HomeMy WebLinkAboutA012 - Resolution authorizing City staff to establish two City of Ames Climate Action Grants ProgramsITEM #:14
DATE:01-28-25
DEPT:ADMIN
SUBJECT:CITY OF AMES CLIMATE ACTION GRANTS PROGRAM
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
Throughout the development and implementation of the Ames Climate Action Plan (CAP), accepted by
City Council in June 2023, the City has emphasized the importance of robust public engagement in
adopting and implementing climate action and carbon reduction strategies. The City alone cannot
achieve 70% emissions reduction by 2030. It takes many community partners also engaging in this
work.
To inspire and incentivize other community partners to take climate action, staff is proposing a pilot
grant program where up to $70,000 is made available through grants, since cost is frequently cited as a
significant barrier to individuals and organizations implementing sustainable practices. The purpose of
these grants, therefore, is to financially assist community involvement in CAP implementation.
After researching what other municipalities offer (see Attachment A), two grant pathways are being
proposed as a pilot for calendar year 2025:
1. Community Climate Grants. Grants of up to $10,000 will be made available on a competitive basis
to any organization within the City of Ames, including non-profit entities and businesses, that want to
implement sustainable actions that are in alignment with the City's Climate Action Plan and
sustainability goals. These grants will require a minimum of a 20% cost match, permitting in-kind
services.
Grant projects must align with City goals and have a broader impact to the community (see Evaluation
Criteria slide in Attachment B); however, the nature of the projects will not be limited to specific types
of projects.
Potential project examples could include, but are not limited to:
Energy efficiency upgrades such as installing heat pumps and upgrading windows
Installation of solar panels and battery storage
Conducting outreach and educational events focused on sustainability and resiliency topics
Implementing waste reduction strategies such as waste audits or collection containers
Installing EV charging stations for public use or for multi-unit property use
Nature-based resiliency installation projects such as planting a native prairie field or bioswales
Staff is proposing piloting two grant cycles, with up to five projects being awarded during each cycle,
or until funding is expended. The first cycle would be in April and second cycle would be in October.
Applications will be evaluated by a committee made up of City staff (including the Sustainability
Coordinator) and volunteer community members. Projects will be evaluated based on the project's
readiness for implementation, focus and scope, project outcomes and impact (kWh, GHGs, number of
people reached, etc.), and sustained benefits to Ames residents in the short and long term.
Grant awardees will have one year to complete their project after the notice to proceed. G rantees will be
required to provide a final report highlighting the project’s impact.
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2. Youth Mini-Grants. Grants of up to $500 are available to students grade 12 and below for
sustainability projects aligning with the City's goals. The project must also include an outreach or
public involvement aspect to encourage other students and/or residents to take climate action in the
community. Projects must be completed within 6 months, and a final report is required to document the
impact of the project. A supporting adult must sponsor the project. Applications will be considered on a
rolling basis, beginning in April 2025 through May 2026 or until funds are expended.
Applications will be evaluated based on alignment with the City's goals, benefits to the community,
achievable outcomes, and effectiveness of the education and outreach component.
Applications for both grants will be accepted through an online form. A published program guide and
dedicated web page will be available for prospective applicants to familiarize themselves with the
program requirements. Funds will be dispersed on a reimbursement basis after receipts are verified.
The source of funding for these grant programs is the Council Priorities Capital sustainability
fund that was set aside for the implementation of the Climate Action Plan. Therefore, staff is
requesting a one-time allocation of up to $70,000 from the fund for the program. After one year
(one youth mini-grant cycle and two community climate grant cycles), the program's impact and cost-
effectiveness will be assessed and presented to Council to determine future steps.
The $70,000 funding will be allocated between the two grants as follows:
Grant Funding Percent of Total
Community Climate Grant $ 66,500 95%
Youth Mini-Grant $ 3,500 5%
Total $ 70,000 100%
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve up to $70,000 to be made available as grants through the proposed community climate
grants and youth mini-grants.
2. Do not approve the up to $70,000 to be made available as grants.
3. Refer back to staff.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Offering these grant opportunities is a strategy to incentivize the Ames community to invest in
sustainable actions in ways that benefit the broader community. The Climate Action Grants
Program leverages private dollars through cost sharing and engaging and educating the
community through sharing project results, in addition to the greenhouse gas and resiliency
benefits that will be realized by each project funded.
This program aligns with the City Council goals and the Climate Action Plan. Therefore, it is the
recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative No. 1 above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment A: Municipal Sustainability Grant Programs.pdf
Attachment B: City of Ames Climate Action Grants - City Council 1-28-25.pptx
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Municipal Sustainability Grant Programs
City Grants Eligibility Amount Annual
Investment
Dubuque, IA
(Population 60k)
Community Grants - Align
with CAP and include
community engagement or
education
NGOs,
Businesses,
Residents
$2,500 $25,000
Iowa City, IA
(Population 75k)
Community Action Grants -
Projects that align with CAP
NGOs &
Businesses
Up to
$10,000
$60,000 Youth Mini-Grants - Projects
that align with CAP
Students
Grades 5-12 $500
Climate Innovation Grants -
Emerging technologies
NGOs &
Businesses
Case-by-
case
Merriam, KS
(Population 11k)
Residential Sustainability
Grant - Energy efficiency &
solar
Residents 30% up to
$3,000 $65,000
Prairie Village, KS
(Population 23k)
Residential Sustainability
Grant - Energy efficiency &
solar
Residents 25% up to
$2,500 $30,000
Tacoma, WA
(Population
220k)
Sustainability Small Grant -
Projects that align with CAP
NGOs &
Residents
Up to
$5,000 -
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Climate Action Grants
January 28, 2025 PRESENTERS:
Nolan Sagan, Sustainability Coordinator
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Community Climate Grant:
Must align with City sustainability goals and take place within
Ames
Awards of up to $10,000
Partial cost match required
Two grant cycles in 2025
Competitive applications, scored on a set of criteria:
Alignment with City goals
Sustained benefits to a diversity of Ames residents
Meaningful outcomes and impacts (kWh, GHGs, number of
people reached, etc.)
Demonstrated need for additional funding and a feasible scope
and budget
Final report
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Community Climate Grant:
Evaluation Criteria Weight
Project aligns with and meaningfully advances the program goals.30
Project will have a beneficial impact on many community members
and/or can be modeled by others.20
Project scope and budget are complete and feasible.15
Project outcomes are impactful, specific, and measurable.15
Project and/or organization benefits underrepresented communities.10
The applicant has demonstrated a need for funding and an ability to
follow through on this project or has a history of implementing similar
activities.
10
Total 100
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Community
Climate Grant
Examples:
Building energy efficiency
Solar
Electric vehicle charging
Increase pollinator habitats, native tree canopy,
or establish native prairie.
Education and outreach campaigns/events
focused on specific topics or areas of concern
such as waste diversion, clean transportation,
or resiliency.
Explore or utilize innovative technologies
and/or practices to reduce carbon emissions.
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Youth Mini-Grant:
Must align with City sustainability goals and include
education/outreach component
Students grades 12 and under, with an adult sponsor
Awards of up to $500
Reviewed on a rolling basis
Applications evaluated on a set of criteria
Alignment with City goals
Creative, innovative, beneficial, or educational for
participants and the community
Public education and outreach component
Outcomes, timeline, and budget are reasonable
Final report
Project Examples:
Outreach and education encouraging fellow students to
walk or bike to school, recycle, compost, conserve
water, or reduce energy usage
Plant trees or other native vegetation
School waste reduction, reuse, recycling, or composting
initiatives
School energy treasure hunts
Reduce food waste at home or school
Establish a shared vegetable garden
Climate-focused art installations
Partnering with people and/or local organizations to
further their mission/events.
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Questions and Comments
City of Ames Climate Action Grant Program
Nolan Sagan, Sustainability Coordinator
Nolan.sagan@cityofames.org
515-239-5227
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