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Representatives from entities all over the WNDD region were in attendance at the 2023 WNDD Summit held on January 30th and January 31st, 2023 at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno. Attendees learned the latest grant writing, management tools and techniques from a wide range of speakers representing state, federal and private organizations working in the grant sector.
Many thanks to the guest speakers and sponsors of this worthwhile event. The Summit could not have happened without your support.
Some guest speakers have provided access to their Summit presentations and are available here, and at WNDD.org.
WNDD Introduction: Chris Brandon, WNDD Executive Director
The Roadmap to Grant Success: Don Vetter, Vetter PR, Inc.
Grants 101: Nicole Kelleher and Mayita Sanchez, OFA
Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG): Jessica Sanders, CDBG Program Administrator
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 services, business development, infrastructure and food security. Grant Opportunities & More From Fire Trucks to Telemedicine: USDA Program Bolsters Rural Community Services The USDA’s Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings. Examples of essential community facilities include: • Health care facilities such as hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics, nursing homes or assisted living facilities Application Deadline: Open Rural Business Development Grants USDA Rural Development program designed to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses that have fewer than 50 new workers and less than $1 million in gross revenue. Uses include project planning/feasibility study, business incubators, land acquisition, leadership and entrepreneur training. Contact your state to learn about local application timelines, concept paper requirements. Application Deadline: February 28, 2023 Local Foods, Local Places Toolkit: A Guide to Help Communities Revitalize Using Local Food Systems Nationwide, consumers are growing more interested in getting foods from producers in the same geographic region through farmers markets, community-supported agriculture, farm-to-school programs, and similar initiatives. Strong interest from communities prompted a group of federal agencies to offer assistance with a community-driven planning process that explores how to use the benefits of local foods to help revitalize downtowns and neighborhoods. The resulting Local Foods, Local Places Program presented by the U.S. EPA helps communities create action plans that chart a course for using local foods to help meet a broad range of community goals. The program and its predecessor, Livable Communities in Appalachia, has worked with more than 80 communities since 2014. Local Foods Local Places Program Program Background: Livable Communities in Appalachia National Roadway Safety Strategy Grants The U.S. Department of Transportation’s new Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) is a discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over the next 5 years. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. This week, U.S. Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg, announced $800 million in grant awards for 510 projects through the first round of funding for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program. Activities are eligible for the SS4A program: • Develop or update a comprehensive safety action plan (Action Plan) Round 2 of grant funding is expected to open in April 2023 Award Announcement and Selected Projects National Roadway Safety Strategy Grants Conserve and Improve Wildlife Habitat The Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program is a voluntary, incentive-based program that provides direct technical assistance and financial assistance in the form of cooperative and grant agreements to private landowners to restore and conserve fish and wildlife habitat for the benefit of federal trust resources. Current U.S. Fish and Wildlife partners include farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, recreational landowners, corporations, local governments and universities. Priority goes to projects judged likely to provide habitat for rare, threatened and endangered species. Projects have a minimum duration of 10 years. In addition to private landowners, we partner with other federal agencies, state agencies and non-governmental organizations to complete projects on private lands. Maximum grant awards of $750,000. Review all program information and contact your state Fish and Wildlife biologist BEFORE developing or submitting an application. |
Curated by WNDD…This edition of Five for Friday focuses on opportunities for economic development around the region in the areas of professional education, grant processes, the arts, training, revitalization and conservation.
WNDD Summit – January 30th & 31st!
“Show Me the Money: How to Get your Next Grant”
Join Us… for our 2023 Summit and explore the complicated world of grants, grant writing and more. The events start on January 30th with the Reception Dinner and all are invited to attend. The one-day Summit on January 31st offers attendees the opportunity to learn from, and engage with grant experts from around the country.
January 30th
Reception Dinner: 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
January 31st
Registration and Coffee: 8:00 am to 9:00 am
Summit: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where:
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa
Grand Ballrooms 5,6 and 7
Registration Fee:
Members – Dinner and Full Summit $25
Non Members – Dinner and Full Summit $75
Dinner Only – $50
Hotel Information:
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa
Group rate of $114/night
800.723.6500
Code: WNDD Members Summit
Grants for Arts Projects
Grants for Arts Projects is the National Endowment for the Arts’ (NEA) largest grants program for organizations, providing comprehensive and expansive funding opportunities for communities. Applicants may request cost share/matching grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. Designated local arts agencies eligible to subgrant may request from $30,000 to $150,000 for subgranting programs in the Local Arts Agencies discipline. Through project-based funding, the program supports opportunities for public engagement with the arts and arts education, for the integration of the arts with strategies promoting the health and well-being of people and communities, and for the improvement of overall capacity and capabilities within the arts sector.
NEA welcomes applications from a variety of eligible organizations, including first-time applicants; from organizations serving communities of all sizes, including rural and urban areas; and from organizations with small, medium, or large operating budgets. Art projects are funded in the following disciplines: Artist Communities, Arts Education, Dance, Design, Folk & Traditional Arts, Literary Arts, Local Arts Agencies, Media Arts, Museums, Music, Musical Theater, Opera, Presenting & Multidisciplinary Arts, Theater, and Visual Arts.
First Deadline: February 9, 2023
See Artistic Disciplines Link Below for Additional Deadlines
YouthBuild for Skills Training and Community Service
The Department of Labor’s YouthBuild awards grants through a competitive process to organizations providing pre-apprenticeship services that support education, occupational skills training, and employment services to opportunity youth, ages 16 to 24, while performing meaningful work and service to their communities. The YouthBuild program model prepares participants for quality jobs in a variety of careers, including infrastructure, and contains wrap-around services such as mentoring, trauma-informed care, personal counseling, and employment – all key strategies for addressing community violence.
YouthBuild applicants must include construction skills training and may include occupational skills training in other in-demand industries. Key aspects of the YouthBuild service delivery model include meaningful partnership and collaboration with the public workforce development system, education and human services systems, and labor and industry partners. Grant awards range from $700,000 to $1.5 million based on number of participants.
Application Deadline: February 7, 2023
YouthBuild Program Information
Bringing HOPE to Main Streets
The HOPE VI Main Street Program provides grants to communities smaller than 50,000 in population to assist in the renovation of a historic, traditional central business district, or “Main Street” area by replacing unused, obsolete, commercial space in buildings with affordable housing units. The obsolete building space property may be publicly or privately owned. Eligible applicants are county governments, city or township governments, and special district governments.
The objectives of the program are to:
• Redevelop central business districts (Main Street areas);
• Preserve historic or traditional Main Street area properties by replacing unused commercial space in buildings with affordable housing units;
• Enhance economic development efforts in Main Street areas; and
• Provide affordable housing in Main Street areas.
Project funding is set at $500,000 through this NOFO.
Application Deadline: January 31, 2023
Land and Water Conservation Fund Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program
The U.S. Department of Interior’s National Park Service offers grants to states, and through states to local units of government and federally-recognized Indian tribes, for projects that will provide outdoor recreation opportunities to the public through the acquisition of lands and waters for parks and other outdoor recreation areas, as well as through the development of new, or the renovation of existing, outdoor recreation facilities.
The competition will prioritize the selection of projects that:
• provide new recreational opportunities, particularly those that will increase access to nature’s benefits, such as green spaces, shady areas (via tree cover), and natural landscapes that help cool the air and reduce urban heat island effects, reduce pollution, and have positive effects on mental and physical health;
• empowered and engaged members of the target community in the project development and design of the plans for the park;
• create or expand public-private partnerships that leverage matching share resources (e.g., money or donations of land, supplies, or services, etc.);
• benefit from a high degree of coordination among the public, multiple levels of government, and the private sector; and
• advance goals of, or meet, priority recreation needs identified in numerous local, regional, state plans and/or initiatives.
Awards will range from $300,000 to $10 million.
Application Deadline: March 31, 2023
“Show Me the Money: How to Get your Next Grant”
Join Us… for our 2023 Summit and explore the complicated world of grants, grant writing and more. The events start on January 30th with the Reception Dinner and all are invited to attend. The one-day Summit on January 31st offers attendees the opportunity to learn from, and engage with grant experts from around the country.
January 30th
Reception Dinner: 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
January 31st
Registration and Coffee: 8:00 am to 9:00 am
Summit: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where:
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa
Grand Ballrooms 5,6 and 7
Registration Fee:
Members – Dinner and Full Summit $25
Non Members – Dinner and Full Summit $75
Dinner Only – $50
Hotel Information:
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa
Group rate of $114/night
800.723.6500
Code: WNDD Members Summit
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 professional education, grant processes, social justice and infrastructure.
Grant Opportunities & More
WNDD Summit – Save the Date
January 30 and 31, 2023
WNDD Summit “Show Me the Money: How to Get your Next Grant”
Join Us…
For our 2023 Summit and explore the complicated world of grants, grant writing and more. The events start on January 30th with the Reception Dinner and all are invited to attend. The one-day Summit on January 31st offers attendees the opportunity to learn from, and engage with grant experts from around the country.
January 30th
Reception Dinner: 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
January 31st
Registration and Coffee: 8:00 am to 9:00 am
Summit: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where:
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa
Grand Ballrooms 5,6 and 7
Registration Fee:
Members – Dinner and Full Summit $25
Non Members – Dinner and Full Summit $75
Dinner Only – $50
Registration begins January 11th. Visit WNDD.org.
Rural Renewable Energy Grants and Loans
SDA Rural Development will make $300 million available under the Rural Energy for America Program to expand renewable energy and support energy-efficiency projects. The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.
Funding includes $250 million provided by the Inflation Reduction Act.
Two significant changes include an increase in the maximum grant share from 25% to 40% of total project cost and an increase of maximum grant amounts from $250,000 to $500,000 for energy efficiency projects and an increase from $500,000 to $1,000,000 for renewable energy systems.
Who may apply for this program?
• Agricultural producers with at least 50 percent of their gross income coming from agricultural operations.
• Small businesses in eligible rural areas. .
Technical Assistance Application Deadline: January 31, 2023
Grant Application Deadline: March 31, 2023
Loan Guarantee Deadline: Open All Year
Rural Energy for America Program
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grants
Federal Emergency Management Agency grants support pre-disaster mitigation activities to build capacity to help identify mitigation actions and implement projects that reduce risks posed by natural hazards. FEMA’s BRIC grant program give states, local communities, tribes and territories funding to address future risks to natural disasters, including ones involving: wildfires, drought, hurricanes, earthquakes, extreme heat, and flooding. Addressing these risks helps make communities more resilient. In addition to providing funding, the BRIC program offers help to communities in the form of non-financial Direct Technical Assistance that can provide holistic hazard mitigation planning and project support.
Application Deadline: January 27, 2023
EPA’s Environmental Justice and Civil Rights Implementation Plan Needs Your Input: Nevada Session January 9, 2023
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9 will host four listening sessions on Zoom to discuss the Region’s draft Fiscal Year 2023 Environmental Justice and Civil Rights Implementation Plan. Regional Administrator, Martha Guzman, will provide an overview of the Region’s priorities and welcome public input. Members of the public are invited to join any session, but three of the four sessions will have a geographic focus. Spanish language interpretation will be provided. Please RSVP for connection information and identifying other accessibility needs.
Zoom Listening Nevada Session: January 9, 2023 at 2:00 pm PT
EPA Region 9: Pacific Southwest
Listening Session Registration
Building Better Transportation Infrastructure
The U.S. Department of Transportation has $1.5 billion in grant funding made available through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program. RAISE discretionary grants help project sponsors at the State and local levels, including municipalities, Tribal governments, counties, and others complete in critical freight and passenger transportation infrastructure projects.
In 2022, RAISE funded 166 projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This year’s Notice of Funding Opportunity builds on the success of the RAISE program as authorized in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law by refining the rating rubric and continuing to give priority to safety, environmental sustainability, mobility and community connectivity, and quality of life.
Additionally, projects designated “Reconnecting Extra” during the new FY 2022 Reconnecting Communities Program (RCP) competition and submitted for consideration under the FY 2023 RAISE NOFO will have a greater opportunity to be advanced during the FY 2023 RAISE evaluation process, as described in the NOFO.
Application Deadline: February 28, 2023
Selections Announced No Later Than: June 28, 2023
Program helps communities carry out projects with significant local or regional impact
The U.S. Department of Transportation has published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $1.5 billion in grant funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program for 2023. The popular program helps communities around the country carry out projects with significant local or regional impact.
RAISE discretionary grants help project sponsors at the State and local levels, including municipalities, Tribal governments, counties, and others complete critical freight and passenger transportation infrastructure projects. The eligibility requirements of RAISE allow project sponsors to obtain funding for projects that are harder to support through other U.S. DOT grant programs.
Recent examples of funded projects include a critical bridge replacement in Tucson, new berth construction at Port Tampa Bay, a new pontoon bridge in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, and a new snowmelt system in Berlin, New Hampshire. The Department is encouraging applicants to consider how their projects can address climate change, ensure racial equity, and remove barriers to opportunity.
The Department also intends to use the RAISE program to support wealth creation and the creation of good-paying jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union, the incorporation of strong labor standards, and training and placement programs, especially registered apprenticeships.
Application Deadline: February 28, 2023, 8:59 PM PT
Selection Announcements: no later than June 28, 2023
Wishing You a Happy Holiday Season and Prosperous New Year
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 workforce development, housing, cultural preservation and more.
Grant Opportunities & More
City of Reno to award nearly $4 million through HOME program
The City of Reno is accepting grant applications for projects to assist people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and those who are victims of domestic violence. The $4 million in HOME program grants is part of the American Rescue Plan funds provided to local governments.
Projects eligible for funding include rental and deposit assistance, development of rental housing or non-congregate shelters, and supportive services including housing counseling, homelessness prevention and child care.
Housing may consist of single or multi-family units providing ownership and/or rental housing. Eligible costs include those associated with new construction, re-construction, rehabilitation, site acquisition, site improvement, and demolition. Other expenses include financial costs and relocation expenses of any displaced persons, businesses, or organizations.
Final funding recommendations for the grants will be made by mid-April 2023 and awards will be distributed in early summer.
Application Deadline: January 9, 2023
Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Division of Preservation and Access is accepting applications for the Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections program. This program helps cultural institutions meet the complex challenge of preserving large and diverse holdings of humanities materials for future generations by supporting sustainable conservation measures that mitigate deterioration, prolong the useful life of collections, and strengthen institutional resilience (i.e., the ability to anticipate and respond to disasters resulting from natural or human activity).
Preventive conservation encompasses managing relative humidity, temperature, light, and pollutants in collection spaces; providing protective storage enclosures and systems for collections; and safeguarding collections from theft, fire, floods, and other disasters.
For the January 12, 2023 deadline, there are two levels of funding available at the Implementation phase. Level I (up to $100,000) is intended to address discrete preservation challenges that are identified through general preservation assessments at small to mid-sized institutions. Level II (up to $350,000) provides funding for institutions of any size that have completed interdisciplinary planning and are prepared to implement more extensive preventive conservation projects. .
Application Deadline: January 12, 2023
Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections Program
STEM Workforce Development Challenge Grants
To spark the creation of lasting partnerships between industry and workforce training providers that result in sustainable training programs for in-demand industries, the Nevada Governor’s Office of Science Innovation and Technology is offering STEM Workforce Challenge Grants.
Funds from a grant award must be used to support the development, implementation, improvement, or expansion of programs that will train participants for “middle-skills” STEM jobs requiring technical skills and postsecondary credentials below a bachelor’s degree.
Eligible applicants for a STEM Workforce Challenge Grant are Nevada’s Community Colleges or State College, private career colleges located in Nevada that provide technical training, Chambers of Commerce, organizations that specialize in workforce training, Regional Development Authorities, STEM-related businesses, employee associations, and city and county governments.
Application Deadline: On Going
STEM Workforce Development Challenge Grants
Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund (TTP)
The Federal Highway Administration advocates the development of strategic transportation safety plans as a means for tribes to determine how transportation safety needs will be addressed in and around tribal communities. Tribal Transportation Program funds are set aside to address transportation safety issues identified by federally recognized Indian tribes through a competitive, discretionary program.
Projects are chosen whose outcomes will reduce fatal and serious injuries in transportation related incidents, such as motor vehicle crashes.
Eligible projects for the TTP Safety Fund include:
• develop and update transportation safety plans
• safety data assessment, improvement, and analysis
• systemic roadway departure countermeasures
• infrastructure improvements and other eligible activities as listed in 23 U.S.C. 148(a)(4)
Application Deadline: January 15, 2023
Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund
Community Revitalization through Rewarding Private Investment
The New Market Tax Credit Program (NMTC) incentivizes community development and economic growth through the use of tax credits that attract private investment to distressed communities. As of the end of FY 2021, the NMTC Program has:
• Generated $8 of private investment for every $1 of federal funding
• Created nearly 239 million square feet of manufacturing, office, and retail space
• Financed more than 10,800 businesses
The NMTC Program helps businesses with access to financing that is flexible and affordable. Investment decisions are made at the community level, and typically 94 to 96% of NMTC investments into businesses involve more favorable terms and conditions than the market typically offers. Terms can include lower interest rates, flexible provisions such as subordinated debt, lower origination fees, higher loan-to-values, lower debt coverage ratios, and longer maturities.
Application Deadline: January 26, 2023