August 2012 Approximately $50 Million in Funding Available

 

This message announces the availability of nearly $50 million and technical assistance in current funding opportunities for state, local, and tribal governments from the U.S. Economic Development Agency (EDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), IBM, Funders Network, and American Institute of Architects (AIA) that can be used to support climate and energy initiatives, including smart growth, sustainability, and economic development.

 

For full eligibility and application details, please visit the links provided below.

 

In addition, please visit the calendar of 2012 EPA grant opportunities that may be of particular interest to communities.

 

Application Due: September 7, 2012

Eligible Entities: Cities, with a letter of affirmation from the mayor or equivalent executive officer of the municipal government.

 

The Smarter Cities Challenge is designed to help cities address some of the critical challenges they are facing, such as energy efficiency and climate change impacts. Selected cities will receive assistance from IBM experts from different business units and geographies, who will work on the ground with city leaders and deliver recommendations on how to make the city smarter and more effective.

 

For more information, visit the Challenge page.

 

Application Due: Varies by program year; next due date is September 14, 2012

Eligible Entities: State and local governments, federally recognized tribes, non-profits, institutions of higher education.

 

Under the Economic Development Assistance Programs (EDAP) Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement, EDA will make construction, non-construction, and revolving loan fund investments under the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs. Grants made under these programs will leverage regional assets to support the implementation of regional economic development strategies designed to create jobs, leverage private capital, encourage economic development, and strengthen America’s ability to compete in the global marketplace. Through the EDAP FFO, EDA solicits applications from rural and urban communities to develop initiatives that advance new ideas and creative approaches to address rapidly evolving economic conditions. In fiscal year 2012, a total of $50,060,000 is available.

 

For more information, visit the EDA grant opportunity synopsis.

 

Application Due: October 1, 2012

Eligible Entities: The proposal must be submitted by a team of at least two partners who are (1) the sustainability director of a city (municipality) or a county and (2) the local, place-based foundation.

 

The Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network have joined together to launch a Local Sustainability Matching Fund. The fund will provide matching investments from national foundations on a competitive basis to build partnerships between sustainability directors and local place-based foundations to advance discrete sustainability initiatives that demonstrate broad-based community support and engagement.

 

For more information, visit the Funders’ Network.

 

***AIA Sustainable Design Assessment Teams (SDAT)  Technical Assistance

Application Due: Two review cycles; upcoming due date is October 12, 2012

Eligible Entities: Committees with a cross-section of residents, local government agencies, businesses, institutions, and community groups. A letter of support from the local AIA chapter is required. 

 

The Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) program focuses on the importance of developing sustainable communities through design. The American Institute of Architects Center for Communities by Design is seeking potential partner communities that can demonstrate the capacity to convene a diverse set of community leaders and stakeholders for an intensive, collaborative planning process focused on long-term sustainability. The Center is particularly focused on identifying communities that have the ability to leverage local resources and build strong partnerships for implementation of an SDAT process. Awarded communities will receive pro bono services from a multidisciplinary team through the program, and the AIA commits to funding up to $15,000 for each project to cover team expenses.

 

For more information, visit the AIA SDAT page.

 

Application Due: October 12, 2012. Application period opens August 22, 2012.

Eligible Entities:  Governmental entities or academic organizations with annual budgets over $100 million; legally recognized corporate organizations with annual revenue over $100 million.

 

EPA co-sponsors the Climate Leadership Awards (CLA) with three NGO partners: The Climate Registry, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, and the Association of Climate Change Officers. The CLA is a national awards program that recognizes and incentivizes exemplary corporate, organizational, and individual leadership in response to climate change. Applications will be accepted for the following recognition categories: Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management (Goal Setting Certificate), Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management, Supply Chain Leadership Award, Organizational Leadership Award, and Individual Leadership Award. This year’s award winners will be publicly recognized in early 2013 at the awards gala, held in Washington, DC, in conjunction with the Climate Leadership Conference.

 

Source: State and Local Climate and Energy Program