Grants and Technical Assistance for Coal Communities Applying for Federal Funding

Natalie Roper
nroper@justtransitionfund.org

The Just Transition Fund will provide funding and technical assistance to help coal communities submit competitive federal applications for community-led transition projects. Priority will be given to projects that are led by and serve low-income and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities most impacted by the transition.

Projects should demonstrate significant potential to create local economic impact and to serve as models that can be replicated and scaled, such as:

• Community economic development projects focused on promising sectors
• Workforce development projects that train coal affected workers and community members for jobs in sustainable sectors
• Initiatives designed to improve broadband access and affordability

Funding may be used for a variety of purposes to support the development of a federal application, including to:

• Engage expert technical resources for research, analysis, and/or grant writing
• Organize or deepen inclusive community partnerships
• Conduct stakeholder engagement and support community planning
• Qualify as private matching funds

Technical assistance may include:

• Identify funding programs the project is eligible for
• Understand the program's application process and requirements
• Identify and build relationships with federal program contacts
• Review the grant proposal before submission

Qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and local governments are eligible to apply. Organizations should be deeply-rooted in coal-affected areas and have a demonstrated ability to partner with and engage a wide range of transition stakeholders.

The opportunity is designed for organizations who have some experience applying for federal funding, have developed a project for which they seek federal funding, and plan to submit a federal proposal within 6-9 months.

Grants up to $100,000

Technical assistance is provided at no cost.

A link to the online interest form is available on the program website. Complete that form to begin the process.