Need help?
- Check out the League of Minnesota Cities Grant Navigator
- Check with your regional development commission if located within one.
- MN Council of Nonprofits grant writing/seeking courses are open to the public (filter using "Fundraising & Grantseeking").
- Connecting Rural Communities with Historic Federal Clean Energy Investments (ACEEE and Great Plains Institute)
- Federal Funding Opportunities for Local Decarbonization (American Cities Climate Challenge)
Federal Programs:
- Now Open
- Climate Pollution Reduction Grants: Funding to develop plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. (Notice of Intent to Participate due March 31; MPCA webinars 3/22 & 24)
- Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG): Funding to implement strategies to reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency (i.e. plans, energy audits, establish financial incentive programs/grants, building and transportation projects, distributed energy projects, material conservation projects, methane capture, renewable energy, etc.). Formula Funds for 37 MN counties and cities and all 11 Indian tribes announced (Pre-Application Information Checklist due April 28). Competitive funds (DE-FOA-0002883) are accessible to any entity not eligible for formula funds. (Request for Information deadline: TBD)
- Clean Commercial Vehicles: Access direct pay tax credit up to 30% cost of vehicle purchase (maximum $7,500 per vehicle)
- Renewable and Clean Energy Projects: Access direct pay tax credits for a number of production and investment projects.
- Environmental Justice and Climate Justice Block Grants: Empower community efforts to confront and overcome persistent pollution challenges in underserved communities through community-led air pollution monitoring, prevention and remediation; mitigating climate and health risks from extreme heat and wildfires; climate resiliency and adaptation; and reducing indoor air pollution
- Opening Soon
- Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas Program: financial assistance to improve the resilience, safety, reliability, and availability of energy and environmental protection from adverse impacts of energy generation. (Coming March 2023)
- Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: Capital to increase investments in projects that reduce pollution and lower energy costs for families, particularly those in low-income and disadvantaged communities, and build capacity of community-based organizations, small businesses, workers, and suppliers
- General and Low-income Assistance Competition (Announced early Summer 2023)
- Zero-Emissions Technology Fund Competition (Announced early Summer 2023)
- Climate Pollution Reduction Grants: Funding to implement projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. (Announced Fall 2023)
- Neighborhood Access and Equity Program: Addressing walking, biking, and transit access, especially in low-income areas. (Not Open Yet)
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA): Also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, became law on November 15, 2021. The IIJA authorized $1.2 trillion in funding opportunities across a wide variety of infrastructure subject areas, including:
- Energy - Funding opportunities authorized under IIJA include grid modernization, new electric transmission, energy system resiliency and reliability updates, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, improvement to the energy efficiency of buildings, smart manufacturing, carbon capture and carbon utilization projects, renewable energy technologies and demonstration projects and other innovative initiatives.
- MN Dept. of Commerce: available grants, email updates, and opportunities to partner on funding.
- Transportation - provides higher funding levels and many new formula and discretionary grant programs that will expand the definition of transportation infrastructure and address health and community-driven outcomes.
- MnDOT: available grants and information about formula funding.
- DOT Navigator, US DOT: technical assistance to help communities understand the best ways to apply for grants, and to apply for and deliver transformative infrastructure projects and services.
- Water Infrastructure
- More resources:
- IIJA Guidebook: a roadmap for all available funding for state, local, tribal, and other territorial leaders. See also the Tribal and Rural playbooks.
- MN Senate Fiscal Issue Brief: provides an overview of IIJA funding coming to Minnesota.
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA): became law on August 16, 2022. The IRA authorized billions of dollars in funding opportunities across a wide variety of investment subject areas, including:
- Energy security and climate change investments - The bill includes funding for climate protection, household tax credit/rebates for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, and investments in clean energy production and other projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- CERTs: The IRA, what you need to know about residential and commercial incentives
- Clean Energy Economy Minnesota's IRA breakdown
- CleanEnergy.gov: Find IRA tax credits or rebates by activity, as well as incentives available in 2022 vs. what's coming in 2023.
- Rewiring America's Savings Calculator
- Climate action and the Inflation Reduction Act: A guide for local government leaders (Climate Mayors and C40)
- Inflation Reduction Act Miniguide (Urban Sustainability Directors Network)
- The Inflation Reduction Act and Cities - City Climate Corner podcast
- How Cities Can Make the Most of IRA Dollars — Local Energy Rules podcast