In June 2021, Renne Public Policy Group (RPPG) brought on a new Manager of Grant Writing and Research to further augment the firm’s service offerings. Several months later, we are excited to share with you a major milestone in this new venture with the launch of RPPG’s Funding Opportunities Catalog.
This catalog results from an exhaustive effort to identify federal and state funding programs across a wide range of topics. Infrastructure, housing, transportation, parks and recreation, water quality and conservation, fire response, wildfire mitigation, public safety, energy efficiency, recycling, environmental justice, workforce development, education, and more. In doing so, we aim to keep our clients appraised of the most current and comprehensive information on upcoming grants.
The September 2021 Edition is the first edition of RPPG’s Funding Opportunities Catalog, which will be updated monthly with new information. Currently there are 26 major funding opportunities with upcoming deadlines or open solicitations at the state and federal levels, with many more opportunities on the horizon. The catalog will be distributed monthly to RPPG and RPLG clients.
If you would like to discuss potential funding opportunities further with a professional grant writer, please feel free to reach out to RPPG at (916) 974-9270 or contact the Manager of Grant Writing and Research directly via email at jwhitaker@publicpolicygroup.com.
Upcoming Funding Opportunities
Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (PWEAA)
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) funds Public Works (PW) projects to meet the construction and/or infrastructure design needs of communities to enable them to become more economically competitive. Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) projects should catalyze public-private partnerships to foster collaboration, attract investment, create jobs, and promote economic resiliency and prosperity. Projects must be related to a current Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) applicable to the applicant’s jurisdiction. All EDA projects should advance bottom-up economic development and prioritize the creation of living wage jobs.
EDA has determined that economic injury from the coronavirus pandemic constitutes a “Special Need,” and eligibility may be established on that basis without reference to the other existing economic distress criteria.
- Funding Amount: No maximum amount, projects in the $5M-$7M range (total project cost) are preferred.
- Match Requirement: Based on per capita income or 24-month unemployment rate.
- Deadline: Ongoing, but recommended to submit proposals by March 15, 2022.
Good Jobs Challenge – American Rescue Plan Act
The Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Good Job Challenge is a one-time funding initiative that supports efforts to broaden the industrial base or local sectoral specialization by funding diversification initiatives. Potential funding uses include workforce development, comprehensive planning efforts, enhancing business retention and expansion programs, and implementing or strengthening sectoral partnerships. All projects considered for EDA funding under the ARPA Good Jobs Challenge must be consistent with EDA’s Recovery and Resilience Investment Priority.
- Funding Amount: There are no maximum request amounts. EDA estimates awards of ~$1,000,000 for System Development activities, ~$2,000,000 for Program Design activities, and between ~$2,000,000 – $7,000,000 for Program Implementation.
- Match Requirement: No match requirement. Leveraging funds is encouraged.
- Performance Period: 24 – 36 months.
- Deadline: 1/26/22.
Rubberized Pavement Grant Program (RPG)
The Rubberized Pavement Grant Program promotes the use of rubberized pavement while encouraging the recycling of California-generated waste tires. Only California-generated waste tires, processed in California, shall be used in the crumb rubber portion of the project(s). Projects must use material that contains a minimum of 300 pounds of tire-derived crumb rubber per ton of rubberized binder. Applicants that have been awarded program funds are ineligible to apply in consecutive years. Funding uses include: Rubberized pavement (hot-mix and chip seal) projects for roadways, Class 1 bikeways, greenways, and disability access at parks.
- Funding Amount: Up to $250,000 for individual applicants and up to $350,000 for regional applicants.
- Match Requirement: No match requirement.
- Deadline: 9/29/21.
Drought Resiliency Projects (DRP)
The Drought Resiliency Projects (DRP) program supports projects that build long-term resilience to drought and reduce the need for emergency response actions. These projects are generally in the final design stage—environmental and cultural resources compliance may have been initiated, and the non-federal funding, necessary permits, and other required approvals have been secured. Applicants may apply for funding under both Funding Group I and Funding Group II in the same competition, but an individual applicant can only be awarded up to $2,000,000.
- Funding Amount: Maximum of $500,000 (Funding Group I), Maximum of $2,000,000 (Funding Group II).
- Match Requirement: 50% of the total project cost.
- Performance Period: Projects funded under Funding Group I should be completed within two years. Projects selected under Funding Group II may be funded on an annual basis, for a period of up to 3 years.
- Deadline: 10/5/2021 (4:00 PM MDT).
Water and Energy Efficiency Grants (WEEG)
The Water and Energy Efficiency Grants (WEEG) program provides funding for projects that result in quantifiable water savings, implement renewable energy components, and support broader sustainability benefits. These projects conserve and use water more efficiently, increase the production of renewable energy, mitigate conflict risk in areas at high risk of future water conflict, and accomplish other benefits that contribute to sustainability in the western United States. Applicants may apply for funding under both Funding Group I and Funding Group II in the same competition, but an individual applicant can only be awarded up to $2,000,000.
- Funding Amount: Maximum of $500,000 (Funding Group I), Maximum of $2,000,000 (Funding Group II).
- Match Requirement: 50% of the total project cost.
- Performance Period: Projects funded under Funding Group I should be completed within two years. Projects selected under Funding Group II may be funded on an annual basis, for a period of up to 3 years.
- Deadline: 11/3/2021 (4:00 PM MDT).
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)
The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program makes federal funds available for pre-disaster mitigation activities. The program seeks to encourage and enable innovation, promote partnerships, provide a significant opportunity to reduce future losses, and support high-impact investments. Applicants must provide a Benefit-Cost Analysis. Local governments in California can apply as subapplicants through the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services or through the federal national competition. Subapplicants must have a FEMA-approved Local or Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan by the application deadline and at the time of obligation of grant funds for the project. The subapplicant must identify a series of Go/No-Go milestones throughout the work schedule for mitigation activities. FEMA funds cannot support projects that have already started the construction phase.
- Funding Amount: Maximum of $50,000,000 (national competition).
- Performance Period: 36 Months.
- Match Requirement: 25% of total project costs. Small, impoverished communities are eligible for a reduced match of 10%.
- Deadline: 12/1/2021 (State Competition); 1/28/2022 (National Competition).
Regional Park Program (RPP)
The Regional Park Program will create, expand, or improve regional parks and regional park facilities. RPP competitive grants will create at least one new recreation feature that attracts visitors from at least a 20-mile radius or county-wide population to a regional park. The new recreation features will offer nature appreciation, or athletic activities, historical or cultural enrichment, or other recreational activities in an open space area.
- Funding Amount: Maximum of $3,000,000 per request, minimum of $200,000.
- Match Requirement: No match required.
- Deadline: 11/5/2021.
Local Road Safety Program (LRSP)
A Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) can be a means for providing local and rural road owners with an opportunity to address unique highway safety needs in their jurisdictions. The process of preparing an LRSP creates a framework to systematically identify and analyze safety problems and recommend safety improvements. Preparing an LRSP facilitates the development of local agency partnerships and collaboration, resulting in a prioritized list of improvements and actions that can demonstrate a defined need and contribute to the statewide plan. Having an LRSP will be required in future funding cycles for grant funding through the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP).
- Funding Amount: Calculated based on population, the roadway centerline miles, and lane miles of the agency or agencies covered by the proposed LRSP.
- Match Requirement: No match requirement.
- Deadline: “First come first serve.”
Local Early Action Planning Grants (LEAP)
The LEAP program provides one-time grant funding to regions and jurisdictions for technical assistance, preparation and adoption of planning documents, and process improvements designed to accelerate housing production and facilitate compliance with the sixth cycle of the regional housing need assessment (RHNA). CalHCD encourages applicants to consider using LEAP funds to facilitate designation as a Prohousing jurisdiction.
- Funding Amount: Varies based on jurisdiction size.
- Deadline: Proposals currently accepted over-the-counter.
Project Homekey
Project Homekey provides funding to rapidly sustain and expand the inventory of housing for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. Homekey is an opportunity for local public agencies to purchase motels and a broad range of other housing types to increase their community’s capacity to respond to homelessness.
- Funding Amount: Maximum of $200,000 per door.
- Match Requirement: The Department will contribute the first $100,000 per door with no local match. Per door costs from $100,001 – $150,000 require a 1:1 local match and per door costs from $150,001 – $200,000 require a 2:1 local match. Applicants are required to demonstrate a five-year commitment to providing operating funds for the project.
Funding Cycle: Anticipated Funding FY 21-22 (based on state budget allocations).
Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account
The Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account is one of several subaccounts under the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF). AB 156 provided historic investments in broadband infrastructure, with $300,000,000 transferred to the Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account. Projects that only deploy middle-mile infrastructure are not eligible for grant funding. For a project that includes middle-mile infrastructure, the Commission is required to verify that the proposed infrastructure is indispensable for accessing last-mile infrastructure.
- Funding Amount: Maximum of $5,000,000.
- Match Requirement: Varies based on project criteria.
- Deadline: Annually, April 1st.
Jake Whitaker is the Manager of Grant Writing and Research for Renne Public Policy Group. Partnering with dozens of cities, counties, community college districts, school districts, and nonprofits Jake has helped secure millions in state and federal resources. These include awards from the Economic Development Administration, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, the Board of State and Community Corrections, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the California Community Foundation.