Category Archives: Environmental

Reducing Lead in Drinking Water Grant Program

The Reducing Lead in Drinking Water Grant Program from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency supports lead reduction projects in disadvantaged communities. Awards will be made in two National Priority Areas: Reduction of Lead Exposure in the Nation’s Drinking Water Systems through Full Lead Service Line Replacements and Treatment Improvements and Reducing Children’s Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Childcare Facilities.

Applications are due by December 30, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET. Applicants may submit more than one application, but each application may only address one priority area. There is no cost matching requirement.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

State and municipal governments
Interstate and intermunicipal agencies
Community water systems
Water systems in Native American tribal areas
Non-transient, non-community water systems
Qualified nonprofit organizations servicing public water systems

Program Objectives

Projects under this program should:

Benefit one or more disadvantaged community
Benefit a drinking water system with at least one lead action level exceedance within the last three years OR address lead levels in drinking water in schools/childcare facilities
Support the Justice40 Initiative

National Priority Areas

National Priority Area One: Reduction of Lead Exposure in the Nation’s Drinking Water Systems through Full Lead Service Line Replacements and Treatment Improvements

EPA expects to make 2-4 awards of $5 – $10 million for up to four years under this priority area. Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:

Replacing publicly, privately, or jointly-owned lead service lines (including goosenecks, pigtails and/or other lead components) and/or replacing partial lead service line remnants from previous partial replacement efforts.
Replacing galvanized pipes downstream of a lead service line.
Improving corrosion control to reduce lead in drinking water through installation or re-optimization of corrosion control treatment.
Developing and maintaining the drinking water system’s service line inventory to accurately track existing lead service lines and replacements of full or partial lead service lines.
Conducting risk mitigation and remediation follow-up monitoring, public education, and related outreach.

National Priority Area Two: Reducing Children’s Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Childcare Facilities

EPA expects to make 3-5 awards of $2 – $5 million for up to four years under this priority area.

Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:

Removing or replacing drinking water fixtures, fountains, or outlets determined to be sources of lead in schools and/or childcare facilities’ drinking water.
Replacing plumbing materials determined to be sources of lead in schools and/or childcare facilities’ drinking water.
Conducting follow-up monitoring, public education, and outreach.
Providing filters and replacement cartridges certified to remove lead.

The Earth Prize

The Earth Prize is a global student competition for projects that address environmental issues. Seven regional winners from Oceania, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, North America, and Central and South America will each receive $12,500 and 1 on 1 mentoring with Earth Prize Mentors. Three Mentors, as voted on by participants, and Three Educators of the Year will each receive $2,500.

Registration is open through November 30, 2024 and idea submissions are due by January 31, 2025. Students, teachers, and team leaders must register separately. Teachers and team leaders will create teams through the platform.

Eligibility

This competition is open to students aged 13-19 from anywhere in the world. Students may enter individually or as a team of up to 5 members.

Adult Supervisors and Team Leaders must be teachers or school administrators, unless the students are homeschooled.

Mentors must be enrolled at an institution of higher education.

Timeline

Registration: September 1 – November 30, 2024

After registering, participants will have access to online mentoring and resources to help them put together their application.

Earth Prize Scholars: February 14 – 28, 2025

All submissions that receive an outstanding score based on the evaluation criteria will be recognized as Earth Prize Scholars. Final submissions, including a Pitch Video, from Scholars will be due February 28th.

Regional Winners: March 14 – April 7, 2025

Seven Regional Winners will be chosen to participate in a second round of mentoring and present their project to the Adjudicating Panel with a Live Q & A session. The winners will also be announced on the Earth Prize website and social media.

Public Voting: April 7 – 22, 2025

Public voting will be held to determine the Global Winner, which will be announced during the Earth Prize Awards Ceremony on April 22nd. Three Mentors of the Year and Three Educators of the Year will also be announced.

Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Program

Wild Ones supports the use of native plant species for environmentally friendly landscaping through educational resources and grants like the Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Program.

Grants of $100 – $500 are available for projects in the United States that use native plants or seeds to education youth. Applications are due by November 15, 2024 at 11:59 PM CT.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

Public and private schools
Nonprofit organizations

Project Examples

Potential projects may include:

Rain gardens
Pollinator gardens
Monarch waystations
Tallgrass praries
Sensory and natural playgrounds

Application Requirements

All applications must include a sketch or diagram of the proposed garden location as it currently is including:

Dimensions
Vegetation that will remain in place
Existing structures (natural or human-made)
Scale
Planting conditions (light, soil, and moisture)
Orientation

A second sketch or diagram must be included to show what the space will look like after the garden has been planted.

TC Energy Social Impact Programs

The Build Strong and Indigneous Community Legacy programs from TC Energy provide grants to community and Indigenous organizations throughout North America. Awards are made in four focus areas: Safety, Education, Environment, and Resilient Communities. Applications are due by November 8, 2024.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

Nonprofits
Registered charities
Associations
Municipalities
Indigenous groups
Social enterprises
Foundations

Preference is given to organizations within 20 miles/30 kilometers of their operations, but applications that align with one of their focus areas are also eligible.

Potential Projects

Build Strong

Safety

Emergency preparedness
Purchasing equipment for first responders
Training for first responders

Education

Career/job readiness programs
STEM programs and equipment
Vocational trade programs and equipment

Environment

At-risk species protection
Land protection
Water protection

Resilient Communities

Natural disaster preparedness or response
Food security
Mental health
Energy access
Local celebrations

Indigenous Community Legacy

Safety

Emergency preparedness
Pipeline construction safety
First responders
Public awareness

Education and Training

Stay in school programs
Early childhood development
Language and cultural education
Trades, safety, and vocational skills training
Literacy and numeracy programs
Homework and mentoring programs

Environment

Youth programs
Traditional land use programs
Stewardship and conservation
Environmental management training programs

Community

Health and wellness
Sports and recreation
Elders events and support
Traditional knowledge transfer
Community events and celebrations
Culture and language

Ben & Jerry’s Foundation National Grassroots Organizing Program

The Ben & Jerry’s Foundation National Grassroots Organizing Program supports small, constituent-led nonprofit organizations working for systemic change.

Applications are due by October 31, 2024. Two year general operating support grants are available for up $30,000 per year.

Eligibility

This grant is open to organizations:

With a 501(c)3 nonprofit status or a fiscal agent
Located in the United States and its territories, except Vermont (separate programs are available for organizations in Vermont)
With an annual operating budget of less than $350,000
That use grassroots campaigns as their primary strategy

Priority consideration will be given to organizations led by members of the BIPOC community addressing systemic oppression and the legacy of white supremacy.

Funding Limitations

This grant is intended to be used for general operating support.

Explicitly prohibited expenses include:

Capital or endowment campaigns
Research
Fellowships or scholarships
Political activities
Religious activities
Regranting
Arts or media campaigns not a part of a grassroots campaign

Grassroots Organizing Strategies

The Foundation defines grassroots organizing as movements established from the bottom up, using the power of the people to take on the status quo. Activities may include:

Constituent empowerment & decision-making
Leadership development of constituents
Community & ally outreach
Mobilizing constituents & allies
Coalition building
Popular education
Campaign development
Non-violent direct action

Cisco Global Impact Cash Grant Program

The Cisco Global Impact Cash Grant Program supports innovative approaches to critial social challenges in four areas: Crisis Response, Education, Economic Empowerment, and Climate Impact and Regeneration.

Letters of Inquiry from eligible applicants are accepted on a continual basis. First time applicants may request up to $75,000.

Eligibility

This grant is open to organizations that:

Have a 501(c)3 nonprofit designation or their country’s equivalent
Serve an audience made up of 65% or more economically served people relative to the average standards of the target geography
Has overhead expenses of 25% or less. Exceptions will be made in exceptional and justified cases.

Public and private universities and for-profit entities may be considered for Climate Impact and Regeneration ONLY.

Funding Limitations

Grant funding may not be used for:

General operating expenses
Research
Events
Healthcare
Schools and scholarships

Evaluation Criteria

All applications will be reviewed based on:

Addresses a critical social challenge with unmet need
Incorporates metrics to measure program impact
Serves the underserved
Makes innovative use of technology
Employs an innovative approach with potential for broad impact
Is designed to be replicable, scalable, and sustainable
Possesses outstanding leadership

Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants

Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants support projects that benefit disadvantaged communities by building climate resilience and the capacity to address environmental and climate justice issues.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will award grants in two tracks – Community-Driven Investments for Change and Meaningful Engagement for Equitable Governance. There is no cost share requirement for either track. Applications are due by November 21, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET.

Eligibility

This grant is open to partnership between two community-based non-profit organizations (CBOs) or between a CBO and a:

Federally-Recognized Tribe
Local government
Institution of higher education

Program Objectives

Photo by Matheus Bertelli: https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-multiethnic-people-gathering-around-female-speaker-in-studio-3856027/

Providing resources for community-driven projects to address environmental and climate challenges in disadvantaged communities
Investing in strong cross-sectoral collaborations working with and for communities with environmental and climate justice concerns.
Unlocking access to additional federal and non-federal resources to advance environmental and climate justice goals
Empowering communities and strengthening their capacity to drive meaningful positive change
Strengthening community participation in government decision-making processes

Grant Tracks

Track I: Community-Driven Investments for Change

The EPA expects to award approximately 150 Track I grants of $10-20 million each to address specific, community-driven environmental justice issues.

Objectives

Increasing community resilience through climate action activities
Reducing local pollution to improve public health
Centering meaningful community engagement
Building community strength
Reaching priority populations
Maximizing integration across projects

Requirements

Climate Action Strategy

At least one project must focus on at least one of these strategies:

Green Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions
Mobility and Transportation Options for Preventing Air Pollution and Improving Public Health and Climate Resilience
Energy-Efficient, Healthy, and Resilient Housing and Buildings
Microgrid Installation for Community Energy Resilience
Community Resilience Hubs
Brownfield Redevelopment for Emissions Reduction and Climate Resilience
Waste Reduction and Management to Support a Circular Economy
Workforce Development Programs for Occupations that Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Air Pollutants

Pollution Reduction Strategies

At least one project must focus on at least one of these strategies:

Indoor Air Quality and Community Health Improvements
Outdoor Air Quality and Community Health Improvements
Clean Water Infrastructure to Reduce Pollution Exposure and Increase Overall System Resilience
Safe Management and Disposal of Solid and Hazardous Waste

Community Engagement and Collaborative Governance Plan

This plan should address:

Past Community Outreach and Engagement Conducted
Community Engagement Plan Implementation
Collaborative Governance Structure

Community Strength Plan

This plan should address:

Maximizing Economic Benefits of Projects
Displacement Avoidance

Track II: Meaningful Engagement for Equitable Governance

The EPA expects to award approximately 100 Track II grants of $1-3 million each. Projects should facilitate the participation of disadvantaged communities in the development and implementation of environmental justice policies and programs.

Project Examples

Photo by Christina Morillo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-people-talking-to-each-other-in-front-of-brown-wooden-table-1181360/

Educational and Training Programs
Environmental Advisory Boards (EABs)
Collaborative Governance Activities
Participation in Governmental Funding and Budgeting Processes

Hurtigruten Foundation

The Hurtigruten Foundation supports projects in the areas of the world where the Hurtigruten Group leads adventure travel expeditions. Awards are typically €5,000 – €10,000 and usually only cover part of a project’s costs. In rare cases, they will consider covering the entire project.

Applications are due each year on May 1st and November 1st for projects focused on:

Endangered species
Eliminating plastic waste and ocean litter
Supporting local communities

Eligibility

This grant is open to any organization interested in doing work within Hurtigruten’s areas of interest in:

Alaska
Antarctica
Arctic Canada and the Northwest Passage
Argentina
The British Isles
The Caribbean
Chile
Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands
The Falkland Islands
Greenland
Iceland
Norway and Svalbard
Cape Verde
Senegal
Gambia
Guinea-Bissau

Organizations interested in collaborating with Hurtigruten Expeditions on a scientific research project or whose project requires the use of a Hurtigruten vessel are asked to email a brief outline to hurtigruten.foundation@hurtigruten before submitting an application.

Project Types

Grant funds may be used to conduct:

Grassroots projects
Environmental projects
Community based projects
Science research projects
Educational projects

DWF Foundation

The DWF Foundation funds organizations and communities to help them reach their full potential. Applications requesting up to £5,000 are due by October 31, 2024 for projects focused on:

Homelessness
Health and wellbeing
Employability
Education
Environment and sustainability

Eligibility

This grant is open to registered charities in:

Australia
Canada
France
Germany
India
Ireland
Italy
Poland
Qatar
Spain
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States

Applicants outside the United Kingdom and Ireland are asked to email the Foundation Manager at clare.beavan@dwf.law to discuss their eligibility before filling out the application.

Program Goals

Photo by Max Fischer: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-children-clapping-together-5212700/

The Foundation seeks to fund organizations and projects that are:

Focusing on a specific community issue
Making voluntary and community groups more effective
Getting often overlooked and excluded members of the community involved
Helping youth develop skills to benefit themselves and their community

Funding Limitations

Grant funds may not be used for:

General operating expenses
Salaries
Startup costs for new organizations
Sponsorships
Marketing and fundraising
Activities for which a statutory body is responsible
Academic research
Higher education facilities
Animal welfare
Vehicles

Rockstart

Rockstart funds startups who are creating a sustainable future through Agrifood, Energy, and Emerging Technology. Applications are accepted from around the world on a continual basis.

Eligibility

This funding opportunity is open to early stage startups from anywhere in the world who are focused on one of the program areas.

Program Areas

Agrifood

The Agrifood Fund supports new technologies and business models to improve the food supply system. This includes:

Restoring soil and oceans for carbon capture
Reducing food waste
Increasing access to high quality, nutritious food

They are particularly interested in companies working on:

Alternative packaging and proteins
Smart fulfillment and logistics
Bio-alternatives to chemicals and plastic
Precision food production
Data and vertical data libraries
Production capacity growth tools
Upcycled products
Carbon sequestration
Supply chain traceability
Molecular farming and genomics
Impact certification in carbon markets
Human health

Energy

The Energy Fund supports new technologies and business models to slow climate change. This includes:

Optimizing renewable energy supplies
Helping energy-intensive industries reach net zero emissions
Making cities smarter

They are particularly interested in companies working on:

Renewable energy
Energy storage
Smart grid
Energy efficiency
Smart mobility
Decentralized energy systems

Emerging Technology

The Emerging Technology Fund supports new technologies and business models to solve universal problems. This includes:

Improving production facilities
Innovations in healthcare delivery
Data privacy and security

They are particularly interested in companies working on:

Photo by Jo McNamara: https://www.pexels.com/photo/mask-made-in-3d-printer-11288657/

ML / AI
Computer vision
web3 and Blockchain
Biometrics
Geospatial tech
IoT and Edge computing
Additive manufacturing