California Jobs First Catalyst Funding

The Regional Investment Initiative Catalyst Application Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Round 2 is part of the California Jobs First (CJF) state initiative. CJF aims to create good-paying jobs and award millions in grants to accelerate economic and workforce projects throughout California. The Regional Investment Initiative (RII) is an economic development strategy designed to center disadvantaged communities in California’s transition to a clean energy, carbon-neutral economy. The RII comprises two phases: Implementation and Catalyst. This NOFO specifically pertains to the Catalyst phase, which focuses on advancing pre-development activities to ready projects for future implementation. The purpose of the Catalyst Pre-Development funding is to support activities that position projects for successful implementation and competition for future funding. The goals include investing in high-opportunity industries to create good-paying jobs, ensuring benefits for disinvested communities, supporting California’s climate goals, advancing projects towards implementation readiness, and specifically engaging projects that are physically located in or involve significant participation from Orange County residents. Projects must also align with the strategies outlined in the Jobs First Regional Plan Part 2. A total of $9 million has been allocated for Catalyst Pre-Development Activities, with $4.6 million available through this Round 2 NOFO. Activities funded through this round must be completed by September 30, 2026. Eligible projects include a variety of pre-development activities such as feasibility studies, market analysis, environmental impact assessments, planning for financial and legal frameworks, initial infrastructure construction related to pre-development, capacity building for project teams, and pilot projects that serve as scalable tests for broader implementation. Catalyst Predevelopment Projects are categorized into three phases: Concept, Accelerator, and Last Mile, each with corresponding recommended funding caps and expectations for project readiness and development stage. Projects that are fully implementation-ready or involve fossil fuel extraction or expansion are ineligible for this funding. All legally recognized entities, except individuals applying as sole applicants, are eligible to apply. The application process requires submission through the designated grant web portal by 5:00 PM Pacific Time on June 20, 2025. Applications must include a one-page project summary and respond to detailed evaluation criteria. Evaluation includes Project Impact, Economic Equity or Equity, Work Plan, Organizational Qualifications, Proposed Budget and Budget Narrative, and References. Additional components that strengthen applications include community benefit agreements, alternative ownership models, and leveraging regional assets. Optional Proposer’s Webinars are scheduled for May 27 and May 29, 2025, to provide guidance to applicants. Award notifications are expected by July 25, 2025, with funded activities to be completed by September 30, 2026. Reporting requirements include quarterly progress reports and a final project report summarizing outcomes and next steps. Procurement policies and conflict of interest guidelines must be followed. Applicants can request a grant writing mentor for up to five hours of support. The grant is administered by the Orange County Jobs First Collaborative, with the Regional Convener and Fiscal Agent managing the selection and contracting processes. For questions, applicants should email jobsfirst@ocbc.org with the subject line “Catalyst NOFO Inquiry.”