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 "12/31/2023" 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant | USDA |
Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: May 23, 2022. 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 | |
| Individual Water & Wastewater Grants | USDA |
Applications accepted continuously. The purpose of this grant is to provide water and waste disposal facilities and services to low income rural communities whose residents face significant health risks. Every effort is made to identify and fund the neediest projects. This program is only eligible in states with Colonias, and those are Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas. |
Adaptation, Water, Health, Natural Resources | Generally, applicants are expected to borrow as much as they can afford to repay, as in the regular loan program. However, water and waste disposal systems can obtain up to 100 percent grants to construct basic drinking water, sanitary sewer, solid waste disposal and storm drainage to serve the residents. | Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas | Link | |
| Community Connect Grant | USDA |
Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: June 20, 2023. The Community Connect provides financial assistance to eligible applicants that will provide broadband service in rural, economically-challenged communities where service does not exist. |
development, economy, rural communities, | Unknown | 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 | |
| Water & Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grants | USDA | 12/31/2023 |
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 |
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 |
| Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program | USDA |
Deadline passed as of June 28, 2017. Deadline for 2018 unknown. The Agriculture and Natural Resources Science for Climate Variability and Change Challenge Area RFA focuses on the societal challenge to adapt agroecosystems and natural resource systems to climate variability and change and implement mitigation strategies in those systems. In the Agriculture and Natural Resources Science for Climate Variability and Change Challenge Area RFA, specific program areas are designed to achieve the long-term outcome of reducing the use of energy, nitrogen, reducing GHG emissions from practices, and water in the production of food, feed, fiber, and fuel; reduce GHG emissions from these agroecosystems; and increase carbon sequestration. Project types supported by AFRI within this RFA include multi-function integrated research, education, and/or extension projects and Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants. |
Education, Natural Resources, Research, Adaptation, Mitigation, Land, Health, Energy, Water | Varies | Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest | Link | |
| Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants | USDA | 12/31/2023 |
Applications accepted continuously. Provides grants to qualified organizations to help them carry out local self-help housing construction projects. Grant recipients supervise groups of very-low- and low-income individuals and families as they construct their own homes in rural areas. The group members provide most of the construction labor on each other’s homes, with technical assistance from the organization overseeing the project. Funds may be used to:
|
housing, rural areas, low-income communities, technical assistance | varies | Rural Areas | Link |
| High Energy Cost Grants (USDA) | USDA |
Deadline passed. Latest deadline: July 6, 2021. The USDA Rural Development High Energy Costs Grant assists energy providers and other eligible entities in lowering energy costs for families and individuals in areas with extremely high per-household energy costs (275 percent of the national average or higher.) The funds may be used to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of facilities serving eligible communities. NOTE: Program details may change over time. Before you begin an application, please confirm you have the most current information by emailing Rural Electric Program staff or consulting the program instructions listed in the section above titled "What Governs this Program?" |
Energy conservation, Infrastructure, Community development | $100,000-$3,000,000 | National | Link | |
| Conservation Stewardship Program | USDA | 12/31/2023 |
Applications accepted continuously. The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) helps agricultural producers maintain and improve their existing conservation systems and adopt additional conservation activities to address priority resources concerns. Participants earn CSP payments for conservation performance—the higher the performance, the higher the payment. |
Stewardship, Conservation, IRA | Varies | All 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Caribbean and Pacific Island areas. | Link |
| Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants | USDA |
Past deadline: May 15, 2019. The DLT Program provides financial assistance to enable and improve distance learning and telemedicine services in rural areas. DLT grant funds support the use of telecommunications-enabled information, audio and video equipment, and related advanced technologies by students, teachers, medical professionals, and rural residents. These grants are intended to increase rural access to education, training, and health care resources that are otherwise unavailable or limited in scope. |
telecommunications, rural, telemedicine | $500,000-$50,000 | National | Link | |
| Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Program | USDA | 12/31/2023 |
Rolling Deadline. 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 |
| Intermediary Relending Program | USDA | 12/31/2023 |
Applications accepted year round. This program provides 1 percent low-interest loans to local intermediaries that re-lend to businesses to improve economic conditions and create jobs in rural communities. |
rural communities, local economy, jobs, development | $250,000; or 75 % of the total cost of the ultimate recipient's project for which the loan is being made, whichever is less. | Rural Areas | Link |
| USDA Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans | USDA |
The USDA Rural Business Cooperative-Service Agency is accepting applications for Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans 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 | Unknown | National, agriculture & small rural business | Link | |
| Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program | USDA |
Past Deadline: May 16, 2019. Beginning farmer education for adult and young audiences in the United States can generally be traced back to the advent of the 1862 and 1890 Morrill Land-Grant Acts. But, for the first time, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub .L. No. 110-234, Section 7410) appropriated $75 million for FY 2009 to FY 2012 to develop and offer education, training, outreach and mentoring programs to enhance the sustainability of the next generation of farmers. The Agriculture Act of 2014 provided an additional $20 million per year for 2014 through 2018. The reasons for the renewed interest in beginning farmer and rancher programs are as follows: the rising average age of U.S. farmers; the 8% projected decrease in the number of farmers and ranchers between 2008 and 2018; and the growing recognition that new programs are needed to address the needs of the next generation of beginning farmers and ranchers. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (aka the 2018 Farm Bill) reauthorized the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program and provides mandatory funds for which supports education, mentoring, and technical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers and ranchers. |
ranchers, Farm Bill, outreach, programs food | $600,000- $50,000 | National | 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 | |
| Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program | USDA |
Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 3, 2023. This program assists in the development, construction, and retrofitting of new and emerging technologies for the development of Advanced Biofuels, Renewable Chemicals, and Biobased Product Manufacturing by providing loan guarantees for up to $250 million. |
biofuels, renewable chemicals, biobased products, renewable energy, manufacturing, development | Varies | National | Link | |
| Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP) | USDA |
Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: Feburary 25, 2022. The purpose of this program is to establish an Extension presence and support Extension outreach on Federally Recognized Indian Reservations and Tribal jurisdictions of Federally-Recognized Tribes. This program seeks to continue the Land Grants mission of inclusion - providing education and research-based knowledge to those who might not otherwise receive it. Learn more and apply here. |
Land Grant, education, outreach, research, Tribal youth development, economic and workforce development, food sovereignty, Native language and culture preservation | Up to $360,000 | National | Link | |
| Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program | USDA | 12/31/2023 |
Applications are accepted year round. Provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:
|
business development, rural areas, microenterprise | Up to $50,000 | Rural Areas | Link |
| USDA Housing Preservation Grants | USDA |
Deadline Passed. Latest Deadline: July 11, 2022. 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 | |
| Business and Industry Loan Guarantees | USDA | 12/31/2023 |
Rolling Deadline. This program bolsters the availability of private credit by guaranteeing loans for rural businesses. |
Rural areas, business development, credit, local economy | Up to $25 million | Rural Areas | 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 | |
| Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (2501 Program) | USDA |
Deadline passed as of July 29, 2016. Deadline for 2017 unknown. The 2501 Program provides funding to eligible organizations for training and technical assistance projects designed to assist socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers in owning and operating viable agricultural enterprises. The 2501 Program extends USDA's capacity to work with members of farming and ranching communities by funding projects that enhance the equitable participation of socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers in USDA programs. It is OAO's (Office of Advocacy and Outreach) intention to build lasting relationships between USDA, awardee organizations, and socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers. |
agricultural, food security, veterans, ranching, environmental justice, technical assistance, business, | Award amounts vary; total program funds $8.4 million. | National, Rural | Link | |
| Multi-Family Housing Direct Loans | USDA |
Applications accepted year round. This program provides competitive financing for affordable multi-family rental housing for low-income, elderly, or disabled individuals and families in eligible rural areas. This program assists qualified applicants that cannot obtain commercial credit on terms that will allow them to charge rents that are affordable to low-income tenants. |
housing, rural communities, multi-family housing, improvement, development | varies | Rural Areas | 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 | |
| Multi-Family Housing Loan Guarantees | USDA | 12/31/2023 |
This program accepts applications on a continuous basis. The program works with qualified private-sector lenders to provide financing to qualified borrowers to increase the supply of affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income individuals and families in eligible rural areas and towns. Construction, improvement and purchase of multi-family rental housing for low to moderate income families and individuals is the primary objective for this program. Funding may also be available for:
|
housing, rural communities, development, infrastructure | varies | Rural Areas | Link |
| Northwest Climate Hub | USDA |
Deadline passed as of December 5, 2016. Deadline for 2017 unknown. Contingent upon available funds the Northwest Climate Hub requests proposals to support our mission to serve farms, forests and rangelands in a changing climate. An estimated amount of $350,000 is available for approximately 5-10 projects. There are additional funds available (at least $50,000) to fund one proposal that is designed to assist the NW Climate Hub in serving Alaska, such as efforts focused on Alaska meeting its food security needs under climate change.
|
Alaska, agriculture, wilderness, climate change, adaptation, mitigation | Varies. 5-10 intended awards with up to $350,000 total program funding. | Alaska, Pacific Northwest, Unties States, West Coast | Link | |
| Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program | USDA | 12/31/2023 |
Rolling Deadline. This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings. |
housing, infrastructure, facilities, rural | Grants and Loans available. Award amount varies. | United States | Link |
| Rural Housing Site Loans | USDA | 12/31/2023 |
Applications accepted year round. Rural Housing site loans provide two types of loans to purchase and develop housing sites for low- and moderate-income families:
|
housing, rural communities, development | Varies | Rural Areas | 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. |
Rural Development, Economic development, Business Development, Community Development, management, infrastructure, local economy, | Maximum Grant Amount up to $200,000 | National | Link |
