Grants for Exclusive - see details - Environment

The Louisiana Architectural Foundation Grant Program invites applications for initiatives that promote architecture within the state. The foundation, established in 1996, is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing architecture in Louisiana by fostering a strong connection between the public and the architectural profession. This alignment with its mission is achieved through various programs that aim to increase public awareness, support, and participation in shaping the environment through architectural endeavors. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are organizations and individuals whose programs promote architecture in Louisiana. The foundation is educationally oriented, indicating a focus on programs that enlighten and engage the public. While specific impact goals and measurable results are not detailed, the overarching goal is to advance architecture in Louisiana, which implies an increase in public understanding, appreciation, and engagement with the field. The program prioritizes a wide variety of initiatives, focusing on those that are educationally oriented and promote architecture. These include support for books, pamphlets, brochures, museum programs, conferences, historic preservation efforts, and television/radio programs. Additionally, public forums, in-school architectural programs, and architectural programs delivered to the general public are key areas of focus. This broad scope allows for diverse approaches to achieving the foundation's mission. The foundation's strategic priorities are centered on creating a linkage between the public and the architectural profession. This involves increasing public awareness of architecture, securing public support for architectural initiatives, and encouraging public participation in processes that influence the built environment. The theory of change suggests that by supporting a diverse range of educational and outreach programs, the foundation can cultivate a more informed and engaged public, ultimately leading to the advancement and appreciation of architecture throughout Louisiana.

The "USDA Forest Service Inflation Reduction Act Forest Landowner Support: Landowner Payment Programs for Carbon Stewardship Practices" grant provides financial support to private forest landowners for implementing practices that significantly increase carbon sequestration and storage.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for non-federal partners involved in assessing and restoring oyster reefs in the Great Wicomico River, Virginia, as part of efforts to enhance the ecological health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

The EPA, together with states, Tribes, and its many partners, protects public health by protecting current and future drinking water sources and ensuring the availability of high-quality drinking water. Two programs within the EPA that protect drinking water sources are the Underground Injection Control (UIC) and Source Water Protection (SWP) programs. The EPA is soliciting applications from eligible applicants to provide training to develop and expand the capability of state and Tribal UIC and SWP programs. Applicants should describe their proposed approach to providing training that will achieve these objectives. Applicants are encouraged to identify additional project elements in their applications that may not be included in this funding opportunity that may contribute to overall project success.

The Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside program (TA), funded by the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) through the Surface Development Block Grant, is administered by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). This program is dedicated to funding smaller-scale transportation projects that enhance nonmotorized travel options and safety. Eligible projects include on- and off-road bicycle and pedestrian facilities, recreational trails, safe routes for non-drivers, safe routes to schools, and ADA compliance improvements. Furthermore, TA supports projects that incorporate cultural, historical, and environmental elements into transportation infrastructure, such as historic preservation, vegetation management, archaeological activities related to transportation, and environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity. TA solicitation cycles vary by region. For 2024 deadlines - District 5: May 1, 2024 – Aug. 15, 2024, by 11:59 p.m. Hard deadline.

*This funding opportunity is ONLY available for Cooperative Ecosystem Study Units under the Californian / Colorado Plateau / Desert Southwest CESU Units.Project Title: Integrated Training Area Management Program (ITAM) Support for Yuma Proving Ground, Yuma, Arizona A cooperative agreement is being offered ONLY to members of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program Region(s) identified above. Award will be made upon mutual agreement and acceptance of the terms and conditions contained in the request for proposal and the of the recipients CESU Master Agreement. Note the established CESU Program indirect rate is 17.5%. Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest will be used to identify potential organizations for this project. Approximately $195,000 is expected to be available to support this project for the base period. Additional funding may be available to the successful recipient for optional tasks and/or follow on work in subsequent years. Period of Performance. The base period of the agreement will extend 24 months from date of award. There may be up to three 12-month follow-on periods based on availability of funding. Description of Anticipated Work: See attached Statement of Objectives Submission of Your Statement of Interest1. Statements of Interest are due by 12:00 P.M., Central Time, on 20 July 2024.2. Submit your Statement of Interest via e-mail attachments or direct questions to:Sandy JustmanGrants SpecialistUSACE, Fort Worth DistrictEmail: Sandra.justman@usace.army.milOffice: 817-886-1073Kathy MitchellProject ManagerUSACE, Fort Worth DistrictEmail: kathy.s.mitchell@usace.army.milOffice: 817-886-1709Review of Statements Received: All statements of interest received from a member of the CESU Region(s) identified above will be evaluated by a board comprised of one or more people at the receiving installation or activity, who will determine which statement(s) best meet the program objectives: offer the most highly qualified Principal Investigator, have the most relevant experience and the highest capability to successfully meet the program objectives. Submitters whose statements are determined to best meet the program objectives will be invited to submit a full proposal.Please review the full announcement details found on the Related Tab

To support Nigeria’s Global Methane Pledge commitments to better monitor, reduce, and harness methane emissions towards its 2031 goal of reducing fugitive methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by 61 percent. Approach. Methane abatement is an emerging field for USAID/Nigeria, and we aim to tap into the expertise of local organizations and private companies already active in this sector to co-design a project that mitigates current and/or projected methane emissions in Nigeria. USAID/Nigeria encourages concepts with innovative or pilot approaches that use or develop tools, methods and/or business models to promote practices. We look for a partner who understands the current landscape of actors and proposes a concept that works within existing systems and government agencies to avoid duplication while engaging regularly with the oil and gas sector to ensure sustainability. A successful concept will focus on methane abatement, but will suggest holistic ways to support the environment that has been negatively impacted due to climate change and the oil and gas sector, specifically the mangrove forests. Geographic Focus. The target region of this activity is the Niger Delta. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas which traps heat and contributes to the overall warming of the planet thereby exacerbating climate change. It is the second largest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide but is more than 80 times as potent in trapping heat in the atmosphere. Methane emissions must be reduced by 45 percent by 2030 to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Improved management and utilization of Nigeria’s methane emissions is crucial to mitigating Nigeria’s contribution to climate change. Nigeria is the seventh largest methane emitter in the world and the largest in Africa with 235 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2022. As Africa’s largest oil producer, Nigeria’s methane emissions come primarily from its energy sector, with additional significant contributions from its agriculture and waste sectors. Nigeria was the largest gas flarer in 2022 with 5.3 billion m3 flared amounting to $610 million of unrealized revenue which could be used to generate power for millions of Nigerians. The International Energy Agency methane tracker estimates that about 71 percent of emissions from the oil and gas sector in Nigeria can be abated, half of which can be abated at no net cost. In recent years, Nigeria has committed to better monitor, reduce, and harness methane emissions, in part by joining the Global Methane Pledge in 2021 and enacting a methane guideline for the oil and gas sector in 2022, the first African country to do so. Despite these efforts, major gaps remain in implementing methane abatement activities in the country. The Nigerian government lacks fugitive methane emission estimation capabilities and relies on oil and gas companies’ self reported flare data. Meanwhile, there are not sufficient incentives for oil and gas companies to reduce methane emissions, and the infrastructure for converting flares for captive generation remains absent. The goal of this activity is to reduce current and/or projected methane emissions in Nigeria's oil and gas sector to contribute towards attaining Nigeria’s methane pledge.

BOEM and its partners are seeking to develop, automate, and enhance the detection and classification of important species in high-resolution aerial imagery by leveraging cutting-edge technologies, such as deep learning computer vision frameworks. This study will develop detection and classification algorithms for protected species using artificial intelligence and machine learning. These algorithms will be used to analyze aerial imagery collected in the Gulf of Mexico by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under a separate agreement. This award will be a single-source cooperative agreement with a member institution of the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units.Furthermore, BOEM is interested in developing a web-based visualization tool that will provide status updates on USFWS and BOEM remote-sensing, aerial-imagery surveys conducted in the Gulf of Mexico in areas where energy development is occurring or will occur. This tool will be a valuable resource for stakeholdersincluding government agencies, researchers, and the public it will enable us to track the progress of ongoing surveys and access the latest data and information.Over the planned project timeline of five years, this study will develop the following:State-of-the-art detection and classification algorithms using artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze aerial imagery gathered by the USFWS in the Gulf of MexicoA public-facing, web-based tool providing results of aerial surveys

Eielson AFB Central Heat and Power Plant Cooling Pond Vegetation Removal in Support of Bird Air Strike Hazard Reduction The primary objectives of this project are to assist Eielson Air Force Base (EAFB) Natural Resources with optimal management of EAFB-managed lands, to minimize restrictions to the military mission due to natural resource related constraints, and to reduce the attraction of migratory birds to the EAFB Central Heat and Power Plant (CHPP) cooling pond. See full Funding Opportunity Description in Section I.

This funding opportunity supports non-profit organizations and educational institutions in engaging young people and veterans in conservation projects across national parks, promoting job skills and environmental stewardship.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)s Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil and Plant Science Division (NRCS SPSD), is announcing the potential availability of funding for agreements for the purposes of supporting cooperative research in soil science and soil survey. The purpose of the 2024 Soil Survey Cooperative Research Proposals is to promote research that informs and improves soil survey. Each proposal must include significant collaboration with soil survey personnel (such as those at the National Soil Survey Center, MLRA Soil Survey or Regional offices). The proposals deliverables and their connection to soil survey must be clearly explained. Extra consideration will be given to proposals that include Dynamic Soil Survey research support, with close collaboration with National Soil Survey Center Research Soil Scientists. The work should have national or broad regional application to fill gaps in soil survey databases, provide new approaches to collecting or interpreting soil survey data, and/or address emerging issues in the national research priority areas.The FY24 research priorities were developed through meetings of the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) Research Priorities Committee and in conjunction with NRCS and SPSD priorities. We expect to fund approximately up to $3,000,000 of cooperative research depending on funding availability. Eligibility is limited to institutions of higher education in the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network CESU National Network. Proposals are requested for competitive consideration of awards for projects 2-3 years in duration. The estimated funding floor for this opportunity is $50,000 and the estimated funding ceiling is $500,000.Proposal topics should address emerging issues within at least one of three nationally relevant areas of soil survey research:Dynamic Soil Properties (DSPs) and Soil Change Investigation of DSPs not currently accounted for in evaluations of soil change at decadal time scales. Assessments of DSPs for forest soils. Creation of digital soil mapping models for predicting DPSs through space and time.Methods of Soil Hydrology Development of new field and laboratory methods that could be added to soil survey. Expansion of existing methods for characterizing soil hydraulic properties (e.g., water retention, hydraulic conductivity), including those that can be gathered from existing soil survey data. Enhancing communication of hydrologic toolsets and data to product users, especially non-soil scientists.Expansion of Datasets Leveraging existing NRCS and non-NRCS datasets to expand the reach of soil survey (e.g., deeper depths, spatial gaps). Developing an online mapping tool or repository of soil survey projects, which could include major outcomes and generated datasets. Enhancing the compatibility of non-NRCS datasets (e.g., National Ecological Observatory Network, Molecular Observation Network, U.S. Geological Surveys National Geothermal Data System) with soil survey data.All proposals must include a data management plan and all data and deliverables must be made publicly available per USDA regulations - https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/dr- 1020-006.pdf.More information on NCSS regions including maps and contacts is available at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/natural-resource-concerns/soil/contacts.For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.Key DatesApplicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on July 8, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.The agency anticipates making selections by July 22, 2024, and expects to execute awards by September 30, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.Federal Funding Floor and Ceiling AmountsThe estimated funding floor for this opportunity is $50,000, and the estimated funding ceiling is $500,000. The funding floor means the minimum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. The ceiling is the maximum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. These numbers refer to the total agreement amount, not any specific budget period.Federal Financial Assistance TrainingThe funding available through this NFO is Federal financial assistance. Grants 101 Training is highly recommended for those seeking knowledge about Federal financial assistance. The training is free and available to the public via https://www.cfo.gov/resources/federal-financial-assistance-training/. It consists of five modules covering each of the following topics: 1) laws, regulations, and guidance; 2) financial assistance mechanisms; 3) uniform guidance administrative requirements; 4) cost principles; and 5) risk management and single audit. FPAC agencies also apply Federal financial assistance regulations to certain non-assistance awards (e.g., non-assistance cooperative agreements).

The State of Hawai`i has established aggressive renewable energy goals, including potential offshore wind development, to reduce fossil fuel dependence. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) oversees the development of offshore renewable energy on the nations outer continental shelf (OCS) and is mandated to preserve historic and cultural resources that may be impacted by its approved actions. BOEM is required under multiple statutes (as referenced in the below Background section) to take into consideration the impacts of OCS activities on cultural resources and Traditional Cultural Places.The purpose of this study is to provide critical information to BOEM in support of its offshore historic preservation responsibilities. The project will have three primary components: 1) compile data from archival and secondary sources of known, reported, and potential traditional cultural landscapes and cultural resources near the islands of O`ahu and Moloka`i, specifically focusing on the Ka`iwi Channel; 2) compile and summarize appropriate ethnographic information from Native Hawaiian communities regarding types of traditional use areas and traditional cultural places that could be impacted by offshore development; and 3) refine or develop guidance documents that identify Best Practices and protocols for engaging with Native Hawaiian communities, respecting traditional Indigenous Knowledge and including appropriate selected elements of traditional knowledge within the NHPA and NEPA review processes.This information will support recent Guidance for Federal Departments and Agencies on Indigenous Knowledge and other Federal efforts related to Indigenous Knowledge; is necessary under Section 106 of the NHPA, which requires that federal agencies must apply the National Register Criteria to places that may be affected by a federal undertaking; and will also be used to support reviews under NEPA and other federal laws.See related documents for questions and responses submitted after publishing.

Management, Species, Harbor Porpoise, (RAM#FXSBA53247215-A), Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska - The objectives of this requirement are to (1) determine Harbor Porpoise presence in Knik Arm during the winter and (2) determine the presence of Harbor Porpoise in Knik Arm and the timing and extent of upstream movement of Harbor Porpoise in the Eagle River during summer and fall. See full Funding Opportunity Description in Section I.

Although the pelagic ocean is the largest ecosystem on earth, it remains poorly characterized and understood due to its vast size and three-dimensional, highly dynamic nature (e.g., Perelman et al. 2021). Most oceanographic programs concentrate upon the surface ocean because plankton and larval fish are concentrated there. Very little of the water column below the epipelagic (0200 m) has been described in any detail (Netburn 2018). However, we know that important processes occur throughout that water column, such as the biological pump (Passow and Carlson 2012), diel vertical migration (Sutton 2013, Kelly et al. 2019), other mechanisms for connectivity (Sutton 2013), and food web dynamics (Choy et al. 2017). As industries move to deeper waters of the OCS, it is imperative to learn more about potential impacts to these habitats, specifically sites of commercial interest. Water column information can be collected by traditional oceanographic equipment, especially when supplemented by new techniques and technology. In addition to physical and chemical profiles of the water column, Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) rosette casts can collect water samples to evaluate the biological community through eDNA sampling. Cameras can also be integrated onto CTD rosettes to help image these pelagic environments for which the deeper habitats are rarely visualized. This study is intended to fund the integration of a complementary water column component into planned marine mineral and offshore wind-related research cruises in locations of potential commercial interest. There are two cost-effective near-term opportunities for at-sea data collection to support the proposed study objectives in the fall of 2024. One is a planned August 26 September 16 NOAA-led benthic habitats AUV survey on NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada out of Newport, Oregon that is focused on areas of interest for offshore wind in northern California and southern Oregon. The second is a September 10 October 07 USGS-led multibeam and box core cruise on the R/V Kilo Moana out of Honolulu, Hawaii that will assess the abundance and composition of abyssal manganese nodules at the southern extreme of the OCS south of Hawaii. There appear to be several substantive outyear opportunities in 2025 and beyond to add a mid-water component to anticipated NOAA cruises in areas of interest for both offshore wind and critical minerals. BOEM will work with the award recipient to secure sample collection opportunities on select outyear opportunities. The scope of water column operations on each cruise will be designed in consultation with cruise Chief Scientists to address the highest priority mid-water environmental information needs while taking into account any pre-existing science plans and available planning horizon. For example, optical sensors (e.g., high-definition cameras, shadowgraphs) could be deployed when primary science operations are done for the day, or a smaller system could be integrated onto a CTD rosette to simultaneously collect imagery without needing dedicated wire-time. Data from the at-sea efforts will contribute significantly to baseline knowledge of pelagic systems that are highly dynamic and difficult to study. With industries moving into deeper waters further offshore, these water column data are necessary to understand environmental conditions and associated natural variation. For example, baseline environmental data can improve our understanding of environmental risks and potential impacts of floating offshore wind, such as changes in organism behavior and displacement (Maxwell et al. 2022). Additionally, current seabed mining technologies are expected to produce sediment plumes with unknown environmental impacts (Gollner et al. 2017, Gillard et al. 2019). Baseline data for these water column habitats are thus critical for identifying the resources that may be impacted and assessing what those impacts are likely to be.The proposed study will address the following objectives.Develop species inventories throughout the water column in areas of potential commercial interest for floating offshore wind and critical minerals, particularly abyssal manganese nodulesAssess other recent/ongoing scientific programs that can provide relevant data and meaningfully support the study objectives [e.g., California Current Ecosystem (CCE) Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER)] Explain the regional distribution of organisms relative to the physical and chemical oceanographic conditions Provide recommendations for a cost-effective and high-value sampling and sensor package or module(s) that can be easily integrated as a mid-water add-on to future research cruises. Some of the key questions to be addressed are:What is the pelagic community structure in current and potential regions of interest for offshore wind development and abyssal nodules in the Pacific OCS?What are the physical and chemical drivers in each region, and how do they relate to the pelagic community structure?What is a relatively simple and cost-effective standard midwater science component add-on that could provide high value to future deepwater Pacific research efforts?

The Regional Site Readiness Program’s Capital Ready Grant Program, funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, offers between $250,000 to $3,000,000 to local governments, economic development organizations, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, and private landowners for infrastructure and capital improvements to prepare sites for future industrial and manufacturing development across all counties in Illinois.

This Annual Program Statement (APS) offers USAID Operating Units a mechanism to facilitate assistance awards to local and non-traditional partners for innovative, adaptive, and locally led development approaches. OUs may issue addenda under this umbrella to solicit, co-create, and fund a wide range of flexible and innovative approaches to locally led development related to their specific priorities, objectives, and programs. The APS aims to advance USAIDs capability to work with local partners, to learn from these engagements, and to share this learning broadly. INTERESTED APPLICANTS - PLEASE READ: This Locally Led Development APS is not a Request for Applications or a Request for Proposals, and this APS does not serve as a general request for locally led development concepts. Do not email concepts to LLD-APS@usaid.gov or submit concepts via grants.gov, as they will not be accepted. Interested Applicants must respond to specific documents that share USAID priorities in a specific country(ies) called addenda that may be issued throughout the year on grants.gov. These addenda, when added, can be found under Related Documents on this page. Please visit this page periodically for opportunities that may be relevant to your country and focus areas. Please see the attachment for further detailed information. This APS was last updated April 26, 2024, with Amendment 1 - 7200AA19APS00007 Locally Led Development Annual Program Statement (APS) 2024-4-26

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources offers the Cranberry Bog Renovation Grant Program, now in its sixth year, to enhance the efficiency and environmental sustainability of cranberry bogs. This competitive grant program provides funds to renovate existing bogs, increasing yields and improving methods of production. The grants aim to minimize environmental impacts, focusing on water quality, efficient water use, and other conservation practices. The application deadline is May 24, 2024, with a maximum funding of $125,000 per applicant and a required 25% cost match. Grant renewed every year.

The Idaho Water Resource Board (IWRB) was allocated $75,000,000 by the Idaho legislature in 2022 for grants to address water sustainability, improve aging water infrastructure, or support flood management. These grants are for new projects or phases aimed at repairing, maintaining, replacing, or improving infrastructure that supports irrigation water delivery, storage, drainage, treatment, and use of water for irrigation. Municipal drinking or wastewater systems are excluded. The process includes proposal submission, review, and IWRB approval. Applications are due by August 2, 2024. Grant renewed every year.

The Underserved Farmer to Farmer grant program, managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with funding from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico division, is a $3 million, 5-year initiative. This program aligns with the mission of addressing critical environmental challenges by empowering historically underserved farming communities. The DNR's strategic priority is to enhance the capacity of these communities to combat nutrient pollution and frequent flooding, thereby fostering environmental resilience and sustainable agricultural practices. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are "underserved farmers" as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture. This includes beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, veteran farmers, and those with limited resources. Other classifications may also be supported through negotiation. The program aims to increase the ability of these farmers to implement practices that mitigate nutrient pollution and reduce the impact of frequent flooding, leading to improved water quality and land management. The grant prioritizes projects that directly address nutrient pollution and flooding. The expected outcomes include a reduction in nutrient runoff into waterways and enhanced flood resilience within historically underserved farm communities. Measurable results would involve tracking the number of projects funded, the types of conservation practices implemented, and the environmental improvements achieved in the targeted areas. The theory of change suggests that by providing financial resources and support to underserved farmers, the program will lead to widespread adoption of environmentally beneficial farming practices. Projects funded through this grant can receive up to $250,000, with $700,000 currently remaining for subawards. Eligibility for subawards extends to a broad range of entities, including conservation districts, institutions of higher learning, local or state government entities (such as Watershed Management Authorities), NGOs and nonprofits, Tribal nations, beginning farmer groups, and U.S. military veteran farmer groups. This inclusive approach ensures that various stakeholders can contribute to the program's overarching goals and amplify its impact across Iowa's agricultural landscape.

The Albemarle Agribusiness Resiliency Grant, offered by Albemarle County, is designed to support direct-market agribusinesses within the county that are experiencing long-term financial impacts from the pandemic, including those caused by inflation and rising interest rates. The program aims to offset these increased costs of capital, which can hinder growth and reinvestment opportunities for local businesses. While a specific "foundation mission alignment" or "foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change" is not explicitly stated as this is a county grant rather than a foundation, the county's implicit mission aligns with supporting local economic resilience and sustainable development within its agribusiness sector. The primary target beneficiaries are direct-market agribusinesses located in Albemarle County, Virginia. This includes businesses that sell products to restaurants, caterers, and local stores, as well as orchards, wineries, cideries, and those operating at farmers markets. The impact goals are centered on enhancing the financial stability and operational capacity of these agribusinesses, enabling them to navigate economic challenges and continue their contributions to the local economy. The grant prioritizes several key areas for funding. These include new capital investments such as machinery, tools, and other business equipment, which directly support operational improvements and expansion. Additionally, the grant focuses on expenses incurred since July 1, 2022, to advance sustainable agricultural practices, enhance public health, safety, and welfare for employees or visitors, and comply with state or local regulations. Up to 20% of awarded funds can also be allocated for advertising and marketing, recognizing the importance of market visibility for direct-market businesses. The expected outcomes include strengthened agribusinesses within Albemarle County, leading to sustained operations, improved competitiveness, and continued economic activity. Measurable results would involve the number of grants distributed (anticipated to be 3-8 grants in this round), the total budget utilized ($60,000 for this round), and the types of investments made by awardees. Although not explicitly detailed as a "theory of change," the county's approach suggests that by providing direct financial assistance for critical investments and operational needs, agribusinesses will be better positioned to adapt to economic pressures, fostering a more resilient and thriving local agricultural economy.