Clean Energy Technology Deployment on Tribal Lands – 2024

The DOE Office of Indian Energy is soliciting applications from Indian Tribes, which include Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Village Corporations, Intertribal Organizations, and Tribal Energy Development Organizations, to install clean energy technology on Tribal lands.

Applications are due May 30, 2024, at 4 p.m. CT

DOE Local Government Energy Program’s Communities Sparking Investments in Transformative Energy (C-SITE) Grants

Funded through LGEP, the Communities Sparking Investment in Transformative Energy (C-SITE) Funding Opportunity Announcement provides approximately $18 million in financial awards and technical assistance to advance community-identified energy priorities. Funded projects may span a variety of technology areas, including, but not limited to, building efficiency and electrification, electric transportation, energy infrastructure upgrades, microgrid development and deployment, renewable energy, resilience hubs, and workforce development.  C-SITE awards will deliver long-term local economic development and community revitalization opportunities and direct benefits to workers and residents, such as workforce agreements, reduced energy costs, and improved air quality. Awarded communities will receive comprehensive technical assistance (TA) from experts to help facilitate the development and implementation of projects or programs.

Deadline to apply: May 31, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. CT.

Clean Energy to Communities Program

The Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) program provides communities with expertise and tools to achieve their clean energy goals through in-depth partnerships, peer-learning cohorts, and expert matches. Proposals for In-Depth Partnerships are open through June 14, 2024. Applications for Expert Match are open and reviewed on a rolling basis.

Health and Human Services Environmental Justice Community Innovator Challenge

The US Department of HHS is accepting Phase 2 submissions for a competition to win money for community-driven strategies that address environmental and climate change health issues. Submissions do not have to have been submitted in Phase 1 for consideration in Phase 2. Phase 2 focuses on performing small-scale testing or implementing previously developed community-driven approaches to mitigate disproportionate health-related environmental burdens and advance environmental health equity. Projects should have a clear focus on community-specific health issues, including mental health issues, and address community or Tribal interests related to environmental and climate change-related exposures and drivers of health disparities.

All submissions, including registration, for this competition are due by June 30, 2024, for Phase 2 at 10:59 PM CT.

EPA’s EJ Community Change Grants

If you are interested in EPA’s Community Change Grants, now is the time to begin registering accounts for SAM.gov and Grants.gov. EPA’s Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program will invest approximately 2 billion dollars in Inflation Reduction Act funds in environmental and climate justice activities to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase climate resilience, and build community capacity to respond to environmental and climate justice challenges. If you are interested in applying for these funds or assisting others who are applying, we have compiled some important first steps to take and resources to utilize—from recorded webinars to step-by-step application guidance for Track 1 (Community-Driven Investments for Change ) and Track 2 (Meaningful Engagement for Equitable Governance.) The deadline to apply is November 21, 2024.

NDN Collective’s Community Action Fund

NDN Collective supports Indigenous frontline communities, Nations, organizers, actions, and movements in their work to DEFEND Indigenous Peoples’ rights and protect their land, air, water, and natural resources. 

Community Action Fund (CAF) grants support for direct actions and organizing efforts that are often urgent and time-sensitive. CAF prioritizes frontline, grassroots, and community-based efforts that defend Indigenous peoples’ rights, communities, and nations, including responses to climate disasters.

Grant Amount: The average grant award is $15,000 but can range to $40,000. Closes on October 31st, 2024 @ 5 pm US CST or until funds are expended.

DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program is designed to assist states, local governments, and Tribes implement strategies to reduce energy use, fossil fuel emissions, and energy efficiency. The deadline to apply for EECBG Program formula grants and vouchers has been extended. For local governments, it is now October 31, 2024. For Tribes, it is May 31, 2025.

DOE offers bi-weekly virtual office sessions for Tribal organizations. Come with questions or just to listen in! Sign up here: EECBG Program Tribal Applicant Office Hours.

Inflation Reduction Act Direct Pay Program

Did you know that the IRS is delivering cash to tax-exempt entities like cities, states, non-profits, houses of worship, schools, and more after they build renewable energy projects like wind, solar, EVs, and more?

Thanks to the Direct Pay tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the IRS is providing funding for sustainable energy for tax-exempt entities such as states, Tribes, towns, hospitals, schools, houses of worship, and nonprofits.

Under Direct Pay, tax-exempt entities will be able to receive a tax-free cash payment from the IRS after they build sustainable energy projects such as wind, solar, battery storage, EV vehicles, EV chargers, and more.