Grant Assistance Programs

Geothermal Alliance Grant Requirements and Geothermal Grant Application is now available.

The Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives, in conjunction with the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, is  offering GeoAlliance grants for geothermal equipment to be installed in not-for-profit and public entities that are served by electric cooperatives (Qualifying installations can be for new construction or a retrofit) . The grants pay for one third of the incremental difference between the cost of traditional heating/cooling systems and geothermal systems, up to $50,000. It's a great way for qualifying entities to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on heating/cooling bills.

AFG Grant Writing Workshop for 2008 Link to pdf for information.

AFG Program Application Period Now Open: Fiscal Year 2007 Fire Prevention and Safety Grants

More information, as well as a tutorial for the grant application, is available online at www.firegrantsupport.com . Applicants who have questions regarding FP&S grants can also contact the Help Desk at 1-866-274-0960 or firegrants@dhs.gov .

• FY07 Fire Prevention and Safety Grants Program Guidance - visit Fire Grant Support
• FY07 Fire Prevention and Safety Grants FAQs - visit Frequently asked questions

2008 Rolf H. Jensen Memorial Public Education Grant Applications

NFPA is seeking applications for the 2008 Rolf H. Jensen Memorial Public Education Grant, funded by the RJA Group. The award provides a $5,000 grant annually to a local fire department in the United States implementing a fire and life safety education program or campaign. Visit www.nfpa.org and under “Learning” click onto “Training and Professional Development on the drop down menu. Scroll to “scholarships, awards, grants.” Mail application to the National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169, Attention: Public Education/Jensen Application. Or e-mail the application to education@nfpa.org. The application deadline is Friday, February 15, 2008.

Illinois Clean Energy – Grant Program

PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES

The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, with the support of the Illinois Municipal League, encourage all municipalities that operate public safety buildings to apply for funding through the Foundation's new 2008 Public Safety Lighting Upgrade Grant Program. Upgrading to energy efficient lighting saves energy, cuts operating costs and improves indoor lighting quality.

This is the Foundation's second program developed with the encouragement and endorsement of IML. IML previously worked with Illinois Clean Energy to design the LED Traffic Signal lighting upgrade program to help overcome the higher up front costs of LED traffic signal bulbs.

Local government agencies (including municipalities, villages, townships, fire protection districts & county sheriffs) are eligible to apply for funding to pay for energy-saving upgrades to lamps, ballasts and/or controls in existing indoor lighting systems. Grants are up to $500 per kilowatt of electricity reduction in electricity demand that the lighting upgrade, as installed, yields. Grants will be limited to no more than $30,000 for any one public safety building and no more than $120,000 for any unit of local government.

Stand-alone public safety buildings such as fire and police stations are the most common type of public safety building. Multiple use buildings that provide public safety services along with other government services (e.g., city halls that house police departments) are eligible to apply for this program so long as public safety related functions comprise a minimum of 40% of total building square footage.

Lighting Upgrades bring improved lighting quality for public safety employees and visitors while decreasing operating and maintenance expenses. The Foundation's lighting upgrades save energy, help create cleaner Illinois communities, and serve as an energy efficiency model from which the community can learn.