesson materials, held four teacher training sessions and four high school class sessions.

• Ready, Set, Grow (Benedictine University) – Food Systems, Water Stewardship – The Garden Club launched a community composting system and indoor garden at the Downtown Mesa campus. The project united students, staff and ten local businesses to reduce food waste and promote sustainability. Organic waste from landfills was diverted, creating nutrient-rich compost for local gardens. Three indoor hydroponic gardens produce fresh herbs and lettuce used in student life initiatives, while two composting systems support the long-term goal of a greener, more self-sustaining campus. Check out MYCAF's first mural project that highlights “a healthy planet’ located in the back parking lot at 225 E. Main Street, 85201.

• Red Dirt Girls (ASU Polytechnic Campus) – Air Quality, Water Stewardship – The Red Dirt Girls collected and analyzed 40 soil samples from 11 city parks in Mesa to study the carbon respiration rates and loss of ignition between arid and grassy soils. Through the project, youth participants were taught research methods and leadership skills, with two participants now conducting their own independent research projects. The team increased awareness among community members about the differences in CO2 emissions between the soil types, and the soil data has been requested for use by an external scientist, demonstrating broader impact and scientific relevance.

• Rewear Revolution (Red Mountain High School) – Materials Management, Water Stewardship – This project hosted four “Clothing Swaps” where community members updated their wardrobes with gently used styles in exchange for clothing they no longer wanted. Clothing is given a new life, kept out of the landfills, and community members can adopt a new style. Plus, water is saved, since it takes an average of 700 gallons to project a cotton shirt and 2000 gallons of water to produce a pair of jeans. Clothing left after the swaps was donated to schools, community closets, Red Mountain Care Closet, and the Prom Pop-Up Shop.

• Root and Bloom Butterfly Garden (Child Crisis Arizona) – Air Quality, Heat Mitigation, Water Stewardship – This project completed a rooftop butterfly garden to support pollinator populations, enhance heat mitigation, and promote water stewardship. 25 new shrubs were planted, and a volunteer event was held involving youth in the group home, along with community volunteers. The garden is certified by the North American Butterfly Association – NABA.org.

“We are very proud of this project. Butterflies are important pollinators for flowers, fruits, and vegetables. By helping butterflies, the garden supports the local ecosystems and creates a healthy environment for other creatures such as bugs and birds.” – Volunteer Comment, MYCAF Youth Participant, Root and Bloom Butterfly Garden(Child Crisis Arizona)

• Self-Growth Through At-Home Gardening (Por La Tierra - Por La Cultura) – Food Systems, Materials Management – The team provided youth, families, schools, and community centers with opportunities to learn together and grow fresh produce. The project addressed accessibility barriers by offering the resources and knowledge needed to start an at-home garden, and in doing so, increased access to fresh foods, boosted environmental awareness, and deepened understanding of sustainable living. The project provided 1,678 youth and community members with expanded education and awareness of at-home gardening and available community resources. These efforts created a lasting impact by equipping families with tools and knowledge they can continue using well beyond the program.

• Sonoran Olla Oasis (Mountain View High School) – Energy, Food Systems, Heat Mitigation, Materials Management, Water Stewardship – This project tested the effectiveness of “ollas,” an underground watering device, in saving water when compared with regular spray watering systems. With the Colorado River watershed receiving less precipitation due to climate change, backyard gardeners need to use less water. With the intense heat in the Sonoran Desert, the team investigated how well plants grew with ollas when compared with regular watering systems. The ollas were found to save 80 liters of water a month compared with regular garden watering systems.

• The Southwest Waystation Network's Sittable Cities Initiative (Arizona Sustainability Alliance) – Air Quality, Heat Mitigation, Water Stewardship – The group partnered with the Mesa Parks Department to install one bench and five trees planted at the Dobson Ranch branch of the Mesa Public Library around the playground and parking lot to provide shade for the surrounding community. In achieving this objective, the project effectively addresses Mesa's climate initiatives of mitigating heat through the implementation of shade trees in full-sun areas, improving air quality with the carbon and pollution sequestering properties of the trees, and fostering a climate ready community that has a close relationship with native flora and fauna.

• Water Recycling and Materials Management for Mesa Dining Room and Community Garden (GreenLight Solutions) –Energy, Food Systems, Materials Management, Water Stewardship – The project brought together youth to build a water recycling system and green space for St. Vincent de Paul Mesa Dining Hall. The system filters greywater from 100 showers per week for redistribution to a nearby planter, saving water for the facility, and benefitting the environment and operating costs. The project also created a new green space near the showers. Added items to beautify the area include planters for lilies, a bench, water feature and trellis. This turned a dead space into a vibrant, tranquil corner for homeless clients to relax and enjoy nature between being served.

• Wildlife Sanctuaries in Urban Areas (Red Mountain High School) – Air Quality, Heat Mitigation, Materials Management, Water Stewardship – The area is losing metric tons of pollinators annually. This project created a “highway” or “safe space” for pollinators to increase their numbers. This was done by planting native flowering plant species in nine raised planting beds. The selected plants are documented to attract native honeybee species. A secondary goal of the project was to cut the campus “heat island” by providing a natural canopy that blocks UVA and UVB rays from the sun. The project gave the team a chance to interact and excel in the areas of environmental science, construction, sustainable agriculture, and entomology.

“We have kicked off a new era of environmental focus on our campus thanks to MYCAF. – John Romero, MYCAF Project Advisor, Wildlife Sanctuaries in Urban Areas (Red Mountain High School)

• Zero-Waste Workshop for Mesa Businesses (GreenLight Solutions) – Energy, Food Systems, Materials Management, Water Stewardship – The Zero-Waste Workshop brought together 35 public and private sector leaders to explore waste-related environmental challenges and identify economic and environmental opportunities using a zero-waste framework. Facilitated by two Youth Leads, the workshop increased business owner, youth, and public official’s awareness and participants collaborated to design zero-waste business models. Attendees pledged to decrease waste generation by an average of 65.2% over the next 10 years. Four businesses are equipped with custom zero-waste plans to decrease waste in their facilities. These waste reduction strategies over the next 10 years are projected to decrease CO2 emissions by 73 metric tons.

Projects are listed below based on the applicable Mesa Climate Action Plan focus area which includes Air Quality, Energy, Food Systems, Heat Mitigation, Materials Management and Water Stewardship. 

Air Quality