HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023 Community Climate Action Grants
2023 Iowa City Community Climate Action Grant
Application
2023 - 2024 Grant Timeline
Grant posted: March 6, 2023
Deadline for application: April 17, 2023
Review of applications completed: May 3, 2023
Awardees notified: Week of May 8, 2023
Funds available: July 1, 2023
All grant funds must be used by June 30, 2024
Purpose
The purpose of Climate Action Community Grant Program is to inspire and promote community
involvement in
reducing energy use, encouraging low-emissions transportation, reducing consumption of
materials and valuable
resources, and supporting sustainable lifestyle choices. Projects awarded grant funding will
demonstrate direct
connection to initiatives included in the Iowa City Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. This
year funding will be
prioritized for the implementation of a project or program which promotes and undertakes action
in one or more of
the following:
• Activities that increase energy efficiency in buildings
• Activities supporting walking, biking, bus riding, and use of alternative transportation
• Activities minimizing waste and materials consumption
• Protecting and promoting natural environments
• Promoting sustainable choices and climate action education
The grant program does not limit the nature of proposed projects, but the primary purpose could
include one or more of these concepts:
• Physical change or improvement of a structure that improves energy efficiency, long-
term sustainability, or quality of life.
• Education or outreach, building community partnerships, understanding, inclusion, and
awareness.
• Introduction of a new project or program.
• Improvement, and/or expansion of an existing project or program.
• Volunteer engagement or management.
A few examples might include projects that:
• Increase pollinator habitats.
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy use in buildings or
transportation.
• Provide opportunities for community members to connect with each other, and/or share
knowledge and skill sets.
• Strengthen community systems, improving community preparation for or response to
extreme
weather, economic uncertainty, natural disasters, or other events.
• Explore or utilize innovative technologies and/or practices to reduce carbon emissions.
Additional information on the City’s Climate Action website www.icgov.org/climateaction may
better inform proposals and spark great new ideas!
Available Funding
A total of $60,000 in grant funding will be available from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. Funding
will be available for
three different award categories: Community groups and non-profit organizations (1), for-profit
businesses (2), and
students, K-12 (3). The maximum amount of funding community and business organizations can
request is $10,000.
The maximum increment available to students in Kindergarten through 12th grade is $500.
Requirements
Eligibility
The organization, group, or individual must be principally and physically located in Iowa City.
Any applicant or group partnering with an applicant located outside of Iowa City must
demonstrate that the population or area served will primarily be people or places within Iowa
City. Successful applicants are eligible for one grant award per fiscal year and project must be
completed within 12 months. All application materials and outcomes from awarded projects will
be considered public information. Applicants are required to abide by all City, State, and Federal
laws and regulations.
The goal of the grant project must align with the goals listed in Iowa City’s Climate Action and
Adaptation Plan.
Funding will go to projects that are:
• Ready to be implemented and can be completed within 12 months or less
• Focused, planned, and reasonable in scope
• Innovative and impactful, directly related to the City’s Climate Action Plan objectives
• Sustainable past the project period and/or replicable in the future
• Impactful and measurable (kWhs, therms, number of people reached, etc.)
• Locally focused and beneficial to a diversity of residents of Iowa City
Grant funds are intended to be “one-time costs” and cannot be used for operational expenses
such as rent or salaries.
A maximum of 20% of funds may go towards administrative costs.
Grantee Responsibilities
If awarded, grantees will be required to:
• Submit a mid-year report (1 page, due 1/31/24) to share a brief status update on the
project
(template provided);
• Submit a final report 30 days following the completion of the project (template
provided);
• Document the project through video or photos submitted with invoices and/or final
report to
show progress and outcomes;
• Provide documentation of expenses (e.g., scanned copies of all expense receipts) and
submit an
invoice for reimbursement (template available);
• Disclose any conflict of interest.
Application Review and Payment Processes
• Complete applications must be submitted between March 6 and April 17, 2023.
• The Climate Action Grant awards panel reviews all applications and will determine
awards in May 2023,
notifying recipients of next steps in mid to late May.
• Applicants may be asked by the award panel to present an overview of their project or
answer questions
to help clarify information included in the application before a grant is awarded.
• Grant funds are issued on a reimbursement basis, (typically issued 1-2 weeks) after
proper documentation is received.
Grantees may request exceptions to this funding process, but approval or denial of such
requests is at the City’s discretion. A complete W-9 is required for payment from Iowa City. (See
Payment Procedures for requirements and resources)
Applications will be evaluated by a panel of award committee individuals and scored on the
following ten criteria.
Student grant awards are evaluated on a modified version of these criteria. Details on scoring are
available with grant application information.
• Activity is connected to and supports City Climate Action Plan goals
• Level of diversity, engagement, and inclusion of Iowa City community members
that benefit not only from the project outcome but also benefit by being
actively involved in the planning or implementation of the project
• Activity will have a continuing, impactful benefit to community
• Activity timeline and approach are feasible for budget requested
• Budget is complete and describes expected activity costs
• Activity helps fill a community need that is not already being met
• Activity outcomes are specific and measurable and greenhouse gas emissions
can be calculated
• Applicant has demonstrated an ability to follow through on this project or has a
history of implementing similar activities
• Activity engages a diversity of Iowa City populations, including low-income
households, youth, older adults, immigrants and refugees, BIPOC, and
populations with human rights protections
• Activity can be repeated, copied, shared or modeled by others
If you need help, we are here for you! Email climateaction@iowa-city.org or call Daniel at 319-
887-6161.
2023 Community Climate Action Grant Payment Procedures
Funds will be available from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.
Please carefully read information and instructions for requesting payments:
• Work must be verified as complete by the Climate Action and Outreach Office and
materials and services must have been used as described in the grant application, to
receive payment.
• Filing a W-9 for the organization or individual with the City when the grant is awarded
will ensure timely payment of invoices.
• Please reach out to the City’s Climate Action and Outreach Office climateaction@iowa-
city.org if you anticipate challenges with fulfilling the project as proposed or have
questions about payments.
How to request payments:
For reimbursing work that is complete For partially completed work or
materials needed ahead of project
implementation
a. An invoice mad eout to the City of Iowa City
must be submitted to the Climate Action
Office (If you do not have an invoice form or
W-9, you may use the example template and
W-9 form on he following pages).
b. Invoices must show the organization or
individual name, address, and telephone
number
c. Along with your invoice, please include a cop
of receipts (if you have any) and
documentation (photo or brief written
summary) of the work done. During the
project, City staff may ask to inspect/verify
that the work is completed, or materials were
received.
d. Payments are made by check and mailed on
Fridays. Invoices submitted by Thursday will
be available on the Friday of the following
week.
e. For your final payment, see instructions
below.
a. Please limit the number of
such requests, if possible
b. To request such a payment,
please contact the City’s
Climate Action and Outreach
Office with a written request
that explains the need for an
up-front payment.
c. When the materials are
purchased, or work is
complete, please follow the
instructions above (#1).
d. Payments are made by check
and mailed on Fridays.
Invoices submitted by
Thursday will be available on
the Friday of the following
week.
e. For your final payment, see
the instructions below.
Detail of item # 1 (also provide receipt) $ ###.##
Detail of item # 2 (also provide receipt) $ ###.##
Etc.
Total: $ ###.##