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@uoregon.edu. 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 Sort descending Grant Deadline Description Funding Amount Geography Website
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
Local Food Purchase Assistance Program USDA

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 5, 2022. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will establish cooperative agreements with state and tribal governments for the purpose of supporting local, regional, and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers through food purchasing under the Build Back Better Initiative. These cooperative agreements will allow for entities to procure local, domestic foods that are unique to their geographic area and meet the needs of the populations. In addition to increasing local food consumption, funds are expected to help build and expand economic opportunity for local and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers. Learn more and apply here.

Categories: Food assistance, economic opportunity, food storage, food distribution

National Link
Alaska Environmental Quality Incentives Program USDA

Deadline Passed as of 11/30/2017. Deadline for 2018 unknown. Through EQIP, NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to eligible individuals and entities to plan and install conservation practices that benefit soil, water, air, plants, and animals. EQIP addresses national resource concerns including improvement of water quality, water conservation , reducing greenhouse gasses, improving wildlife habitat, controlling invasive plant species, and on-farm energy conservation and efficiency.

Categories: conservation, agriculture, natural resources, water and air quality, greenhouse gases, wildlife habitat, invasive plant species, energy efficiency

varies Alaska Link
Water & Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees USDA 12/31/2024

Applications accepted year round. This program helps private lenders provide affordable financing to qualified borrowers to improve access to clean, reliable water and waste disposal systems for households and businesses in rural areas. Funds may be used to Construct or improve facilities for:Drinking waterSanitary sewersSolid waste disposalStorm water disposal facilities

Categories: water quality, water quantity, waste disposal, rural communities, business, development

varies Rural Areas Link
Farm Business Management and Benchmarking Competitive Grants Program USDA

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 8, 2022. The Farm Business Management and Benchmarking (FBMB) Competitive Grants Program provides funds for improving the farm management knowledge and skills of agricultural producers by maintaining and expanding a national, publicly available farm financial management database to support improved farm management. Learn more and apply here.

Categories: Farm business, agriculture, financial management

Up to $500,000 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:The construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities required to provide service at the broadband lending speed including facilities required for providing other services through the same facilitiesThe cost of leasing facilities required to provide service at the broadband Lending speed if such lease qualifies as a capital lease under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)An acquisition, under certain circumstances and with restrictionsFor additional detail see 7 CFR 1738

Categories: broadband access, internet, implementation, development, rural communities

varies Rural Areas Link
Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans & Loan Guarantees USDA 12/31/2024

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

Categories: telecommunications, infrastructure, development, broadband, construction, rural communities

varies Rural Areas 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.

Categories: forest restoration, forest management, private forests, non-industrial forests, natural disasters, forest health

National 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.

Categories: Conservation, innovation, Alaska, technology

$5,000 - 415,000 Alaska Link
Grants for Rural and Native Alaskan Villages USDA 12/31/2024

Applications accepted continuously. Meant to fund water and waste disposal systems in rural Alaskan Villages. Funds must be used for development and construction of water and wastewater systems to correct dire health and sanitation conditions in those villages. Many communities in remote rural Alaska, where villages are accessible by plane or boat only, are essentially inaccessible during the long, hard winters. They lag far behind the lower 48 States in having safe and dependable drinking water and suitable waste disposal systems available. Construction costs are extremely high. This is due in part to the severe weather conditions, which makes laying pipe difficult, if not impossible. These conditions also require the use of insulated pipe, or in areas of permafrost, above ground utilidors, often with heat traced insulated pipe. The vast distances from the transportation hub of Anchorage to a village increases costs substantially as the material must be delivered by barge or air.

Categories: Adaptation, Emergency Management, Water, Health, Natural Resources

The maximum grant is 75 percent of the project cost. Alaska, Coastal 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.

Categories: 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
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.

Categories: Education, Natural Resources, Research, Adaptation, Mitigation, Land, Health, Energy, Water

Varies Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest Link
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations Nutrition Education (FDPNE) Grant Program USDA

Recent Deadline: 3/22/2021.  Since 2008, FNS has awarded funding each fiscal year for nutrition education projects through Food Distribution Program Nutrition Education (FDPNE) grants. Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) and State agencies (SAs) that have a direct agreement with FNS to administer FDPIR are eligible to apply for funds to conduct projects that provide nutrition information and services to FDPIR participants. The overall goal of the FDPNE grant program is to improve the likelihood that persons eligible for FDPIR will make healthy food choices consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and USDA MyPlate Guidance. The project requirements for FDPNE grants are loosely based on the SNAP Education Plan Guidance. FNS selects components of The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans for development of FDPNE program goals. Nutrition education services are a combination of educational strategies and learning experiences, accompanied by supporting policy, systems, and environmental interventions, designed to facilitate the voluntary adoption of food choices and other nutrition-related behaviors conducive to the health and well-being of participants. In the context of this grant program, nutrition education should focus on how USDA Foods in the FDPIR food package may be used to contribute to a healthy diet. The Indian Tribal Organization (ITO) or State Agency (SA) shall work with appropriate organizations and partners such as: extension agents, registered dieticians, diabetes coordinators, and public health nutrition professionals to provide food and nutrition information, recipes, or cooking demonstrations, as appropriate for households who participate or are eligible to participate in the FDPIR program. The ITO or SA shall provide nutrition education and information specific to the foods included in the FDPIR food package to improve the health of FDPIR participating households. 

Categories: health education, food justice, human health, diet, noncommunicable disease, nutrition, exercise,

$2,000 - $214,000 National Link
Conservation Stewardship Program USDA 12/31/2024

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.

Categories: Stewardship, Conservation, IRA

Varies All 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Caribbean and Pacific Island areas. Link
United Fresh Start Foundation Community Grants Program USDA

Deadline passed as of April 20, 2017. Deadline for 2018 unknown. The initiative extends the foundation’s work beyond the school day, to provide children with access to fresh fruit and vegetables afterschool, on the weekends, during summer breaks and in other creative venues. The program provides $25,000 in grants to local community organizations and groups that share the United Fresh Start Foundation’s commitment to increasing kids’ access to fresh produce, helping them develop healthy habits to last a lifetime. Grants will support programs, events and/or activities that increase children’s access to fresh produce.

Categories: food justice, distribution, nutrition, education, diet, health, noncommunicable disease,accessibility, local, fresh, economy, school, youth

Grants are available up to a maximum of $2,500. National 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.

Categories: Renewable energy, Agriculture, small businesses

Unknown National, agriculture & small rural business Link
Rural Energy for America Program Energy Audit & Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants USDA

Rolling deadline. Provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. This program helps increase American energy independence by increasing the private sector supply of renewable energy and decreasing the demand for energy through energy efficiency improvements. Over time, these investments can also help lower the cost of energy for small businesses and agricultural producers.

Categories: rural development, infrastructure, renewable energy, sustainable

Unrestricted Grants (up to $500,000) National Link
Farmers Market Promotion Program USDA

Deadline Passed for 2018. Deadline Unknown for 2019.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), AMS, requests applications for the fiscal year (FY) 2016 Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) to competitively award grants to eligible applicants for projects that establish, expand, and promote direct producer-to-consumer marketing.

Categories: Farmers Market, Local Foods, Sustainability, Bioregionalism, Sustainable Agriculture, Community Development.

Capacity Building: Minimum grant award is $50,000. Maximum award is $250,000.
Community Development, Training, and Technical Assistance: Minimum grant award is $250,000. Maximum award $500,000.
United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 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.

Categories: Rural, agriculture, energy, equipment, emissions

Grants of $20,000 or less or a loan/grant combination of $20,000 or less. National Link
Tribal Colleges Extension Program USDA

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: June 14, 2022. The purpose of the Tribal Colleges Extension Program (TCEP) is to enable 1994 institutions to deliver science-based, culturally relevant extension education programs designed to address public needs and improve quality of life. The TCEP is intended to be a component of the applicant 1994 institution's land-grant roadmap or strategic planning process. To the extent practicable, priorities should reflect NIFA's national critical needs areas: 1) Development of sustainable energy; 2) Increased global food security; 3) Adaptation of agriculture and natural resources to global climate change; 4) Reduction of childhood and adolescent obesity; and 5) Improved food safety. Learn more and apply here. Download the RFA here.

Categories: Education, agriculture, training, development, research, technology, development, tribal youth, food security, community

$60,000 - $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
Risk Management Education Partnership Program USDA

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 24, 2023. 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.

Categories: climate change, human health, sustainability, agriculture, economy, management, planning, policy

$5,000 - $300,000 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
Household Water Well System Grants USDA

Deadline Passed July 31, 2022. 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.

Categories: 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
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).

Categories: 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.

Categories: Food, nutrition, Agriculture, Education, Schools, Development

$15,000 to $100,000 National Link
Urban and Community Forestry Program USDA Forest Service

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: June 1, 2023. The Forest Service is requesting proposals from eligible entities that are working to provide equitable access to trees and green spaces and the benefits they provide. The Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry Program is a technical, financial, and educational assistance program, delivering nature-based solutions to ensure a resilient and equitable tree canopy where more than 84 percent of Americans live.

Categories: IRA, community health, green space, urban landscape

$100,000 - $50,000,000 National, US territories Link
Community Wildfire Defense Grant USDA Forest Service

Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: October 7, 2022. This grant aims to assist at-risk communities and tribes in preparing against and reducing the risks due to wildfire by restoring and maintaining landscapes, creating fire adapted communities, and improving wildfire response. Up to $250K is available for qualifying community wildfire protection plan development or updates. Up to $10M is available for qualifying community wildfire protection plan implementation. Tribes are also welcome to apply to the corresponding state Notices of Funding Opportunity. Learn more and apply here.

Categories: disaster prevention and relief, natural resources, fire adaptation

Up to $10,000,000 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.

Categories: 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.

Categories: Urban forestry, community forestry, management, innovation

$100,000 - 500,000. National Link