Awardee Communications and Branding Toolkit

Required Language
Required Logos
Review Process

The CMO Implementation Manual (IM) – the program’s guiding document that was in effect at the time you submitted your voucher application – and your awardee agreement requires that all public communications about your involvement with CMO must go through a review and approval process with the Program Administrator team before publication. 

In addition, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and California Energy Commission (CEC) will review any materials geared toward earning media attention. This toolkit is a reference for describing the program and the process for getting your public communications approved for distribution. 

All public communications require the inclusion of funding entity logos and boilerplate funding language.

See logo files and language below.

 

What are public communications? 

For the purposes of CMO approval process, public communications include ANY content that is public-facing.

If you are unsure of whether or not a communication material needs review by the Program Administrator, please contact your Cohort Facilitator.

Examples of direct public communications for the Program Administrator to review and approve include but are not limited to:

  • Presentations and PowerPoints
  • Blog posts
  • Newsletters
  • E-blasts
  • Mailers
  • Social media posts
  • PSA scripts and interview talking points
  • Flyers, handouts, and event invitations
  • Surveys
  • Project websites (or webpages) 

Examples of materials for CARB and CEC to review and approve include but are not limited to:

  • Press releases
  • Press event advisories
  • Press statements
  • Press kits

REQUIRED BOILERPLATE FUNDING LANGUAGE FOR ALL COMMUNICATIONS MATERIALS

English:
[PROGRAM/PROJECT NAME] is part of California Climate Investments, which uses billions of Cap-and-Invest dollars to fund projects that reduce harmful emissions, protect public health, strengthen local economies, and support natural environments. With a strong focus on communities most impacted by pollution and limited access to resources, California Climate Investments helps build a more equitable and sustainable future. This project is also funded by the California Energy Commission’s Clean Transportation Program, which is investing more than $1 billion to accelerate the deployment of zero-emission transportation infrastructure and support in-state manufacturing and workforce training and development.
 

Spanish:

LENGUAJE ESTÁNDAR OBLIGATORIO SOBRE FINANCIAMIENTO PARA TODOS LOS MATERIALES DE COMUNICACIÓN

Spanish: [NOMBRE DEL PROGRAMA/PROYECTO] forma parte de las Inversiones Climáticas de California, que utilizan miles de millones de dólares de Cap-and-Invest para financiar proyectos que reducen las emisiones nocivas, protegen la salud pública, fortalecen las economías locales y apoyan los ambientes naturales. Con un fuerte enfoque en las comunidades más afectadas por la contaminación y con acceso limitado a los recursos, las Inversiones Climáticas de California contribuyen a construir un futuro más equitativo y sostenible. Este proyecto también recibe financiamiento del Programa de Transporte Limpio (Clean Transportation Program) de la Comisión de Energía de California (California Energy Commission), el cual está invirtiendo más de $1,000 millones de dólares para acelerar el despliegue de infraestructura de transporte de cero emisiones y apoyar la manufactura dentro del estado, así como la capacitación y el desarrollo de la fuerza laboral.

LOGO FILES

(Original design files are available on request)

California Climate Investments Logo - REQUIRED
Access the CCI Media and Communications Style Guide
California Air Resources Board Logo - REQUIRED
California Energy Commission Logo - REQUIRED
Access the CEC Brand and Style Guide
CMO Program Logos - OPTIONAL

Communications Review Process and Timeline

Technical Assistance Request

Communications technical assistance is available to all awardees. Email your cohort facilitator and cc the Communications Manager at media@cleanmobilityoptions.org, use the subject “CMO COMMS FOR REVIEW: [Org Name]” and include:

    1. What type of communication you are looking to develop. 
    2. When you want materials finalized for distribution to the public.
 

TIMELINE: Two days to one week based on the communications needs.

 

REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCESSES

After technical assistance is provided or content is ready to share, approval follows the timelines outlined below.

General Communications Review

Email your cohort facilitator and cc the Communications Manager at media@cleanmobilityoptions.org using the subject “CMO COMMS FOR REVIEW: [Org Name]” and include:

    1. What type of communication (i.e. flyer, website, social media posts, vehicle wrap, etc.) you are submitting for review.
    2. When you want materials finalized for distribution to the public.
 

TIMELINE: Allow 48 hours for final approval on all materials types that are not direct communications to media.

 
Media Communications Review

Email your cohort facilitator and cc the Communications Manager at media@cleanmobilityoptions.org using the subject “CMO PRESS MATERIAL FOR REVIEW: [Org Name]” and include:

    1. What type of communication (i.e. press release, media advisory, media statement, media invitation, etc.) you are submitting for review.
    2. When you want materials finalized for distribution to the public.
 

TIMELINE: Allow one week for internal review with the program administrative team and three weeks for final approval from the California Air Resources Board. Total review time can take up to four weeks before materials can be shared directly with the media.

 
CARB Speaker Request 

Email your cohort facilitator and cc the Communications Manager at media@cleanmobilityoptions.org using the subject “CMO CARB SPEAKER REQUEST: [Org Name]” and include: 

    1. A summary of the event including the confirmed date, time, location, and all event activities. 
    2. The “Run of Show” which includes all other speakers confirmed/invited and the time slot on when the CARB representative will speak. 
    3. If press will be in attendance. 
 

TIMELINE: Please submit a CARB speaker request at least one month in advance of the confirmed event date.

ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

State and federal laws require that all public programs, activities and services are accessible to persons with disabilities. One of the most important components of accessibility is ensuring that any communication with a person with a disability is as effective as communication with others.

As publicly funded entities, the CMO program and its awardees are required to meet accessibility standards specified in WCAG 2.1 Level AA.

Below are free resources to help you achieve accessibility compliance: