The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) invites Letters of Interest (LOIs) from eligible applicants interested in receiving technical assistance, planning, and capacity building support from the Thriving Communities Program (TCP) Capacity Builders to help them compete for federal aid and deliver quality infrastructure projects that enable their communities and neighborhoods to thrive.

For selected communities, the Thriving Communities Program will provide two years of deep-dive assistance to help them plan and develop a pipeline of comprehensive transportation, housing, and community revitalization activities as well as peer learning opportunities through assigned Communities of Practice. During the third year, communities will continue to receive peer learning support as Capacity Builders conduct evaluation, reporting, and transition activities.

The American-Made Community Power Accelerator Prize is a $10 million prize competition designed to fast-track the efforts of new, emerging, and expanding solar developers and co-developers to learn, participate, and grow their operations to support multiple successful community solar projects. Round 2 of this three-phase prize aims to increase the number of equitable community solar projects by providing funding and resources for developers and co-developers throughout the project pre-development process. By the end of the prize, competitors will be ready to engage with the Community Power Accelerator online platform, which provides a place for competitors to shop their credit-ready projects around to verified project developers, investors, and philanthropic organizations.

This program aims to ensure the timely siting and construction of new or upgraded interstate or offshore electric transmission facilities while providing economic benefits to impacted communities. In order to accelerate and strengthen siting and permitting activities carried out by state, local, and Tribal siting and permitting authorities, this program will support efforts to standardize and streamline siting and permitting processes, coordinate across jurisdictions, and carry out robust public engagement, among other things. In order to provide economic benefits to communities impacted by the construction and operation of interstate or offshore transmission lines, including economically disadvantaged communities and environmental justice communities, this program will provide funds to siting authorities or other types of state, local, or Tribal governmental entities to support a wide range of projects that provide benefits targeted to the needs of impacted communities.

The Capacity Building for Repurposing Energy Assets initiative will assist communities where a significant portion of their local economy has historically been supported by energy assets, such as coal, oil, and/or natural gas power facilities and accompanying equipment and infrastructure. The initiative will help these communities build technical capacity and develop a workforce necessary to help revitalize energy systems, address environmental impacts, and tackle challenges associated with energy assets that have been retired, or are slated for retirement.

States, local governments, tribes, and other Authority Having Jurisdictions (AHJs) interested in learning about and facilitating clean energy demonstration project siting and permitting processes should take advantage of this voucher opportunity. This opportunity is designed to help AHJs streamline siting and permitting processes to advance commercialization and demonstration of innovative clean energy technologies.

The DOE Voucher Program builds bridges between U.S. entrepreneurs, businesses, technology developers or other relevant partners and third-party voucher providers to advance commercialization of innovative energy technologies. Voucher Opportunity (VO-3) enables expert assistance to help AHJs understand new clean energy technology benefits and challenges, evaluate siting and permitting best practices developed by similar jurisdictions, develop streamlined permitting processes, and support community engagement on related issues. The first submission window (Sept 26) solicits proposals from potential voucher providers. A second submission window (Nov 7) will be open soon to solicit requests from potential voucher recipients.

EmPower Massachusetts offers multiple stages of investment in communities and community-based organizations so that they can explore, develop, and implement program models or projects that provide access to the benefits of clean energy for previously underserved populations. Implementation grants provide funding to implement community-based programs or projects that increase the access to the benefits of clean energy to and/or reduce energy burden on previously underserved population priority groups.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has launched R-STEP, which will support the creation of new, or the expansion of existing, state-based programs or initiatives that improve renewable energy planning and siting processes for local communities. Through R-STEP, DOE anticipates awarding approximately five to seven state-based collaboratives between $1 to $2 million each to expand state and local capacity on large-scale renewable energy siting and planning. Collaboratives will also benefit from tailored technical assistance and peer-learning opportunities through the program. Collaboratives could include but are not limited to state energy offices, Governors’ offices, Extension offices, universities, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, and other organizations.

At the Clean Energy Fund of Texas, we provide financing to a variety of groups of people. We want to accelerate the green economy by directing financing into multiple market channels, helping more Texans save money and save energy. Who we finance:

• Community-based organizations
• Residential Financing
• Suppliers of solar panels, high-efficiency insulation, water-saving appliances, smart grid technology, HVAC units and other materials
• Small and large businesses
• Buildings

The Community Benefits Grant Program is an innovative partnership between Clean Power Alliance (CPA) and Calpine Energy Solutions. This annual program provides grant funding to organizations working to advance clean energy, green jobs, environmental education and stewardship, and energy equity and diversity in the communities that CPA serves. 

NY Green Bank is pleased to announce the launch of a $250 million Community Decarbonization Fund (CDF) and encourages Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and other specialty lenders to apply for this highly concessionary funding pathway to deliver climate justice to residents of disadvantaged communities (DACs). The CDF is expected to expand and accelerate the lending capacity of smaller community-based and mission-driven investors by channeling financing into sustainable infrastructure projects that benefit historically marginalized communities.

The Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program (Recompete Pilot Program) will invest $200 million in persistently distressed communities to create and connect people to good jobs. This program will create renewed economic opportunity in communities that have for too long been forgotten. To do so, the program targets areas where prime-age (25-54 years) employment significantly trails the national average, with the goal to close this gap through large, flexible investments. As part of EDA’s place-based economic development approach, the Recompete Pilot Program aims to meet communities where they are by offering grant opportunities that ensure sustainable and equitable economic growth across the United States.

Organizations can apply for a Capital Project Grant, a Program grant, or they can apply for both. The total request in all circumstances cannot exceed $2,500,000.

1. Capital Project Grants
   Projects could include but are not limited to: new construction, remodeling existing structures, purchasing land, purchasing equipment, purchasing and installing energy efficient heating and/or cooling equipment, installing renewable energy systems, weatherizing facility, replacing roof and windows, installing/updating recreation fields.

   2. Program Grants
   Project examples could include but are not limited to mentoring, STEM education, environmental justice activities, renewable energy information, disaster preparedness, outdoor education, before or after-school education, volunteer programs, youth volunteer efforts, career or workforce training, programming for women, recreational or athletic activities, senior activities, veteran support activities, food access, and wraparound services (health services, behavioral services, licensed childcare).