Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Growing Sustainable Communities conference in Dubuque, Iowa, a fantastic gathering that left me feeling more connected and energized than ever – especially as we look ahead to the Midwest Climate Summit. A particularly impactful moment came during the final keynote presentation featuring Lil Milagro Henriquez from […]
Following up on our climate funding strategy discussion and the shifting landscape of federal climate funding and the Midwest Climate Collaborative’s (MCC) commitment to proactive solutions, we wanted to share some initial insights and express our sincere gratitude for your active participation! As we highlighted, the MCC recognizes the growing uncertainty surrounding federal funding and […]
Federal climate funding is shifting, and based on our weekly Federal Funding Friday conversations since January, the Midwest Climate Collaborative (MCC) recognizes the growing uncertainty and is committed to addressing its potential and very real impact on your vital projects. We believe it’s crucial for us to move beyond a reactive stance and proactively build […]
The clean energy landscape is buzzing with a mix of resilience and growth. Despite recent attempts at federal rollbacks, 21 Republican lawmakers stood firm, defending vital clean energy tax credits against Trump administration cuts. Their argument? Companies have already invested heavily, and pulling the rug out now would trigger significant economic disruptions. This pushback comes […]
Today our weekly Federal Funding Friday call featured special guest, Alex Crowley, Executive Director of the Indiana Energy Independence Fund (IEIF), Indiana’s green bank. In addition to sharing the basics about what a green bank is, Alex shared creative financing strategies to continue working on clean energy and climate related projects in the absence of […]
This week the EPA unfroze all of its climate grant funding with the exception of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. More details about this development here. Check out the latest announcements from the MCC as well as funding status updates from the group below. ANNOUNCEMENTS FUNDING STATUS UPDATES RESOURCES
The rumors are true, some organizations are seeing the release of funds, most notably for CPRG implementation grants. However, a lack of uniformity exists across various grant programs regarding the freezing and thawing of funds, creating uncertainty and hindering effective implementation. Whether or not your funding is currently accessible, to best safeguard your hard earned […]
Navigating federal funding is already a challenge; ongoing uncertainty and ‘strings attached’ funding only compounds the difficulty. If you’re having trouble accessing ASAP, please reach out to your grant administrator right away. The EPA is urging grantees to continue their work as planned to stay compliant and avoid jeopardizing future funding opportunities. We’ve seen a […]
Uncertainty continues to pervade the federal funding landscape. A key piece of advice from federal workers and technical assistance providers it to keep submitting reports even if you can’t do much without the funds. At the very least, the powers that be can’t say you’re not in compliance! Hold strong. Also, see below for a […]
This past week was a doozy to say the least. Below are some helpful resources to help you stay the course and focus on what matters most: Stay afloat by making connections with colleagues, friends, family and folks on these calls! ANNOUNCEMENTS AWARDS RESOURCES
President Donald Trump’s inauguration took place earlier this week and signed a number of executive orders, including one that directed federal agencies to pause the disbursements of funds from the IRA and the 2021 BIL. The Trump Office of Management and Budget clarified in a follow-up memo later in the week that the pause “only […]
Since May of 2023, the Midwest Climate Collaborative has hosted Federal Funding Fridays (FFF) nearly every week. These are informal calls where we gather to share insights on federal funding opportunities, discuss common challenges, and celebrate shared successes. To date, we’ve had over 300 individuals and organizations, with an average of 25+ weekly attendees. Some calls are geared toward knowledge sharing on several opportunities and others feature special guests that can provide insights into areas of interest.
A few highlights from 2024:
ANNOUNCEMENTS AWARDS FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES RESOURCES
Our hearts are with everyone affected by the devastating wildfires in Southern California. The situation remains critical as strong winds continue to make it all the more challenging to control. The widespread destruction is leaving thousands without homes, dozens have lost their lives and countless acres of land have been scorched. While California is over […]
ANNOUNCEMENTS AWARDS FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES RESOURCES