Based in Washington DC, Sustainable Strategies DC provides local governments, non-profits, coalitions, and green technology firms with strategic consulting, federal advocacy, funding support, grants advocacy, issue campaign management, environmental legal services, and other assistance.  Our focus areas include community revitalization, sustainable community development, infrastructure investment, environmental and clean energy technologies, clean transportation, brownfields redevelopment, and other sustainability issues.

Led by experienced sustainability advocates and government affairs experts, including CEO Matt Ward and President Andrew Seth, and boosted by strategic alliances with a team of specialized firms, Sustainable Strategies DC will help you obtain the results you seek on sustainable community and green technology issues. 

Looking for project funding?  Need support for a clean energy or environmental restoration project?  Seeking a public or private partner on your infrastructure project?  Trying to overcome tough legal, regulatory or environmental policy challenges?  Do you need a strategy or assessment of your project's opportunities and how you might navigate the federal process?  Want to get something done in Washington, DC?  The team at Sustainable Strategies DC has a solid track record of helping organizations create and implement strategies that can help you secure resources for revitalization and tools for success in the green economy.  Let us know how we can serve you.

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Hot News & Issues

Download the January 8 Sustainability Funding Webinar
On January 8, Sustainable Strategies DC and Climate Communities hosted a "2015 Sustainability Funding Outlook: Dollars for Local Environmental Initiatives" webinar. Presenters provided an analysis of federal funding opportunities that will be available in 2015, and identified specific cuts of federal program funding. Climate Communities also highlighted philanthropic grant opportunities that will be available this year to support local sustainability initiatives. To download, click here for the archived presentation and click here for a copy of the PowerPoint presentation.

Funding Available for Local Sustainability Projects
The Funders Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities is accepting proposals for round six of its Partners for Places funding to invest in local projects that promote a healthy environment, a strong economy and the well-being of all residents. The grant program will provide investments between $25,000 and $75,000 for one year projects, or $50,000 and $150,000 for two year projects, with a 1:1 match required by one or more local foundations. The deadline for applications is January 28, 2015. Click here for more information. Contact Andrew Seth at (202) 261-9881 or andrew.seth@strategiesdc.com.

Grants Available for Stormwater Management, Habitat Restoration
The National Association of Counties, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Wildlife Habitat Council, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, USDA Forest Service, Southern Company, FedEx and PG&E, are seeking applications for the Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Program. Approximately $2.1 million will be available in 2015, and grants will range from $20,000 to $50,000. Projects should engage diverse partners for wetland, forest, riparian and coastal habitat restoration, stormwater management, outreach and stewardship with a particular focus on water quality, watersheds and habitats. Communities must provide a 1:1 match. The deadline for applications is February 3, 2015. Click here for more information. Contact Andrew Seth at (202) 261-9881 or andrew.seth@strategiesdc.com.

$76 Million Available to Transform Distressed Communities
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grants help to transform distressed neighborhoods using place-based strategies to address the interconnected challenges of poor quality housing, inadequate schools, poor health, high crime, and lack of capital. Implementation Grants provide support to communities that have undergone a comprehensive local planning process and are moving forward with their neighborhood transformation plan. HUD anticipates awarding 4 grants not to exceed $30 million each. Eligible applicants are public housing authorities, local governments, nonprofits, tribal entities, and for-profit developers that apply jointly with a public entity. The deadline for applications is February 9, 2015. Click here for more information. Contact Andrew Seth at (202) 261-9881 or andrew.seth@strategiesdc.com.

Funding Available to Advance Fuel Efficient Vehicle Technologies
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking applications for projects that develop and deploy cutting-edge vehicle technologies that strengthen the clean energy economy. DOE anticipates making awards that range from $350,000 to $4,500,000 to support a wide range of research, development, and demonstration projects that aim to reduce the price and improve the efficiency of plug-in electric, alternative fuel, and conventional vehicles. Topics addressed include: advanced batteries (including manufacturing processes) and electric drive R&D; lightweight materials; advanced combustion engine and enabling technologies R&D; and fuels technologies (dedicated or dual-fuel natural gas engine technologies). DOE will fund cost-shared projects with private industry, national laboratories, and university led-teams. The concept paper deadline is February 26, 2015, and full applications are due April 10, 2015. Click here for more information. Contact Andrew Seth at (202) 261-9881 or andrew.seth@strategiesdc.com.

Funding Available to Build Environmental Stewardship
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the availability of funding to support environmental education projects that promote environmental awareness and stewardship and help provide people with the skills to take responsible actions to protect the environment. The Environmental Education Local Grants Program provides financial support for projects that design, demonstrate, and/or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques. EPA expects to award three grants from each of the EPA’s 10 Regional Offices, for a total of approximately 30 grants nationwide. Each grant award will be approximately $91,000. The deadline for applications is March 6, 2015. Click here for more information. Contact Andrew Seth at (202) 261-9881 or andrew.seth@strategiesdc.com.

Funding Available for Analysis-Driven, Evidence-Based Policing
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is seeking applications for the FY 2015 Smart Policing Initiative (SPI) grants program. SPI seeks to build upon analysis-driven, evidence-based policing by encouraging state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to develop effective, economical and innovative responses to crime within their jurisdictions. DOJ expects to make up to six awards of up to $700,000 each for projects in two purpose areas: 1) Smart Policing Innovation and 2) Body Worn Camera Problem-Solving Demonstration Program. The deadline for applications is March 9, 2015. Click here for more information. Contact Andrew Seth at (202) 261-9881 or andrew.seth@strategiesdc.com.

Grants Available to Transform Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Markets
The U.S. Department of Energy is seeking applications for its State Energy Program 2015 Competitive Awards for projects that advance policies, programs, and market strategies that accelerate job creation and reduce energy consumption while achieving energy and climate security for the nation. Up to $5 million will be available in the following two Areas of Interest: 1) State Energy Planning and 2) Innovative Opportunities for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Practices. Eligibility is restricted to the 50 States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. However, partnerships with local governments to incentivize and/or remove barriers to energy efficiency and renewable energy investments are encouraged. The deadline for applications is June 30, 2015. Click here for more information. Contact Andrew Seth at (202) 261-9881 or andrew.seth@strategiesdc.com.

Funding Available for Green Infrastructure
Since 2009, states have been required to spend a portion of their Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) dollars on projects that address green infrastructure, water or energy efficiency improvements, or environmentally innovative activities. In FY 2014, Congress and President Obama have provided another $1.45 billion to capitalize the CWSRF program, and mandated that no less than 10 percent of these funds be dedicated to the Green Project Reserve, or approximately $145 million nationwide. The state agencies that administer CWSRF programs have developed different methods to disperse Green Project Reserve dollars. Contact Sustainable Strategies DC for help in navigating how Green Project Reserve dollars are spent in your state. Click here for more information. Contact Andrew Seth at (202) 261-9881 or andrew.seth@strategiesdc.com.

Bonds Available for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Projects
In 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act allocated $3.2 billion in bond volume for the Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECB). QECBs are debt instruments that states, local governments and tribes can issue at extremely low rates to fund energy conservation projects, including energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy installations, green community programs, and public education campaigns. Each state received a QECB allocation proportionate to its population, which was subsequently sub-allocated to their largest local governments (cities and counties of 100,000 population or more). While a number of localities have successfully used QECBs, much of the $3.2 billion allocation remains unissued. In most states, cities and counties interested in funding energy projects with QECBs can still tap into unused allocations. Click here for more information. Contact Andrew Seth at (202) 261-9881 or andrew.seth@strategiesdc.com for additional details.