Author Archives: Uma Hinman

SNC Funding Opportunities Newsletter July/August 2021

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Upcoming Grants
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
The National Environmental Education Foundation: National Public Lands Day Highlighted Site Sponsorship Program (due July 12) provides $1,000 to support virtual, in-person, or hybrid National Public Lands Day events (September 25, 2021) that highlight the diversity of public lands and people.  
CAL FIRE Urban and Community Forestry Education and Workforce Development Grants (concept proposals due July 14) support the development of programs to educate, train, and/or employ people in urban forestry or a closely related field.  
CAL FIRE Urban and Community Forestry Grants (due July 19) advance the development of sustainable urban and community forests in California by supporting urban forest expansion, management, education, and workforce development.  
The USDA Conservation Innovation Grant Program (due July 19) supports the development of new tools, approaches, practices, and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands.  
California Humanities Foundation: American Rescue Plan Relief Grants (due July 21) assist public humanities organizations and cultural institutions in preventing, responding to, and recovering from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic by funding capacity-building project support.  
AmeriCorps State and National Tribal Grants (due July 23) support projects that engage AmeriCorps members in interventions and practices to strengthen communities.  
The National Endowment for the Arts: Our Town Program (due August 5) supports projects that strengthen communities by linking arts, culture, and design activities with local economic, physical, and/or social outcomes.  
The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC): Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) (due August 13) helps schools and libraries provide the tools and services their communities need for remote learning during the COVID-19 emergency by supplying internet access and devices, including laptops and tablet computers.  
The Campbell Foundation: Pacific Grant Program (due August 31) funds grants related to water quality, land-sea connections, and protection of special places.  
The CA Wildlife Conservation Board’s Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Program (rolling) provides funding for habitat restoration and wildlife corridors.  
The Honor the Earth Foundation Native Communities Program (rolling) provides funding to indigenous-led nonprofit organizations and groups working to increase indigenous communities’ capacity to adapt to climate change in ways that preserve and restore indigenous cultures.  
The Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment: California Wildlands Rapid Response Fund (rolling) provides immediate support for urgent opportunities to protect and defend California’s federal public lands under imminent threat.  
The Terry Ferrell Firefighters Fund Grants (rolling) assist firefighters and families with financial, educational, and medical support, and provide equipment donations for fire departments in need.  
The AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) Program (rolling) provides a full-time team of Americorps NCCC members and one team leader to assist sponsoring organizations in addressing disaster preparedness, environmental stewardship, and other community needs.  
The Pollination Project Daily Grants Program (rolling) provides seed grants of $1,000 to individuals and groups for early-stage ideas and projects that contribute to the creation of a more just, sustainable, and compassionate world for all.

Grant-Writing Workshops

Grant Writing Workshops are available to help build the capacity of organizations that serve the Sierra Nevada Region. Workshops are now available as online webinars. Contact your SNC Area Representative to organize or attend a workshop.

More Information and Assistance Consult with the SNC Funding Team to get advice about specific funding opportunities or general funding development strategies. Contact your SNC Area Representative to set up a meeting with the Funding Team.

SNC Funding Opportunities Newsletter – June/July 2021

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  Sierra Nevada Conservancy    
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES NEWSLETTER May and June 2021  
View this Newsletter on our website    

Upcoming Grants  
The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHA) Federal Lands Access Program (due May 27) improves transportation facilities that will provide access to, and are adjacent to, federal lands.  
The USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program – Alternative Funding Arrangement (due May 28) provides funding for lead partners to engage with landowners to implement conservation practices on agricultural and nonindustrial private forest lands.  
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) California Forests and Woodlands Management Program (due June 8) funds activities that promote forest and woodland health, sustainable forest management, fire resiliency, biomass utilization for bioenergy, habitat conservation needs, and insect, disease, and fire recovery.  
The BLM California Wildlife Program (due June 8) funds the restoration and enhancement of wildlife habitat on BLM-managed lands.  
The National Forest Foundation Matching Awards Program (due June 9) supports results-oriented, on-the-ground projects that enhance forest health and outdoor experiences on National Forests.  
The California Fire Safe Council State Fire Assistance Program (due June 15) supports fire risk reduction activities such as fuel reduction, hazard mitigation planning, and educational programs.  
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Tribal Wildlife Grant Program (due June 18) supports activities and programs that benefit wildlife and their habitat, including species of Native American cultural or traditional importance.  
The USDA Local Food Promotion Program (due June 21) promotes local and regional food business enterprises that increase access to locally produced agricultural products.  
The USDA Farmer’s Market Promotion Program (due June 21) helps develop and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets to increase access to locally produced agricultural products.  
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Social and Economic Development Strategies for Growing Organizations (due June 30) helps strengthen internal governance structures and capacity so that Tribes and Native organizations run more effectively and build a firm foundation to better serve Native American communities.  
The National Forest Foundation Innovative Finance for National Forests Program (due June 30) funds the development, structuring, or scaling of innovative financing models that bring new capital in support of land management on and near National Forests.    

Additional Resources  
WCB Public Access Program The California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) is preparing to release the 2021 Proposal Solicitation Notice (PSN) for the WCB Public Access Program. This year’s program priorities are boating, wildlife recreation, and hunting/fishing. Potential applicants may contact WCB for a consultation to discuss project ideas, project elements, the application process, or other related topics. Upon release of the PSN on May 27, the consultation period will end.  

Grant-Writing Workshops Grant Writing Workshops are available to help build the capacity of tribes in the Sierra Nevada and organizations that serve the Sierra Nevada Region. Workshops are now available as an online webinar. Contact your SNC Area Representative to organize or attend a workshop.  

More Information and Assistance Consult with the SNC Funding Team to get advice about specific funding opportunities or general fund development strategies. Contact your SNC Area Representative to set up a meeting with the Funding Team.     Contact your SNC Area Representative    

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy provides the Funding Opportunities Newsletter as a free resource under our Sierra Nevada Watershed Improvement Program.   sierranevada.ca.gov   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Subscribe  

US EPA announces $6.5 billion in funding available for water infrastructure projects

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making EPA making $6.5 billion in funding available for water infrastructure projects. This round of funding from the EPA’s Water Finance and Innovation Act program will provide up to $5.5 billion to support $11 billion in water infrastructure projects and prioritizes five areas:

  • Supporting economically stressed communities.
  • Protecting water infrastructure against the impacts of climate change.
  • Reducing exposure to lead and addressing emerging contaminants.
  • Updating aging infrastructure.
  • Implementing new or innovative approaches including cybersecurity and green infrastructure.

The EPA is also announcing funding under SWIFIA. This program, which was authorized by Congress as part of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018, offers low-interest loans to state water infrastructure programs that then help finance needed water infrastructure projects in local communities. This round of funding will provide SWIFIA borrowers up to $1 billion to support $2 billion in water infrastructure projects.

Details are available in this news release.

Governor Newsom announces $5.1 billion package for water infrastructure and drought response as part of $100 billion California comeback plan

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PACKAGE INCLUDES BILLIONS FOR DRINKING WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE, WITH A FOCUS ON SMALL AND DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES

Mavens Notebook, May 10, 2021

From the Office of the Governor:

Governor Gavin Newsom today proposed a $5.1 billion package of immediate drought response and long-term water resilience investments to address immediate, emergency needs, build regional capacity to endure drought and safeguard water supplies for communities, the economy and the environment. The Governor’s proposal comes as part of a week-long tour highlighting the Administration’s comprehensive recovery plan tackling the most persistent challenges facing California.  

“Shoring up our water resilience, especially in small and disadvantaged communities, is imperative to safeguarding the future of our state in the face of devastating climate change impacts that are intensifying drought conditions and threatening our communities, the economy and the environment,” said Governor Newsom. “This package of bold investments will equip the state with the tools we need to tackle the drought emergency head-on while addressing long-standing water challenges and helping to secure vital and limited water supplies to sustain our state into the future.”

In addition to the $5.1 billion investment, the Governor is proposing $1 billion to help Californians pay their overdue water bills. 

The Governor announced the package today in Merced County while visiting the San Luis Reservoir, which sits at less than half of capacity and just 57 percent of average for this date. Earlier in the day, Governor Newsom significantly expanded his April 21 drought emergency proclamation to include Klamath River, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Tulare Lake Watershed counties. In total, 41 counties are now under a drought state of emergency, representing 30 percent of the state’s population.

Governor Newsom announces $5.1 billion drought and water infrastructure package at San Luis Reservoir.

The Governor’s $5.1 billion proposed investment, over four years, aligns with his July 2020 Water Resilience Portfolio, a roadmap to water security for all Californians in the face of climate change. It is shaped by lessons learned during the 2012-16 drought, such as the need to act early and gather better data about water systems. The package includes:

  • $1.3 billion for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, with a focus on small and disadvantaged communities. 
  • $150 million for groundwater cleanup and water recycling projects. 
  • $300 million for Sustainable Groundwater Management Act implementation to improve water supply security, water quality and water reliability. 
  • $200 million for water conveyance improvements to repair major water delivery systems damaged by subsidence. 
  • $500 million for multi-benefit land repurposing to provide long-term, flexible support for water users. 
  • $230 million for wildlife corridor and fish passage projects to improve the ability of wildlife to migrate safely. 
  • $200 million for habitat restoration to support tidal wetland, floodplain, and multi-benefit flood-risk reduction projects. 
  • $91 million for critical data collection to repair and augment the state’s water data infrastructure to improve forecasting, monitoring, and assessment of hydrologic conditions. 
  • $60 million for State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program grants to help farmers reduce irrigation water use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural pumping. 
  • $33 million for fisheries and wildlife support to protect and conserve California’s diverse ecosystems. 
  • $27 million for emergency and permanent solutions to drinking water drought emergencies.

Learn more about current conditions, the state’s response and informational resources available to the public at the state’s new drought preparedness website.