Resources

General communities

• America’s Federal Funding Opportunities and Resources for Decarbonization - This grant identification website guides users through a short series of questions to identify funding opportunities around organization eligibility.

• Funding Updates - Environmental Protection Network - This website provides biweekly updates on current environmental and climate federal funding opportunities.

• HUD Exchange Funding Navigator - The Funding Navigator provides a listing of funding opportunities under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and others across federal agencies to support efforts to enhance climate resiliency, energy efficiency, renewable energy integration, healthy housing, workforce development and environmental justice in HUD supported communities, programs and properties.

• Funding Clearinghouse - The Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization - Find grants, loans and other opportunities for coal and power plant transitioning communities.

Rural communities

• A Guide for Rural and Remote Communities - This DOE guide is designed to support rural and remote communities searching for funding for local energy projects. It includes sections on 1) questions to ask before applying for federal funding, 2) tips for navigating the federal funding process, 3) understanding the federal process, 4) finding federal funding relevant for your rural or remote community, and 5) an appendix for Tribes.

• Stronger Together: Federal funding and planning opportunities designed to promote sustainable economic development in rural America - This USDA document is a comprehensive guide on leveraging resources from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for effective planning and development projects. The guide includes strategies, examples, and funding sources to enhance community planning efforts.

Tribal communities

• Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Tribal Playbook: A roadmap for delivering opportunity and investments in Indian Country - This guide was released in May 2022 to help guide Tribal communities to the funding available to them through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The guide is organized by 1) programs and sources of funds specifically set aside for Tribal communities under the law and 2) guidance on Tribal eligibility for other programs under the law.

• U.S. Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs Current Funding Opportunities - This website identified grants currently available to Tribal communities through the federal government.

• Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency - The most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States.

• SAM.gov Registration Webinar Recording - Environmental Protection Network - This recording from the Environmental Protection Network guides users through how to register for the Systems for Award Management (SAM). A SAM registration is required to apply for and receive federal funds.

• Register for the Environmental Protection Network’s next SAM.gov office hours here.

• General Grant Budget Template - Download and use this Excel budget template to build your grant budget. An example has been included in the template.

• Grant Writing: How to Build Credibility with Your Budget Narrative - This guide by the federal government serves to explain why a budget narrative is significant in a grant application and provides best practices and tips for writing a budget narrative.

• Considerations When Selecting a Funding Opportunity - This guide from the Region 2 TCTAC (Thank you!) serves to walk potential grant applicants through the general considerations to keep in mind when deciding to apply for a specific grant.

•  How to use Grants.gov and Workspace to submit a new grant - First time submitting a federal grant? No problem! Get insight into the process so you're ready before the grant is due. 

• Nonprofit Grant Management: Learning the Essentials - This blog post offers guidance for organizations newer to grant management with best practices and tips. Note: There is a sales pitch at the end of this blog post. We have not worked with this organization and neither encourage or discourage use of their services. The blog post itself is a great overview.

• EPA Grants Management Training for Applicants and Recipients - This online training course is designed to introduce EPA grant applicants and recipients to key aspects of the entire grant life cycle, from preparation of an application through grant closeout. The course is divided into separate modules that can be completed individually. Upon completion, you will be prompted to generate a downloadable certificate of completion.

• Energy Transition July Series: Webinar 1: Rural Clean Energy - Recording of a presentation that identifies funding opportunities available to rural communities on clean energy opportunities available from USDA Rural Development - University of Illinois Extension and Prairie Rivers Network 
• Energy Transition July Series: Webinar 2: Harnessing Federal and State Opportunities - Recording of a presentation that focuses on state and federal investments that will bring rural and energy communities a wide variety of opportunities in economic development, clean energy, transportation electrification, and more - University of Illinois Extension and Prairie Rivers Network
• Energy Transition July Series: Webinar 3: Energy Community Support - Recording of a presentation that focuses on programs, initiatives, and funding available to support transitioning energy communities experiencing economic and social impacts of the power plant and coal mine closures - University of Illinois Extension and Prairie Rivers Network

• Thriving Communities Webinar Series - Introductory Webinar - Recording of the first session of the 2024 Thriving Communities Webinar Series. The series is part of University of Illinois Extension’s effort to build capacity for technical assistance and education aimed to help communities navigate energy- and environment-related federal grant application systems, provide guidance on community inclusion, and lead community-specific strategic planning. University of Illinois Extension and Prairie Rivers Network

• Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) - Find technical assistance for Minnesota businesses working to improve efficiency while saving money through energy, water, and waste reduction.

• HUD Exchange Rural Gateway - The Rural Gateway is an information clearinghouse providing technical assistance, training workshops, and peer learning and resource sharing to support rural housing and economic development.

General

• Access Federal Funding - Environmental Protection Network - This website showcases the resources the Environmental Protection Network has created to assist environmental justice communities understand the application process for specific federal grants.

• Communities with High Fatality Rates Spreadsheet
  USDOT encourages communities with higher needs to apply by providing additional award consideration to those with higher fatality rates.
• Self-Certification Eligibility Worksheet
  Required for all SS4A Implementation Grant applications and any Planning and Demonstration Grant applications to conduct Supplemental Planning/Demonstration Activities only.
• Application Checklists: Implementation Grant Checklist and Planning and Demonstration Grant Checklist
• Budget Templates: Implementation Grant Estimated Budget and Planning and Demonstration Grant Estimated Budget
• March 2023 webinar series slides and recordings can be found on the SS4A Webinar Series page.
• Understanding Non-Federal Match Requirements
• Complete List of SS4A Resources

• Confirm a state, local government, or Tribes eligibility for an EECBG Program formula award and determine allocation amount by clicking on the following categories:
• States
• Local Governments
• Tribes
• Introduction to Equipment Rebates and Technical Assistance Vouchers (Presentation slides)
• EECBG Program Formula Grant Application Hub 
• EECBG Program Comprehensive Guide for Indian Tribes
  • National Indian Health Board (NIHB) intake form
• All EECBG Program Technical Assistance Opportunities

• Overview webinar of all three grant programs (Pre-recorded video, 15 minutes)
• Elements cohort
  • Overview Fact Sheet
  • Overview Training (Pre-recorded video, 13 minutes)
  • Elements Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
  • Elements Awards Announcements
    • Wave 1 (Sep. 2023)
    • Wave 2 (Dec. 2023) 
• Leading Edge cohort
  • Overview Fact Sheet
  • Overview Training (Pre-recorded video, 10 minutes)
  • Leading Edge Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
  • Leading Edge Awards Announcements
    • Wave 1 (Oct. 2023)
    • Wave 2 (Feb. 2024)
• Comprehensive cohort
  • Overview Fact Sheet
  • Overview Training (Pre-recorded video, 12 minutes)
  • Comprehensive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
  • Comprehensive Awards Announcements
    • Wave 1 (Dec. 2023)

• Summary: EPA Community Change Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) - PowerPoint Presentation put together by TCTAC staff
• Suggested 6-Step Community Change Grant Track I and II Application Process - Environmental Protection Network
• EPA Community Change Grants Technical Assistance
• Federal Grant Readiness Assessment: EPA CCG - Complete this assessment to determine if your organization meets the basic requirements and practices to apply for the EPA Community Change grant
• EPA CCG Decision Tree - This form will help you determine if your organization’s project meets the grant's criteria for funding
• CCG Outputs and Outcomes Checklist - This spreadsheet will help you track what project outputs and outcomes your application meets in regard to grant requirements.

• Summary: EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant - Implementation Phase NOFO - PowerPoint Presentation put together by TCTAC staff
• Suggested Step-by-Step Guides to Apply for EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Competitive Implementation Grants - Environmental Protection Network
• Tribal CPRG Application Guide - Co-created with our network partner, MTERA, this document serves to guide Tribes interested in applying to the General as well as Tribes and Territories Only CPRG Implementation Grants.

• Clean School Bus Webinars - View past and upcoming webinars related to the CSB grant and rebate program
• Electric School Bus Initiative Step-by-Step Guide for School Bus Electrification
• Clean School Bus Grant Program
  • EPA CSB Grant Program Eligible Applicants
  • EPA 2023 CSB Grant Program Informational Session
  • EPA CSB Grant Program Project Narrative Template
  • See who received a CSB Grant from the previous grant cycle

BRIC Direct Technical Assistance - Application period for BRIC application technical assistance due by February 29, 2024

• MPCA Metro Community Air Monitoring Pilot Grant Program Quick Guide

• Technical Providers 
• The MPCA hosted an online informational webinar for this RFP on April 25. The webinar served as an online training designed to assist applicants applying to the RFP, a rundown of the SWIFT system used for applications, and an overview of the RFP itself. View the recording.
• Great Lakes TCTAC also hosted a website for this RFP in May. View the recording.