Louisiana Energy Grants

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government entities for projects that improve education, address essential human needs, promote social justice, and support environmental stewardship in communities served by American Electric Power.

This grant provides financial support for nonprofit organizations and educational institutions in the Greater New Orleans area to enhance projects in arts, culture, and education, with a focus on those demonstrating excellence.

This program provides funding to Gulf Coast state governments to establish research centers that promote ecological restoration and sustainable economic growth in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

The Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) Micro-Grant Program, a collaboration between the City of New Orleans and the Greater New Orleans Foundation, is designed to empower young individuals aged 15-24 to address urgent climate challenges within their community. This initiative is part of a larger effort supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, aiming to activate youth-led projects that align with the New Orleans Climate Action Plan. The program's core mission is to foster environmental stewardship and facilitate tangible climate solutions at a grassroots level, thereby directly contributing to the city's broader environmental goals. The primary beneficiaries of this micro-grant program are youth between the ages of 15-24 residing in Orleans Parish, whose projects are intended to directly benefit the City of New Orleans. The program seeks to engage and mobilize this demographic, providing them with the financial resources and support necessary to translate their innovative ideas into impactful climate action. The overarching impact goal is to cultivate a new generation of environmental leaders and to implement effective, youth-led initiatives that tackle critical climate issues within the community. Projects funded through the YCAF Micro-Grant Program must align with one or more of the New Orleans Climate Action Plan priorities. These key areas of focus include Energy Efficiency, Transportation, Nature-Based Solutions, Circular Economy & Waste Reduction, and Data, Research & Engagement. This ensures that all supported initiatives contribute to the city's established climate strategy, maximizing their collective impact. The program prioritizes projects that demonstrate clear objectives and a strong potential for achieving measurable results in these critical areas. Successful applicants will receive micro-grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, distributed through the Greater New Orleans Foundation in August/September 2024. These funds can be utilized for various project-related expenses, such as materials, equipment, and community outreach activities. The expected outcomes include the successful implementation of diverse youth-led climate projects, increased community engagement in climate action, and a measurable reduction in environmental impact across the specified priority areas. While the document does not explicitly detail the Greater New Orleans Foundation's strategic priorities or theory of change, its partnership in this program strongly indicates an alignment with community development, environmental sustainability, and youth empowerment.

The Jefferson Parish Residential Façade Improvement Program, offered by the New Orleans Education League of the Construction Industry (NOEL) and the Jefferson Parish Finance Authority, is a voluntary grant program designed to enhance the quality of life in Jefferson Parish. Its core mission aligns with preserving home ownership and promoting attractive neighborhoods, thereby maintaining and enhancing property values for all citizens. The program offers financial assistance, up to $8,500, to homeowners for exterior home improvements, aiming to create more handsome and safe neighborhoods. The primary beneficiaries of this program are owner-occupied, detached single-family homeowners residing in Terrytown, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, who meet specific criteria including U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, at least one year of residency in their home, and certification that the home is their primary residence and not for sale. The program explicitly excludes communal areas, condominiums, and mobile homes. The impact goals are centered on fostering community pride, stabilizing neighborhoods, and ultimately increasing property values through visible improvements. The program's priorities and focuses are on exterior front façade improvements or, for corner properties, street-facing façades. Eligible costs include repair or replacement of front doors, shutters, windows, side doors and windows facing the street (for corner properties), soffit and fascia repair, rotten wood repair, driveway and front sidewalk repair or replacement, exterior painting, and landscaping. The work must adhere to nationally adopted enhancement standards, ensuring a consistent and high-quality outcome across participating properties. Expected outcomes include a visually enhanced neighborhood, increased curb appeal, and a strengthened sense of community among residents. Measurable results could include the number of homes improved, the total funds disbursed, and potentially, long-term increases in property values within the targeted areas. The program's strategic priorities are to support community efforts that directly contribute to the aesthetic and structural integrity of residential properties, reflecting a theory of change that by improving individual homes, the overall neighborhood environment is uplifted. This, in turn, is expected to attract and retain residents, further solidifying the community's stability and appeal.

The Opelousas Downtown Development District (ODDD), with support from the City of Opelousas and Opelousas Main Street (OMS), is launching the fifth round of funding for its Building Improvement Grant (BIG) program. This program is a grant/reimbursement initiative designed to empower property and business owners in rehabilitating commercial buildings. The overarching mission alignment for this program is to create a positive visual impact within the city, stimulate private investment, and diligently preserve Opelousas' historic identity and cultural assets. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are property and business owners within the Opelousas Downtown Development District who own commercial buildings. The core impact goals are to foster economic development through private investment, enhance the aesthetic appeal of the downtown area, and ensure the safeguarding of the city's rich historical and cultural heritage. The program directly supports the revitalization of commercial spaces, which, in turn, contributes to a more vibrant and economically robust downtown. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly on tangible and permanent building improvements. Eligible uses of funds are comprehensive, including restoration and renovation of buildings, installation of awnings (without signage), brick cleaning or re-pointing, accent lighting, removal of deteriorating or inappropriate materials visible from the street, and restoration of windows, doors, and original exterior/interior architectural features. Additionally, interior work related to ceiling repair, electrical, and plumbing is covered, as well as work on roofs, cornices, gutters, downspouts, and the cleaning, preparation, and painting of walls and trim. These priorities are aimed at holistic improvement of commercial properties. The expected outcomes include a noticeable improvement in the visual appeal of downtown Opelousas, an increase in private investment in commercial properties, and the successful preservation of historic buildings. While not explicitly stated as "measurable results" in the traditional sense, the program's structure and goals imply that the number of rehabilitated buildings, the amount of private investment stimulated, and the visible improvements in the downtown area would serve as key indicators of success. The program offers a total of $200,000 in grant funds, with a maximum application amount of $10,000 per project, providing a clear framework for financial allocation and impact tracking.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in the Gulf States to develop training programs that prepare young individuals for careers in the evolving energy sector.

The educate2elevate (e2e) Grant is a collaborative funding initiative bringing together resources from across New Mexico for high-impact grantmaking, with the Albuquerque Community Foundation as the Donor Name. This grant aligns with the foundation's mission by focusing on education and school-based partners, specifically targeting Central New Mexico. The e2e funding area's original intent to support educational initiatives and address food insecurity among students and families remains the core focus for this year's RFP. The target beneficiaries of this grant are students and their families in Central New Mexico, encompassing Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance, and Valencia counties. The program aims to address food insecurity and enhance educational opportunities for these populations. Impact goals include expanding equitable access to nutritious meals, fostering community partnerships to provide food resources, and supporting early childhood education settings to ensure young children have access to nutritious meals and snacks during crucial developmental years. The grant prioritizes programs that provide enhancement of school meal programs, community partnerships, and early childhood education initiatives. For school meal programs, projects expanding equitable access to nutritious meals for students, including out-of-school time meal programs, nutrition programs, and school-based gardens, are emphasized. However, funding for free and reduced lunch programs will not be considered. Community partnerships involve collaborative efforts between local organizations, businesses, and stakeholders to expand food access and reduce food insecurity among students. Early childhood education initiatives aim to address food insecurity among young children and their families in settings like preschools and daycare centers. Expected outcomes include improved access to nutritious meals for students, enhanced community collaboration in addressing food insecurity, and better nutritional support for young children in early childhood education settings. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the focus on expanding access, providing resources, and supporting initiatives implies a quantitative and qualitative assessment of the reach and effectiveness of the funded programs in reducing food insecurity and supporting student well-family well-being in Central New Mexico. The foundation's strategic priority is clearly to support education and food security, particularly in Central New Mexico, through collaborative and impactful grantmaking.

The National Academy of Sciences Gulf Research Program is investing $50 million in the Gulf Futures Challenge to fund projects addressing critical challenges in the Gulf region. The Challenge aims to discover and promote innovative and transformative solutions by leveraging the talent and knowledge of the Gulf's people. The competition focuses on three main areas: energy transition, environmental change along the coast, and healthy and resilient communities. Up to ten finalists will receive up to $1 million in project development support, with two finalists awarded $20 million each to implement their solutions. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, state, local, and tribal governments, and academic institutions from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Texas, with projects located within 100 miles of the Gulf coastline. The registration deadline is August 20, 2024, and the application deadline is September 20, 2024.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the Gulf South to promote affordable housing and community resilience in underserved areas through initiatives like first-time homebuyer assistance and disaster preparedness.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments, electric utilities, and critical facilities in Louisiana to develop community-driven energy resilience plans that address vulnerabilities in the electric grid and enhance preparedness for natural disasters.