Grants for Independent School Districts

Introduction EEM projects must contribute to mitigation of the environmental effects of transportation facilities. The California Natural Resources Agency (Agency) prescribes procedures and criteria to evaluate grant project proposals and submits a list of projects recommended for funding to the California Transportation Commission (CTC). The CTC awards grants to projects from Agency’s list. Related Transportation Facility EEM projects must mitigate, either directly or indirectly, the environmental impacts of a) the modification of an existing Transportation Facility or b) the construction of a new Transportation Facility (hereafter Related Transportation Facility or RTF). The EEM project can be the required mitigation for the RTF or enhancement to mitigation required for the RTF. Statewide Project Goals Agency grant programs assist state and local entities to develop more sustainable communities, increase adaptability to climate change using nature-based strategies, and protect biodiversity in compliance with Executive Order N-82-20, the Pathways to 30 x 30 California, and the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy. Projects that demonstrate the following multiple benefits will be more competitive: • Improved air and/or water quality. • Reduced consumption of natural resources and energy. • Increased reliability of local water supplies. • Increased adaptability to climate change. • Increased protection and restoration of biodiversity Eligible Projects Examples The list below isn't comprehensive, but provides examples of project elements that meet statutory conditions. Urban Forestry: • Planting of trees and plants along urban streets and medians. • Greening existing public lands and structures, including school campuses and urban parks. • Greening vacant lots and abandoned sites. • Restoration of urban creeks. Resource Lands: • Removal of invasive and restoration of natural plant species. • Enhancement or restoration of natural areas such as inland wetlands, forests, oak woodlands, mountain meadows, creeks, and streams with riparian or riverine fish or wildlife habitat, wildlife corridors and fish passages, coastal estuaries, grazing land and grasslands. • Acquisitions in fee title or through conservation easements to safeguard regional water supplies, protect riparian and wildlife habitats, conserve agricultural lands for secure wildlife migration corridors, and provide public access for compatible wildlife/nature-oriented recreation by the wider community. • Acquisitions to preserve in perpetuity Resource Lands for agricultural uses, open space, wetlands, biodiversity, etc. Mitigation Projects Beyond the Scope of the Lead Agency: Project examples listed under Urban Forestry and Resource Lands categories may be eligible for the Mitigation Projects Beyond the Scope of the Lead Agency category, if the mitigation or enhancement measures for the RTF were infeasible or beyond the jurisdiction and/or authority of the Lead Agency for the RTF. Project Criteria Questions Applicants must choose only one project category and respond to all questions in the selected category. If a question doesn't apply to the project, indicate Not Applicable with a brief explanation.

This funding provides financial support to build free broadband networks for low-income communities, including public housing and mobile home parks, ensuring residents have access to high-quality internet service.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations to operate a national hotline that assists victims of human trafficking by offering emergency help, information, and referrals across the United States.

This funding program provides financial assistance to local water systems, particularly those serving disadvantaged communities, to ensure access to safe and reliable drinking water and to address urgent water quality issues.

Introduction EEM projects must contribute to mitigation of the environmental effects of transportation facilities. The California Natural Resources Agency (Agency) prescribes procedures and criteria to evaluate grant project proposals and submits a list of projects recommended for funding to the California Transportation Commission (CTC). The CTC awards grants to projects from Agency’s list. Related Transportation Facility EEM projects must mitigate, either directly or indirectly, the environmental impacts of a) the modification of an existing Transportation Facility or b) the construction of a new Transportation Facility (hereafter Related Transportation Facility or RTF). The EEM project can be the required mitigation for the RTF or enhancement to mitigation required for the RTF. Statewide Project Goals Agency grant programs assist state and local entities to develop more sustainable communities, increase adaptability to climate change using nature-based strategies, and protect biodiversity in compliance with Executive Order N-82-20, the Pathways to 30 x 30 California, and the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy. Projects that demonstrate the following multiple benefits will be more competitive: • Improved air and/or water quality. • Reduced consumption of natural resources and energy. • Increased reliability of local water supplies. • Increased adaptability to climate change. • Increased protection and restoration of biodiversity Eligible Projects Examples The list below isn't comprehensive, but provides examples of project elements that meet statutory conditions. Urban Forestry: • Planting of trees and plants along urban streets and medians. • Greening existing public lands and structures, including school campuses and urban parks. • Greening vacant lots and abandoned sites. • Restoration of urban creeks. Resource Lands: • Removal of invasive and restoration of natural plant species. • Enhancement or restoration of natural areas such as inland wetlands, forests, oak woodlands, mountain meadows, creeks, and streams with riparian or riverine fish or wildlife habitat, wildlife corridors and fish passages, coastal estuaries, grazing land and grasslands. • Acquisitions in fee title or through conservation easements to safeguard regional water supplies, protect riparian and wildlife habitats, conserve agricultural lands for secure wildlife migration corridors, and provide public access for compatible wildlife/nature-oriented recreation by the wider community. • Acquisitions to preserve in perpetuity Resource Lands for agricultural uses, open space, wetlands, biodiversity, etc. Mitigation Projects Beyond the Scope of the Lead Agency: Project examples listed under Urban Forestry and Resource Lands categories may be eligible for the Mitigation Projects Beyond the Scope of the Lead Agency category, if the mitigation or enhancement measures for the RTF were infeasible or beyond the jurisdiction and/or authority of the Lead Agency for the RTF. Project Criteria Questions Applicants must choose only one project category and respond to all questions in the selected category. If a question doesn't apply to the project, indicate Not Applicable with a brief explanation.

This funding opportunity provides classroom teachers in Dutchess, Putnam, and Ulster Counties, New York, with financial support for innovative classroom projects and professional development initiatives to enhance student learning and teacher skills.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR) Trees for Kids Grant Program is designed to educate children, teenagers, and young adults about the importance of trees and their many benefits. It also aims to provide hands-on experience in tree planting and maintenance. This program aligns with a mission to increase and diversify tree canopy in public areas within Iowa communities, supporting environmental stewardship and community engagement. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are youth in Iowa, specifically children, teenagers, and young adults, who will gain direct experience with tree planting and care. Indirectly, the entire community benefits from increased tree canopy in public spaces such as parks, community centers, and public schools. The program's impact goals include fostering environmental education, promoting community involvement in green initiatives, and enhancing the ecological health and aesthetic appeal of public lands across Iowa. The program prioritizes projects that involve significant youth participation in planting, mulching, and initial watering. A key focus is on ensuring proper techniques are learned through required DNR-led demonstrations. Funding is specifically allocated for the purchase of trees and mulch, reinforcing the program's core objective of tangible tree planting. Projects must occur on public or private school grounds, or on public lands like parks and right-of-ways, ensuring the benefits are widely accessible. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in tree canopy in participating communities, as well as an enhanced understanding among youth about tree care and environmental benefits. Each project aims to result in successfully planted and mulched trees, with initial watering ensuring their establishment. The program's theory of change posits that by engaging youth directly in these activities and providing necessary resources, a greater appreciation for nature will be cultivated, leading to more resilient and diverse urban forests across the state. This initiative contributes to the DNR's broader strategic priority of conserving and enhancing Iowa's natural resources for current and future generations.

The Boating Infrastructure Grant program is designed to provide infrastructure and services for recreational boats 26 feet or more in length. Goals of the program include: 1. enhance access to recreational, historic, cultural and scenic resources; 2. strengthen community ties to the water’s edge and economic benefits; 3. promote public/private partnerships and entrepreneurial opportunities; 4. provide continuity of public access to the shore; and 5. promote awareness of transient boating opportunities.

The Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Program, managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), is a state-financed grant initiative designed to assist local government agencies in acquiring and/or developing land for public parks and open spaces. This program aligns with a mission to enhance community access to outdoor recreational opportunities and preserve natural resources throughout Illinois. The primary beneficiaries of the OSLAD grants are units of local government authorized to expend public funds for public outdoor park, recreation, or conservation purposes. This excludes school districts. The program aims to increase the availability of public parkland, improve existing recreational facilities, and protect natural areas. Expected outcomes include expanded park sites, renovated recreational facilities, and preserved natural resources, leading to improved quality of life and access to nature for Illinois residents. The program prioritizes both land acquisition and development/renovation projects. Acquisition projects focus on securing land for new park sites, park expansion, water frontage, nature study, and natural resource preservation. Development/renovation projects encompass a wide range of improvements, including picnic and playground facilities, outdoor nature interpretive facilities, sports courts and play fields, swimming pools, campgrounds, winter sports facilities, park roads, parking, utilities, and restrooms. Measurable results include the number of acres acquired for public use, the types and numbers of facilities developed or renovated, and the increase in public access points to natural areas. Funding is substantial, with up to $1,725,000.00 available for acquisition projects and a maximum of $600,000 for development/renovation projects, reflecting a strategic commitment to significant, impactful projects. While not explicitly detailed as a "theory of change," the program operates on the premise that investing in public outdoor spaces directly contributes to community well-being, environmental stewardship, and opportunities for recreation and education.

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks is inviting applications for its Impact 100 Perry County Grant Program, aimed at delivering transformative grants within Perry County, Missouri. This program aligns with the foundation's mission by empowering local organizations and fostering significant community impact through collective giving. The model for this initiative originated in Cincinnati, Ohio, established by philanthropist Wendy Steele, and has been adopted locally to maximize the effectiveness of donations. The Impact 100 Perry County program specifically targets 501(c)3 organizations, public schools, or government entities within Perry County. The primary impact goal is to enable these organizations to undertake projects that might not be possible with smaller, individual donations. The program emphasizes the "Power of Women Giving as One," highlighting how combined contributions can create substantial change for local non-profits. This year, the program has $18,000 to award. The focus is on providing one lump sum grant of $18,000 to a single local non-profit organization. Organizations are encouraged to precisely describe projects that could effectively utilize this amount and detail how these projects would benefit the community. The priority is to fund a project with a clear, direct, and significant positive effect on Perry County. Expected outcomes include the successful implementation of a high-impact project by a local non-profit. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided information, the implicit expectation is that the funded project will achieve its stated objectives and contribute tangibly to the well-being and development of the community. The foundation's strategic priority, as demonstrated by this program, is to facilitate substantial local investment and empower community-led initiatives through a collaborative philanthropic model.

California voters passed the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act (Proposition 64) on November 8, 2016, which legalized the recreational sale and use of cannabis to people over the age of 21 and levied new excise taxes on the cultivation and retail sale of all state-regulated cannabis. Proposition 64 created the Youth Education, Prevention, Early Intervention and Treatment Account (YEPEITA) into which the State Controller deposits 60 percent (60%) of the tax revenues from marijuana sales for youth programs designed to educate about and prevent substance use disorders and to prevent harm from substance use. Programs shall emphasize accurate education, effective prevention, early intervention, school retention, and timely treatment services for youth, their families, and caregivers. Funds appropriated to the California Natural Resources Agency (the State) are for competitive grants to support youth access to natural or cultural resources with a focus on low-income and disadvantaged communities.  This includes, but is not limited to, community education and recreational amenities to support youth substance use prevention and early intervention. The Youth Community Access Grant Program is a competitive program and will award to communities disproportionately affected by past federal and state drug policies, also known as the War on Drugs, as well as other underserved communities. The War on Drugs disproportionately impacted communities of color, particularly low-income communities. Harsh federal and state drug policies enacted during the War on Drugs led to mass incarceration of people of color, decreased access to social services, loss of educational attainment due to diminished federal financial aid eligibility, prohibitions on the use of public assistance, and the separation of families. The Youth Community Access Grant Program aims to be a resource to address and repair the multi-generational community impacts of the War on Drugs.

This funding opportunity supports experienced researchers in expanding their expertise and collaborations across various fields related to the study of aging and lifespan differences between humans and nonhuman primates.

This grant provides funding for innovative projects that enhance energy storage technologies to improve grid reliability and support California's transition to 100% clean energy.

The purpose of this solicitation is to fund demonstrations of community-based virtual power plant (VPP) approaches and demonstrations of innovative energy management systems (EMS) in commercial buildings with the goal of increasing demand flexibility. Demand flexibility refers to comprehensive programs and strategies that align electricity consumption with dynamic grid conditions. These can include both event-based demand response (DR) and load shifting strategies. Accelerating demand flexibility is a key strategy for California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet the state’s climate and clean energy goals reliably and affordably.    VPPs are portfolios of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as smart thermostats, rooftop solar photovoltaics, electric vehicles (EVs), batteries, and smart water heaters that are actively controlled by software to benefit the power system, consumers, and the environment. While these resources have the potential to meet grid needs as reliably as conventional alternatives such as gas-fired generators, their advantages extend further, offering greater affordability and substantial decarbonization benefits.[3] However, research and development of both technologies and business models is needed to fully capitalize on and understand VPPs’ potential, especially the systems that feature predictive controls and require minimal consumer engagement. The examples of predictive controls relevant to this research include, but are not limited to, the use of artificial intelligence or model predictive controls for EV load shifting or building pre-cooling applications.   Projects will be funded in two groups. Group 1: Virtual Power Plants: Demonstrations that showcase community-based demand flexibility programs as a long-term (10 or more years) grid resource. Project teams must partner with local governments or non-profits to facilitate customer participation and smart device installations. Projects must evaluate the benefits and cost-effectiveness of community-based VPP approaches that use state-of-the-art DER management software (DERMS).   ·       Group 2: Commercial Building Energy Management in Low-Income or Disadvantaged Communities: Demonstrations of innovative EMS in commercial buildings focused on specific characteristics such as interoperability and adherence to open-source standards. Demonstrations require participation in electric investor-owned utility (IOU) or third-party DR programs and partnerships with device and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). These projects must showcase the latest advancements in energy management in the commercial sector and ensure technology adaptability, efficiency, and collaboration within the broader energy landscape.       

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and government units serving the Clark County, Ohio community, focusing on initiatives in areas like Arts, Education, Environment, and Health.

This grant provides funding for researchers, especially those new to the field or looking to integrate advanced data science methods, to explore addiction-related questions using existing data and innovative analytical techniques.

This grant provides financial support for nonprofit organizations and public entities to undertake community projects that improve the quality of life for residents in DeKalb County, Illinois.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit and public organizations in Illinois, particularly in DeKalb County, to enhance music education initiatives for underserved communities.

This initiative provides funding to Alabama K-12 schools to implement health, nutrition, and physical education programs that promote student well-being and healthy habits.

The Springfield Foundation's Competitive Grant Program aims to support the entire Clark County community through six focus areas: Arts & Culture, Civic Affairs, Education, Environment, Conservation & Animal Welfare, Health, and Human Services. This grant program is aligned with the foundation's mission to foster a community with strong cultural vitality, engaged citizens, improved environmental awareness, quality education, better health outcomes, and a strong safety net for human needs. The foundation emphasizes a holistic approach, addressing various facets of community well-being and growth. The program targets a wide range of beneficiaries, including individuals of all ages experiencing art and culture, Clark County citizens for civic engagement, residents for environmental appreciation, children for early education and college readiness, individuals at risk of unintended pregnancies and STIs, those with mental health issues or chronic diseases, and families/individuals needing human services. The impact goals are to increase diversity and attendance at arts and culture events, improve civic knowledge and participation, increase environmental awareness and pet welfare, boost kindergarten readiness and college/career preparedness, improve reproductive and mental health, better manage chronic diseases, and achieve financial stability and positive outcomes for all people, especially youth and seniors. The foundation prioritizes increasing opportunities for artists and audiences, educating and engaging active citizens, fostering environmental appreciation and reducing homeless pets, increasing enrollment in early childhood programs and post-secondary preparation, impacting community health by addressing unintended pregnancies and STIs, improving mental health and chronic disease management, and assisting families and individuals with emergency needs, family breakdown prevention, economic self-sufficiency, and independent living. A key strategic priority is also promoting positive outcomes for all people, with specific attention to youth and seniors. The expected outcomes and measurable results include increased diversity and attendance at arts and culture events, improved civic knowledge and participation, increased citizen participation in environmental activities, a decrease in homeless pets, more children enrolling in early childhood programs, increased parental involvement in education, more students in post-secondary preparation, improved mental health outcomes, decreased incidence of unintended pregnancies and STIs, better management of chronic diseases, and increased financial independence and overall quality of life for individuals and families. The foundation's theory of change appears to be that by investing in these diverse focus areas, they can create a more vibrant, engaged, educated, healthy, and supportive community for all residents of Clark County.