Page Contents

• Federal
• State
• Local
• Other

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FEDERAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants Program (EECBG)
For this program and programs like this, be sure to look carefully at the allocation criteria. You may be eligible for funding directly from the federal or state government, or, depending on your city’s size and demographics, you may only be eligible for funding from the county allocation. Either way, the funding is available.

• U.S. Mayors Council EECBG Summary/Handout
• Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant FAQs from ICLEI

Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
This program allocates grants for general neighborhood revitalization and community development and has several program areas through which to receive grants. Funding is allocated

• directly to entitlement communities (larger cities and urban counties)
• through the state government to smaller cities
• as loans to any non-entitlement community that partners with the state
• to any communities that have been deemed as the hardest hit by foreclosures and destabilization
• through the RC/EZ/EC program which gives grants based on partnerships between the public and private sectors.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funds (ARRA)
Every state has received funds from this 2009 act to distribute to use for recovery. Ohio is administering this money for various different projects that are described in detail on the website. Some of these funds are handed out through the state CDBG program and are known as CDBG-R grants.

NOACA Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative (TLCI)
TLCI helps communities in Northeast Ohio get federal funding for initiatives in the transportation sector. The deadline for 2010 funding is October 9, 2009, but keep this program in mind so you can apply for funding in the future.

Safe Routes to School Program
This is a federal program that is enacted in Ohio through the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). Many communities receive funding for various programs that encourage school-age children to walk or bike to school.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants
FEMA offers a number of grants ranging from flood plains management funding to funding for implementation of emergency communication systems. These grants primarily fund climate change adaptation methods. The FEMA website is also a good resource to learn about the best ways to adapt to changing weather patterns.

US EPA Programs

• Open Announcements
• Great Lakes Funding - Current Offerings
  
•  Nonpoint Source Management Program - Clean Water Section 319
  States partner with the federal government to receive this funding and then allocate funds throughout the state accordingly, so look for funding through the Ohio EPA for this program.
• Brownfield and Land Revitalization Grants
  

Also see Grants.gov and FedConnect for more information and other additional funding opportunities.

STATE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Ohio Department of Development

• Advanced Energy Program
• Electric Partnership Program 
• Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP)

A change in Ohio law tucked into the state budget bill would let city and township residents create special-improvement tax districts to help pay for the pricey solar power systems. Athens intends to apply for as much as $8 million in state and federal alternative-energy grants to help create a solar-power loan fund. 

LOCAL PROGRAMS

Contact your county's solid waste district to find out if they're currently offering any grants

• The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District offers the Cuyahoga County Community Recycling Awareness grant (see list of 2008 recipients here)
• Lorain, Lake and Summit Counties have similar programs

Contact your local Board of Health to see if it sponsors any environmental programs.

Work with your local Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), especially now that some MPO's are receiving ARRA grants.

If you are a member of the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC), encourage other members to join you in seeking renewable energy sources.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

• NOACA's list of grant opportunities
• Ohio Energy Office incentives for businesses and individuals
• US Department of Energy's Clean Cities' list of financial opportunities for cities
• US Department of Energy's Clean Cities' suggestions for governmental funding
• Environmental Financing Information Network (EFIN)
• EPA's Environmental Education Grants for local educational institutions
• Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ)

Developed by GCBL intern Moira Hafer.