Grants for Nonprofits - Environment

The Land Trust Alliance, with support from Governor Kathy Hochul, the New York State Legislature, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, is pleased to announce a third round of competitive land trust grants through the Forest Conservation Easements for Land Trust Program. This new public-private partnership is funded through the state Environmental Protection Fund and administered by the Alliance, in coordination with the DEC. Up to $1.35 million in funding is available through the 2024 grant round which will be awarded in the fall of 2024. Grant awards are contingent upon the receipt of state funds. The program has a two-step application process which includes a preapplication and a full application. Preapplications are now being accepted and are due by May 10. Full applications are by invitation only. Applicants invited to submit a full application will be notified by June 14. Full applications will be due July 29. Preapplications and full applications must be completed through our online application and reporting system. Complete details about this grant opportunity including eligibility requirements and other program elements can be found below. Please review carefully as you evaluate whether your project is a potential fit. Visit the FCELT webpage for more information including: • 2024 Roundtables Schedule • Resource Guide • Frequently Asked Questions The Alliance reserves the right to amend the request for applications specifications to correct errors or oversights, or to supply additional information, as it becomes available. Preapplications due by 05/10/2024, Full applications due by 07/29/2024

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and government entities that aim to improve the quality of life in Howard County, Iowa, through projects in areas such as arts, education, health, and community betterment.

The American-Made Electronics Scrap Recycling Advancement Prize (E-SCRAP) is a $3.95 million challenge sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO). This three-phase prize aims to stimulate innovative approaches that reduce the costs and environmental impact of critical material recovery from electronic scrap (e-scrap). The program aligns with the DOE's mission to advance energy technology and reduce environmental impact, specifically targeting the challenges within the e-scrap recycling value chain. The target beneficiaries of the E-SCRAP prize are individuals, private entities (for-profits and nonprofits), nonfederal government entities (states, counties, tribes, and municipalities), and academic institutions working in waste collection and management, dismantling and sorting, separation, refining, validation, and material supply. The impact goals are to increase the domestic supply of critical materials from e-scrap, enhance material circularity, and reduce the environmental footprint associated with current recycling processes. The program prioritizes innovative approaches, processes, or technologies that optimize and implement critical material separation and recovery from e-scrap. This includes building partnerships across the recycling value chain, developing and demonstrating innovations, addressing technical, supply chain, or logistical hurdles, and enhancing supply chains to accelerate connectivity between various stages of recycling. Areas of interest include innovations for electronic scrap (communication devices, home appliances, medical/office equipment) and the recovery of critical materials such as aluminum, cobalt, copper, lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements. Expected outcomes include the development and demonstration of new technologies that lead to more efficient and environmentally friendly e-scrap recycling processes. Measurable results will be seen in increased rates of critical material recovery, reduced costs, and a decrease in environmental impact. Competitor teams can win up to $800,000 in cash prizes and $150,000 in national laboratory analysis support. The prize’s strategic priorities are to act as a catalyst for change, fostering innovation and collaboration to strengthen the domestic supply chain of critical materials, thereby contributing to clean energy initiatives and a more circular economy.

This grant provides funding for researchers to analyze existing data from a major study on child and adolescent brain development, focusing on understanding health disparities and the influences of environment and social factors on youth.

The Transition to Independent Environmental Health (TIEHR) Career Award is a 3-year bridge scholar development program for newly independent faculty who intend to pursue research careers in environmental health sciences. At the conclusion of the career development period the candidates are expected to demonstrate they can successfully compete for research funding in the environmental health sciences. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is designed specifically for applicants proposing research that does not involve leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary study to a clinical trial. Applicants to this FOA are permitted to propose research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor.

The Community Vision Fund, established by the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, aims to address community needs and promote well-being in Calumet, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca, and the Neenah-Menasha area of Winnebago counties in Wisconsin. This grant program aligns with the foundation's mission by fostering a thriving community through strategic investments in various focus areas. The fund provides grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000, with up to $2,500 available for community event sponsorships, seeking to create broad and positive societal impact. The primary target beneficiaries of this fund are under-resourced and historically excluded communities and organizations, as well as rural communities within the specified counties. The fund also prioritizes organizations and programs led by individuals with lived experience related to the issues being addressed, aiming for solutions that are deeply rooted in community understanding. The overarching impact goals are to advance well-being for all by supporting initiatives in critical areas such as Arts and Culture, Community and Neighborhood Development, Environment, Financial Stability and Well-being, and Nonprofit Effectiveness. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly defined to maximize its impact. Beyond the general focus areas, the fund specifically prioritizes requests that invest in systems change efforts and systems thinking, encouraging long-term, sustainable solutions rather than short-term fixes. A crucial strategic priority is the application of a diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism (DEIA) lens to all grantmaking decisions, ensuring that funding promotes equitable opportunities and addresses systemic disparities. While specific measurable outcomes are not explicitly detailed in the provided information, the fund's strategic priorities imply expected outcomes such as increased equity, improved community well-being, enhanced organizational effectiveness, and positive systems-level change within the targeted communities. By investing in under-resourced populations, rural areas, and initiatives led by those with lived experience, the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region operates with a theory of change that believes in empowering local communities and fostering inclusive development for lasting positive impact.

This program provides funding to Wisconsin farmers and their partners to conduct research on improving nitrogen use in agriculture through collaborative field studies.

Grant Opportunity: Energize Delaware Residential Solar Loan Program Description: The Energize Delaware Residential Solar Loan program offers low-interest loans to encourage the purchase of customer-owned renewable generation. The program aims to achieve utility bill savings, reduce environmental impact, and promote local job growth in the solar installation industry. Eligibility Criteria: - Must be a Delaware resident - Must be a homeowner of a single-family home or duplex - Minimum credit score of 650 - Maximum monthly debt-to-income ratio of 40% - Total loan cannot exceed 70% of the total project cost Loan Details: - Total loan amount: $5,000 - $30,000 - Interest rate: 3.9% - Loan term: Up to 10 years Additional Requirements: - Any storage capacity must be priced such that the total system cost does not exceed $6.00/installed watt of generation. - The system must meet specific Green Energy Grant Delaware requirements regarding grid connection, array orientation and tilt, and daily sunshine hours. Application Process: 1. Complete an online application at energizedelawareloans.org. 2. The application consists of two parts: initial and final. 3. After Part I is submitted, applicants will receive an eligibility letter via email. 4. Approved applicants can begin their solar project within three months of acceptance. 5. Once installation is complete, applicants must complete Part II within six months. 6. After Part II documents are reviewed, funds will be dispersed directly to the installer. Payment and Repayment: - Participating installers pay an initiation fee of $100 and must provide state licensing information. - Homeowners will begin loan repayment the month following fund disbursement. - Monthly payments cannot be adjusted. - There is no penalty for prepayment. Contractor Information: - Contractors must register with the program before being selected by homeowners. - Payment to contractors is issued after all Part II documents are submitted, including a signed Authorization Form, Promissory Note

This funding opportunity provides financial support for management-focused studies on National Conservation Lands, targeting state and local governments, educational institutions, tribal organizations, and nonprofits dedicated to conservation and resource management.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for various organizations to implement prevention and control measures against the invasive golden mussel in Western U.S. waters, focusing on ecological protection and public awareness.

The purpose of the NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) program is to increase and maintain a strong cohort of new and talented, NIH-supported, independent investigators. This program is designed to facilitate a timely transition of outstanding postdoctoral researchers with a research and/or clinical doctorate degree from mentored, postdoctoral research positions to independent, tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions. The program will provide independent NIH research support during this transition in order to help awardees to launch competitive, independent research careers. Frequently Asked Questions for NOT-HL-23-083 General Questions Q: What is the purpose of the Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) NOT-HL-23-083? The NOSI on Assessing Real-World Effectiveness and Implementation of Telehealth-Guided Provider-to-Provider Communication among Rural Communities (NOT-HL-23-083) aims to support research that generates evidence on the real-world effectiveness of telehealth collaboration among healthcare providers for consultation, second opinions, and other purposes, referred to as provider-to-provider telehealth (PPT). The NOSI is intended to support the use of telehealth interventions and tools for the prevention, management and treatment of heart, lung, blood, and sleep conditions, as well as cancer, in rural communities. Q: Are foreign applications allowed under this NOSI? Yes. Non-domestic entities (Foreign Institutions) and Non-domestic components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply under the Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) relevant to this NOSI (PA-20-185; PAR-22-105; PAR-21-035; PAR-21-341) – additional information regarding eligibility is available in Section III. Eligibility Information of each NOFO. Q: How is “rural” defined for the purposes of this NOSI? Different definitions of “rural” are used by various entities for different purposes. Rurality can be conceptualized based on administrative boundaries, land-use patterns, or economic influence; can reflect several different dimensions, such as population density, population size, and degree of remoteness; and can be delineated at different spatial scales (e.g., zip code, county, census district). Applicants should operationalize “rural” in the way that best serves the aims of their study. However, applicants should clearly state how they are defining rural in their application and provide a justification for the criteria they are using. A few widely used classification systems for defining rural and urban areas are provided below. Additionally, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) provides a tool on their website that enables users to see whether a specified geographic area is considered “rural” for the purposes of HRSA Rural Health Grant eligibility: https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/rural-healthexternal link. This may be a good starting point for assessing whether an area of interest might be considered “rural”. Census Bureau Urban-Rural Classificationsexternal link - The Census Bureau delineates urban areas by applying specified criteria to the decennial census and other data. For the 2020 Census, an urban area comprises a densely settled core of census blocks that meet minimum housing unit density and/or population density requirements of having at least 2,000 housing units or a population of at least 5,000. This includes adjacent territory containing non-residential urban land uses. Rural areas encompass all population, housing, and territory not included within an urban area. National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Countiesexternal link – NCHS has developed a six-level urban-rural classification scheme for U.S. counties and county-equivalent entities. The scheme is based on the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) delineation of metropolitan statistical areas (MSA) and micropolitan statistical areas, as well as Vintage postcensal estimates of the resident U.S. population. The scheme has two levels nonmetropolitan counties. USDA Rural Urban Continuum Codes (RUCC)external link - Rural-Urban Continuum Codes are a 9-level classification scheme that categorizes metropolitan counties by the population size of their metro area, and nonmetropolitan counties by their degree of urbanization and adjacency to a metro area. USDA Rural Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) Codesexternal link - RUCA codes categorize census tracts based on measures of population density, urbanization, and daily commuting patterns. This classification system consists of 10 levels that delineate metropolitan, micropolitan, small town, and rural commuting areas based on the size and direction of the primary (largest) commuting flows. These 10 codes are further subdivided based on secondary commuting flows. USDA Urban Influence Codesexternal link (UIC) – Urban influence codes are a 12-level classification scheme that distinguishes metropolitan counties by the population size of their metro area, and nonmetropolitan counties by the size of the largest city or town and proximity to metro and micropolitan areas. There are two metro and ten nonmetro categories. Frontier and Remote Area (FAR) Codesexternal link – Developed by the USDA Economic Research Service, Frontier and Remote Area codes are based on ZIP-codes. The term "frontier and remote" is used to describe territory characterized by some combination of low population size and high geographic remoteness. FAR areas are defined in relation to the time it takes to travel by car to the edges of nearby Urban Areas (UAs)external link. Four levels are necessary because rural areas experience degrees of remoteness at higher or lower population levels that affect access to different types of goods and services. Q: My project focuses on “direct-to-consumer/ direct-to-patient” telehealth, would it still be responsive to this NOSI? No. This NOSI focuses on “provider-to-provider” telehealth (PPT), which is a telehealth modality that fosters collaboration among healthcare providers for consultation, second opinions, and other purposes. Please refer to the “Background” section of the NOSI for some examples of PPT in heart, lung blood, sleep and cancer conditions. Q. My university/institution is located in an urban area, would I still qualify for this NOSI? There is no restriction regarding the location of the Principal Investigator’s university, institution, or center and if it is in an urban or rural area. The limiting factor is the population of interest. The focus of this NOSI is the use of provider-to-provider telehealth (PPT) to benefit rural communities. For the definition of rural areas, please refer to the previous questions “How is “rural” defined for the purposes of this NOSI?” Q. One of the components of my research involves a center or hospital located in an urban center/hospital, would I still qualify for this NOSI? It depends. The focus of this NOSI is the use of provider-to-provider telehealth (PPT) to benefit rural communities. As such, considering a hub-and-spoke telehealth model, the healthcare providers who require consultation and their patients (spoke component) must be in a rural area, assuring that the benefited population served by the PPT intervention is rural. Example 1: If both communicating sides of providers (hub and spoke) are in urban areas, it is not responsive to this NOSI. Example 2: If the provider receiving the consultation or training (spoke) is in a rural area, and the consulted team (hub or hub-less provider) is in an urban area, it is responsive to this NOSI, given that the population of interest benefitted by the PPT intervention is still in a rural area. For the definition of rural areas, please refer to the previous questions “How is “rural” defined for the purposes of this NOSI?” Q. Is the NOSI restricted to telemedicine between physicians? No. The focus of the NOSI is not just telemedicine, but telehealth, which goes beyond the communication between physicians, and would include a series of healthcare providers, allied health providers, and their teams. For some examples, please refer to the “ Background” section of the NOSI. Q: What are some of the research examples that might be responsive to this NOSI? There are a series of research projects that might be of interest for this NOSI. For some examples, please refer to the ones listed in the “Selected Research Examples ” section of the NOSI. Please be aware that these are meant to illustrate some of the projects of interest for this NOSI, and other research projects not exemplified here might still be of interest. Investigators are encouraged to reach out to the Scientific and Research Contacts listed in the NOSI to discuss their research ideas and their relevance to the NOSI as well as institute funding priorities. Q. Who do I contact for more information from specific participating Institutes, Centers, and Offices? To whom should I direct my questions regarding this NOSI? To access the complete list of contacts, please refer to the “Inquiries” Section of the NOSI, which includes Scientific and Research Contacts and Financial/Grants Management Contacts. For programmatic questions at NHLBI, please contact Dr. Fernando P. Bruno fernando.bruno@nih.govmailto:, for programmatic questions at NCI, please contact Dr. Robin C. Vanderpool robin.vanderpool@nih.govmailto:. If you have submission questions, please contact the eRA Service Desk. Application Preparation and Submission Questions Q: NHLBI and NCI are collaborating on this NOSI. If an applicant has a proposal that is relevant to both cancer and to heart, lung, blood, and sleep conditions, which institute will the application be assigned to? Applicants are advised to make use of the Assignment Request Form to request the institute they would prefer to act as the “Awarding Component.” These requests are taken into consideration. Applicants are further advised to consider the institute they plan to choose on the Assignment Request Form when framing their specific aims. The Awarding Component Section of the PHS Assignment Request Form * All assignment suggestions will be considered; however, not all assignment suggestions can be honored. Applications are assigned based on relevance of the application to an individual awarding component mission and scientific interests in addition to administrative requirements. * Applicants may enter up to three preferences for primary assignment in the boxes in the "Suggested Awarding Component(s)" row. Note: the application will be assigned based on the most appropriate match between it, the terms of the FOA, and the mission of each possible awarding component, with your preference(s) taken into consideration when possible. Applicants do not need to make entries in all three boxes of the "Awarding Component Assignment Suggestions" section. Q: If a proposal has aims that might be responsive to more than one eligible Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) – should an investigator submit an application that is targeted at two different eligible funding opportunities, or separate those aims into two different applications and submit one to each corresponding NOFO? Each application in response to this NOSI must target only one of the eligible NOFOs. An applicant can elect to submit two different applications to two different NOFOs as long as the specific aims are sufficiently distinct. If the Division of Receipt and Referral determines there is significant overlap between the two applications, the applicant could be asked to withdraw one of them.

The Community Driven Change open call by St. David's Foundation is a grant program designed to support organizations that empower community members in decision-making and leadership roles. This initiative aims to foster healthier communities within the Central Texas region, specifically targeting Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties. The program aligns with the Foundation's belief that addressing social and environmental conditions for generational change in historically marginalized communities requires mobilizing those closest to the problems, indicating a strategic priority on community-led solutions and a theory of change rooted in local empowerment. The target beneficiaries are community-led, community-focused organizations with a demonstrated impact in engaging residents to create healthier communities. The grant's impact goals center on supporting these organizations to achieve their health priorities, emphasizing access to quality healthcare, stable and affordable housing, pathways to healthcare employment, navigation and coordination of related services, and robust social networks. The program prioritizes organizations that effectively engage community members in leadership, fostering a sense of ownership and sustainable change. The program's focus is on awarding unrestricted, one-time operating grants to eligible organizations. Expected outcomes include strengthened community health initiatives and increased capacity for organizations working at the grassroots level. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the overall goal of achieving health priorities, the emphasis on demonstrated impact and community engagement suggests that the effectiveness of these organizations in fostering healthier communities will be a key indicator of success. The St. David's Foundation's strategic priorities are clearly demonstrated through this open call, which allocates up to $10 million in funding. The grant amounts are structured based on organization size, with a maximum of $250,000 for organizations with annual budgets between $250,000 and $500,000, and $500,000 for those with budgets over $500,000. This tiered funding approach suggests a commitment to supporting a range of impactful organizations. The distribution of funds is expected in October 2024, highlighting a clear timeline for the initiative.

The Northern New York Community Foundation is accepting applications for the Dr. D. Susan Badenhausen Legacy Fund, offering grants between $10,000 to $100,000 to charitable organizations in St. Lawrence County that work in arts and culture, conservation and wildlife preservation, education, and health and well-being, with a deadline of October 18, 2024.

This funding opportunity is designed to support small-scale research projects at health professional and graduate schools that have limited NIH funding, helping to enhance research capabilities and engage students in meaningful research experiences.

The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation's grant program is meticulously aligned with its overarching mission to elevate the quality of life across Georgia. The foundation's strategic framework is built upon investing in key areas: health, education, economic opportunity, and community vitality. This holistic approach ensures that their funding initiatives contribute to a comprehensive improvement in the lives of Georgia residents. By focusing on these pillars, the foundation aims to create a ripple effect of positive change, addressing fundamental societal needs and fostering sustainable development within the state. The target beneficiaries of the Woodruff Foundation's grants are primarily organizations operating within Georgia, with a particular emphasis on those located in metro Atlanta. While a significant portion of funding supports institutions and initiatives in the Atlanta metropolitan area, the foundation also occasionally considers grants for significant projects in other communities throughout Georgia. The impact goals are broad, aiming for improved health outcomes, enhanced educational opportunities, increased economic mobility, and stronger, more vibrant communities. This geographically focused strategy ensures that the foundation's resources are deployed where they can have the most direct and profound impact on the local populace. The foundation's priorities and focuses are clearly delineated, encompassing Health, Education, Environment, Human Services, Arts & Culture, and Community Development. It's important to note the specific geographic restriction for human services funding, which is limited to metro Atlanta counties as defined by the United Way of Greater Atlanta. This targeted approach allows the foundation to concentrate its efforts and resources on specific areas of need, ensuring maximum effectiveness. The strategic priorities are designed to address a diverse range of societal challenges and opportunities, reflecting a comprehensive theory of change that postulates that investing in these core areas will lead to a better quality of life for all Georgians. Expected outcomes and measurable results include the strengthening of recipient organizations, evidenced by strong executive and volunteer leadership, a track record of sustainable operations, a broad base of financial support, and proven program effectiveness. While specific quantitative metrics are not detailed in the provided information, the emphasis on "proven program effectiveness" suggests that the foundation expects grantee organizations to demonstrate tangible positive impacts from their initiatives. The foundation's theory of change posits that by supporting robust and effective organizations in their areas of interest, they can collectively achieve their mission of improving the quality of life in Georgia.

The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) is offering grants aimed at minimizing stormwater pollution through the ongoing maintenance of green infrastructure (GI). The core mission of this grant program aligns with environmental protection and sustainable urban development by actively preserving existing GI practices. The grant seeks to ensure the long-term effectiveness of these installations in managing stormwater, directly contributing to a healthier environment in the District of Columbia. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are the residents of the District of Columbia, who will benefit from reduced stormwater pollution and an improved local environment. Additionally, local District residents, including Returning Citizens, are targeted beneficiaries through the creation of sustainable employment opportunities in GI maintenance. The overarching impact goal is to achieve cleaner waterways and a more resilient urban ecosystem by consistently maintaining approximately 400 GI practices installed by District government agencies. The grant prioritizes providing excellent routine maintenance for 400 GI practices installed by District agencies. A secondary, but equally important, focus is on fostering sustainable employment for local District residents, including Returning Citizens, within the GI maintenance sector. This includes providing training to a local workforce. Furthermore, the program aims to cultivate stewardship and maintenance support opportunities within communities, encouraging local engagement and responsibility for environmental assets. Expected outcomes include a significant reduction in stormwater pollution, evidenced by the effective operation of maintained GI practices. Measurable results will include the annual maintenance of approximately 400 GI practices and the successful training and employment of local District residents in GI maintenance roles. The program's theory of change posits that by investing in both the physical maintenance of green infrastructure and the human capital required to sustain it, the District can achieve lasting environmental benefits and create valuable socio-economic opportunities.

The FY 2025 MARFIN grant aims to fund research and development projects that enhance the sustainability and management of marine fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the South Atlantic states.

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) offers Human Services grants of up to $20,000, aimed at supporting programs and projects that deliver significant assistance to economically-disadvantaged individuals within mountain communities. The foundation's mission, as evidenced by this grant, is deeply rooted in addressing critical social needs and fostering well-being among vulnerable populations in its service area. This grant program directly aligns with a strategic priority to support human services and build stronger, more resilient communities by targeting the root causes and consequences of economic disadvantage. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are economically-disadvantaged people residing in selected WNC counties. The impact goals are to address timely community needs or opportunities, continue or expand proven programs, increase cooperation among service providers, build organizational capacity for self-sufficiency, and acquire equipment that provides immediate and substantial benefits. These goals collectively aim to improve the quality of life and opportunities for those facing economic hardship, reflecting a theory of change that by strengthening local service delivery and capacity, the foundation can create lasting positive change. The program prioritizes initiatives that are not currently being addressed by other agencies, those that replicate or expand successful models, and projects that enhance collaboration among providers. A significant focus is also placed on building the internal capacity of organizations, enabling them to operate more efficiently and sustainably, and on funding equipment that offers immediate and substantial benefits to the target population. These priorities demonstrate CFWNC's commitment to strategic, impactful funding that not only provides direct services but also strengthens the ecosystem of support for economically-disadvantaged individuals. Expected outcomes include a measurable improvement in the lives of economically-disadvantaged people, enhanced effectiveness and sustainability of human service organizations, and more coordinated and comprehensive community responses to pressing social needs. While specific measurable results are not detailed, the objectives imply a focus on quantifiable improvements in service delivery, access to resources, and organizational health. The foundation's strategic priorities are clearly centered on maximizing community benefit through targeted investments in human services. Organizations are eligible if they focus on serving economically-disadvantaged people, are financially sustainable, hold 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or are governmental entities, and are located in and serve the specified WNC counties. The foundation explicitly does not fund general operating expenses (unless directly tied to the project), capital support for new buildings, recreational programs, private primary/secondary schools (with exceptions), festivals, scholarships, activities before grant decisions, sectarian religious purposes, partisan political purposes, endowment/deficit funding, or state/national organizations unless local benefits and leadership are demonstrated. This careful delineation of what is and isn't funded further clarifies the foundation's strategic focus and commitment to specific types of interventions.

The Community Funds, managed by the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation (GTRCF), are designed to broadly support the region by funding a diverse array of organizations, including environmental nonprofits, arts and culture groups, Tribal organizations, and educational institutions. This program aligns with the GTRCF's mission to strengthen the community by providing financial resources to a wide range of initiatives that address various needs and opportunities within its service area. The foundation aims to foster a vibrant and thriving community by empowering organizations that contribute to the region's overall well-being. The target beneficiaries for these grants include nonprofit, educational, governmental, and Tribal entities operating across Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties in Michigan. The impact goals are to support projects that have a significant community benefit, can leverage other funding sources, and ultimately contribute to the region's development. The program encourages organizations to apply for amounts ranging from $1,000 to $30,000, with a total of $300,000 available for Community Funds grants in 2024, indicating a commitment to flexible and accessible funding. A key priority for the GTRCF in this grant program is to provide unrestricted general operating support, allowing recipient organizations the flexibility to allocate funds where they are most needed. Furthermore, consideration is given to grant awards that can demonstrate a larger impact for the grant partner and the community. Grant requests that are informed by data on the Community Development Regional Scorecard or address community issues highlighted on this scorecard are prioritized in the review process. This strategic focus ensures that funding is directed towards evidence-based needs and initiatives that are aligned with documented regional challenges and opportunities. The expected outcomes include strengthened community organizations, significant community benefits, and the ability of grant partners to leverage additional funding. By prioritizing data-informed requests and those addressing issues on the Community Development Regional Scorecard, the GTRCF aims for measurable results that contribute to tangible improvements in the region. This approach reflects the foundation's strategic priorities, which likely involve a theory of change centered on empowering local organizations to drive positive change and address critical community issues through targeted and impactful investments.

FY 2024 Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Grant