Micro –Grants from the Eco Faith Network NE Minnesota Synod:
With generous donations by an individual family fund of the Infaith Foundation, the Eco Faith Network makes micro-grants of $100-$1000 available to congregations in the NEMN Synod to assist with creation care projects at their church or supported in their community. The goal for these grants is to inspire and support members of the body of Christ in northeastern Minnesota as active participants in loving, tending, and healing the earth creation to which we belong.
Projects can be funded in a number of areas, including education, community gardening, community engagement, art and the environment, youth ministry, and participation in regional conferences, along with larger conservation projects such as lighting retrofits, solar panel installation, and other energy and/or water conservation projects. Projects are reviewed and award by the Network’s Leadership Team.
For questions or to request a grant application, email: ecofaith@nemnsynod.org
Some past grant recipients have included:
With generous donations by an individual family fund of the Infaith Foundation, the Eco Faith Network makes micro-grants of $100-$1000 available to congregations in the NEMN Synod to assist with creation care projects at their church or supported in their community. The goal for these grants is to inspire and support members of the body of Christ in northeastern Minnesota as active participants in loving, tending, and healing the earth creation to which we belong.
Projects can be funded in a number of areas, including education, community gardening, community engagement, art and the environment, youth ministry, and participation in regional conferences, along with larger conservation projects such as lighting retrofits, solar panel installation, and other energy and/or water conservation projects. Projects are reviewed and award by the Network’s Leadership Team.
For questions or to request a grant application, email: ecofaith@nemnsynod.org
Some past grant recipients have included:
Messiah Lutheran/Mt. Iron Community Garden
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Gloria Dei/Duluth Bat House
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Lutheran Church of Cross/Nisswa
Earth Fair
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Other Local Funding & Technical Resources
ENERGY
WATER & FORESTRY
GENERAL
ENERGY
- CERTs (Clean Energy Resource Teams) – funding opportunities arise once every 2 years and are typically seed funding opportunities in the amount of $5,000 or less. CERTs can help identify resources to successfully implement and complete clean energy projects, and has many resources listed on their website, including model ordinances for solar and wind energy.
- Your local electric utility—Each Minnesota utility is required by state statute to have a Conservation Improvement Program (CIP). Connect with your local utility to see if they have any rebates for energy efficiency or renewable energy.
- MN RETAP (Retiree Environmental Technical Assistance Program) – a program operated through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency that works to help cities, counties, and others reduce their carbon footprints by conducting energy audits and reducing energy consumption. More resources can be found here.
- USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) – with countless program offerings, one of perhaps the most relevant to Energy & Environment work is the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). USDA’s Landscape Planning efforts offer a watershed and flood prevention program that works with local governments on watershed projects. USDA also offers energy efficiency and renewable energy grants and loans from the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
- List of Solar Installers in Minnesota: https://www.mnseia.org/find-installer
- Solar United Neighbors bulk solar buys
WATER & FORESTRY
- MN DNR – wildlife management areas, aquatic invasive species, forestry management and many other services.
- MDH (MN Department of Health) – drinking water quality and testing.
- The Nature Conservancy – offering funds supporting high-impact conservation projects to protect clean water throughout the Upper Mississippi River basin.
- One Watershed One Plan (1W1P) Minnesota now does watershed-based planning and project implementation and have funds to implement projects that improve water quality. Check to see if your watershed is participating with the link or contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District.
- Your local Soil Water Conservation District - annual tree planting and area specific initiatives
GENERAL
- UMN RSDP (University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Program) –There are five regional sustainable partnerships connecting Greater MN communities to the U of MN in order to support local sustainability projects. As of this writing, they are accepting project ideas to improve sustainability in local communities. In the past, funding has typically been limited to around $20,000.
- Minnesota Green Corps – a program operated through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency that addresses critical environmental issues and provides green job skills to service members who serve for 11 months with local governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions.
- GreenStep Cities – a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency program that helps cities become more sustainable through peer connections, funding and technical assistance.
- MPCA (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency) – funding opportunities are fluid, so the website should be monitored for the latest opportunities.