Grant Opportunity: Extreme Heat Preparedness Engagement
By the time spring rolls around in New England, warm weather can feel a bit like coming out of hibernation, especially after the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. But as the leaves fill out the trees, flowers bloom, and warmer weather returns, New Englanders throw off their coats and get outside. As we begin to enjoy warmer weather and look forward to summer plans this year, urban planners and public health officials must also plan for rising temperatures and potentially deadly heatwaves that increasingly impact our region.
MAPC is partnering with the Metro Mayors Climate Taskforce to launch “Building Resilience to Climate-Driven Heat in Metro-Boston”, a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness project aimed at developing a regional heat preparedness and resilience plan that includes multi-municipal coordination on rising temperatures and extreme heat.
As part of the project, MAPC is offering organizations grants of up to $5,000 to:
- Engage community stakeholders (residents, workers, youth, and business owners) in the regional heat preparedness project and planning process.
- Raise awareness and education around the issues of extreme heat, public health, equity, and climate change in Metro Boston.
- Provide local organizations with additional resources to address issues of extreme heat, public health, and climate change.
The deadline to apply is Friday, May 28.
The Risks of Extreme Heat
Extreme heat poses a public health crisis for the region, especially for vulnerable populations: young children, seniors, people with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions, outdoor workers, low-income residents, and communities of color.
Nationally, extreme heat causes more deaths than any other weather-related events. Heat waves (defined as days over 90 degrees) are increasing in frequency and intensity in Metro Boston: climate models predict that in the next decade, our region will see upwards of 30 days over 90 degrees annually.
At the same time, many homes in the region lack basic air-conditioning, making it a challenge for those living in our aging housing stock to keep cool during heatwaves.
Community Engagement Mini Grants
To help the region build resilience to climate-driven heat, we’re offering grants to community organizations to help spread the word about what measures people can take to protect themselves and their communities during heatwaves, resources available to help residents stay cool, and more.
Eligible applicants are non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations that are based in or actively working in a Metro Mayors Coalition community: Arlington, Boston, Braintree, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Melrose, Medford, Newton, Quincy, Revere, Somerville, or Winthrop.
Click here to learn more and apply.
Applications are strongly encouraged to apply by 5 p.m. EST Friday, May 28, 2021. Other key dates to know are:
- Tuesday, May 18 from noon to 1 p.m.: Informational Webinar. Click here to register
- Thursday, May 20: Deadline to submit questions
- Friday, May 21: Release of FAQ
- Friday, May 28: Deadline to apply
- Thursday, June 10: Estimated award date
- Mid-June 2021 to mid-June 2022: Project implementation
- June 2022: End of projects
Learn More
Interested in learning more about climate-driven heat, its effects on health, and what nonprofits and municipalities in Metro Boston are doing about it? Join MAPC, the Mystic River Watershed Association, and the Museum of Science at "From Snow Days to Heat Waves: Climate Impacts on Heat and Health in the Boston Area." The Monday, May 24 event will begin at 6 p.m. Click here to learn more and register.
“Building Resilience to Climate-Driven Heat in Metro-Boston” is funded by Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program. For more information about the project contact: Sasha Shyduroff at [email protected].