Latest News
All the news that is relevant for the WNDD Region
Five for Friday: Grant Opportunities and More!
Curated by: The Western Nevada Development District…
This edition of Five for Friday focuses on opportunities for economic development around the region in the areas of rural utilities and health, the environment, wild fires, and Nevada culture.
Grant Opportunities & More
Community Connect Grant Program – Rural Utility Services (RUS)
The Community Connect Grant Program provides financial assistance to eligible applicants that will provide service at or above the Broadband Grant Speed (100 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up) to all premises in rural, economically challenged communities where broadband service (10 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up) does not exist.
The deployment of broadband services on a “community-oriented connectivity” basis stimulates economic development and provides enhanced educational and health care opportunities in rural areas. RUS will give priority to rural areas that demonstrate the greatest need for broadband services.
Award Ceiling: $5 Million
FY2025 Application Opens: February 20, 2025
FY2025 Application Deadline: April 21, 2025
Environmental Regulatory Enhancement (ERE)
The Administration for Children and Families, Administration for Native Americans announces the availability of Fiscal Year 2025 funds for community-based projects for the ERE program. The program provides funding for the costs of planning, developing, and implementing programs designed to improve the capability of tribal governing bodies to regulate environmental quality pursuant to federal and tribal environmental laws.
Award Range: $100,000 to $900,000
Application Deadline: April 14, 2025
Rural Health Network Development Planning Program
The Rural Health Network Development Planning Program supports the planning and development of rural integrated health care networks with specific focus on collaboration of entities to establish or improve local capacity and care coordination in underserved communities.
Specifically, the program uses the concept of developing networks as a strategy for linking rural health care network participants together to achieve greater collective capacity to overcome local challenges, expand access and improve the quality of care in the rural communities these organizations serve.
Program Intent:
• Expand access to care
• Increase the use of health information technology
• Explore alternative health care delivery models
• Continue to achieve quality health care
Awards Ceiling: $100,000
Application Deadline: February 19, 2025
Community Wildfire Defense Grants
Community Wildfire Defense Grants to assist at-risk local communities and Indian Tribes with planning and mitigating against the risk created by wildfire. The awards prioritize at-risk communities in an area identified as having high or very high wildfire hazard potential, are low-income, and/or have been impacted by a severe disaster.
Primary Project Types:
• The development and revision of Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP)
• The implementation of projects described in a CWPP that is less than ten years old
Program Goals:
• Restore and Maintain Landscapes: Landscapes, regardless of jurisdictional boundaries, are resilient to fire, insect, disease, invasive species, and climate change disturbances, in accordance with management objectives.
• Create Fire Adapted Communities: Human populations and infrastructure are as prepared as possible to receive, respond to, and recover from wildfire.
• Improve Wildfire Response: All jurisdictions participate in making and implementing safe, effective, efficient risk-based wildfire management decisions.
Award Ceiling: $10 Million
Application Deadline: February 28, 2025
Nevada Humanities Project Grants
Nevada Humanities creates and supports public programs statewide that articulate the Nevada experience. The mission is to connect and transform communities by sharing and amplifying the stories, ideas, experiences, and traditions of the diverse people of Nevada.
Approved Entities:
• Nevada 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
• Education institutions
• State and local government and tribal entities
Grant Categories:
• Major Project Grants
• Mini-Grants
• Planning Grants
Matching funds required. Planning grants for non-profits or government entities are available for up to $1,000 and Mini grants are available up to $2,000.
Mini-Grants Application Deadline: July 30, 2025
Planning Grant Application Deadline: July 30, 2025
Five for Friday: Grant Opportunities and More!
Curated by: The Western Nevada Development District…
This edition of Five for Friday focuses on opportunities for economic development around the region in the areas of clean energy, Brownfields, infrastructure, watersheds and fire protection.
Grant Opportunities & More
USDA Rural Development Launches New Clean Energy Website
The US Department of Agriculture Rural Development Program is committed to making it easier for rural communities to identify federal funding for clean energy projects. The Program has launched a new website to access clean energy program funding and incentives to expand clean energy.
The goals are to transform rural power production, create jobs, and accelerate economic growth. These funds will also help eligible organizations in renewable energy infrastructure, zero-emission systems, and improve energy efficiency.
The new Clean Energy website contains information necessary to develop clean energy projects, training resources, income potential, current clean energy projects by state, and more.
Webinars: Building a Brownfields Program
The Center for Creative Land Recycling and EPA Region 9 staff are offering a three-part Vacant to Vibrant webinar series on brownfield revitalization for beginners. The webinars will demystify the world of brownfields by breaking down key terms, examining program structures, and exploring the resources you need to kick off a successful redevelopment program.
As part of the series, you will also learn how to engage your community effectively, from visioning meetings to navigating the process. To wrap up, programming will dive into the funding game by exploring key characteristics of grant applications, and strategies for building valuable partnerships to get your project off the ground. Staff and community champions will explore what has made brownfields projects work for their communities.
Webinars Start: January 29, 2025
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities
The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program makes federal funds available to states, territories, federally recognized tribal governments, and local governments for hazard mitigation activities.
The program encompasses growing hazards associated with climate change, natural hazard risk mitigation, and activities that promote climate adaptation and resiliency. These include both acute extreme weather events and chronic stressors which have been observed and are expected to increase in intensity and frequency in the future.
Awards up to $150 Million
Application Deadline: April 18, 2025
WaterSMART: Cooperative Watershed Management Program
The Bureau of Reclamation’s Cooperative Watershed Management Program (CWMP) contributes to the WaterSMART strategy by providing funding to watershed groups to encourage diverse stakeholders to form local solutions to address their water management needs.
Funding Available:
Watershed Group Development and Watershed Restoration Planning:
A watershed group is a self-sustaining, non-regulatory, consensus-based group that is composed of a diverse array of stakeholders, which may include, but is not limited to, private property owners, non-profit organizations, Federal, state, or local agencies, and tribes. As part of Phase I activities, applicants may use funding to develop bylaws, a mission statement, complete stakeholder outreach, develop a watershed restoration plan, and watershed management project design.
Phase I Project awards up to $100,000 per year for a period of up to three years with no non-Federal cost-share required.
Implementation of Watershed Management Projects:
Cost-shared financial assistance to watershed groups to implement watershed management projects. These on-the-ground projects, collaboratively developed by members of a watershed group, address critical water supply needs, and water quality concerns.
Award ceiling is $300,000.
Application Deadline: May 30, 2025
Federal Excess Property & Firefighter Property Program
The Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) program refers to Forest Service-owned property that is on loan to State Foresters for the purpose of wildland and rural firefighting. Most of the property originally belonged to the Department of Defense (DoD). Once acquired by the Forest Service, it is loaned to state cooperators for firefighting purposes. The property is then loaned to the state forester, who may then place it with local departments to improve local fire programs.
State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service have mutually participated in the FEPP program since 1956. Property includes such items as trucks, fire tools, hoses, vehicle parts, nozzles, generators, air compressors, fire protection clothing, aircraft, and aircraft parts. Nevada Division of Forestry utilizes FEPP to assist in reducing state fire budgets by loaning federal-owned property to fire departments. To qualify for this program, a partner must be responsible for providing fire protection within the department’s jurisdiction.
Five for Friday: Grant Opportunities and More!
Curated by: The Western Nevada Development District…
This edition of Five for Friday focuses on opportunities for economic development around the region in the areas of infrastructure, regional events, energy, housing and transportation.
Grant Opportunities & More
Partners for Places Grant Program
Partners for Places aims to enhance local capacity to build equitable and sustainable communities in the United States and Canada. These matching awards support the planning and implementing of urban sustainability and green stormwater infrastructure projects. To date, Partners for Places has awarded nearly $12 million across North America in this successful matching grant program, leading to more than $23 million in investments.
The latest round of Partners for Places grants range between:
• $45,000 and $100,000 for one-year projects
• $75,000 and $150,000 for two-year projects
Webinar: January 22, 2025, at Noon PT
Application Deadline: February 28, 2025
Silver State Grant Conference: February 13 and 14, 2025
2025 Silver State Grant Conference
February 13 – 14, 2025
Peppermill Resort Spa Casino / Reno, NV
Hosted by: The Nevada Governor’s Office of Federal Assistance, Washoe County’s Community Reinvestment Team, and statewide partners.
Join us for Nevada’s premier event for grant management professionals from both the public and private sectors. This conference brings together nationally renowned experts to share cutting-edge insights, practical techniques, and innovative strategies to help you excel in the competitive world of grant management.
Whether you are new to grant management or a seasoned professional, this event offers something for everyone. Participate in interactive workshops, attend thought-provoking sessions, and engage in meaningful networking opportunities with peers and experts from across the state.
Prepare to sharpen your skills, gain new perspectives, and expand your professional network at the 2025 Silver State Grant Conference. Together, we will explore the future of grant management and unlock new possibilities for success!
Introducing the Center for Community Energy and Environmental Justice (CCEEJ) Hub
CCEEJ provides technical assistance to conduct environmental and energy justice needs assessment and analyses, facilitate navigation of government systems, identify grant opportunities, and increase grant awards and administration capacity.
Available on the Hub:
• Search for grants
• Access background information/handouts/quick guides
• Find EJ screening and mapping tools
• Read archived CCEEJ newsletters and announcements
• Access past webinar recordings and associated handouts
• Discussion Board where you can network with other organizations
US Department of Housing and Urban Development 101: Rural Playbook Webinar
HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) seeks to develop viable communities that provide housing and expand economic opportunities for low and moderate income persons. The goal is the development of partnerships among all levels of government and the private sector, including for-profit and non-profit organizations. The CPD is hosting a webinar to provide rural entities with materials and resources.
Webinar: January 16, 2025 at 10:00 am PT
Rural and Tribal Transportation Planning Grants
USDOT’s Build America Bureau’s Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program has $27 million in technical assistance grants available to rural and Tribal communities for the planning and design phase of transportation projects. There is no local funding match required to participate in this program. The Bureau designated up to $10 million for Tribal applicants.
Free Webinar: January 14, 2025, at Noon PT
Application Opens: March 4, 2025, 11:00 am PT (First-come, First-serve)
Application Portal Closes: April 3, 2025, 1:59 pm PT
Five for Friday: Grant Opportunities and More!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from your Five for Friday team at Western Nevada Development District.
Curated by: The Western Nevada Development District…
This edition of Five for Friday focuses on opportunities for economic development around the region in the areas of culture, wildfire defense, conservation, small business grants, and water resources.
Grant Opportunities & More
Nevada Humanities Project Grants
Nevada Humanities creates and supports public programs statewide that articulate the Nevada experience and facilitate the exploration of issues that matter to Nevadans and their communities. These programs help perpetuate and disseminate local culture and heritage, improve quality of life, enhance education, and enrich life and thought.
Nevada Humanities awards matching project grants in three categories: Major Project Grants, Mini-Grants, and Planning Grants. These grants are awarded to Nevada 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, education institutions, and state and local government and tribal entities to support the implementation of public humanities projects throughout Nevada.
Still Open:
FY2025 Nevada Humanities Mini-Grants up to $2,000
FY2025 Nevada Humanities Planning Grants up to $1,000
Application Deadline: July 30, 2025
Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program
The U.S. Forest Service’s Community Wildfire Defense Grants (CWDG) assist at-risk local communities and Indian Tribes with planning and mitigating against the risk created by wildfire. The program prioritizes at-risk communities in an area identified as having high or very high wildfire hazard potential, are low-income, and/or have been impacted by a severe disaster.
The CWDG helps communities in the wildland urban interface implement the three goals of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy:
• Restore and Maintain Landscapes: Landscapes, regardless of jurisdictional boundaries, are resilient to fire, insect, disease, invasive species, and climate change disturbances, in accordance with management objectives.
• Create Fire Adapted Communities: Human populations and infrastructure are as prepared as possible to receive, respond to, and recover from wildland fire.
• Improve Wildfire Response: All jurisdictions participate in making and implementing safe, effective, and efficient risk-based wildfire management decisions.
Grants available up to $10 million.
Application Deadline: February 28, 2025
Conservation Education & Outreach Grant
The Nevada Division of Forestry’s Conservation Education and Outreach Program (CE) provides funding to organizations that help people of all ages understand and appreciate our country’s natural resources and how to conserve those resources for future generations. Through structured educational experiences and activities targeted to diverse age groups and populations, CE enables people to realize how natural resources and ecosystems affect each other and how resources can be used wisely. Funding is currently available for eligible applicants to expand or enhance CE programs and activities.
Funding requests may not exceed $10,000 per application and indirect costs may not exceed 10% of the total budget request.
America’s Seed Fund: Small Business Technology Grants From Federal Agencies
America’s Seed Fund provides funding that advances high-impact, transformative innovations through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. America’s Seed Fund awards non-dilutive funding to develop technology and chart a path toward commercialization. The Fund is coordinated by the Small Business Administration and funded through 11 participating federal agencies that fund innovations through the SBIR/STTR programs.
Program Goals:
• Stimulate technological innovation.
• Meet Federal research and development needs.
• Foster and encourage participation in innovation and entrepreneurship by women and socially or economically disadvantaged persons.
• Increase private-sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development funding.
Bureau of Reclamation: Water Resource Technical Assistance to Tribes
This program, administered through the Bureau of Reclamation’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP), provides financial and technical assistance to federally recognized Tribes for developing, managing, and protecting their water and related resources.
Eligible Include:
• water need and water infrastructure assessments
• water management plans and studies
• short-term water quality or water measurement data collection
• assessment to inform new management approaches
• and more
Project ceiling is $1 million with no match requirement.
Application Deadline: February 27, 2025
Five for Friday: Grant Opportunities and More!
Curated by: The Western Nevada Development District…
This edition of Five for Friday focuses on opportunities for economic development around the region in the areas of recycling, small business grants, infrastructure, outdoor activities and housing grants.
Grant Opportunities & More
Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants
The EPA is offering awards ranging from $500,000 to $5 million to fund projects that make improvements to local waste management systems. Materials and waste streams within scope of this funding opportunity include municipal solid waste, including plastics, organics, paper, metal, glass, and construction and demolition debris. This also includes the management pathways of source reduction, reuse, sending materials to material recovery facilities, composting, industrial uses, and feeding animals.
Eligibility: Political Subdivisions of State and Territories
Application Deadline: December 20, 2024
Small Business Grants…up to $4,000!
The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) offers business development grants worth up to $4,000! Grant applications are open to members ($125 annual membership) and can be used for marketing, advertising, hiring employees, training, expanding facilities and other specific business needs. Since 2006, the NASE has awarded nearly $1 million through the Growth Grants program by providing small business grants.
USDOT : Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Program
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity announcing the availability of up to $10 million in grants for participants in the Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Program. The program funds Accelerators to provide technical resources, planning and project development to expedite regional transportation infrastructure through innovative financing and delivery methods, including public-private partnerships. The Accelerators serve an essential project development role to focus resources, funding, and expertise to expedite planning, development, and delivery at the local and regional levels.
Application Deadline: January 9, 2025
Yamaha Outdoor Access: Supporting OHV Programs, Activities and Trails
The Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative is dedicated to those who work and play outdoors including, but not limited to, those who rely on off-highway vehicles (OHVs) to ride, camp, hunt or fish. Each quarter, Yamaha accepts applications from non-profit or tax exempt groups (clubs & associations) with an interest in protecting, improving, expanding and/or maintaining access for safe, responsible and sustainable use by motorized off-road vehicles.
Organizations include:
Public riding areas (local, state and federal)
Outdoor enthusiast associations
Land conservation organizations, and communities
Outdoor Access Initiative funds may be used for land management and conservation practices, safety initiatives, trail development and staging area development.
Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants
USDA Rural Development provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes. As well as grants to elderly very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards.
The maximum loan is $40,000 and the maximum grant is $10,000. Loans and grants can be combined for up to $50,000 in assistance. Loans are termed for 20 years Loan interest rate is fixed at 1%.
Application Deadline: Ongoing
Five for Friday: Grant Opportunities and More!
Curated by: The Western Nevada Development District…
This edition of Five for Friday focuses on opportunities for economic development around the region in the areas of land reuse, business development, veterans services, community grants and transportation.
Grant Opportunities & More
Webinar: Crafting Community Outreach for Land Reuse Projects
The Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR) and the Center for Community Energy and Environmental Justice (CCEEJ) are hosting a webinar entitled “Game Changers: Crafting Community Outreach MVPs (Most Valuable Plans).”
Community engagement is a cornerstone for success in any brownfield reuse project. A strong community engagement strategy will mobilize and empower marginalized communities, inspire informed decision-making and sustainable development, mitigate conflict, increase accountability, and foster long-term stewardship.
Workshop Highlights:
• Importance of Community Engagement: Learn why involving the community is crucial for project success and sustainability
• Step-by-Step Plan Development: Walk through a detailed, step-by-step process for creating a robust community outreach plan
• Case Study, Resources, and Takeaways: Learn from successfully implemented community outreach strategies in redevelopment projects and access materials and tools to continue this type of engagement
Webinar: Wednesday, November 20, 3:30 pm to 4:45 pm
USDA Rural Business Development Grants (RBDGs)
The RBDG supports targeted technical assistance, training, and other activities that promote the development and expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas. Eligible businesses must have fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 million in gross annual revenues.
RBDG funding is separated into either enterprise or opportunity-type grant activities.
Enterprise Grants Include:
• Training and technical assistance, including project planning, business counseling, market research, feasibility studies, and product or service improvements
• Buying or developing land, easements, or rights of way, including access streets and parking areas
• Constructing or renovating buildings, and buying machinery and equipment
• Supporting rural business incubators and community economic development
Opportunity Grants Include:
• Business support centers
• Technology-based economic development
• Leadership and entrepreneur training
• Feasibility studies, business plans, and long-term strategic planning, and other eligible activities
Eligible Entities:
• Municipalities
• Non-profits
• Tribes
• Institutes of higher education
Grants range from $10,000 to $50,000. There is no cost-sharing requirement.
Veterans Business Resource Fair
Join the Nevada Veterans Business Outreach Center (NVVBOC) in Reno located at 1041 S. Virginia Street for their Veterans Business Resource Fair and Military Spouse Pathway to Business event. This is a unique opportunity designed to empower veterans and military spouses on their entrepreneurial journey. This event features the Military Spouse Pathway to Business program, an immersive course that introduces military spouses to the essentials of entrepreneurship.
There will also be a resource fair where veteran and military spouse businesses can connect with valuable resources and network with other local veteran entrepreneurs.
The NVVBOC is dedicated to veteran empowerment and entrepreneurial excellence.
Veterans Fair: November 19, 2024, 11:00 am to 3:30 pm
Walmart Spark Good Program Grants
Applications are now being accepted for the next round of Walmart Spark Good Local Grants. The grants range from $250 to $5,000 and are awarded through an open application process to eligible organizations operating locally and directly benefiting the service area of the facility from when they are requesting funding. All organizations interested in applying for a Spark Good Local Grant must have a Spark Good account on Walmart.com/nonprofits and be verified by Walmart’s third-party verification partner, Deed. Only authorized users of the organization’s Spark Good account may apply.
Application Deadline: December 31, 2024
FY 2025 RAISE Grants Now Open
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program provides grants for surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact. The eligibility requirements of RAISE allow project sponsors, including state and local governments, counties, Tribal governments, transit agencies, and port authorities, to pursue multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional projects that are more difficult to fund through other grant programs.
Eligible Projects Include:
• Highway, bridge, or other road projects
• Public transportation projects
• Port infrastructure investments
• Intermodal projects
• Various planning projects
For capital projects located in urban areas, the minimum award is $5 million. For capital projects located in rural areas, the minimum award is $1 million. Planning projects do NOT have a minimum award size. The maximum grant award is $25 million.
Application Deadline: January 30, 2025
Five for Friday: Grant Opportunities and More!
Curated by: The Western Nevada Development District…
This edition of Five for Friday focuses on opportunities for economic development around the region in the areas of entrepreneur support, business grants, financial literacy, groundwater storage, and climate justice.
Grant Opportunities & More
LAUNCH Rural Nevada 2024!
The annual Launch Rural Nevada event on November 8th is designed for startups and small business owners in rural Nevada. The program provides opportunities for mentorship, access to capital, and connection with entrepreneurial support organizations. Participants must live in rural areas.
Competition Categories:
•Youth Division: Open to Junior and Senior High School students
•Adult Division: Open to all participants 18 years and older
The event is in hybrid format with local, in-person viewing sites, and online options.
Rural Business Development Grants
USDA Rural Development grants provide funds for business opportunities and enterprise projects to organizations, including nonprofit cooperatives. The grant may be used to establish business support centers, finance training/leadership programs, purchase/develop land, repair/modernize buildings, finance planning, or buy equipment to lease to small or emerging businesses.
Applications will compete in two separate categories, business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants, for use in funding various business and community projects that serve rural areas.
Grants may be made to a Public Body/Government Entity, an Indian Tribe, or a Nonprofit entity primarily serving rural areas.
Grants range from $10,000 to $500,000. There is no cost sharing requirement.
Application Deadline: February 28, 2025
NASDAQ Quarterly Grant Program
The NASDAQ Quarterly Grants program empowers organizations that equip diverse investors with the financial knowledge and confidence they need to share in the wealth that markets can create. It also supports entrepreneurs who promote diversity with the resources to strengthen and scale those businesses, and contribute to the prosperity of society.
Grants Awarded for:
• Enhancing financial literacy among women and under-represented communities
• Improving access to information/tools among women and under-represented communities
• Equipping women and diverse founders with mentoring and resources
• Improving access to capital for women and diverse founders
Application Deadline: November 8, 2024
Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Project Grants
The Bureau of Reclamation’s Small Storage Program provides funding for surface and groundwater storage projects between 2,000 and 30,000 acre-feet. Projects must also increase storage or move water to or from the storage project.
The program will provide financial assistance for projects that, will increase water supply reliability, improve operational flexibility, and enhance climate resiliency of water and related infrastructure throughout the 17 western states, Alaska, and Hawaii.
Federal funding is available for up to 25 percent of eligible project costs. No more than $30 million is available per project.
To be eligible to receive a grant from this program, project sponsors must submit a feasibility study to Reclamation for review and approval that follows Reclamation’s published feasibility standards.
Environmental and Climate Justice Program Grants
The Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant program (Community Change Grants), offers an unprecedented $2 billion in grants under this Notice of Funding Opportunity. The Community Change Grants will fund community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation.
Funding Track Opportunities:
Track I: Fund approximately 150 large, transformational community-driven investment grants of $10 million to $20 million
Track II: Fund approximately 20 meaningful engagement grants of $1 million to $3 million
Grants cannot exceed 3-years in duration.
Previous Projects Include:
• Home weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades across 35 Tribes in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin
• Environmental justice workforce development trainings for lead abatement, welding, hybrid and electric vehicle maintenance, home weatherization, and residential energy audits in Los Angeles
• Over $14 million to install onsite wastewater treatment systems
• Expanded workforce programs around urban forestry and wood waste reduction, increased tree canopy in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and keeping wood waste out of landfills
Application Deadline: November 21, 2024