Watkins Public Affairs

Major OMB Guidance Update Announced!??? The Biden-Harris Administration recently unveiled substantial revisions to the Office of Management and Budget’s Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance. This is a game-changer for organizations navigating the complexities of federal grants and financial aid, affecting over $1.2 trillion in annual funding across various sectors. Key Highlights: Streamlined Processes:?The updates aim to significantly reduce administrative burdens, allowing organizations to focus more on mission outcomes rather than overhead. Increased Transparency:?Efforts have been made to make grant announcements clearer and application processes more accessible, particularly for underserved communities. This includes simplifying compliance, reducing unnecessary "prior approvals," and revising Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) for ease of application. Focus on Impact:?There's a new emphasis on using funds for quality evaluation, data analysis, and community engagement to enhance program effectiveness. Equitable Access:?The revised guidance seeks to remove barriers to entry, making it easier for all communities to access vital funding and support. Implementation & Impact: Set to be implemented by October 1, 2024, these changes reflect extensive feedback from a wide range of stakeholders and a review of over 3,200 public comments. The guidance is part of a broader strategy to ensure federal assistance is efficient, effective, and reaches those most in need, marking the most substantial update to the Uniform Grants Guidance in a decade. For Grant Seekers & Administrators:?This overhaul is designed to empower organizations, communities, and individuals by simplifying access to federal funds and making the whole process more transparent. Whether you’re a nonprofit, local government, tribal organization, or educational institution, these changes are poised to make a significant impact on how you seek and manage federal assistance. #Grants #FederalFunding #OMBGuidance #Nonprofits #PublicService #CommunityDevelopment

Since 2021, funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has channeled billions into modernizing U.S. electric infrastructure, strengthening our grid against climate threats, and fostering clean energy access nationwide. Over the past few months alone, more than?$4.38 billion?has been awarded through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) DOE Grid Deployment Office (GDO) fueling transformative projects across states to enhance resilience, economic growth, and energy transition in underserved communities. Here’s a breakdown of some recently funded initiatives: Grid Resilience and Wildfire Mitigation?| GRIP Program Holy Cross Energy : $99 million in federal funds to reinforce wildfire resilience across 39 rural co-ops, deploying the WARN system to analyze and reduce utility-ignited wildfire risks. This project anticipates reducing wildfire impacts on over?12,000 miles of distribution lines?in high-risk areas. Backup Power Systems for Tribal Communities?| GRACI Program Creation Energy LLC With $500,000, this initiative develops solar-ready backup power solutions for Tribal critical facilities. Using standardized templates and sizing tools, this project supports at least?25 Tribal communities?in establishing scalable, resilient power infrastructure. Upgrading Aging Power Lines?| State and Tribal Formula Grants Kansas Corporation Commission and Pioneer Electric Cooperative: Awarded $3.26 million to replace 20 miles of outdated power lines and reinforce pole structures, addressing wind damage concerns exacerbated by drought. Expected impact:?40% reduction in wind-related outages, benefiting over?10,000 customers. This funding follows a targeted approach, with states, Tribes, and communities actively planning and executing projects that align with their specific needs. In fiscal year 2024 alone,?$396 million?has been awarded through the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants to?41 states, 5 territories, and 225 Tribes—prioritizing clean, reliable, and affordable energy access projects that maximize community impact. ?The majority of IRA and IIJA funds are still available, providing crucial opportunities for states, Tribes, and localities to enhance their energy infrastructure. If your organization is considering applying for these funds or seeking more information about available programs, please reach out.

Excited to share that I'll be a panelist at the?Power Shift: Transforming America Through Energy Investment session at ClimateCon! at Colorado State University. We’ll explore how federal and state energy investments are transforming America’s energy landscape, driving us toward a clean, sustainable future. Please get tickets at the link below.

???Grant Alert: Desalination and Water Purification Research Program FY25??? Bureau of Reclamation has announced a new funding opportunity for?Desalination and Water Purification Research Projects. This program seeks innovative solutions to improve water treatment processes and reduce costs, energy use, and environmental impacts. ???Key Details: Total Funding Available: $2,000,000 Award Ceiling: $800,000 Application Deadline: November 13, 2024, by 4:00 PM MST Eligible Applicants: Tribal governments, nonprofits, private institutions, public and state institutions, small businesses, and more. This grant invites applicants to focus on cutting-edge desalination technologies, such as: Reducing energy consumption in water treatment. Advancing membrane technologies like reverse osmosis. Developing cost-effective solutions for byproduct recovery and environmental impact reduction. ???Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gvhPCrBs

???New Funding Opportunity Alert!??? The Federal Transit Administration has just announced the?FY24 Notice of Funding Opportunity?for the?National Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP). This is an incredible chance to apply for?$3.25 million?in funding to support rural and tribal transit services through training, technical assistance, and other essential activities. ???Funding Details: Total Available: $3,250,723 Award Ceiling: $3,250,723 Application Deadline: November 12, 2024 Eligible Applicants: 501(c)(3) Nonprofits This program aims to provide vital resources for transit operators in rural and tribal areas to enhance their services and improve mobility across their regions. https://lnkd.in/gxN5pcVv

If you have been on the fence, don't wait any longer! Come check out the agenda and get registered.

?? Grant Opportunity Alert: Energy Storage Pilot Demonstrations (DE-FOA-0003399) ?? U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is accepting applications for its?Energy Storage Pilot Demonstrations?grant. This opportunity is perfect for entities developing innovative, non-lithium energy storage solutions focused on long-duration systems (10+ hours) and stationary storage applications. ???Deadline:?February 13, 2025 ???Funding Available:?Up to $20,000,000 per award ???Total Program Funding:?$100,000,000 ???Focus Areas:?Non-lithium energy storage, pilot-scale demonstrations, commercial viability If your organization is advancing cutting-edge energy storage technologies, this is your chance to secure funding for pilot demonstrations and help accelerate the future of energy storage solutions. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gXUWS7Ci

?? Grant Deadline Alert: FY24 Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) ?? The deadline for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development FY24?Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing)?grant is fast approaching! This HUD grant provides critical funding for communities working to remove barriers to affordable housing and increase housing production and preservation. ???Deadline:?October 15, 2024, 11:59 PM ET ???Funding Available:?Up to $7,000,000 per award ???Eligible Applicants:?State and local governments, MPOs, and multijurisdictional entities If your community is looking for funding to address housing affordability challenges, now is the time to act! Learn more about eligibility and application requirements by visiting the official announcement. You can learn more at the program website: https://lnkd.in/g5ipnN-K If you have any questions, please let us know how we can help! #GrantAlert #AffordableHousing #CommunityDevelopment #HousingSolutions #PROHousing #HUD #FundingOpportunity?

Now Open | Build to Scale Funding Opportunity to Boost Technology Entrepreneur Ecosystems. Read more: https://bit.ly/4ejJh4t ?? Apply by Oct. 28 @ 4:59pm ET #EconomicDevelopment #BuildtoScale

???Grant Opportunity Alert!??? The?U.S. Economic Development Administration has launched the?FY24 Build to Scale (B2S) Program?with?$50 million?in available funding! This program supports initiatives that strengthen?entrepreneurial ecosystems?and help?technology-driven businesses?grow and scale. Key details: ???What’s funded: Programs that empower entrepreneurs, accelerate regional economic growth, and increase equitable access to capital in emerging tech sectors. ???Who’s eligible: State and local governments, nonprofits, public-private partnerships, higher education institutions, venture development organizations, and more. ???Deadline: Applications are due?October 28, 2024, by 4:59 p.m. ET. ???Award size: From?$100,000 up to $5 million. For more details and to apply, visit?EDA's B2S program page: https://lnkd.in/gDYAwvKq Need help preparing your application or have questions? Reach out, let us know how we can help! #entrepreneurship #grants #EDA #BuildToScale #fundingopportunity #techstartups #economicdevelopment