TCTAC Funding Opportunities
UPCOMING TCTAC FUNDING OPPORTUINITIES (Updated Nov. 20, 2023)
IRS: Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program
Eligible applicants can now apply to receive a 10 or 20-percentage point boost to the energy investment tax credit for qualified solar or wind facilities that are in low-income communities or on Tribal land, are part of affordable housing developments, or benefit low-income households as part of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program.
To allow the public time to prepare competitive applications, all applications received within the first 30 days (Oct. 19 – Nov. 18) will be treated as having been received at the same time. After the first 30 days, applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis while capacity remains through early 2024.
To help applicable entities prepare for this opportunity, Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG) and the Clean Energy Counsel have created a Low Income Communities Bonus (LICB) Fact Sheet. They also note that there are limited allocations each year, so if you (or your allies) have a wind or solar project that will be completed within the next 12 months, is less than 5 MW, and may be in or benefit a low-income community, it is recommended that you review the fact sheet and prepare to file for an allocation ASAP.
Also, WRI recently put out a report on Catalyzing Local Clean Energy: A Roadmap for Maximizing Inflation Reduction Act Opportunities and Community Benefits. The guidebook provides a detailed breakdown of new clean energy tax credits and bonuses available to local governments and other eligible entities. It also includes several sample case studies showing how local governments can use these incentives in their clean energy planning as well as analyzing the savings and community benefits these incentives could provide to local governments of all sizes, types, and geographic locations.
Learn More Here
EPA: EJ Community Change Grants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing a total $2 billion for Environmental Justice Community Change Grants. Each award will be between $10-20 million, or $1-3 million depending, on the project.
Timeline: NOFO (notice of funding opportunities) imminent
- Applications expected to open Fall 2023, open for 12 months. Applications will be reviewed and selected on a rolling basis based on available funding.
Who can apply:
- A partnership between at least two community-based non-profit organizations (CBOs).
- A partnership between a CBO and one or any combination of the following: a Federally-Recognized Tribe; a local government; or an institution of higher education.
Eligible activities:
- Climate resiliency & adaptation
- Mitigating climate & health risks from urban heat islands, extreme heat, wood heater emissions, & wildfire events
- Community-led air & other (including water & waste) pollution monitoring, prevention, & remediation
- Investments in low- & zero-emission & resilient technologies & related infrastructure
- Workforce development that supports the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions & other air pollutants
- Reducing indoor toxics & indoor air pollution
- Facilitating the engagement of disadvantaged communities in State & Federal advisory groups, workshops, rulemakings, & other public processes
Request Technical Assistance to Learn More
LISCIF: Restore America’s Estuaries Grants
The Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) has issued a request for applications (RFA) for organizations in the Long Island Sound region of New York or Connecticut. In its first round of funding, the LISCIF has made $1.5 million available in Restore America’s Estuaries grants for organizations to build capacity in under-resourced New York and Connecticut communities to help protect and restore Long Island Sound.
LISCIF’s grantmaking process utilizes a two-step application process: a Letter of Intent (LOI), followed by a limited number of invited, full proposals. LOIs are due by December 1, 2023. Upon selection and invitation, full proposals are due by March 15, 2024. For more information and access to the RFA, please go to LISCIF24 RFA Page. Webinars and technical assistance opportunities for LISCIF will be available as well.
Funding is available for projects that:
- Result in quantifiable pollutant prevention or reduction;
- Restore habitat within the “Important Coastal Habitat Types” targeted by LISS;
- Foster diverse, abundant populations of fish, birds, and wildlife.
- Increase public engagement, knowledge, and stewardship;
- Enhance community resilience and sustainability;
- Plan and design water quality, habitat restoration, and resilience implementation;
- Increase community-based science;
- Improve data management and accessibility for community action; and
- Other similar activities that the applicant proposes, and EPA approves, that are consistent with section 119 of the Clean Water Act.
DOE: Communities Local Energy Action Program
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Communities Local Energy Action Program (LEAP) Cohort 2 is open for applications. Under this second phase of the initiative, DOE will provide technical assistance services valued at over $18 million to support 24-32 communities to develop and advance their own community-driven clean energy transition approach. The application deadline to apply is December 14, 2023 at 5:00 PM ET. Selections are expected to be announced in March of 2024.
Learn More Here
Emergent Fund: Rapid Response Organizing Grants
The Emergent Fund is a rolling, monthly rapid response and emergent organizing grant for movement and frontline communities responding to urgent and specific unanticipated crises or opportunities to build power. Organizations must have 501c3 or 501c4 tax status, or a fiscal sponsor in order to be eligible. Eligible initiatives include resisting new or amplified threats, building power to move a proactive agenda, and creating communities and cultures of care. In addition, organizing that leverages “moveable” or “pivotable” moments to disrupt, heal, and build towards long-term social justice and economic justice in a political and social climate that seeks to dismantle such efforts is also eligible, as is organizing that explicitly seeks to dismantle, abolish, and replace systems of oppression and harm, driven by a clear intersectional power analysis and vision for collective liberation.
The Emergent Fund accepts proposals on JustFund, an innovative grants platform that connects funders and grassroots organizations. To apply, visit www.justfund.us to log in or register for an account (takes 48 hours for approval). Application deadline is the third Tuesday of each month (December 19) at 8:00 PM. For questions about how to submit your proposal, please refer to JustFund’s Help Center or contact info@justfund.us.
Learn More Here
NYSERDA: Offshore Wind Training & Skills Development for New York State
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has made $9 million available for New York State Offshore Wind Training Institute-Workforce Training & Skills Development under Program Opportunity Notice (PON) 4595. They are seeking proposals for training initiatives focused on addressing projected offshore wind workforce gaps and preparing workers for these high growth jobs. Training audiences may consist of existing and/or new workers. Individuals and entities that may apply as lead applicants for funding include technical/vocational high schools, community colleges, universities, labor unions, training and job placement intermediaries, community-based organizations, and nonprofit organizations. NYSERDA will accept proposals requesting between $500,000 and $3,000,000.
Concept Papers (required) are accepted on a rolling basis until December 28, 2023. Full Proposals (by invitation only) are accepted in funding rounds with the following due dates, as long as funding is available: Round 1 – January 17, 2023; Round 2 – March 23, 2023; Round 3 – June 1, 2023; Round 4 – August 10, 2023; Round 5 – October 19, 2023; Round 6 – December 28, 2023; Round 7 – March 7, 2024.
Learn More Here
HHS: EJ Community Innovator Grant
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the launch of a nation-wide HHS Environmental Justice Community Innovator Challenge to support disadvantaged communities and Tribes facing the brunt of environmental injustices, including health harms due to climate change. This Challenge aims to uplift community-level solutions to address health inequities with prizes totaling $1,000,000 that will be awarded in two phases.
The Challenge has two phases. All eligible entries will be evaluated, and separate prizes will be awarded for each of the two phases.
- Phase 1 will focus on design of an innovative concept to enhance community-driven efforts to mitigate health disparities and advance health equity or the development of an effective approach to support a previously developed concept. Entries for Phase 1 will be accepted from September 18, 2023, until January 30, 2024.
- Phase 2 will focus on small-scale testing or implementation of well-developed approaches for community-led efforts to mitigate health disparities and advance health equity. Entries for Phase 2 will begin in Spring 2024.
Request Technical Assistance to Learn More
EPA: 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) $500 million 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate program provides funding to school districts and other eligible applicants for electric school buses and charging infrastructure. Applications are due January 31, 2024 at 4:00 PM.
Learn More Here
EPA: Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Implementation Grants Competition
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) Implementation Grants Competitions announced the availability of $4.6 billion across two implementation grant competitions, one general competition and one specifically for Tribes and territories. Under these competitions, eligible applicants will compete for CPRG implementation grants to fund measures in their state-, municipality-, Tribe-, or territory-specific climate action plans. As part of its evaluation of applications, EPA will prioritize measures that achieve the greatest amount of GHG emissions reductions. The deadline to apply to the general competition is April 1, 2024. The deadline to apply to the Tribes and territories competition is May 1, 2024.
Learn More Here
EPA: Thriving Communities EJ Small Grants
In 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching a Thriving Communities Environmental Justice Grantmaking program, in which one organization in each EPA Region will serve as a Grantmaker awarding at least $40 million in Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Subgrants.
Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Subgrants will be available for three distinct phases of community-readiness: Phase I subgrants will be for one year up to $150,000 assessment projects, Phase II subgrants will be for 1-2 year up to $250,000 planning projects, and Phase III subgrants are for two-year up to $350,000 project development projects.
Eligible projects:
- Air quality & asthma
- Fence line air quality monitoring
- Monitoring of effluent discharges from industrial facilities
- Water quality & sampling
- Small cleanup projects
- Improving food access to reduce vehicle miles traveled
- Stormwater issues and green infrastructure
- Lead and asbestos contamination
- Pesticides & other toxic substances
- Healthy homes that are energy/water use efficient & not subject to indoor air pollution
- Illegal dumping activities, such as education, outreach, & small-scale clean-ups
- Emergency preparedness & disaster resiliency
- Environmental job training for occupations that reduce greenhouse gases & other air pollutants
- Environmental justice training for youth
Request Technical Assistance to Learn More
WRI: Electric School Bus Initiative
The World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Electric School Bus Initiative is helping districts take advantage of this and other funding sources by providing free resources on the school bus electrification process, including a step-by-step guide, a power planner for working with electric utilities, and a market report/buyer’s guide detailing the electric school bus models on the road today. If you need help, please reach out to WRI for support.
Learn More Here
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