Investing for Sustainable Jobs

The Sustainable Jobs Fund (SJF) is a community development venture capital investment firm working to create quality jobs in recycling, remanufacturing, environmental and other sectors in economically distressed communities in the Eastern United States.

The Fund plans to invest $15 million (provided by financial institutions, foundations, and other community development investors) to create 1,500 jobs for former welfare recipients and low-income individuals. In addition to employment opportunities, the investments are intended to promote both neighborhood revitalization and environmental sustainability. For more information, visit http://www.sjfund.com.

Grants Available In Minnesota

Minnesota’s Office of Environmental Assistance (OEA) is offering grants for projects focusing on pollution prevention, recycling market development, environmental education, sustainable communities

"It is critical not only that we meet today’s needs, but also preserve resources and leave a clean and healthy environment for future generations."

development, and resource recovery. OEA works with local units of government, private and non-profit organizations and businesses, educational institutions and community groups.

"Minnesotans recognize the value of a healthy economy, environment and community. Looking toward the 21st century, it is critical not only that we meet today’s needs, but also preserve resources and leave a clean and healthy environment for future generations," explains the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance (OEA).

The maximum grant is $75,000, with matching funds required. Pre-proposals for 2001 are due by February 1st. For more information, visit http://www.moea.state.mn.us/grants/index.cfm.

Sustainable Economic Development Grants

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce is requesting proposals for sustainable development projects, including the redevelopment of brownfield sites and development of eco-industrial parks. EDA is targeting communities facing economic distress. For more information, visit http://www.doc.gov/eda/pdf/99edanofa.pdf.

Wetlands Ecosystem Conservation Funding

The Fish and Wildlife Service and the North American Wetlands Conservation Council are soliciting Small Grant proposals for wetland and wetland-associated upland conservation projects. Proposals should promote long-term conservation of North American wetland ecosystems and the waterfowl and other migratory birds, fish and wildlife that depend upon such habitats. Principal conservation actions are acquisition, enhancement and restoration.

An estimated $1 million is available, and the maximum individual Small Grant amount is $50,000. Proposals are due December 1, 2000.

For further information, or to request the Small Grants instruction booklet, contact Dr. Keith A. Morehouse, Small Grants Coordinator, or Ms. Heather Poindexter, Office Secretary, North American Waterfowl and Wetlands Office. Call 703-358-1784, FAX 703-358-2282, e-mail R9ARW_NAWWO@FWS.GOV, or click here.

Seeds For Education

The Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Fund was born as an idea that would encourage young people to learn about and use native plants in their schools and neighborhoods. The fund gives small monetary grants to schools, nature centers, or other educational organizations whose efforts best reflect the message of creating natural landscapes using native plants and appreciating humankind's proper place in the web of life. To be considered for a year 2001 award, youth groups must apply by November 15, 2000. To find out more, visit http://www.for-wild.org/seedmony.htm.

Funding For Land Use & Transportation Activists

The needs of activists often fall below the radar screen of many foundations, and for this reason the Environmental Law and Policy Center of the Midwest has established a small, quick-turn-around fund available to help such activists push for needed reforms in the areas of land use and transportation.

Grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 are made to fund technical expert consulting, media training, newsletters and mailings, development of local organizing capabilities, and other tools. Grants are intended to enable advocacy and public education related to:

Not-for-profit organizations and associations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin are eligible. For more details, visit http://www.elpc.org/programs/regrants.htm.

Community Greenspace Preservation Grants

Under a new Georgia law, communities may adopt Greenspace Programs designed to preserve at least 20 percent of their land areas as connected and open greenspace. These lands can be used for informal recreation and natural resource protection. Greenspace under the new law means permanently protected land, including agricultural and forestry land, that is in its undeveloped, natural state or that has been developed or restored consistent with the law’s natural resource protection or informal recreation goals.

The statute creates a Georgia Greenspace Commission, which reviews and approves community Greenspace Programs submitted by eligible counties and municipalities. The law also creates a Georgia Greenspace Trust Fund, and communities with approved Greenspace Programs may apply for funding. For more information, visit http://www.ganet.org/dnr/greenspace/index.html.

Greening The Entrepreneurial Spirit

The development strategy of Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI), in their own words, "honors and reflects the entrepreneurial spirit that typifies Maine's rural and small business economy." As a nonprofit community development corporation based in Maine, CEI offers financing to start-up and expanding green companies.

CEI raises capital from a variety of private and public sources to re-lend or invest. Their "Green Fund" focuses on two aspects of the environmental business market:

For more details, visit http://www.ceimaine.org/lending/greenfund.htm.

Brownfield Redevelopment Loans & Grants

The Environmental Remediation Revolving Loan Fund has committed $10 million to help Indiana communities redevelop brownfields statewide. Forty percent of the money is slated for communities with populations greater than 35,000. Sixty percent will go to smaller communities.

The funds, available as grants and low-interest loans, helps reduce cost barriers to identification, assessment, remediation, demolition and other brownfields reuse requirements.

Communities can apply for financial assistance through the Indiana Development Finance Authority. IDFA accepts loan applications the third Friday of each month. For more information, click here.

Transportation & Community Grants Available

The Transportation and Community and System Preservation (TCSP) Pilot Program is a comprehensive initiative of research and grants to investigate the relationships between transportation and community and system preservation and private sector-based initiatives. States, local governments, and metropolitan planning organizations are eligible for discretionary grants to plan and implement strategies that improve the efficiency of the transportation system, reduce environmental impacts of transportation, reduce the need for costly future public infrastructure investments, ensure efficient access to jobs, services, and centers of trade, and examine private sector development patterns and investments that support these goals.

Proposals are due early next year. For more details, visit http://tcsp-fhwa.volpe.dot.gov or call Felicia Young at (202) 366-0106.

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