Salem youth can apply for $1K–$5K climate grants through Sept. 30

Bloomberg Philanthropies is putting $50,000 into Salem for young residents to tackle climate projects. The application window closes Sept. 30.

Salem residents ages 15 to 24 who live or attend school within city limits can apply for micro-grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 through the Youth Climate Action Fund, KYKN reported Tuesday, Sept. 8. Funded projects must run between November 2026 and April 2027 and align with the city's climate action goals.

The city is one of 300 communities across 34 countries selected for the program.

"The Youth Climate Action Fund will encourage young people to get involved in their local government and in finding climate solutions," Mayor Julie Hoy said.

City Manager Krishna Namburi said Salem's Climate Action Plan, which targets a 50% cut in carbon emissions by 2035 and carbon neutrality by 2050, gives the grants a local anchor. He said he is excited to see youth bring their ideas and energy to the city's work on reducing emissions and reaching carbon neutrality.

Bloomberg Philanthropies announced the fund's expansion on April 29 at Bloomberg CityLab 2026 in Madrid, Spain.

The program launched in 2024 with 98 municipalities and has now tripled its reach, with 63 of the 300 new cities in North America.

CEO Patricia E. Harris said in a statement that the fund helps city halls work alongside young people to improve their communities and build trust in local government.

Survey data from the program's first wave of cities backs that up. Trust in local government among youth participants rose from 61% to 83%.

Confidence in their own ability to address environmental challenges jumped from 65% to 90%, according to Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Globally, more than 300,000 young people across five continents have participated, planting over 1.8 million plants and 235,000 trees, creating nearly 5,000 gardens and collecting more than 405,000 pounds of trash and recyclables.

Cities that deploy their initial $50,000 quickly will receive an additional $50,000 from Bloomberg Philanthropies to fund more youth projects. Beyond funding, the organization will provide staff support to help young Salem residents carry out their work.

Grant applications and details are available at the city's youth climate fund page. No project-selection date or award-announcement timeline has been published.