The Tribal Climate Change Guide is part of the Pacific Northwest Tribal Climate Change Project (TCCP). The TCCP is part of the L.I.G.H.T. Foundation (LF), is an independent, Indigenous-led, conservation 501(c)(3) nonprofit established on the Colville Indian Reservation in the traditional territory of the Nespelem Tribe in present-day north central Washington State. LF supports the restoration and cultivation of native Plant and Pollinator Relatives and the culturally respectful conservation of habitats and ecosystems which are climate resilient and adaptive. For more information about LF, visit: https://thepnwlf.org/. For more information about the Tribal Climate Change Project, visit: https://tribalclimate.uoregon.edu/. If you would like to add information to this guide, please email kathy.lynn.or@gmail.com.

 

Funding

The Tribal Climate Change Funding Guide is intended to provide up-to-date information on grants, programs and plans that may assist tribes in addressing climate change through a broad range of sectors. We will update this guide regularly, so please check back often. If you have questions or updates for this guide, email: kathy.lynn.or@gmail.com. Please note that for entries that are accepting applications continuously, the grant deadline column will list "12/31/2024" as the grant deadline. This ensures that those grants will appear immediately after those grants with a set deadline.

Title Organization Grant Deadline Description Funding Amount Sort descending Geography Website
Bring Back the Natives/More Fish NGO, DOI, USDA

RFP closed for FY 2015; Unknown grant status for FY 2016. Bring Back the Natives funds on-the-ground efforts to restore, protect, and enhance native aquatic species to their historic range. Projects should involve partnerships between communities, agencies, private landowners, and organizations and should focus on habitat needs of species such as fish, invertebrates, and amphibians. The Bring Back the Natives/More Fish program invests ins conservation activities that restore, protect, and enhance native populations of sensitive or listed fish species across the United States, especially in areas on or adjacent to federal agency lands.

Categories: Natural Resources, Wildlife, Aquatice Species Conservation

Individual awards between $25,000 and $100,000 Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska Link
BLM CO – Vegetation Management and Fuels Reduction BLM

Unknown for 2017. The project/program is to restore and maintain healthy, productive ecosystems and wildlife populations through management activities including to continue to reduce the risk of undesirable catastrophic wildfires. Disruption of the presettlement disturbance regimes and climate have caused vegetative changes that now put many of Colorado’s ecosystems at risk of uncharacteristic damaging wildfire and unhealthy conditions.

Categories: Environmental Science, Healthy Ecosystems, Wildfires, Environmental Management, Stewardship.

Individual awards may range from $2,000-$400,000. Colorado. Link
Green Neighborhoods Grant Program NGO

Deadline Passed 8/15/2016. Deadline for 2018 unknown. The Affordable Green Neighborhoods Grant Program will award grants and provide educational resources to affordable housing developers and related public agencies who choose to pursue LEED 2009 for Neighborhood Development certification. Preference will be given to qualifying projects that meet additional goals, including the redevelopment of infill and previously developed sites, effort to strengthen the surrounding neighborhoods, commitment to engage stakeholders in the development process, and the provision of green housing for a range of income levels.

Categories: Energy

Individual awards of $25,000 Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska Link
Coastal Resilience Networks (CRest) DOC

Grant Status Unknown. The purpose of this notice is to solicit grant proposals from eligible organizations to implement activities that enhance resilience of coastal communities to natural hazard and climate risks through a regional or national network. Proposals must leverage, enhance, or create a system in which one or more coastal hazard issues can be addressed through partnerships to improve coordination and collaboration throughout the region. Partnerships must include multiple institutions, disciplines, and sectors at the local, state, and federal level. Proposals submitted in response to this announcement should provide beneficial public outcomes for coastal communities to address existing and potential future climate and hazard risks to coastal infrastructure, local economies, vulnerable populations, and the natural environment.

Categories: Coastal, Conservation, Disaster, Research, Water

Individual awards of up to $100,000 Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, Pacific Islands, Coastal, National, International (US Territories) Link
NOAA Sea Grant Coastal Community Climate Adaptation Initiative 2013 NOAA, DOC

This climate adaptation initiative is designed to support action to prepare for the current and predicted impacts of climate variability and change on America's coastal communities. Applications to this competition must propose projects that identify and address the vulnerabilities a coastal community may face in adapting to climate change. Projects must be carried out in active partnership with local (county or municipal) leadership, and should include cooperation with relevant state, NOAA, and other Federal agencies, or other organizations, as appropriate.

Categories: Adaptation, Mitigation, Conservation, Coastal

Individual awards of up to $100,000 Northwest, Southwest, Southeast, Northeast, National, Alaska, Coastal Link
Native American Affairs Office Technical Assistance Program DOI

Deadline for 2018 Unknown. The Bureau of Reclamation’s Office of Native American and International Affairs has a Technical Assistance for Tribes program. This program assists Federally recognized Indian Tribes to develop, manage and protect their water and related resources. Past project have included water needs assessments, improved water management studies, water quality data collection and assessments, and water measurement studies.

Categories: Water, Natural Resources, Education, Research

Individual awards of up to $100,000 Northwest, Southwest, Midwest Link
Preserve America Initiative Internal Funding Program NOAA

This popular internal funding program is designed to stimulate efforts within NOAA to preserve, protect and promote the agency's heritage assets. Projects from FY05 through FY12 have varied in scope from interpreting historic and cultural resources in NOAA's care to capturing oral histories of NOAA employees and constituents. Must be partnered with a NOAA partner.

Categories: Education, Conservation, Research

Individual awards of up to $12,000 Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska Link
Seventh Generation Fund for Indian Development NGO

RFP closed for 2016. The Seventh Generation Fund is an Indigenous non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and maintaining the uniqueness of Native peoples throughout the Americas. It offers an integrated program of advocacy, small grants, training and technical assistance, media experience and fiscal management, lending its support and extensive expertise to Indigenous grassroots communities. Its Sustainable Communities Program Area provides seed money, organizational support and technical training to Native grassroots community-based projects striving for holistic community health and renewal. It supports traditional agricultural methods, renewable forms of energy and sustainable strategies for development that preserve or restore traditional life-ways for future generations.

Categories: Education, Energy, Environmental Justice, Health, Research

Individual awards of up to $5,000 Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Midwest, Alaska Link
Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants USDA 12/31/2024

Applications accepted continuously. This program provides grants to assist rural communities that have had a significant decline in quantity or quality of drinking water. Grant may fund waterline extensions from existing systems, construction of new water lines; repairs to existing systems, construction of new wells, reservoirs, transmission lines, treatment plants, and other water sources. Priority is given to areas with less than 10,000 people, low-income areas, and communities facing imminent decline and shortage of water.

Categories: Water, Natural Resources, Health, Emergency

Individual awards range from 150,000 to $500,000 depending on the severity of decline in quantity or quality of water. Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska Link
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants DOE

The Energy and Environmental Block Grant program assists local, state and tribal governments in developing and implementing strategies to help the nation meet its energy and climate goals. The purpose of the program is to help eligible entities reduce fossil fuel emissions, reduce the total energy use of eligible entities and improve energy efficiency in the transportation, building, and other sectors. Of the $3.2 billion in total program funds, $2.8 billion will be allocated as authorized in Title V, Subtitle E of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. An additional $400 million will be available in competitive grants.

Categories: Energy, Regulation, Adaptation, Mitigation, Research

Individual awards usually range between $50,000 and $200,000 per year, with some exceptions for larger awards. Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska Link
The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program Forest Service, Department of Agriculture

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: January 12, 2024. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, State, Private & Tribal Forestry, is requesting applications for the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (Community Forest Program or CFP). CFP is a competitive grant program that provides financial assistance to Indian Tribes, local governments, and qualified conservation non-profit organizations to establish community forests through the fee simple acquisition of private forest land. The purpose of the program is to establish community forests by protecting forestland from conversion to non-forest uses and provide community benefits including public recreation, environmental and economic benefits, and forest-based educational programs. Public access is required for all projects. To apply, interested local government and nonprofit applicants must submit applications to the State Forester where the property is located. Tribal applicants must submit applications to equivalent Tribal government officials. All applications must be received by State Foresters or Tribal governments by January 12th, 2024. https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/community-forest-prog-fy24-…

Categories: forest conservation, community, sustainable forestry, management, education, stewardship, recreation, collaboration

Individual grant applications may not exceed $600,000, which does not include technical assistance requests. National Link
2025 Tribal Education Capacity Building Grant Program Bonneville Power Administration 12/16/2024

Bonneville Power Administration - 2025 Tribal Education Capacity Building Grant Program. Application Deadline: December 16, 2024. The Bonneville Power Administration’s Tribal Education Capacity Building Grant program provides funding assistance to federally recognized tribes and tribal serving organizations to advance awareness and understanding of the federal Columbia River Power and Transmission system and BPA programs. BPA is requesting proposals that support tribal education programs in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM), and natural and cultural resource management.  For more information and to apply, click here: https://www.bpa.gov/-/media/Aep/about/tribal-affairs/request-for-applications.pdf. BPA is requesting proposals that support tribal education programs in science, technology, engineering, math, and natural and cultural resource management. Proposals should be designed to strengthen the capacity of tribes, support government-to-government relationships, and increase opportunities for education about the operation of the Federal Columbia River Power System, Federal Columbia River Transmission System or integrated Fish and Wildlife Program.

Categories: education, capacity building

Individual grants awarded will not exceed $25,000.
Northwest Climate Science Center Funding Opportunity FY 2019 Northwest CSC

Deadline Passed as of 3/13/2019. Deadline for 2020 unknown. This document invites proposals for projects to be initiated by the Northwest Climate Science Center (NW CSC) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2018. Project proposals must relate to elements of the NW CSC Science Agenda for 2018-23. The NW CSC Science Agenda for 2018– 23 charts the overall science direction and research opportunities for the NW CSC over the next 5 years in response to stated regional natural and cultural resource management priorities. The anticipated products build upon an extensive research portfolio funded by the NW CSC from 2011 to 2017.

Categories: management, research, stakeholders, engagement

Individual Projects will not exceed $300,000 Northwest Link
Social and Economic Development Strategies for Native Americans ANA, DHS

Deadline passed as of June 22, 2017. Deadline for 2018 unknown. ANA promotes social and economic self-sufficiency in communities through SEDS grants. These competitive financial assistance grants support locally determined projects designed to reduce or eliminate community problems and achieve community goals. This approach to promoting self-sufficiency encourages communities to shift away from programs that result in dependency on services and move toward projects that increase community and individual productivity through community development. SEDS grants fund social and economic development projects in on- and off-reservation native communities and provide federal support for self-determination and self-governance among Native American people. ANA also provides technical assistance through contractors who will help potential applicants with the planning and program development needed for a successful proposal. See the ANA website for a listing of technical assistance providers in your region.

Categories: Adaptation, Research, social justice, economic, infrastructure, management, sovereignty, self-determination

Individuals awards between $50,000 and $375,000 Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Pacific Islands/Hawaii Link
Tribal Clean Air Act EPA

Deadline passed as of March 3, 2023. EPA Region 9 anticipates awarding approximately 30 grants to federally-recognized tribes within the Region 9 geographic area for funding tribal air pollution control programs, air quality education and assessment projects, and the development of tribal air program capacity.

Categories: clean air, air pollution, education

It is expected that the awards will range from $50,000 to $120,000. Pacific Southwest Link
Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations DOI

Deadline Passed 09/30/2019. Deadline Unknown for 2020. The Secretary of the Interior established the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations (Buy-Back Program, Program) to implement the land consolidation provisions of the Cobell Settlement Agreement, which provided $1.9 billion to consolidate fractional land interests across Indian country. The Buy-Back Program allows interested individual owners to sell their land for immediate transfer to the recognized tribe that exercises jurisdiction. This effort will strengthen tribal sovereignty and put decision-making in the hands of the tribal government, freeing up resources that have been locked-up as land interests that have fractionated over time. The Buy-Back Program has announced 105 locations where land consolidation activities such as planning, outreach, mapping, mineral evaluations, appraisals or acquisitions are scheduled to take place through the middle of 2021. The Buy-Back Program is interested in partnering with the eligible tribes that have jurisdiction over these 105 locations, as well as any locations that may be added to the implementation schedule, to gain their direct participation in land consolidation efforts given the tribes’ unique qualifications to perform land consolidation activities for their reservations. Consequently, the Program intends to, whenever feasible and practical, enter into single source cooperative agreements with these eligible tribes to not only capitalize on their unique knowledge of their reservations but also to improve the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the Program. Eligible tribes will be given the opportunity to apply for a cooperative agreement, whenever feasible and practical, prior to the implementation of the Buy-Back Program at the location under their jurisdiction.

Categories: sovereignty, jurisdiction, reclamation, administration, management, self-determination

Land-based. United States Link
PUGET SOUND ACQUISITION AND RESTORATION (PSAR) FUND Puget Sound Partnership

Most recent deadline: April 10, 2024. The Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration (PSAR) fund supports projects that recover salmon and protect and recover salmon habitat in Puget Sound. The state legislature appropriates money for PSAR every 2 years in the Capital Budget. PSAR is co-managed by the Puget Sound Partnership and the Recreation and Conservation Office. Local entities identify and propose PSAR projects. The Salmon Recovery Funding Board prioritizes projects for funding. The PSAR program helps implement regionally significant habitat protection and restoration priorities that advance salmon recovery. Projects should address a high priority need identified in a recovery plan and that benefits Treaty rights populations.

Categories: salmon, habitat recovery, puget sound

Large Capital projects exceeding $1M in costs or exceeding what a given watershed receives in a PSAR regular round allocation are eligible to apply. Top projects will be submitted as a regional package of projects for the 2025-2027 biennium state budget. Puget Sound Link
Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account Program Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office

Most recent deadline: May 1, 2024. The Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account invests revenue raised from Washington’s shorelines into grants that may be used to buy, improve, or protect aquatic lands for public purposes. This program is administered by the WA Recreation & Conservation Office.  Grants may be used for the acquisition, improvement, or protection of aquatic lands for public purposes. They also may be used to provide or improve public access to the waterfront.

Categories: aquatic lands, protection

Max funding depends on the project:
Acquisition: $1 million
Restoration or Improvement: $500,000
Development: $500,000
Combination (acquisition and development or restoration): $1 million. (Not more than $500,000 may be for development or restoration)
Washington Link
Cultural and Community Resilience NEH

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: May 16, 2023. The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Division of Preservation and Access is accepting applications for the Cultural and Community Resilience program. This program supports community-based efforts to mitigate climate change and COVID-19 pandemic impacts, safeguard cultural resources, and foster cultural resilience through identifying, documenting, and/or collecting cultural heritage and community experience. The program prioritizes projects from disadvantaged communities in the United States or its jurisdictions, and NEH encourages applications that employ inclusive methodologies. The deadline has been extended. Apply here.

Categories: cultural heritage, community, resilience

Maximum $150,000 National Link
Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program USDA

Deadline passed. Modt recent deadline: June 6, 2022. The Rural Cooperative Development Grant program helps improve the economic condition of rural areas by helping non-profit corporations or higher education institutions in the startup, expansion or operational improvement of rural cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses through cooperative development.

Categories: Rural Development, Economic development, Business Development, Community Development, management, infrastructure, local economy,

Maximum Grant Amount up to $200,000 National Link
Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) USDA

Deadline passed as of June 24, 2016. Deadline for 2017 unknown.The VAPG program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of bio-based, value-added products. Generating new products, creating and expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income are the goals of this program. You may receive priority if you are a beginning farmer or rancher, a socially-disadvantaged farmer or rancher, a small or medium-sized farm or ranch structured as a family farm, a farmer or rancher cooperative, or are proposing a mid-tier value chain. Grants are awarded through a national competition. Each fiscal year, applications are requested through a notice published in the Federal Register and through an announcement posted on Grants.gov.

Categories: Small Farmers and Ranchers, Sustainable Agriculture, Family Farms, Marketing Opportunities.

Maximum Grant Amount: $75,000 for planning grants; $250,000 for working capital grants


National. Link
Water & Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grants USDA 12/31/2024

Applications accepted year round. This program assists low-income communities with initial planning and development of applications for USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal direct loan/grant and loan guarantee programs. The area must also have a median household income below the poverty line or less than 80 percent of the statewide non-metropolitan median household income

Categories: water, waste disposal, planning, development, infrastructure, rural communities

Maximum of $30,000 or 75 percent of the predevelopment planning costs. Rural Areas, Tribal Lands Link
Indigenous Biocultural Exchange Fund Indigenous Biocultural Exchange Fund

Deadline Passed 08/15/2019. Deadline Unknown for 2020. The Indigenous Biocultural Exchange Fund (IBEX) offers opportunities to attend a global biocultural event/exchange or a meeting of international significance which impacts the applicants' home territory or region. This fund supports indigenous peoples and local communities to have a voice in the policies and forums that concern biocultural diversity at a global level. 

Categories: environmentalism, biodiversity, biocultural, social justice, community activism, environmental justice, global networks, international, indigenous

Maximum of $5000 awarded funding (flexibility on budget submission). Global, United Stated, International, National Link
Earthlab Innovation Grants EarthLab

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: January 9, 2024 at 5 pm PST. Full proposals due February 27. EarthLab is looking to fund projects that demonstrate co-creation and partnership between community partners and University of Washington researchers, interdisciplinary collaboration, action at the intersection of climate (both mitigation and adaptation) & social justice, and the potential for growth of the project or partnership. The Innovation Grants Program has a maximum budget request of $80,000 per project. For more information and to apply, click here.

Categories: Environment, scientific research, climate, social justice, community involvement, interdisciplinary collaboration

Maximum of $80,000 per project over 18 months. National Link
Region 6 Indian General Assistance Program Environmental Protection Agency

Deadline: 2/5/2021. EPA provides Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP) financial and technical assistance to tribal governments and intertribal consortia to assist tribes in planning, developing, and establishing the capacity to implement federal environmental programs administered by the EPA and to assist in implementation of tribal solid and hazardous waste programs in accordance with applicable provisions of law, including the Solid Waste Disposal Act (commonly known as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA. EPA administers this program in accordance with the statute, applicable federal regulations, including 40 CFR part 35, subpart B, and national guidance, including the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Guidance on the Award and Management of General Assistance Agreements for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia (2013; hereafter GAP Guidance).

Categories: administrative, financial management, information management, environmental baseline needs assessment, public education/communication, legal, ambient air quality, water quality, managing waste

No more than $115,000 Southwest Link
Planning Assistance to States Program U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Most recent deadline: September 30, 2024. Under the authority provided by Section 22 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1974 (PL 93-251), as amended, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can provide states, local governments, other non-Federal entities, and eligible Native American Indian tribes assistance in the preparation of comprehensive plans for the development, utilization, and conservation of water and related land resources. Typical studies are only planning level of detail; they do not include detailed design for project construction. The program can encompass many types of studies dealing with water resources issues. Types of studies conducted in recent years under the program include the following: water supply/demand, water conservation, water quality, environmental/conservation, wetlands evaluation/restoration, dam safety/failure, flood damage reduction, coastal zone protection, and harbor planning.

There are two types of assistance available: (1) development of a Comprehensive Plans for planning for the development, utilization, and conservation of the water resources and (2) Technical Assistance related to the management of state water resources.

Categories: water, conservation, planning, water quality

No more than $5M in Federal funds for comprehensive planning efforts may be expended in a State, Tribe, or U.S. Territory per fiscal year. National Link
Climate Action Champions Competition

FY 2016 funding status unknown. The Obama Administration is committed to taking decisive action to combat climate change. Today, the Administration announced a new Climate Action Champions competition that will identify, showcase, and invest in up to 15 local and tribal governments across the country that demonstrate an ongoing commitment to cutting carbon pollution and preparing for the impacts of a changing climate. The competition will be administered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and will be implemented in collaboration with a broad range of Federal agencies.The Climate Action Champions’ dual focus on both mitigation of greenhouse gas pollution and building resilience to climate impacts at the local level makes this competition unique.

Categories: Adaptation, Mitigation, Implementation

Non-monetary--see application for details Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Alaska, National Link
Emergency Watershed Program State Contacts USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWPP) which responds to emergencies created by natural disasters. It is not necessary for a national emergency to be declared for an area to be eligible for assistance. The EWP Program is a recovery effort aimed at relieving imminent hazards to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms, and other natural disasters. All projects must have a project sponsor. NRCS may bear up to 75 percent of the eligible construction cost of emergency measures (90 percent within limited-resource areas as identified by the U.S. Census data). The remaining costs must come from local sources and can be in the form of cash or in-kind services

Categories: Watershed, Emergency Management

NRCS completes a Damage Survey Report which provides a site-bysite investigation of the work and measures necessary to protect life
and property from additional flooding and soil erosion. NRCS will
only provide funding for work that is necessary to reduce applicable
threats. Should sponsors want to increase the level of protection, the
sponsor will be responsible for paying 100 percent of the costs of the
upgrade and additional work
National Link
Environmental Quality Incentives Program USDA, NRCS 12/31/2024

Deadline is ongoing. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility. EQIP may also help producers meet Federal, State, Tribal, and local environmental regulations.

Categories: agriculture, production, conservation, climate adaptation, private forestland, non-industrial, natural resource management, IRA

NRCS provides financial assistance for selected conservation activities. The availability and amount of financial assistance can vary between states. United States Link
Network for Landscape Conservation Catalyst Fund Network for Landscape Conservation

Deadline: April 26, 2024. The Network for Landscape Conservation is pleased to share the 2024 Request for Proposals for the Catalyst Fund, which is made possible through the generous support of the Doris Duke Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. The Catalyst Fund strives to accelerate the pace and practice of collaborative landscape conservation and stewardship across the United States by investing in Landscape Partnerships. The Fund couples financial support (through a competitive grant program) with capacity building support (through in-depth Peer Learning) to catalyze Partnership efforts to achieve long-term conservation and stewardship goals. A portion of the Fund is reserved specifically to advance Tribal-led Partnerships. For more information, visit:

Categories: Landscape conservation, collaboration, capacity-building

Partnerships may request a one or two-year grant of up to $25,000 National Link