State Grants

This grant provides funding to local governments in Arizona to manage and remove invasive plant species, helping to restore natural landscapes and reduce wildfire risks.

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.

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

This grant provides funding to tribes and community organizations to enhance their advocacy, education, and outreach efforts related to California Public Utilities Commission processes and decisions.

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 program develops and tests IPM strategies to control one of the target pests identified by CDFA in the RFP. The IPM program could be quickly implemented once the invasive pest becomes established in California. It is a priority to first utilize and adapt existing knowledge and technology that may exist outside of California. Additionally, the focus is on targets suitable for long-term IPM control. Pests that are typically successfully eradicated, such as certain fruit flies, will not be a high priority. A proposal should provide straightforward descriptions of the proposed IPM project or strategy, including a detailed scope of work, commitments from team members, and a budget justification (details provided in the Grant Proposal Requirements section). CDFA encourages but does not require matching funds from industry partners. Proposals must identify and justify a high priority target pest from the CDFA target pest list. Project proposals must include details and reasoning on what IPM techniques for that pest (biological/cultural control, monitoring, etc.) will be investigated. Projects may include any number of IPM components, including a single aspect of an IPM system. Projects with biological control components should detail a plan to collect data necessary to obtain a release permit and describe the process to obtain it. The focus of the research should be on long-term control of the invasive pest that minimizes disruption of urban communities and existing agricultural IPM systems. For example, it would be preferable to prioritize testing selective chemistries, biological chemistries, cultural control, and biological control, over broad-spectrum insecticides. Proposals should consider availability of products not registered in California and potential remedies. The proposal must focus on management strategies for pests on the target list. CDFA will use the priorities rubric in the RFP to evaluate proposals for each target pest. Applicants may only propose projects related to the pest on the target list. Note: it is not a requirement for target pests to fall into the highest priority category. This rubric is meant to serve as a guide to researchers when selecting target pests and discussing their importance to California and suitability for this program.

This program provides financial assistance to local governments and planning agencies in Iowa for a wide range of transportation projects that enhance public roads, bridges, and transit systems.

This program provides financial and technical support to Montana local governments for developing essential planning documents that help manage and protect renewable resources.

The Ethanol Blender Pump Grant, offered by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, aims to assist South Dakota fuel retailers in promoting the state's ethanol production. The grant provides funding for the installation of ethanol blender pumps at gas stations, allowing motorists to choose their preferred gasoline-ethanol blends. A total of $500,000 has been allocated for this program, with businesses eligible to receive up to $25,000 for the first pump and $10,000 for each additional pump. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and must be submitted by August 31, 2024.

The Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity is offering the Rural Communities Opportunity Grant (RCOG) to empower rural communities in Utah to drive their economic development. This grant aligns with the office's mission to foster economic growth and opportunity across the state, particularly in areas identified as rural. The program is designed to enable these communities to take responsibility for economic development planning, project implementation, and managing their unique opportunities, reflecting a strategic priority to build local capacity and self-sufficiency. The primary beneficiaries of the RCOG are various rural entities within Utah, including counties of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth class, cities, towns, and metro townships located within those counties, municipalities with a population of 10,000 or less in counties of the second class, and Associations of Governments. The grant's impact goals are to address critical economic development needs, ultimately leading to improved economic vitality and quality of life in these rural areas. This includes enhancing business environments, strengthening workforces, and upgrading essential infrastructure. The grant prioritizes several key areas to achieve its objectives. These include business recruitment, development, and expansion; workforce training and development; and infrastructure, industrial building development, and capital facilities improvements for business development. These focus areas are designed to create a comprehensive approach to economic development, tackling various facets from job creation to foundational support for businesses, which aligns with a theory of change that posits strategic investment in these areas will lead to sustainable economic growth. Expected outcomes from the RCOG include increased business activity, a more skilled and adaptable workforce, and modern infrastructure capable of supporting economic expansion. While specific measurable results such as the number of new businesses created, jobs retained or added, or the value of infrastructure improvements are not explicitly detailed as quantitative targets, the competitive nature of the funding and the requirement for matching funds suggest an expectation of tangible, high-impact projects that demonstrate effective use of state resources and strong local commitment. The funding structure, with varying limits for different types of entities, also indicates a tailored approach to maximizing impact based on community size and need.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR) is offering its Community Forestry Grant Program, a state-funded initiative designed to support community-based tree planting for derecho recovery. This program is rooted in the Iowa Legislature's appropriation of state infrastructure funds, specifically earmarked for urban and community forestry services. The core mission of this grant program aligns with enhancing Iowa's natural environment and aiding in the recovery of communities affected by derecho events through strategic tree planting on public lands. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are state and local government entities, schools, volunteer organizations, and service organizations actively involved with local urban and community forest services. The overarching impact goal is to facilitate the purchase and planting of trees on publicly owned lands across Iowa, contributing to environmental restoration and community resilience following natural disasters. Eligible planting areas include, but are not limited to, street right-of-ways, parks, school grounds, courthouse lawns, public buildings, fairgrounds, cemeteries, libraries, and trails, ensuring broad community access to the benefits of reforestation. Grant priorities emphasize several key areas to maximize impact and ensure effective resource allocation. Priority will be given to projects demonstrating clear need stemming from derecho impact, cost-effectiveness through a $1 for $1 cash match, robust community involvement, alignment with Tree City/Campus/Line USA designation, and a focus on species/genera diversity and environmental impact. These priorities reflect a strategic approach to fostering sustainable urban and community forests, promoting ecological health, and encouraging local engagement in environmental stewardship. The expected outcomes of the Community Forestry Grant Program include the successful planting of a diverse range of suitable trees across publicly owned lands in Iowa. Measurable results will be tied to the number of trees planted, the extent of community involvement, and the degree to which projects address the specified priorities, particularly in derecho-affected and EAB Reforestation eligible counties. The program's strategic priorities are centered on recovery, environmental enhancement, and community engagement, working towards a theory of change where targeted tree planting leads to stronger, more resilient communities and improved ecological well-being throughout the state. The grants, ranging from $500 to $10,000, are specifically for the purchase and planting of trees, with special requests for other landscape plantings requiring detailed justification.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources offers urban forestry startup grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for small projects in tree care and management, including planting, pruning, removal, and education, available to cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes, and nonprofits that are starting or resuming a community-wide tree care program.

This program provides financial assistance to small Colorado-based housing manufacturers creating innovative prefabricated homes to help address the state's affordable housing shortage.

This program provides financial assistance to New Jersey communities at risk of wildfires to enhance their resilience through proactive planning, risk mitigation, and public awareness initiatives.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations and small businesses in Michigan to enhance training and education for the clean energy workforce while improving access to support services for participants.

This funding opportunity provides financial assistance to New Jersey municipalities and communities for implementing wildfire hazard mitigation practices outlined in their approved Community Wildfire Protection Plans.

The Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program offers progressive courses with one-on-one coaching to help clean energy contractors to develop a business plan. It provides operational support grants, tailored business coaching, mentorship, access to Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program services, assistance with certifications and vendor status, support in preparing bids, networking opportunities, and access to financial development assistance programs, including zero-interest and low-interest loans.