CAGBN x Intuit
Empowering Green Businesses to Thrive
Are you a Certified-Level Green Business or working toward certification? Do you have an energy efficiency or electrification project in mind but need funding to make it happen?
The California Green Business Network (CAGBN) and Intuit are once again partnering to award green grants, focused on electrification and energy efficiency, to support small, Certified-Level Green Businesses across California in completing impactful upgrades. This year, 55 businesses across various programs and sectors statewide will be awarded.
Applications are open October 1 through November 13, 2026 (11:59 PM PST) for sustainability-focused projects that promote long-term resilience, cost savings, and community impact.
What Projects Are Eligible?
Each business may propose one project only, with a clearly defined scope, selected from the list below rather than submitted as a written proposal.
Equipment Replacements
- Replace old lighting (halogen, incandescent, T-12, high-pressure sodium, metal halide) with energy-efficient LED lighting
- Replace existing exit signs with energy-efficient LED exit signs
- Replace gas-powered landscaping equipment with electric-powered equipment
- Mower
- Leaf Blower
- Trimmer
- Chainsaw
- Replace ENERGY STAR-qualified refrigerators (25+ years old)
- Replace an older ice maker with a new, high-efficiency unit
- Replace your current heating system with an infrared unit
- Replace your current heating system with a ductless mini-split heat pump
- Replace an existing clothes dryer with an ENERGY STAR or CEE-rated dryer
- Replace your current water heater with an instantaneous, solar, or electric heat pump water heater
- Replace your current thermostat with a 365-day programmable or smart thermostat
- Replace your current pre-rinse spray valve with a low-flow pre-rinse nozzle (1.28 GPM max)
- Replace an existing clothes washer with an ENERGY STAR or CEE-rated washer
Additions & Upgrades
- Insulate exposed hot water pipes and refrigeration cold suction lines
- Install lighting controls (occupancy sensors, timers, or photocells)
- Install smart power strips
- Install strip curtains
- Install one or more SOLAR-powered electric vehicle charging stations
(must be solar-powered to qualify)
Who Can Apply?
Businesses must:
- Be located in a program area with active coordinator support. Check greenbusinessca.org/contact to confirm coverage in your area before applying.
- Be a Certified-Level Green Business in California or complete certification by March 31, 2027 → Start your certification now: www.greenbusinessca.org
- Have 100 or fewer employees and $3.5M or less in annual revenue
- Propose one project achievable with the grant amount
- Agree to be featured in promotional content by CAGBN and/or Intuit
Important Notes on Scope & Payment
- Grants are reimbursed after purchase and receipt submission
- Prebates may be available upon request (case-by-case)
- Stick to the single project outlined in your application, changes to project scope after approval may affect reimbursement
- Measurable environmental benefits should be achievable, using before-and-after data
Projects must be purchased and receipts dated on or after October 1, 2026, this is when the project clock starts for every business in the cohort, regardless of when you applied or were notified. Certification and projects should be completed by March 31, 2027.
Note: Completing your project and certification tier is not the final step. A separate final report is required by May 31, 2027, this is a distinct requirement, not something that’s automatically satisfied by finishing your project.
Tell Your Story
Along with your project proposal, describe how this funding will benefit your business and the community you serve. Strong, clear storytelling increases your chances of being selected. Visit us on Instagram and Facebook to see stories and projects from previous years.
Support Is Available
Your local Green Business Program Coordinators are here to help with your grant application, Green Business Certification, project idea development, and metric reporting. As part of this program, coordinators will confirm your project details with you before your grant is officially accepted.
Important Dates (All times PST)
- October 1, 2026 – Applications open and earliest project start date
- November 13, 2026 – Application deadline
- December 4, 2026 – Recipients notified
- December 11, 2026 – Grant acceptance deadline
- January 8, 2027 – Business info session
- February 26, 2027 – Q&A Office Hours (coordinators & businesses)
- March 31, 2027 (11:59 PM) – Certification & project completion deadline
- May 31, 2027 (11:59 PM) – Final report due (separate step, see note above)
This Green Grant is a partnership between Intuit and the California Green Business Network. Funding is generously provided by Intuit. Intuit remains committed to supporting programs that help communities make sustainable choices. Intuit applies its unique approach to problem-solving and innovation to create new sustainability solutions for our small business customers, which make up half of the US and global economy.
Learn more about the California Green Business Network and Intuit’s Sustainability efforts.
