To: Interested Parties
From: Yong Jung Cho, Building Power Resource Center
Re: EPA's Community Change Grant Opportunity
Date: 1/30/2024
Background:
The Community Change Grants fund community-driven place-based projects that reduce pollution, address climate challenges, and redress environmental and climate injustices, while building capacity and strength in the community. Two community organizations can submit an application together or a community organization can partner with a local government, federally recognized Tribe, institution of higher education, or another eligible entity described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
There are two tracks of funding:
• Track I, the focus of the CCG, will fund 150 $10-20 million transformational projects.
EPA's vision is to support disadvantaged communities to become healthy, climate resilient, and thriving communities for their current and future residents. Projects must be completed within 3 years.
• Track Il funds 20 $1-$3 million projects for meaningful community engagement in climate and environmental justice.
Details about Track I Applications:
There are 7 overarching requirements, and more information is in the NoFO:
1. Project Narrative: Community's description, challenges, and vision must be included.
2. Climate Action Strategy: Applications must include at least one project aligned with at least one of the Climate Action Strategies. Projects related to energy-efficient, healthy, and resilient housing and buildings are eligible.
3. Pollution Reduction Strategy: Applications must include at least one project that supports community efforts to address quantifiable and health-harming pollutants. Pollution Reduction Strategies should be responsive to the community's challenges.
4. Community Engagement and Collaborative Governance Plan: Applicants should demonstrate how the applicant will inform, respond to, and engage community members throughout project development and implementation. This plan should include a structure which describes the roles and responsibilities of the Lead Applicant, Collaborating Entities, and community residents in implementing the project.
5. Community Strength Plan: Applicants must describe how proposed projects will enhance the overall strength and economic prosperity of the community, including maximizing the benefits of the projects for existing residents and minimizing potential risks associated with investing significant resources into the Project Area.
6. Readiness Approach: Applicants must describe how they will be able to initiate grant performance upon award, or generally no later than 120 days after award, so they can successfully complete the grant within the three-year period of performance.
7. Compliance Plan: Applicants must submit a Compliance Plan that describes how they will: (1) ensure compliance with the grant's terms and conditions and (2) manage broader legal and compliance risks.
Timeline:
Applications are considered on a rolling basis with a final deadline of November 21, 2024. EPA is announcing initial decisions in March and groups that want to be considered for this round should submit their application by February 20th.
Groups interested in applying for CCG must register on SAM.gov and registration approval can take up to a few weeks; we strongly encourage to partner with an organization that has applied and received federal funding before or groups should register as soon as possible.
Building Power Resource Center:
The Building Power Resource Center wants to support our organizational partners and government allies interested in pursuing a Track I application through direct grant writing assistance, research capacity, and connect you with other organizations providing CCG TA.
The EPA's technical assistance partner will also be providing weekly webinars every Tuesday afternoon from 3:00 to 4:00 Eastern Time through at least March 2024.
Important links:
EPA's Notice of Funding Opportunity
Environmental Protection. Network's 6-Step Guide to the CCG • Informational Webinar about the NoFO