Our objective is to help rural, tribal, and historically underserved communities in EPA Region 5 locate and apply for federal funding opportunities. We’re here to help cut through the red-tape. In collaboration with our partners, we offer an array of services to help community organizations and initiatives navigate funding opportunities.
Information, Tools, and Trainings
To help community organizations learn about key funding opportunities, we will share timely information through our website and newsletter. We will provide in-depth information on specific grants, as well as tools, templates and trainings to support you through the application process from start to finish, whether it’s help to complete your Sam.gov registration, a checklist of required elements for the grant proposal, or workshops to walk through more complex parts of the process.
Grant Identification and Navigation
Applying for federal funding can be complex, starting with finding opportunities. Our grant navigator will help you identify opportunities that best address the needs of your community or project. Through specialized, one-on-one assistance, we will help you locate funding opportunities that best fit the environmental or energy needs you’re addressing and plan your grant application process.
Project Development
To help with project design, we have a network of specialists who can assist with current information on specific energy or pollution clean technologies, and other relevant research, data, or resources. We can also support community organizations to develop persuasive funding proposals, and sometimes we can assist with finding matching funds and partners for consultation or collaboration.
GIS Mapping
We offer GIS mapping services to assist community organizations in both project design, and to strengthen their funding proposals by visualizing the geographic impact of their work.
Engineering Consultation & Analysis
Many environmental and energy infrastructure project proposals require engineering analysis to demonstrate project feasibility. Through our partner, the Community Engineering Corps, we can offer pro bono consultation at various points of the project design and proposal development stage, including preliminary engineering reports, feasibility studies, designs, and cost estimates.
Budget & Evaluation Planning Support
Developing a strong budget and realistic plan for project evaluation and reporting is a key component of an effective grant proposal. We can help you develop budgets, data management plans, evaluation and assessment plans, and other required forms.
Post-Award Grant Support
You got the grant? Congrats! If you need help post-award, our team can assist you in walking through a grant award letter, setting up grant reporting systems, deploying best practices for tracking grant metrics, and understanding other post-award forms.