GRC Publications: GrantWeek-November 05, 2007

	Funding Sustainability Projects A funding guide prepared by the Grants Resource Center at AASCU
The 'greening' of the campus, involving energy efficient and environmentally responsible development, is at the top of every agenda; over time, the importance and ramifications of this movement are going to increase. Colleges and universities have been quick to vocalize their ambition to support sustainable and renewable energy practices, leading to a greatly increased demand for external financial support for such projects. These green efforts on the campus typically are classified into three approaches: agricultural practices, environmentally sound construction and remodeling, and alternative energy applications. On the agricultural front, efforts are being made to ensure the maximum safe output of useable produce and the use of environmentally appropriate landscaping. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has several grant programs geared toward this end. Perhaps the single most popular green project for higher education has been the design and construction of sustainable and energy efficient buildings. From the smallest to the largest schools, CEOs have pledged to increase dramatically the number of new green buildings and the rate at which old buildings are modified to reduce their carbon footprint. For the sciences, alternative energy research is a top priority and has some of the most significant support from the federal government. The U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation are both providing substantial assistance to wean the country off fossil fuel use. All of these initiatives require funding and strategic decisions to promote their chances of success. There are three sources that are most evident to provide the fiscal impetus for institutions of higher education: The federal government has increased the number of grants available in these areas as part of the America COMPETES Act; private foundations interested in the sciences and education have created programs to encourage green projects; and, creating the largest initial commitments, private industry has invested heavily in this area, with local business commitments accounting for the majority of all green buildings constructed to date. Recent Reports and Articles on Sustainability in Higher Education The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) has released its Digest 2007 Review of Campus Sustainability News (http://www.aashe.org/resources/pdf/aashedigest2007.pdf). According to Environmental Leader (http://www.environmentalleader.com/2008/07/01/aashe-releases-annual-review-of-sustainability-in-higher-education/), the Digest provides the country's most comprehensive analysis of sustainability activity at colleges and universities. The document includes a section on finance and administration, with additional chapters on awards won by institutions, financial practices to further green agendas and green building projects, curriculum development, and research. AASHE is not the only organization keeping track of environmentally friendly actions on college campuses. AASCU's Division of Government Relations and Policy Analysis issued a June 2008 policy brief (http://www.aascu.org/media/pm/pdf/pmjune08.pdf) on the role of state institutions of higher education in advancing environmental sustainability through policy, programs, and practices. In addition, the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment group recently issued an annual report (http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/reporting/documents/ACUPCC_AR2007.pdf) on its efforts, and the Sustainable Endowments Institute released its [College Sustainability Report Card 2008] (http://www.endowmentinstitute.org/sustainability/CollegeSustainabilityReportCard2008.pdf), revealing that two of every three higher education institutions have improved their green practices and polices during the last year. Additionally, the Chronicle of Higher Education has published several articles on green and environmentally responsible funding sources in recent years. (subscription required): Colleges to Get Help Financing Energy Savings (Money & Management) http://chronicle.com/weekly/v54/i12/12a02602.htm In Search of the Sustainable Campus (Special Report) http://chronicle.com/weekly/v53/i09/09a01001.htm Gore's Nobel May Bring Even More Attention on Campuses to Environmental Issues (Research) http://chronicle.com/weekly/v54/i09/09a01401.htm Is College Landscaping Green Enough? (Money & Management) http://chronicle.com/weekly/v54/i07/07a02801.htm People, Profit, and Planet (The Faculty) http://chronicle.com/weekly/v54/i02/02a01401.htm A Roadmap for Creating the Global Campus (The Chronicle Review) http://chronicle.com/weekly/v53/i43/43b01201.htm A Global Approach to Engineering (International) http://chronicle.com/weekly/v53/i39/39a03301.htm 'Sustainability' From A to Z: a Round-Table Discussion (Campus Architecture) http://chronicle.com/weekly/v53/i25/25b01801.htm Most Colleges Get C's in Sustainability (Money & Management) http://chronicle.com/weekly/v53/i22/22a02305.htm All of these reports and articles serve as resources for identifying potential partners and for finding models for launching successful green programs. Federal Programs Supporting Green Projects The Federal government provides financial assistance for environmentally sensitive and energy efficient programs and research through several agencies. The following listing was drawn from GRC's proprietary database, GrantSearch. National Science Foundation Environmental Engineering and Sustainability: Energy for Sustainability, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Implications of Emerging Technologies, and Environmental Sustainability http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=501033 Next Deadline: 9/15/08 U.S. Department of Agriculture NRI: Plant Biology: Environmental Stress http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/fundview.cfm?fonum=1117 Most Recent Deadline: 12/19/07 gmclean@csrees.usda.gov U.S. Department of the Interior Green Energy Parks Program http://www.energypartnerships.org/ Most Recent Deadline: 1/31/08 terry_brennan@nps.gov U.S. Department of Energy Solar America Initiative http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/solar_america/funding_opportunities.html Next Deadline: 10/9/08 Enhanced Geothermal Systems Research Development and Demonstration http://www1.eere.energy.gov/financing/solicitations_detail.html?sol_id=173 Next Deadline: 8/12/08 Building America Energy Efficient Housing Partnerships http://www1.eere.energy.gov/financing/solicitations_detail.html?sol_id=128 Most Recent Deadline: 7/31/07 Faculty/Staff Exchange Program http://www.inl.gov/education/faculty.shtml No Fixed Deadlines Cheri Miller, 208/526-8868 Research, Development and Demonstration of Fuel Cell Technologies for Automotive, Stationary and Portable Applications http://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/advanced_fc_technology.html Next Deadline: 8/27/08 stephanie.carabajal@go.doe.gov Energy Frontier Centers http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=LGzfp19Q1b9CqfpphFG5hrXMLTdlCpMyBhR6tFMfmJwlrJbLMyCq! 66001986?oppId=17381&flag2006=true&mode=VIEW Next Deadline: 10/1/08 Vicki_Phillips@ch.doe.gov Support of Advanced Fossil Resource Conversion & Utilization Research by HBCUs & other Minority Institutions http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/solicitations/index.html#43115 Most Recent Deadline: 6/5/08 Support of Advanced Coal Research at US Colleges & Universities http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/solicitations/index.html Most Recent Deadline: 6/10/08 Used Energy-Related Laboratory Equipment (ERLE) Grant Program http://erle.osti.gov/erle/ No Fixed Deadlines Private Sources of Green Funding These private foundations are noteworthy for their early and consistent support for green projects of every type. * Kresge Foundation : Environment Program http://www.kresge.org/ * MacArthur (John D. And Catherine T.) Foundation http://www.macfound.org/site/c.lkLXJ8MQKrH/b.3599935/ : Conservation and Sustainable Development * Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Inc. http://www.rbf.org/ : Sustainable Development * The John Merck Fund http://www.jmfund.org/: Environment Program * Wallace Global Fund http://www.wgf.org/: Natural Resources * Environmental Defense, Inc. http://www.edf.org/home.cfm : Grants for Community-Based Green Projects * Global Green USA http://www.globalgreen.org/ : Grants to Stem Global Climate Change * The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation http://www.lindberghfoundation.org/ (also known as the Lindbergh Foundation): Grants for Balancing Nature and Technology Through Research and Education The table at the end of this guide lists the top 50 environmental funders among philanthropic organizations. This Foundation Center list is also useful in identifying the range of private sources that offer assistance. http://www.aascu.org/grc/resources/fc_top50environment.pdf -------------------------------------- Written and compiled by Malcolm Furgol, GRC Program Advisor. (AASCU/GRC, July 2008)

Funding Sustainability Projects
A funding guide prepared by the Grants Resource Center at AASCU

The 'greening' of the campus, involving energy efficient and environmentally responsible development, is at the top of every agenda; over time, the importance and ramifications of this movement are going to increase. Colleges and universities have been quick to vocalize their ambition to support sustainable and renewable energy practices, leading to a greatly increased demand for external financial support for such projects. These green efforts on the campus typically are classified into three approaches: agricultural practices, environmentally sound construction and remodeling, and alternative energy applications.

On the agricultural front, efforts are being made to ensure the maximum safe output of useable produce and the use of environmentally appropriate landscaping. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has several grant programs geared toward this end.

Perhaps the single most popular green project for higher education has been the design and construction of sustainable and energy efficient buildings. From the smallest to the largest schools, CEOs have pledged to increase dramatically the number of new green buildings and the rate at which old buildings are modified to reduce their carbon footprint.

For the sciences, alternative energy research is a top priority and has some of the most significant support from the federal government. The U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation are both providing substantial assistance to wean the country off fossil fuel use.

All of these initiatives require funding and strategic decisions to promote their chances of success. There are three sources that are most evident to provide the fiscal impetus for institutions of higher education: The federal government has increased the number of grants available in these areas as part of the America COMPETES Act; private foundations interested in the sciences and education have created programs to encourage green projects; and, creating the largest initial commitments, private industry has invested heavily in this area, with local business commitments accounting for the majority of all green buildings constructed to date.

Recent Reports and Articles on Sustainability in Higher Education

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) has released its Digest 2007 Review of Campus Sustainability News (http://www.aashe.org/resources/pdf/aashedigest2007.pdf). According to Environmental Leader (http://www.environmentalleader.com/2008/07/01/aashe-releases-annual-review-of-sustainability-in-higher-education/), the Digest provides the country's most comprehensive analysis of sustainability activity at colleges and universities.

The document includes a section on finance and administration, with additional chapters on awards won by institutions, financial practices to further green agendas and green building projects, curriculum development, and research.

AASHE is not the only organization keeping track of environmentally friendly actions on college campuses. AASCU's Division of Government Relations and Policy Analysis issued a June 2008 policy brief (http://www.aascu.org/media/pm/pdf/pmjune08.pdf) on the role of state institutions of higher education in advancing environmental sustainability through policy, programs, and practices.

In addition, the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment group recently issued an annual report (http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/reporting/documents/ACUPCC_AR2007.pdf) on its efforts, and the Sustainable Endowments Institute released its [College Sustainability Report Card 2008] (http://www.endowmentinstitute.org/sustainability/CollegeSustainabilityReportCard2008.pdf), revealing that two of every three higher education institutions have improved their green practices and polices during the last year.

Additionally, the Chronicle of Higher Education has published several articles on green and environmentally responsible funding sources in recent years. (subscription required):

Colleges to Get Help Financing Energy Savings
(Money & Management)
http://chronicle.com/weekly/v54/i12/12a02602.htm

In Search of the Sustainable Campus
(Special Report)
http://chronicle.com/weekly/v53/i09/09a01001.htm

Gore's Nobel May Bring Even More Attention on Campuses to Environmental Issues
(Research)
http://chronicle.com/weekly/v54/i09/09a01401.htm

Is College Landscaping Green Enough?
(Money & Management)
http://chronicle.com/weekly/v54/i07/07a02801.htm

People, Profit, and Planet
(The Faculty)
http://chronicle.com/weekly/v54/i02/02a01401.htm

A Roadmap for Creating the Global Campus
(The Chronicle Review)
http://chronicle.com/weekly/v53/i43/43b01201.htm

A Global Approach to Engineering
(International)
http://chronicle.com/weekly/v53/i39/39a03301.htm

'Sustainability' From A to Z: a Round-Table Discussion
(Campus Architecture)
http://chronicle.com/weekly/v53/i25/25b01801.htm

Most Colleges Get C's in Sustainability
(Money & Management)
http://chronicle.com/weekly/v53/i22/22a02305.htm

All of these reports and articles serve as resources for identifying potential partners and for finding models for launching successful green programs.

Federal Programs Supporting Green Projects

The Federal government provides financial assistance for environmentally sensitive and energy efficient programs and research through several agencies. The following listing was drawn from GRC's proprietary database, GrantSearch.

National Science Foundation
Environmental Engineering and Sustainability: Energy for Sustainability, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Implications of Emerging Technologies, and Environmental Sustainability
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=501033
Next Deadline: 9/15/08

U.S. Department of Agriculture
NRI: Plant Biology: Environmental Stress
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/fundview.cfm?fonum=1117
Most Recent Deadline: 12/19/07
gmclean@csrees.usda.gov

U.S. Department of the Interior
Green Energy Parks Program
http://www.energypartnerships.org/
Most Recent Deadline: 1/31/08
terry_brennan@nps.gov

U.S. Department of Energy
Solar America Initiative
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/solar_america/funding_opportunities.html
Next Deadline: 10/9/08

Enhanced Geothermal Systems Research Development and Demonstration
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/financing/solicitations_detail.html?sol_id=173
Next Deadline: 8/12/08

Building America Energy Efficient Housing Partnerships
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/financing/solicitations_detail.html?sol_id=128
Most Recent Deadline: 7/31/07

Faculty/Staff Exchange Program
http://www.inl.gov/education/faculty.shtml
No Fixed Deadlines
Cheri Miller, 208/526-8868

Research, Development and Demonstration of Fuel Cell Technologies for Automotive, Stationary and Portable Applications
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/advanced_fc_technology.html
Next Deadline: 8/27/08
stephanie.carabajal@go.doe.gov

Energy Frontier Centers
http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=LGzfp19Q1b9CqfpphFG5hrXMLTdlCpMyBhR6tFMfmJwlrJbLMyCq!
66001986?oppId=17381&flag2006=true&mode=VIEW
Next Deadline: 10/1/08
Vicki_Phillips@ch.doe.gov

Support of Advanced Fossil Resource Conversion & Utilization Research by HBCUs & other Minority Institutions
http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/solicitations/index.html#43115
Most Recent Deadline: 6/5/08

Support of Advanced Coal Research at US Colleges & Universities
http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/solicitations/index.html
Most Recent Deadline: 6/10/08

Used Energy-Related Laboratory Equipment (ERLE) Grant Program
http://erle.osti.gov/erle/
No Fixed Deadlines

Private Sources of Green Funding

These private foundations are noteworthy for their early and consistent support for green projects of every type.

* Kresge Foundation : Environment Program
http://www.kresge.org/

* MacArthur (John D. And Catherine T.) Foundation http://www.macfound.org/site/c.lkLXJ8MQKrH/b.3599935/ :
Conservation and Sustainable Development

* Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Inc. http://www.rbf.org/ : Sustainable Development

* The John Merck Fund http://www.jmfund.org/: Environment Program

* Wallace Global Fund http://www.wgf.org/: Natural Resources

* Environmental Defense, Inc. http://www.edf.org/home.cfm : Grants for Community-Based Green Projects

* Global Green USA http://www.globalgreen.org/ : Grants to Stem Global Climate Change

* The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation http://www.lindberghfoundation.org/
(also known as the Lindbergh Foundation): Grants for Balancing Nature and Technology Through Research and Education

The table at the end of this guide lists the top 50 environmental funders among philanthropic organizations. This Foundation Center list is also useful in identifying the range of private sources that offer assistance.
http://www.aascu.org/grc/resources/fc_top50environment.pdf

--------------------------------------
Written and compiled by Malcolm Furgol, GRC Program Advisor.
(AASCU/GRC, July 2008)