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@uoregon.edu. Please note that for entries that are accepting applications continuously, the grant deadline column will list "12/31/2021" as the grant deadline. This ensures that those grants will appear immediately after those grants with a set deadline.
| Title |
Organization |
Grant Deadline | Description | Category | Funding Amount | Geography | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
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 | |
| Risk Management Education Partnership Program | USDA |
Deadline Passed 07/30/2018. Deadline Unknown for 2019. The purpose of this cooperative agreement program is to deliver crop insurance education and risk management training to U.S. agricultural producers to assist them in identifying and managing production, marketing, legal, financial, and human risk. |
climate change, human health, sustainability, agriculture, economy, management, planning, policy | varies | National | Link | |
| Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee | USDA |
Deadline Passed 09/30/2018. Deadline Unknown for 2019. The Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (Broadband Program) furnishes loans and loan guarantees to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide service at the broadband lending speed in eligible rural areas. For more information on other programs administered by RUS Telecommunications please visit : http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/all-programs/telecom-programs. Broadband loans provide funding on a technology-neutral basis for financing:
|
broadband access, internet, implementation, development, rural communities | varies | Rural Areas | Link | |
| USDA Community Connect Grants | USDA |
Deadline passed as of June 17, 2016. Deadline for 2017 unknown. The Community Connect program serves rural communities where broadband service is least likely to be available, but where it can make a tremendous difference in the quality of life for citizens. The projects funded by these grants will help rural residents tap into the enormous potential of the Internet. |
Development, Internet | varies | National, Northwest, Southwest, Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, Alaska | Link | |
| Household Water Well System Grants | USDA |
Deadline Passed 07/20/2018. Deadline Unknown for 2019. This program helps qualified non-profits and Tribes create a revolving loan fund (RLF) to extend access to clean, reliable water to households in eligible rural areas. |
Food/Water Security, Water Systems Development, Community Development, Infrastructure Development. | Unknown. | National. Rural areas and towns with 50, 000 or fewer people - check eligible addresses. Tribal Lands in rural areas. Colonias | Link | |
| Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans & Loan Guarantees | USDA |
Applications accepted year round. This program provides financing for the construction, maintenance, improvement and expansion of telephone service and broadband in rural areas. For more information on other programs administered by RUS Telecommunications please visit : http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/all-programs/telecom-programs |
telecommunications, infrastructure, development, broadband, construction, rural communities | varies | Rural Areas | Link | |
| Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for FY22 (Alaska) | USDA |
Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 11, 2022. This funding seeks to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Applications are accepted from eligible entities for projects carried out in the state of Alaska. A total of up to $415,000 is available for the Alaska (State) CIG competition in FY 2022. Learn more and apply here. |
Conservation, innovation, Alaska, technology | $5,000 - 415,000 | Alaska | Link | |
| USDA Local Foods, Local Places Program (Obama Admin Archives) | USDA |
Grant deadline unknown for 2016. Communities are invited to apply for assistance from Local Foods, Local Places, a new program supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), and the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) to help create more livable places by promoting local foods. Priorities given to communities within Appalachia and surrounding regions, see application for more details. |
public health, Agriculture, food justice, sustainability, human health, disease, local, economy | Varies | Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest | Link | |
| Collaborative Forest Restoration Program | USDA |
Grant status unknown for FY 2016. The U.S. Forest Service requests applications for forest restoration projects on Federal, Tribal, State, County, Land Grant, or Municipal forest lands in New Mexico that are designed through a collaborative process that includes affected communities and other stakeholders. Individuals, businesses, groups and other organizations are encouraged to collaborate on the design, implementation, and monitoring of projects that value local and traditional knowledge, promote healthy and productive forests and watersheds, and build ownership and civic pride. |
Conservation, Research, Education, Land, Natural Resources, Water | Individual awards of up to $360,000 | Southwest, New Mexico | Link | |
| Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) | USDA |
he Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) helps the owners of non-industrial private forests restore forest health damaged by natural disasters. The EFRP does this by authorizing payments to owners of private forests to restore disaster damaged forests. The local FSA County Committee implements EFRP for all disasters with the exceptions of drought and insect infestations. In the case of drought or an insect infestation, the national FSA office authorizes EFRP implementation. |
forest restoration, forest management, private forests, non-industrial forests, natural disasters, forest health | National | Link | ||
| REAP Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Program | USDA |
Deadline Passed 01/31/2020. Deadline Unknown for 2021. REAP Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Program.Refer to Application Package AND Application Instruction links to obtain all necessary forms for a complete application |
Renewable energy, Infrastructure, Development | up to $100,000 | Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska | Link | |
| USDA Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants | USDA |
The USDA Rural Business Cooperative-Service Agency is accepting applications for Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance grants to establish programs to assist agricultural producers and rural small businesses with evaluating energy efficiency and the potential to incorporate renewable energy technologies into their operations. |
Renewable energy, Agriculture, small businesses | Unspecified | National | Link | |
| Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) | USDA |
Deadline unknown for 2017. 2016 deadline passed on June 30, 2016. To advance projects which support long-term community and economic growth strategies that reflect both multi-jurisdictional stakeholder collaboration and capitalize upon the unique strengths of the rural area. Through this provision, USDA Rural Development is empowered to work further with rural communities to align resources with long-range and multi-jurisdictional challenges and needs by leveraging federal, state, local, or private funding. Applicants to any of several existing Rural Development programs whose projects support the implementation of multi-jurisdictional strategic economic and community development plans may apply for priority consideration through SECD. Consideration will be based on: (1) How well the project supports a multijurisdictional plan and (2) How well the plan addresses collaboration, regionalism, and investments from other federal and philanthropic agencies. Interested participants are encouraged to have their plans reviewed by their State's staff early in the process for feedback and possible modification prior to submitting with the formal application. |
Rural Development | see website | National | Link | |
| Solid Waste Management Grant Program | USDA |
Deadline Passed 12/31/2018. Deadline Unknown for 2019. Funds may be used to: Evaluate current landfill conditions to determine threats to water resources in rural areas; provide technical assistance and/or training to enhance operator skills in the maintenance and operation of active landfills in rural areas; provide technical assistance and/or training to help associations reduce the solid waste stream; and provide technical assistance and/or training for operators of landfills in rural areas which are closed or will be closed in the near future with the development/implementation of closure plans, future land use plans, safety and maintenance planning, and closure scheduling within permit requirements. |
water resources, landfill conditions, technical assistance, solid waste management | up to $1,000,000 | Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Coastal, Alaska | Link | |
| USDA Seeks Applications for Grants to Help Socially-Disadvantaged Producers | USDA |
Funding will be made available through USDA's Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant Program (formerly the Small, Socially-Disadvantaged Producer Grant Program), which assists organizations that provide technical assistance to socially-disadvantaged groups in rural areas. Examples of technical assistance are conducting feasibility studies, developing business and strategic plans, and providing leadership training. |
Agriculture, technical assistance, Business Development | The maximum award under this notice is $175,000. | National | Link | |
| Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Water for Agriculture Challenge Area | USDA |
Deadline passed as of August 4, 2016. Deadline for 2017 unknown. This AFRI Challenge Area addresses critical water resources issues such as drought, excess soil moisture, flooding, quality and others in an agricultural context. Funding will be used to develop management practices, technologies, and tools for farmers, ranchers, forest owners and managers, public decision makers, public and private managers, and citizens to improve water resource quantity and quality. The long-term goal of the AFRI Water for Agriculture Challenge Area is to tackle critical water issues by developing both regional systems for the sustainable use and reuse, flow and management of water, and at the watershed and farm scales, water issues focused on production and environmental sustainability efforts. Project types supported within this Challenge area are multi-function Integrated Research, Education, and/or Extension Projects and Food and Agricultural Enhancement (FASE) Grants. |
Water Resources, Drought, Flooding, Water Quality, Agriculture | varies, total program funding $10,700,000 | National | Link | |
| USDA Housing Preservation Grants | USDA |
Deadline Passed 08/09/2018. Deadline Unknown for 2019. The USDA is seeking applications for grants to preserve and repair housing for very-low- and low-income families living in rural areas. The funds are being made available through USDA Rural Development's Housing Preservation Grant program. USDA does not provide funding directly to homeowners under this program. |
Infrastructure, public health, rural housing | Varies | Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest | Link | |
| Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentives Program (VPA-HIP) | USDA |
The Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentives Program (VPA-HIP) encourages private landowners to voluntarily make their land available to the public for wildlife-dependent recreation. States and tribes approved for funding of this Farm Service Agency (FSA) program use the funds as incentives to encourage private landowners of farms, ranches, and forests to make that land available to the public for wildlife-dependent recreation. This may include hunting or fishing. The overall goal of VPA-HIP is to enhance wildlife habitat and management and to boost local economies through activities that attract wildlife enthusiasts. |
Conservation, recreation | varies | Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest | Link | |
| Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Program | USDA |
Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: 03/31/2019. The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program provides funding for rural projects through local utility organizations. USDA provides zero-interest loans to local utilities which they, in turn, pass through to local businesses (ultimate recipients) for projects that will create and retain employment in rural areas. The ultimate recipients repay the lending utility directly. The utility is responsible for repayment to USDA. |
Economic Development, Rural Development, Grants and Loans | Up to $300,000 in grants may be requested to establish the RLF Up to 10 percent of grant funds may be applied toward operating expenses over the life of the RLF Up to $2 million in loans may be requested | National | Link | |
| Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant | USDA |
Previous Deadline: 04/30/2020. The Agency will make grants to public bodies and private nonprofit corporations, (such as States, counties, cities, townships, and incorporated towns and villages, boroughs, authorities, districts, and Indian tribes on Federal and State reservations) to provide associations Technical Assistance and/or training with respect to essential community facilities programs. The Technical Assistance and/or training will assist communities, Indian Tribes, and Nonprofit Corporations to identify and plan for community facility needs that exist in their area. Once those needs have been identified, the Grantee can assist in identifying public and private resources to finance those identified community facility needs. |
community facilities, infrastructure, planning, training, technical assistance | up to $150,000 | National | Link | |
| National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost-Share Grant Program | USDA |
Deadline passed as of June 15, 2016. Deadline for 2017 unknown.The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council is seeking innovative grants proposals for program development, research, and collaboration to address the following two strategic priority issues: proposals that demonstrate the connection between the personal benefits of urban forests and quality of life within a community through community engagement; and proposals that design an urban forestry recruitment program and retention strategies that support existing urban forestry academic curricula. Urban and community forests demonstrate benefits including urban heat island reduction. NOTE: Pre-proposals are due by June 17, see website for details. |
Research, Health, Natural Resources, Land, Conservation, Mitigation, Adaptation, Wildlife | Individual awards of up to $600,000 | Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska | Link | |
| Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants | USDA |
Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: March 31, 2022. This program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy-efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy-efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing. Increasing energy efficiency and developing more renewable-energy systems is cost effective and reduces the consumption of fuels that generate greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change. Applications can be for grants of $20,000 or less or a loan/grant combination of $20,000 or less. Learn more and apply here. |
Rural, agriculture, energy, equipment, emissions | Grants of $20,000 or less or a loan/grant combination of $20,000 or less. | National | Link | |
| Demonstration Projects to End Child Hunger | USDA |
The purpose of the demonstration projects is to test innovative strategies to end childhood hunger, including alternative models for service delivery and benefit levels that promote the reduction or elimination of childhood hunger and food insecurity. Projects may include enhanced SNAP benefits for eligible households with children; enhanced benefits or innovative program delivery models in school meals, afterschool snacks programs, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program; and other targeted Federal, State or local assistance, including refundable tax credits, emergency housing, employment and training, or family preservation services, for households with children who are experiencing food insecurity. |
Health, Hunger | varies | Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest | Link | |
| Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants | USDA |
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 5,000 people, low-income areas, and communities facing imminent decline and shortage of water. |
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 | |
| FY 2019 Farm to School Grant | USDA |
Deadline Passed 12/04/2018. Deadline Unknown for 2019. Section 18 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) established aFarm to School program in order to assist eligible entities, (schools, school districts, agricultural producers, Indian tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations, state agencies and local agencies), through grants and technical assistance, in implementing farm toschool programs that improve access to local foods in eligible schools |
Health, food security, local economy, agriculture, school health, public | $20,000-$100,000 | United States | Link | |
| Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) Grant Program | USDA - FNS (Food and Nutrition Service) |
The Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) Grant Program supports projects to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables among low-income consumers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by providing incentives at the point of purchase. There are three categories of projects: (1) FINI Pilot Projects (awards not to exceed a total of $100,000 over one year); (2) Multi-year, community-based FINI Projects (awards not to exceed a total of $500,000 over no more than four years); and (3) Multi-year, FINI Large-Scale Projects (awards of $500,000 or more over no more than four years). |
Food, nutrition | See grant guidance | National | Link | |
| Farm to School Grant | USDA - FNS (Food and Nutrition Service) |
Deadline passed as of December 8, 2016. Deadline for 2017 unknown. The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is charged with implementing the Farm to School Program. In this funding cycle, USDA anticipates awarding approximately $6 million in grant funding to support efforts that improve access to local foods in schools. Beyond the $5 million in funding provided in the HHFKA, in fiscal year (FY) 2016 USDA anticipates the availability of an additional $1 million, subject to appropriation, in grant funding to support placement of volunteer service members (e.g. AmeriCorps, VISTA, local service corps programs, etc.) in schools throughout the country to build or maintain school gardens, incorporate nutrition education into the schools’ culture, and support school food service personnel in procuring or promoting local and regional products for the school meal program - See link for more. |
Food, nutrition, Agriculture, Education, Schools, Development | $15,000 to $100,000 | National | Link | |
| Forest Service Wildfire Risk Reduction / Wildfire Response RFA | USDA Forest Service |
Deadline Passed 12/20/2019. Deadline Unknown for 2020. The U.S. Forest Service supports Moving Toward Shared Stewardship Across Landscapes as part of a conceptual framework for making strategic investments across landscapes to co-manage wildfire risk and achieve positive outcomes at the most appropriate scale. Within this framework, Eastern Region Cohesive Fire Strategy Competitive Request for Applications is designed to support and carry out the goals of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy (NCS) across the Midwestern and Northeastern States as well as meet the intent of the current year budget direction. These national goals are to restore and maintain landscapes, create fire adapted communities, and improve wildfire response. |
shared stewardship, co-management, wildfire management, fire adapted communities, wildfire response | $25,000-$150,000 | National | Link | |
| Great Lakes RFA | USDA Forest Service |
Deadline Passed 05/11/2018. Deadline Unknown for 2019. The U.S. Forest Service will support projects in the Great Lakes basin that implement the following strategic, priority actions: restore tree canopy lost to infestation by emerald ash borer; create or improve green infrastructure through planting of trees and other vegetation; restore the function of coastal wetland areas through planting of native trees and diverse vegetation. |
habitat restoration, green infrastructure, planting, wetland restoration | $50,000- $200,000 | Great Lakes Basin | Link | |
| FY 22 National Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program | USDA Forest Service |
Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 13, 2022. The Forest Service is seeking to create a national innovative messaging for the Urban and Community Forestry Program that raises awareness of the critical and urgent need to plan, grow, and manage our urban forests to benefit all. Learn more and apply here. |
Urban forestry, community forestry, management, innovation | $100,000 - 500,000. | National | Link |
