- Best Practice Advisors provide assistance by topic areas and share relevant guidance and resources.
- Regional Coordinators (through CERTs) can connect you to local resources and networks.
- Capacity Building
- AmeriCorps members
| Program | Overview | Service Term | Host Site Applications |
| MN GreenCorps | Aims to preserve and protect Minnesota’s environment while training a new generation of environmental professionals through project focus areas of: air pollutant reduction, community readiness and outreach, green infrastructure improvements, and waste reducing, recycling, and organics management | Full-time, 11 months (Sept. - Aug.) | Open in Spring 2024 |
| Conservation Corps MN/IA | Youth and young adults grow as environmental stewards and leaders while giving back to the community through meaningful service and projects such as: erosion control, vegetation management, survey & data collection, construction and carpentry, and community outreach. | Crews are project based, up to 2 weeks; Individuals are full-time, 4/6/11 months | Request now |
| Summer Impact Corps | 12 week service opportunities including fellows for: Climate Resilience, Housing Stability, and more. | Full-time, 12 weeks | Open in Spring 2024 |
| Community Resilience Initiative (Climate Impact Corps) |
Sustainability Project Coordinator - Support sustainability projects, encourage local environmental action and provide education to help households decrease energy costs. Community Stewardship Facilitator - Develop relationships within the community, organize environmental action activities and support participant learning and reflection. |
Full-time, 11 months (Aug. - July but options to start in July, Oct., and Jan. too) | Open Now (on a rolling basis) |
| Community Forestry Initiative (Climate Impact Corps) | Helping communities mitigate and prepare for climate change by preserving and increasing the tree canopy. | Full-time or part-time, 11 months (Aug. - July but options to start in July, Oct., and Jan. too) | Open Now (on a rolling basis) |
| Home Energy Initiative (Climate Impact Corps) | Supporting Minnesotans who are eligible for the Weatherization Assistance Program by helping households through education and services that create an immediate impact on their quality of life and cost of living. | Full-time or part-time, 11 months (Aug. - July but options to start in July, Oct., and Jan. too) | Open Now (on a rolling basis) |
| Lead for Minnesota | Support small and medium sized communities working on the toughest challenges facing their communities. | Full-time (35 hours per week), 1 year | Submit interest form now |
| Vista | A nation-wide program fighting against poverty by helping local organizations expand their capacity to make change through projects that invest in economic opportunity, heathy futures, education, veterans and military families, environmental stewardship, priority populations, and race equity. | Full-time, 1 year |
Apply now |
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- Technical Assistance Programs
- MnTAP - The Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) is an outreach program at the University of Minnesota that helps Minnesota businesses [including governments] develop and implement industry-tailored solutions that prevent pollution at the source, maximize efficient use of resources, and reduce energy use and costs to improve public health and the environment.
- RETAP - The Minnesota Retiree Environmental Technical Assistance Program (RETAP) employs skilled, retired professionals to provide facility assessments and community sustainability projects for small businesses, institutions, and city, county, and tribal governments in Minnesota.
- Interns, students, and community volunteers
- GreenStep Cities Intern Manual - for college student internships supporting your city's GreenStep efforts.
- Connect with your Regional Coordinator to connect with local high school or other community volunteers.
- Consultants
- The State of Minnesota master contract for Environmental Review and Technical Services includes categories for for environmental review, public engagement, community assessments, and technical assessments.
- Technical Assistance Programs
- Community-wide Visioning and Projects
- Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP) - brings together community and University of Minnesota knowledge and resources to drive sustainability in four focus areas: agriculture and food systems, clean energy, natural resources and resilient communities.
- Resilient Communities Project - connects local government agencies in Minnesota with University of Minnesota faculty and students to advance community resilience and student learning through collaborative, course-based projects.
- Sustainable Communities Partnership - develops multi-year partnerships with communities to integrate community-identified sustainability projects into University of St. Thomas courses across disciplines, engaging students in real-world, applied research and innovative problem-solving. Projects include ecological, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability.
- Minnesota Design Team - uses design and community development principals, to help Minnesota communities- particularly those in rural areas- develop and act upon a shared vision of their future; an American Institute of Architects Minnesota.
- Partners in Energy - for communities within Xcel Energy service areas, identify local energy priorities with residents, businesses, and your government facilities to save money, promote renewables, and drive toward greenhouse gas reduction goals through an Energy Action Plan.
- Design for Community Regeneration (D4CR) - partners with communities in a process of imagining and planning their resilient future addressing food, water, and energy security while increasing economic opportunities, social cohesion, and finding low-cost housing options; a Minnesota Design Center initiative.
- University of Minnesota Extension Community Consultation - can help communities choose their future and gather information that helps make critical decisions. Workshops include topics such as: changemakers, economic futures, public value, ag horizons, attracting residents, and more.
- LEED for Cities & Communities - provides a roadmap to help you evaluate and track progress on social, economic, and environmental conditions in your community.
- Thriving Earth Exchange - helps scientists, community leaders, and sponsors work together to solve local challenges related to natural resources, climate change and natural hazards.
- For more specific examples, see the 'implementation tools' under individual Best Practice Actions on the GreenStep Cities website.
- Funding
- See the Federal $ page for resources related to the IIJA and IRA funding sources
- See the State Grants portal to search for state funding opportunities
- Use the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency to find policies & incentives near you
- Need help finding funding for a specific project us? Email us.
- Data
- See the Data page on the GreenStep Cities website for more information on accessing and using data.
- For more specific examples, see the 'implementation tools' under individual Best Practice Actions on the GreenStep Cities website.