Funding Coordination for Small Water Systems
Learn how to find and apply for grants to fund small water system projects. Explore accessing federal and non-federal grants, tips for grant writing, and sources of capital for infrastructure projects. Gain insights into financial training and coordination to ensure the sustainability of your water systems.
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Funding Options: How to Find, and Apply for Grants Funding Coordination and Financial Training for Small Water Systems Stacey Isaac Berahzer January 29th, 2013 Alabama State University Montgomery, AL www.efc.unc.edu
Outline Introduction How to Pay for Water/Sewer Projects Accessing federal grants Accessing non-federal grants Grants.gov for federal grants Grant writing tips Getting funded again 2
40 Second Introductions 1. Name? 2. Organization? 3. Responsibility? 4. One thing I hope to get out of this workshop is 4
Dedicated to enhancing the ability of governments and organizations to provide environmental programs and services in fair, effective and financially sustainable ways 5
Smart Management for Small Water Systems 3/11/2025 Smart Management for Small Water Systems *under a Cooperative Agreement with the US EPA The EFCN will provide training and technical assistance to small public water systems in all fifty states and five territories to help local water systems achieve and maintain compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. Workshops and trainings will be provided in these areas: Asset Management Water Loss Reduction Water System Collaboration Fiscal Planning and Rate Setting Energy Management Funding Coordination, and Managerial and Financial Leadership Contact Information: Glenn Barnes Heather Himmelberger Senior Project Director 919-962-2789 glennbarnes@sog.unc.edu Director 505-924-7028 heatherh@efc.nmt.edu www.efcnetwork.org
How the Payments are Made For Infrastructure Projects Save in advance and pay Pay as you go (current receipts) Pay afterwards (someone loans you money) Grants 7
Where Do You Get the Capital for Infrastructure Projects? Reserve funds Current year s revenues Government grants and loans Commercial debt market 8
Where does the money come from? Loans Grants Bonds User fees Assessments Impact fees Taxes 9
About Grants NOT a good way to find a grant! 10
Grants Arent Completely Free Money Application for the grant can be expensive staff time and money Applications can take months to process Often lots of strings attached Often require a percentage match Lots of competition Difficult to sustain 11
Step 1 Choose Grants http://water.epa.gov /grants_funding/ Catalog of Federal Funding Input: Grants Local Government Wastewater Get results in Table Format 13
Step 1 Choose Grants Results 7 Programs Matched 14
Step 1 Choose Grants Another way to find EPA Grants http://water.epa.gov/type/drink/pws/smallsystems/ financialhelp.cfm 15
Step 2: Find More Information on Those Grants from CFDA.gov 16
Grants at the State Level - Examples Community Development Block Grant Program http://www.adeca.alabama.gov/Divisions/c ed/cdp/Pages/CDBG.aspx#Contact USDA Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/AL-Home.html See handout/later presentations for more 18
Grants from Private/Non-Profits Trusts and charitable foundations offer some grants, but local governments are not the main target in most cases Partnering with a non-profit or community- based group may be an option Making the case for cultural significance of your community would be important here (e.g. environmental justice issue) 19
STEP 3: WRITING A GRANT APPLICATION 20
For federal grants GRANTS.GOV 21
Grants.gov You may need to download special software on your computer Sometimes this is the ONLY way to apply, paper applications are not accepted If you do not get an email confirmation of receipt, call the RFP contact 23
Grant Writing Tips Read the RFP thoroughly to make sure your project is appropriate for the funding Follow the suggested RFP outline, if there is one Include maps and photos as appropriate Include letters of support from partner agencies, not from politicians 25
Grant Writing Tips Be specific with your work plan and timeline Cite measurable goals Focus on the results from this funding source and not the work of your program as a whole Don t mention unfunded mandates 26
Grant Writing Tips If you are applying as a group, choose one agency as the lead agency. Pick either the agency with the most work or the agency with the best relationship with the funder. Apply on time 27
Grant Writing Tips Ask the funder any questions you have during the application process. (But, beware: your questions may be published for other applicants to see) Look over any sample grant applications If you are not funded, ask the funders why 28
Grant Writing Tips Regional Councils 12 Regional Councils in AL http://alarc.org/grants/ Offer low-cost grant writing services 29
What are your communitys unique needs and assets? 30
Sample, Annotated Grants http://www.efc.unc.edu/projects/wetlands/index.htm 31
Good Book on Grant Writing Grant Proposal Makeover: Transform Your Request from No to Yes Grant Proposal Makeover: Transform Your Request from No to Yes By Cheryl A. Clarke & Susan Fox John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN: 978-0-7879-8055-9 32
Dont Burn your Bridge With a Funder If you are funded, report your results thoroughly and on time Give the funder recognition: Include credit/logos in your reports/publications (with permission) Invite funder to relevant events (ribbon- cutting) 34
Grant writing Questions and Answers Image Source: Utah DEQ 35
Stacey Isaac Berahzer berahzer@unc.edu 770-509-3887
Stacey Isaac Berahzer berahzer@unc.edu 770-509-3887
