State and Federal Legislation: Future Funding Opportunities
Good news! Recent state and federal energy legislation offers exciting funding opportunities for building upgrades, infrastructure improvements, and workforce development. Much of the focus is on making buildings more energy efficient, investing in renewable energy, and training people for green jobs. There is something for everyone: businesses, homeowners, federal buildings, non-profit and community organizations, institutions of higher education, state agencies, public schools, municipalities and more.
Disclaimer: This list of potential funding opportunities is based on SEDAC's understanding of the legislation and is not comprehensive. Grant and funding opportunities are not yet open. We share this list so that organizations can plan for the future. We will post updates as we become aware of them.
Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Opportunities
Sec. 40552
Administered by: US DOE, State Energy Programs
Description: Funding for cities, towns, and villages for sustainability, climate, and community resilience projects. 68% of funding will be administered by the US DOE to cities, towns, and counties with populations greater than 35,000. 28% of the funding will be provided to State Energy Programs to administer the grants for small towns (under 35,000). This is a very flexible funding source. Funds can be used to develop and implement an energy efficiency and conservation strategy; conduct building energy audits, establish financial incentive programs, implement energy efficiency, zero-emission transportation & infrastructure improvements and more.
Total funding amount: $550M (~150M to State Energy Programs)
Eligible organizations: Cities, towns, villages, counties.
Funding distributed based on an EECBG formula (not a competitive grant)
Sec. 40502 (INSULATE Act)
Administered by: US DOE through State Energy Programs
Description: State Energy Programs are to establish a revolving loan fund for commercial or residential energy audits, upgrades, and retrofits. Loans and grants will be provided to recipients that do not have access to private capital.
Eligible entities: Businesses, homeowners, public sector.
Total funding amount: $250,000,000
Administered via State Energy Program formula. 60% will go to priority states.
Funding organization: DOE Building Technologies Office
Description: A competitive grant program to enable sustained, cost-effective implementation of updated building energy codes. The goal is to help understaffed and underfunded local governments upgrade their building codes to the most recent energy efficiency standards.
Eligible organizations: State or Tribal Energy Programs can apply either alone or in partnership with local building code agencies, codes and standards developers, relevant professional organizations, energy efficiency programs, consumer advocates.
Total funding amount: $225
Funding organization: US DOE
Description: Workforce training program to teach individuals to conduct energy audits or surveys of commercial and residential buildings.
Eligibility: State Energy Programs can apply for the funds and subcontract with partner organizations to deliver the training. Competitive grant process. Must demonstrate a need for training.
Total funding amount: $40M
Sec. 40541
Funding organization: US DOE
Description: Competitive grant for public schools to make energy efficiency improvements, install renewable energy, install alternative vehicle charging or procure alternative vehicles such as electric school buses. Goals: Improve indoor air quality and make repairs or renovations that reduce energy costs.
Eligibility: Public schools and organizations supporting schools. Can partner with community partners and nonprofits with knowledge and capacity to assist with energy improvements.
Total funding amount: $500M
Funding organization: US DOE
Description: A competitive grant program that provides nonprofits with energy efficient materials (roof, lighting, HVAC system improvements, insulation) to reduce energy.
Eligibility: Open to nonprofit organizations.
Total funding amount: $50M
Administered by: US DOE
Description: Competitive grant for energy and water efficiency upgrades for federal buildings.
Total funding amount: $250M
Funded by: US DOE
Description: Competitive grant to establish building training and assessment centers
Eligibility: Institutes of higher education
Total funding amount: $10M
Funded by: US DOE
Description: Competitive grant to implement an industrial research and assessment center
Eligibility: Institutes of higher education
Total funding amount: $400M
Sec. 40513
Funded by: US DOE
Description: Competitive grant to provide career skills training for energy efficiency and renewables.
Eligibility: Nonprofit partnerships. Requires 50% cost share
Total funding amount: $10M
Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act Program Opportunities
Administered by: Illinois DCEO, with 3 Regional Administrators (Northern IL, Central IL, Southern IL)
Positions needed: Community organizations to run regional workforce hubs. Can subcontract with other organizations, labor organizations, or educational institutions to deliver program services and training.
Competitive grant process? Unknown. DCEO "to select community organizations."
Description: An Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act Program. Regional Administrators will create a network of 13 Program delivery Hub Sites in Chicago South Side, Chicago Southwest and West Sides, Waukegan, Rockford, Aurora, Joliet, Peoria, Champaign, Danville, Decatur, Carbondale, East St. Louis, and Alton. The Regional Administrators and DCEO will select one community-based organization to lead workforce efforts in each Hub. Community organizations will be selected every 3 years. They can subcontract out to other organizations or educational institutions to deliver program services and training. The selected community organizations will a) coordinate with Energy Transition Navigators, develop formal partnerships with employers, nonprofit organizations, and more, implement the Clean Jobs Curriculum (including job readiness and soft skills) to program participants. DCEO will develop the core Clean Jobs Curriculum.
Funding allocated: Up to $21,000,000 annually prior to June 1, 2023; $24,333,333 annually thereafter
Administered by: DCEO
Positions needed: Community-based organizations to serve as Energy Service Navigators. Priority will be given to organizations that also have experience serving populations impacted by climate change.
Competitive grant process? Yes
Description: An Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act Program to provide support services for individuals impacted by the energy transition. Services are intended to help individuals overcome financial and other barriers to participation in the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program and the Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program. The Department will contract with community-based providers to serve as Energy Service Navigators. These navigators will provide education, outreach, and recruitment services to those impacted by the energy transition, connecting them to the Clean Jobs Workforce Program and Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program. These navigators should partner with educational institutions or organizations working with equity-focused populations, employers, local economic development organizations, labor unions, and more.
Funding allocated for program: Up to $21,000,000 annually
Administered by: Illinois DCEO, with 3 Regional Administrators (Northern IL, Central IL, Southern IL)
Positions needed: Community-based organizations to lead 3 Climate Works Preapprenticeship Hubs. They can subcontract out to other organizations or educational institutions to deliver program services and training.
Competitive Grant Process? Unknown. DCEO "to select" community-based organizations.
Description: An Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act Program. Regional Administrators will create a 3 Climate Works Hubs throughout the State. The Regional Administrators and DCEO will select a community-based provider in each region to lead workforce efforts in each Hub. Community organizations will be selected every 3 years. The Climate Works Hubs will recruit, prescreen and provide preapprenticeship training to equity investment eligible persons. They can subcontract out to other organizations or educational institutions to deliver program services and training. The selected community organizations will a) coordinate with Energy Transition Navigators, develop formal partnerships with employers, nonprofit organizations, and more, implement the Clean Jobs Curriculum (including job readiness and soft skills) to program participants. DCEO will develop the core Clean Jobs Curriculum.
Administered by: Illinois DCEO, with 3 Regional Administrators (Northern IL, Central IL, Southern IL)
Positions needed: Community-based organizations to deliver Clean Energy Incubator Program in 13 regional hubs. They can subcontract out to other organizations or educational institutions to deliver program services and training.
Competitive grant process? Unknown. DCEO "to select" community-based organizations.
Description: An Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act Program. Regional Administrators will create a network of 13 Program delivery Hub Sites in Chicago South Side, Chicago Southwest and West Sides, Waukegan, Rockford, Aurora, Joliet, Peoria, Champaign, Danville, Decatur, Carbondale, East St. Louis, and Alton. The Regional Administrators and DCEO will select one community-based organization to deliver the Clean Energy Incubator Program in each Hub. Community organizations will be selected every 3 years. They can subcontract out to other organizations or educational institutions to deliver program services and training. Program elements include administrative soft and hard skills training, delivery of specific training in the core curriculum. The program will provide access to low-cost capital for small clean energy businesses and contractors. It will provide financial support, training, mentoring, resources, and networking opportunities.
Eligible organizations: Nonprofit community-based organizations, including an accredited public college or university that: (1) has a history of providing business-related
assistance and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start, run, and grow their businesses; (2) has knowledge of construction and clean energy trades; (3) demonstrates relationships with local residents and other organizations serving the community; and (4) demonstrates the ability to effectively serve diverse and underrepresented populations.
Funds allocated for program: Up to $21,000,000 annually
Administered by: Illinois DCEO, in coordination with the Illinois Department of Corrections
Positions needed: Program Administrators for each Program Delivery Area to administer and coordinate the program. Community-based organizations or educational institutions to provide industry-recognized credentials or education at each facility. May subcontract out for portions of program elements.
Competitive Grant Process? Yes, for the community-based organizations or educational institutions that provide the training.
Description: An Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act Program. The program will prepare returning residents to work in the clean energy and related sector jobs. DCEO will select a Program Administrator for each Program Delivery Area to administer and coordinate the Program. The Program Administrators will coordinate with Regional Administrators and the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program to execute the program. DCEO will competitively select community-based organizations or educational institutions to provide industry-recognized credentials or education at each facility. The Program Administrator will collaborate to create and publish an employer "Hiring Returning Residents" handbook. They will work with potential employers to promote company policies to support hiring and supporting returning residents. They will provide services such as job coaching and financial coaching. The Community-based organization delivering the training can also subcontract out for portions of program elements.
Eligible organizations: Program Administrators require strong capabilities, experience, and knowledge related to program development and economic management; cultural and language competency needed to be effective in the communities to be served; committed persons or justice-involved persons; knowledge and experience in working with providers of clean energy jobs, etc.
Funds allocated to program: Up to $6,000,000 annually.
Administered by: Illinois DCEO
Positions needed: Primes Program Administrator and three Regional Primes Program Leads (Northern Illinois, Central Illinois, and Southern Illinois), located within program delivery area.
Competitive Grant Process? Unknown. DCEO "to select" Program Administrator and Regional Program Leads,
Description: An Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act Program. The program will provide one-on-one coaching to contractors, grants to support contractors with capital for upfront project costs, connections and networking opportunities, and more.
Eligible organizations: Program Administrator requires experience in leading a large contractor-based business in Illinois, coaching and mentoring, experience in the clean energy industry, experience working with equity investment eligible community members, organizations, and businesses.
Funds allocated for program: Up to $9,000,000 annually.
Description: This program is designed to provide seed funding and pre-development funding opportunities for equity eligible contractors (businesses and nonprofit organizations). Funding can be used for planning and project development, project application, purchasing and leasing of land, permitting and zoning, interconnection application costs and fees, equipment and supplies, community outreach, staff operations and expenses, and more. Grants will be awarded to projects that most effectively provide opportunities for equity eligible contractors and investment in equity eligible communities.
Competitive process: Yes
Administered by: DCEO
Description: The purpose of this grant is to support the pre-development and development of community solar projects that promote community ownership and energy sovereignty. Its intent is to remove barriers to project, community, and business development caused by a lack of capital. Funds can be used for early stage project planning, project team organization, site identification, securing financing, procurement and contracting, customer outreach and enrollment, preliminary site assessments, development of cooperative or community ownership model, and more.
Max award amount: $1,000,000 per application.
Eligible applicants include community-based organizations and technical service providers working in direct partnership with community-based organizations.
Administered by: DCEO
Description: Purpose is to promote economic development in eligible communities: areas that contain a fossil fuel or nuclear power plant or coal mine that was retired from service or has significantly reduced service within 6 years before the application. Grants must be used to plan for or address the economic and social impact on the community or region of plant retirement or transition. Funding can be used for community input and consultation with stakeholders, grant writing and implementation costs, and tax payment help.
Eligible organizations: Local units of government in eligible areas may join with economic development organizations, local educational institutions, community-based groups, to apply for the grant.
Funds allocated for program: Up to $40,000,000 annually.
Administered by: DCEO
Description: Program to provide upfront capital to support the development of projects, businesses, community organizations, and jobs creating opportunity for historically disadvantaged populations, and to provide seed capital to support community ownership of renewable energy projects. Will coordinate with and supplement existing incentive programs (Adjustable Block program, Illinois Solar for All Program, community renewable generation projects, and renewable energy procurements). Two programs: Equitable Energy Future Grant Program and the Community Solar Sovereignty Grant Program.
Max funding: Up to $1,000,000 per application. Up to $34,000,000 annually.
Eligible organizations: Businesses, organizations, community groups.
Websites for Finding Funding Opportunities
Check out the websites below to find more grants and funding opportunities for your organization.
- Grants.gov. Website for all federal and state government grants.
- Illinois Grant Accountability and Transparency Act Website List of active funding opportunities, by state agency.
- Illinois DCEO Grant Opportunities: Lists available Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grants, as well as several federal grant opportunities.
- Illinois State Board of Education Grants Page: The State Board of Education offers numerous direct grant opportunities through state and federal funds received by the agency. In addition, there are opportunities for school districts to apply directly to federal agencies or private/corporate foundations for funding.
- Illinois Board of Higher Education Grant Administration: The Board administers state and federal grant programs and receives funds for other initiatives.
- Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Grants and Loans: The Illinois EPA provides financial assistance for certain land, air, water, and energy related projects.
- Illinois Housing Development Authority Revitalization & Repair Program Grants. They fund local governments and non-profit organizations to offer programs that address vacant residential properties and the blight that usually follows to benefit communities. They also fund programs that allow homeowners to make repairs and accessibility improvements.
- Illinois Capital Development Board Grants. CBD administers building construction grant programs
- Candid. Excellent website for researching foundations, grants, and nonprofits. Subscription required for some services. Candid's GuideStar is the most complete up-to-date nonprofit database available.
- SPIN. The world's largest database of sponsored funding opportunities (government, foundation, more).
- Grant Forward. A funding opportunity database and recommendation service built by academics for researchers. Subscription required.
- GrantWatch. A comprehensive grant search database with opportunities from foundations, corporations, federal, state, and local government funding sources. Subscription required.