Sustainable Strategies DC
500 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Suite 600
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 261-9881
E-mail: info@StrategiesDC.com
500 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Suite 600
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 261-9881
E-mail: info@StrategiesDC.com
Home Page
Sustainable Strategies DC is a government affairs & strategic consulting firm helping clients obtain resources for revitalization & tools for success in the green economy.
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.
Hot News & Issues
Urge Congress to Invest in Local Infrastructure
As part of the deal to reopen the federal government and avoid a debt default, a joint conference committee has been established to reconcile House and Senate budgets and develop a funding plan for fiscal year 2014. This important committee has until December 13, 2013 to reach a bipartisan agreement that would manage spending and make investments to grow the economy. Local government officials must urge Congress to support funding for the:
- U.S. Department of Transportation’s TIGER program;
- U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants;
- Economic Development Administration’s Economic Development Assistance programs;
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfields program, Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund; and
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grants.
Archive: "Show Me the Money!: 2013 Sustainability Funding Outlook" Presentation
On January 10, 2013, Sustainable Strategies DC hosted the "Show Me the Money!: 2013 Sustainability Funding Outlook" webinar. The presentation discussed how local governments can prepare an effective strategy to secure federal, state, foundation, and private grant dollars and other resources for their community sustainability priorities in 2013. The webinar also highlighted a number of resources available for renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transportation, smart growth, downtown revitalization, water infrastructure, and other sustainability projects. Click here to download a copy of the PowerPoint presentation. Click here to watch a recorded archive of the webinar.
Archive: "Capitol Offense: 2013 Sustainability and Community Revitalization Policy Outlook" Presentation
On Thursday, January 24th, Sustainable Strategies DC hosted a webinar featuring Jay Williams, the White House Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Assistant Administrator Mathy Stanislaus that discussed proposed federal sustainability and community revitalization policies in 2013. The webinar identified policies and programs that the Obama Administration seeks to roll out, including expansion of the Strong Cities, Strong Communities initiative; new community revitalization opportunities; comprehensive energy legislation; and other issues of importance to localities. Click here to download a copy of the PowerPoint presentation. Click here to watch a recorded archive of the webinar.
Technical Assistance Available to Tackle Smart Growth Challenges
Smart Growth America is now accepting applications for its 2014 free technical assistance workshops. Communities may apply for one of 12 types of technical assistance workshops:
- Implementing smart growth 101
- Planning for economic and fiscal health
- Regional planning for small communities
- Sustainable land use code audit
- Smart growth zoning codes for small cities
- Complete streets
- Walkability workshop/audit
- Transportation performance measurement
- Parking audit
- Implementing transit-oriented development
- 101 Cool planning: local strategies to slow climate change
- Using LEED-ND to accelerate the development of sustainable communities
Grants Available to Meet Firefighting and Emergency Response Needs
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) help fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations meet firefighting and emergency response needs. The AFG program has helped firefighters and other first responders to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards. Approximately $289 million will be available in FY 2013. The deadline for applications is December 6, 2013. Click here for more information. Contact Andrew Seth at (202) 261-9881 or andrew.seth@strategiesdc.com.
Funding Available for Green Economic Development Projects
The Economic Development Administration's (EDA) Public Works Program provides grants to support job creation in economically distressed areas of the United States. EDA grants can support local renewable energy, green building, energy efficiency, and recycling projects. The next EDA funding cycle deadline is December 13, 2013 for funding cycle 1 of FY 2014. Click here for a copy of the RFP. Contact Andrew Seth at (202) 261-9881 or andrew.seth@strategiesdc.com.
Creative Placemaking Funding Available
ArtPlace America, a collaboration of 13 national and regional foundations and six financial institutions, is seeking Letters of Inquiry for its Innovation Grants program. Innovation Grants, ranging between $50,000-$500,000, support creative placemaking projects that increase the vibrancy and diversity of communities. The program seeds entrepreneurial projects that lead through the arts, enjoy local buy-in, integrate with economic development and community revitalization strategies, and have the potential to attract additional private and public support. The deadline for Letters of Intent is December 13, 2013. Click here for more information. Contact Andrew Seth at (202) 261-9881 or andrew.seth@strategiesdc.com.
Funding Available for Community Sustainability Projects
In 2012, Wells Fargo and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) launched the Environmental Solutions for Communities initiative, designed to support projects that link economic development and community well-being to the stewardship and health of the environment. Funding priorities for the Environmental Solutions for Communities program include: sustainable agricultural practices and private lands stewardship; conserving critical land and water resources; restoring and managing natural habitat, species and ecosystems; green infrastructure, renewable energy and energy efficiency; and broad-based citizen participation. Grants will range from $25,000 to $100,000. The deadline for applications is December 16, 2013. Click here for more information. Contact Andrew Seth at (202) 261-9881 or andrew.seth@strategiesdc.com.
Grants Available to Improve Community Water Quality
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expects to award $1.6 million in grants for projects that contribute to improved water quality and community revitalization. EPA's Urban Waters Small Grants support research, studies, training, and demonstration projects. Applicants may request up to $60,000, and projects must take place within one of 18 specific geographic areas. Eligible projects include planning activities, educational campaigns and water quality monitoring programs. The deadline for applications is December 16, 2013. Click here for more information. Contact Andrew Seth at (202) 261-9881 or andrew.seth@strategiesdc.com.
Georgetown University to Award $5 Million Energy Efficiency Prize
Communities across the country can compete for the Georgetown University Energy Prize, a $5 million award to the locality that reduces energy use the most. The initiative seeks to: (1) foster innovative approaches to energy efficiency; (2) educate the public and engage students in energy issues; (3) and grow markets for products and services that facilitate energy efficiency. Participating communities must develop a long-term energy efficiency plan and demonstrate its initial effectiveness and long-term potential. Cities and counties with populations of 5,000 to 250,000 are eligible. Letters of Intent will be accepted through December 2013. Click here for more information. Contact Andrew Seth at (202) 261-9881 or andrew.seth@strategiesdc.com.
Grants Available for AmeriCorps Service Projects
The Corporation for National and Community Service’s (CNCS) AmeriCorps State and National Grants provide funding to engage AmeriCorps members in service interventions that solve community problems. In FY 2014, CNCS will focus on six priority areas: environmental stewardship, healthy futures, disaster services, economic opportunity, education, and veterans and military families. In addition, CNCS will continue its Governor and Mayor Initiative pilot, an intergovernmental effort to tackle shared challenges across a state. Local governments, non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, and tribes are eligible. The deadline for applications is January 8, 2014. Click here for more information. Contact Andrew Seth at (202) 261-9881 or andrew.seth@strategiesdc.com.
Resources Available for Local Sustainability Projects
The Funders' Network for Smart Growth & Livable Communities' Local Sustainability Matching Fund seeks to catalyze partnerships between local governments and place-based foundations. Eight sustainability priorities have been identified: adaptation & health infrastructure, EcoDistricts & comprehensive neighborhood projects, urban food systems, sustainability performance measurement, sustainable economic development, social equity, mobilizing resident & business sustainability actions, and recycling & waste prevention. The Fund will provide investments up to $75,000, with a 1:1 match required by local foundations. The deadline for applications is January 8, 2014. Click here for more information. Contact Andrew Seth at (202) 261-9881 or andrew.seth@strategiesdc.com.
Funding Available to Enhance Community Livability with Art
The National Endowment for the Arts is providing grants of up to $200,000 for creative placemaking projects that contribute toward community livability and help create places with the arts at their core. The Our Town program seeks to encourage creative activity, develop community identity and a sense of place, and help revitalize local economies. Eligible projects include planning (e.g., cultural district planning), design (e.g., design of parks, streetscapes) and arts engagement activities (e.g., festivals, public art). The deadline for applications is January 13, 2014. Click here for more information. Contact Andrew Seth at (202) 261-9881 or andrew.seth@strategiesdc.com.
Grants Available to Protect Private Forests
The Forest Service has announced the availability of $4 million for its Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program. The program provides grants of up to $400,000 for local governments, non-profit organizations and Indian tribes to establish community forests through fee simple acquisition of private forest land. The purpose of the program is to protect forest land threatened by conversion to non-forest uses. Applications must be submitted to your State Forester. The deadline for applications is January 15, 2014. Click here for more information. Contact Andrew Seth at (202) 261-9881 or andrew.seth@strategiesdc.com.
Grants Available to Assess and Cleanup Brownfields
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking applications for its Brownfields Assessment, Cleanup and Revolving Loan Fund grants. EPA defines a brownfield as “real property, the expansion, redevelopment or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, contaminants, controlled substances, petroleum or petroleum products.” EPA’s Brownfields program provides funds to empower states, communities, tribes, and nonprofits to prevent, inventory, assess, clean up, and reuse brownfield sites. EPA has announced the availability of three types of grants:
- Assessment grants (up to $200,000 for three years; coalitions are funded up to $600,000 over three years) provide funding to inventory, characterize, assess, and conduct planning and community involvement activities related to brownfield sites.
- Revolving Loan Fund grants (up to $1 million per eligible entity for five years) provide funding to capitalize a revolving loan fund (RLF) and to make loans and provide subgrants to carry out cleanup activities at brownfield sites. Requires 20% cost share.
- Cleanup grants (up to $200,000 for three years) provide funding to carry out cleanup activities at brownfields sites. Requires 20% cost share. Applicant must own the contaminated site.
Funding Available for Western Water and Energy Efficiency Projects
The Bureau of Reclamation is seeking proposals from localities, water districts, Indian tribes, and states for its WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants. The program provides funding to communities in the Western United States to conserve and use water more efficiently, increase the use of renewable energy and improve energy efficiency, benefit endangered and threatened species, facilitate water markets, and carry out activities to address climate-related impacts on water. Applicants may seek up to $300,000 for smaller initiatives or up to $1 million for larger, phased projects. Sustainable Strategies DC previously helped Cedar Hill, Texas prepare a successful WaterSMART application to install 3,000 advanced water meters. The deadline for applications is January 23, 2014. 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 $1.8 million will be available in 2014, 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 5, 2014. Click here for more information. Contact Andrew Seth at (202) 261-9881 or andrew.seth@strategiesdc.com.
$750 Million Authorized in FY 2013 for Transportation Loans, Lines of Credit and Loan Guarantees
The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program provides secured loans, lines of credit and loan guarantees for eligible surface transportation projects. Eligible projects include highways, transit and intermodal, passenger rail, and intelligent transportation systems. Generally, the minimum size for TIFIA projects is $50 million ($25 million in rural communities). The recently signed transportation reauthorization legislation - Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) - authorizes $750 million for the TIFIA program in FY 2013, a significant boost above the FY 2012 level of $120 million. Entities wishing to apply for TIFIA credit assistance must first submit a Letter of Interest. 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.
