Grants for Native American tribal organizations - Capacity Building

This grant provides funding to support collaborative projects that enhance wildfire resilience, forest health, sustainable recreation, and rural economic development in communities adjacent to National Forest System lands.

This funding opportunity provides $40,000 to recognized Tribal governments for projects that promote sustainable farming and ranching practices, emphasizing environmental restoration and the integration of traditional ecological knowledge.

This grant provides funding to Alaska Native tribes and organizations for community-specific projects that enhance self-sufficiency through social, economic, and governance development.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for Native American communities to develop sustainable economic projects, preserve cultural heritage, and enhance local infrastructure and social systems.

This funding opportunity supports Tribal Nations and collaboratives in enhancing their involvement and capacity in offshore wind energy projects, including site assessments and environmental compliance, while integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge.

The Tribal Solar Gap Funding Grant supports solar projects of any type that require a tribal cost-share (ex. Federal or State grant programs) or are leveraging funding from other grant opportunities or initiatives. Donor Name: Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund (TSAF) State: All States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/14/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Funding Areas  Solar Project “Gap” Funding Solar projects of any type that require a tribal cost-share (ex. federal or state grant programs) or are leveraging funding from other grant opportunities or initiatives are encouraged to apply for up to $250,000. Gap Funding Priorities: These projects should be positioned to deploy solar energy with an existing funding gap (cost share) which is preventing the project from being completed. Gap Funding Objectives: To enhance and strengthen tribal solar energy development and infrastructure inclusive of other impactful renewable energy technologies (battery storage, clean mobility/charging stations etc). To provide funding toward larger scale solar projects that benefit a significant number of tribal community members. To initiate new solar demonstration project systems that will strengthen tribal community energy resilience. Eligibility Criteria  The TSAF is committed to serving, supporting, and strengthening American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribal communities by investing in solar energy development and sustainability. The TSAF eligibility criteria is as follows: Federally recognized tribal governments in the lower 48 states and Alaska (tribal government programs, such as tribal housing authority, cultural departments, economic development entities, etc.) Tribally-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (fiscally-sponsored tribal community organizations, tribal community organizations without a 501(c)(3) nonprofit status may submit an application through a sponsoring organization if the sponsor has IRS 501(c)(3) status and can provide written authorization confirming its willingness to act as the fiscal sponsor. Schools that are tribally-controlled 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and schools that are tribally-operated such as tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), any public or Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools. The definition of “tribal-led” is: an organization in which a majority (>51%) of the board of directors and leadership team are American Indian or Alaska Native. Organizations that are not tribal-led are not eligible to apply (with or without a fiscal sponsor). The community served for your project must be designated low-to-moderate income (LMI) as demonstrated by eligibility for federal, state, or tribal low-income programs, or with Census data. For more information, visit TSAF.

The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin is seeking applications for its C.D. Besadny Conservation Fund to invest in grassroots conservation and education projects that benefit Wisconsin’s lands, waters, and wildlife, and that connect people to Wisconsin’s natural resources. Donor Name: Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin State: Wisconsin County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 09/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Priorities Proposals should address one or more of the following priorities: Projects that benefit Wisconsin’s most imperiled natural communities and native plant or wildlife species. Projects that engage and impact underserved communities in Wisconsin and/or support diversity, equity and inclusion efforts within Wisconsin’s conservation and environmental education sectors. Projects that build climate resiliency of Wisconsin’s natural resources through natural climate solutions or climate adaptation. All projects should demonstrate measurable outcomes. They encourage innovative projects that leverage resources and partnerships. Funding Information Grants range from $500 to $2,000. Eligibility Criteria Applicant must be one of the following: a public charity with approved 501(c)(3) exempt status (under section 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), or 509(a)(3) Type I and Type II); a federal, state, or local governmental unit, an American Indian nation or tribal community; or an accredited school, college, or university. The following types of organizations are not eligible for funding: individuals; businesses; section 509(a)(3) Type III supporting organizations; private foundations; and private operating foundations. Projects must benefit Wisconsin’s natural resources or people. The total project budget may not exceed $10,000, and overhead costs shall not exceed 15% of the grant. Project expenses may not have been incurred prior to submitting the application. A one-to-one match is required. Match may include in-kind support such as volunteer hours or donated materials. Only one application will be accepted per organization per grant cycle For more information, visit NRFW.

The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) is offering $325 million in grants for clean and drinking water projects to selected municipalities with infrastructure projects that protect public health and/or water quality. Donor Name: New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation State: New York County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/14/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: EFC and the NYS Department of Health (DOH) will evaluate all applications based on factors including protection of public health and water quality; median household income; population served; governmental and community support; environmental justice considerations; and the readiness of the project to proceed. WIIA Clean Water Projects An applicant with an eligible clean water project may receive a WIIA grant award as described below: A project, including all phases of the project, may be awarded the lesser of $25 million or 25% of net eligible project costs (total eligible project costs less any third-party grants awarded in respect of the project) Any grants administered through EFC will not be used to calculate net eligible project costs. Projects serving small, rural, and disadvantaged communities with a population of 3,500 or less may qualify for an enhanced WIIA award which will fund 50% of net eligible project costs. If a municipality applies for more than one project during the current round, EFC will prioritize the awards based on the scores of the projects until all the projects have received 25% of net eligible project costs or the $5 million cap per municipality has been reached. If the highest scoring project submitted by the municipality is awarded a grant that exceeds $5 million, the remaining applications will not be eligible for additional grant in the current round. WIIA Drinking Water Projects An applicant with an eligible drinking water project may receive WIIA grant funding as described below: A project addressing an emerging contaminant (EC) above the current State determined Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) may be awarded 70% of net eligible project costs with no cap. All other projects, which include all phases of the project, and including a project that addresses an EC below the State MCL may be awarded the lesser of $5 million or 60% of net eligible project costs. A Municipality may apply for a WIIA grant on more than one project, but each municipality is limited to receiving no more than $5 million per year, unless they have a project(s) that address an EC above the current State determined MCL. IMG Clean Water and Drinking Water Projects Cooperating municipalities with an eligible project may receive an IMG grant award as described below: The lesser of $30 million or 40% of net eligible project costs. A municipality is limited to receiving one IMG grant per year. If a municipality is awarded grant funds totaling more than $10 million for a project the grant(s) will be allocated over multiple years in increments not to exceed $10 million per year. Eligibility Criteria A WIIA grant or IMG grant is available only to a municipality, which is defined to include a county, city, town, village, district corporation, county or town improvement district, school district, Indian nation or tribe recognized by the state or the United States with a reservation wholly or partly within the boundaries of New York State, any public benefit corporation or public authority established pursuant to the laws of New York or any agency of the State that is empowered to construct and operate a water quality infrastructure project. Eligible projects include water quality infrastructure projects at municipally-owned sewage treatment works2 OR municipally-owned public water systems3 for: Construction, replacement, or repair of infrastructure; or Upgrades to comply with environmental and public health laws and regulations related to water quality; System upgrades and innovative pilot technologies to combat one or more EC, such as PFOA, PFOS and 1,4 dioxane; and System upgrades to address combined and/or sanitary sewer overflow impacts from sustained rain events Each WIIA and IMG project must meet the following criteria:  Result in construction for the requested scope; Not be for the construction of infrastructure that exclusively supports residential or commercial development; Must not have issued a Notice to Proceed before October 1, 2022 for construction of the project; Not have completed construction before June 14, 2024; and Include the applicable EFC terms and conditions in all contracts. Each IMG project must meet the following criteria: Serve multiple municipalities; Be a shared drinking water or sewage treatment infrastructure project, such as: More than one municipality jointly undertaking a capital improvement project, Consolidation of intermunicipal facilities, Joint upgrades to shared water quality infrastructure, Regional wastewater or water facilities, or Interconnection of multiple municipal water systems. Have a valid and binding project Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) between at least two cooperating municipalities for the financing and implementation of the IMG project that describes the proposed project, the role of each municipality, and the costs attributable to each municipality; and Designate a “lead municipality” that applies on behalf of all cooperating municipalities. For more information, visit NYSEFC.

The California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH) is pleased to announce the availability of $20 million of Tribal Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (Tribal HHAP) grant funding. Donor Name: California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH) State: California County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/28/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Through the integration of feedback from the community’s served, Cal ICH’s goal is to continue culturally responsive programing designed to meet the needs of tribal communities, with funding accessible to all California Federally Recognized Tribes in need. Eligible Uses Tribal Communities hold the expertise to design and implement culturally responsive solutions that meet the needs of their communities. The Tribal HHAP program supports tribal self-determination to flexibly use a variety of interventions to meet each Tribe’s unique needs. HSC section 50236 provides broad categories where Tribal Communities can choose a variety of interventions in the following categories: permanent housing solutions, interim housing solutions, and services Eligibility Criteria California Federally Recognized Tribes are the only applicants able to receive funding from Tribal HHAP. However, Tribes may partner with other organizations or may designate another individual or entity to complete the application on their behalf, provided that the proper tribal authority signs and certifies the application. Tribes may contract or subcontract with Tribal Designated Housing Entities (TDHE) and others to develop and/or implement their programs. For more information, visit Cal ICH.

The Washington State Department of COMMERCE, hereafter called “COMMERCE,” is initiating this Request for Applications (RFA) to fund clean energy projects in Washington through a combination of funding sources. Donor Name: Washington State Department of Commerce State: Washington County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/14/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Commerce is now accepting applications to support the planning, design, and construction of clean energy projects through a general round which is open to all eligible project types and applicants. Approximately $34 million will be available in the general round to support the following project areas: Electric grid modernization and innovation Innovative large-scale and dual-use solar Solar energy retrofits for public buildings Clean energy project siting and permitting Building, industry, aviation and maritime Decarbonization Clean energy projects that leverage private and federal funding. Project Categories  Large scale solar innovation Planning or a construction project. Planning project must lead to a capital asset. Solar array(s) must have alternating current (AC) nameplate capacity of more than 100 kW at a single site or more than 1 MW across multiple sites Cannot displace critical habitat or productive farmland Dual-use solar Planning or a construction project Must involve commercial, dual-use solar power demonstration Hard to decarbonize and economic development Planning or a construction project. Planning project must lead to a capital asset. Project must achieve one or more of the following goals: Reduce emissions in hard-to-decarbonize sector Bring private investment and federal funding to the state Grid integration and innovation Planning or a construction project Must develop and demonstrate distributed energy resources and non-wire alternatives Must be for electrical grid integration and innovation projects Must do at least one of the following: Support implementation of demand response Improve integration of renewable energy and energy storage Advance community resilience Support implementation of sustainable microgrids Accelerate beneficial load integration and demand management for at least one of the following: Building electrification Equipment electrification Electric vehicle charging Clean energy siting and permitting Planning projects only Must support siting and permitting of clean energy projects through at least one of the following methods: Support pre-development work at sites for clean energy projects Support land use studies Conduct or engage in planning efforts such as planned actions and programmatic environmental impact statements (EIS) Improve permit timeliness and certainty with staff, expertise or databases Solar installations on existing public buildings Construction projects only Must purchase and install solar PV only at an existing public building (must have a certificate of occupancy prior to application). Funding Information The minimum award amount is $50,000, and the maximum award amount for a single award is $3,000,000. Eligibility Criteria  Unless the Applicant is a federally recognized tribe, applicants must be licensed to do business in the State of Washington or submit a statement of commitment that it will become licensed in Washington within thirty (30) calendar days of being selected as an Apparently Successful Contractor. Applicants must be in good standing with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and requirements, including with the Department of Commerce. Applicants must be one of the following entities (please note, not all entities are eligible for all project categories. Associate development organization Federally recognized tribal government For-profit entity Investor-owned, co-operative, or public retail electric utility K-12 school district Local government Non-profit organization Private educational institution or public higher education institution Other academic or research institution State agency Tribes’ contracted service providers. For more information, visit WSDC.

Innovia Foundation launched the Community Heart & Soul® Program to help rural communities throughout its 20-county service area BUILD COMMUNITY through a resident-driven process and TAKE ACTION on what matters most to its residents. Donor Name: Innovia Foundation State: Idaho, Washington County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/16/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: Hundreds of communities across the country have implemented the program and experienced outcomes such as: Increased participation in local community-decision making Increased volunteerism Increased investment in community-supported programs and activities Increased economic development and downtown revitalization Community endowment funds Community Heart & Soul is a unique approach to community planning and development designed to increase participation and engage residents in shaping the future of their communities in a way that upholds the unique character of each place. Community Heart & Soul is based on three powerful principles: Involve Everyone, Focus On What Matters Most, And Play The Long Game. Funding Information Innovia will award up to ten $30,000 grants to support community-based project coordinators and actions in the selected communities for up to two years. Communities must provide a $10,000 local match. Grant Period October 1, 2024 – August 31, 2026. Eligibility Requirements Awards from Innovia Foundation’s competitive grant programs are determined in partnership with local volunteers from throughout the foundation’s service area. This locally-based advisory process ensures that grant opportunities address the changing needs of communities. In order to be eligible, applicants must be a public charity with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; a federally recognized tribe; or a public entity such as a school district, municipality, or unincorporated group or association. In certain cases, grants can be awarded to non-501(c)(3) organizations for charitable purposes. In all cases, the applicant organization/program must have a clear charitable purpose. Applicants cannot have any delinquent reports for previous grants awarded through all Innovia Foundation’s grant programs. Some grant programs have specific restrictions. Be sure to read grant guidelines carefully to see if any restrictions apply. Innovia Foundation competitive grants are awarded to organizations providing services within the 20-county region served by the Foundation. (Eastern Washington Counties: Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, Spokane, Adams, Whitman, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin. North Idaho Counties: Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Benewah, Latah, Nez Perce, Lewis, Clearwater, Shoshone and Idaho.) Please note that Innovia Foundation has multiple grant programs. Applying to/receiving grant funding from one Innovia Foundation grant program does not preclude your organization from to applying to any other Innovia Foundation grant program. For more information, visit Innovia Foundation.

The Washington State Department of Commerce is now accepting applications for the 2025-27 Youth Recreational Facilities (YRF) grant program. Donor Name: Washington State Department of Commerce State: Washington County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/28/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This program awards state grants to Tribes and nonprofit youth oriented organizations to defray eligible capital costs to acquire, construct, or rehabilitate projects that offer recreational opportunities for youth k-12. Approved projects will be reimbursed for 25% of their eligible capital costs for: The acquisition and major new construction, or Renovation of nonresidential youth recreational facilities. Funding Information The maximum grant award for the 2025-2027 biennium is $1,200,000. There is no minimum grant award amount. Eligible Projects  A proposed project must involve the construction, renovation, or acquisition and major renovation of nonresidential youth recreational facilities. These projects must also offer programmatic social and/or educational services on-site. Acquisition of bare land must be accompanied by the construction or renovation of a usable facility to be considered an eligible project. Organizations cannot apply for multiple Capital Programs competitive grants for the same project scope of work. Eligibility Criteria  All applicants must meet the following eligibility standards at the time the application is submitted: Be a Tribe or registered in the state of Washington as a nonprofit organization; Have a legally constituted board of directors; Be dedicated to youth-related activities; Agree to enter the LEED certification process or receive an exemption from Commerce; Agree to pay state prevailing wages as of the date the budget becomes effective; Have control of the project site via ownership or executed long-term lease (15 years) at the time of application — operating agreements will not be accepted as site control. All lease agreements must be recorded with the county of record; and Have made substantial progress in an active capital fundraising campaign dedicated to the project. For more information, visit WSDC.

The WVDEP’s Office of Abandoned Mine Lands and Reclamation (AML) administers federal funding for economic development projects on abandoned mine lands through its AMLER Program. Donor Name: West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection State: West Virginia County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/31/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This program helps projects located on or adjacent to mine sites that ceased operations prior to the signing of the Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act. Priorities Priorities as established by SMCRA: the protection of public health, safety, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of coal mining practices. The protection of public health and safety from adverse effects of coal mining practices The restoration of land and water resources and the environment previously degraded by adverse effects of coal mining practices (including measures for the conservation and development of soil, water (excluding channelization), woodland, fish and wildlife, recreation resources and agricultural productivity.​ Eligibility Criteria Noncoal lands and water are eligible if: They were mined or affected by mining processes; They were mind and left or abandoned in either an unreclaimed or inadequately reclamated condition prior to August 3rd, 1977; There is no continuing responsibility for reclamation by the operator, permittee, or agent of the permittee under statutes of the State of Federal Government or by the State as a result of bond forfeiture. Bond forfeiture will render lands or water ineligible only if the amount forfeited is sufficient to pay the total cost of the necessary reclamation.  In cases where the forfeited bond is insufficient to pay the total cost of reclamation, monies sufficient to complete the reclamation may be sought under parts 886 or 888 of this chapter; The reclamation has been requested by the Governor of the State or equivalent head of the Indian tribe; and The reclamation is necessary to protect the public health, safety, general welfare, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of noncoal mining practices. For more information, visit WVDEP.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Tribal Colleges for improving educational facilities and purchasing essential equipment to enhance their services and community impact.