About BOOST
The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC), in partnership with the Institute for Local Government (ILG), created the BOOST Program in 2019 to support under-resourced local agencies in building capacity to advance their climate and equity goals. The program provides flexible and responsive technical assistance to address the varying capacity challenges of local governments while sharing best practices to help inform state programs.
Across two rounds of the program, BOOST helped 17 cities and 2 regions develop customized work plans based on the needs each community identified.
Program Outcomes
Across two rounds of the BOOST program, SGC and ILG:
- Supported 17 cities and towns and 2 regions
- Provided strategic counsel, accessed funding, and/or identified expert consultants to help develop 7 Climate Action and/or Resiliency Plans
- Connected BOOST participants to over 80 grant opportunities, helping participants secure over $60 million in new grant funding across the participating jurisdictions
- Trained 90 local agency staff on effective public engagement strategies
- Helped multiple cities meet state planning mandates, which increases funding opportunities
Available Capacity Building Services
The BOOST Program equips under-resourced local agencies with the skills, tools, and resources they need to meet their sustainability and equity goals. Through the program, participating local agencies receive a wide range of custom support, including:
Technical Assistance
- Support with grant writing and applications
- Help planning for climate action and resilience
- Guidance on project development
Capacity Building
- Training on community engagement
- Communications support
- Connections to other technical assistance and funding programs through the state
Relationship Building
- Forming partnerships
- Peer learning opportunities
Program Resources
- BOOST Round 2 Final Report
- BOOST Program Fact Sheet
- Pilot Round Highlights
- Pilot Round Best Practices Report
- Pilot Round & Round 2 Participant Profiles