by Andrea Pedersen - Montrose Environmental

Brownfield Grants provide a unique opportunity to transform contaminated and underutilized properties into vibrant community assets. By understanding the various types of grants available and leveraging expert assistance, your community can effectively navigate the upcoming Brownfield Grant competition and maximize your chances of securing funding!

The EPA’s annual Brownfield Grant competition takes place in the fall. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is usually released between August and October, with applications due 8-10 weeks afterward.

Starting your preparations for the FY2025 Brownfield Grant competition well ahead of the deadline significantly boosts your chances of success. Early preparation allows ample time for comprehensive planning, engaging with the community and stakeholders, and crafting a compelling and thoughtful narrative. Continue reading to learn the best steps to take while preparing your application!

Identify key elements of your application.

Crafting a successful Brownfield Grant application requires strategic planning and the expertise of experienced grant writers. One of the first steps is to clearly define the project boundary and objectives. Presenting a well-defined target area and setting realistic goals for your project helps reviewers understand the scope and intent of your proposal. Additionally, providing compelling data to demonstrate the community’s need for the project is crucial. This could include statistics, case studies, or other relevant information that highlights the importance of the redevelopment.

Describing the key outcomes of the project and the benefits it will bring to the community is another essential element. This could include economic growth, environmental improvements, or social benefits. Equally important is outlining your strategies for engaging key stakeholders and educating community members about the benefits of brownfield redevelopment. Involving a diverse group of voices on the project steering committee ensures broad support and strengthens your application.

A comprehensive project plan and detailed budget are also vital. Detail the steps involved in the assessment, cleanup, and redevelopment process, and provide a realistic budget that aligns with the proposed activities. Highlighting your past successes in managing other state or federal grants demonstrates your capability and reliability to potential funders. Finally, crafting a thoughtful narrative that includes a consistent theme throughout each section of the grant application will keep the attention of reviewers and help you score maximum points.

Find the right tools and resources to prepare your application.

To assist in the preparation process, the EPA’s Brownfields Program website offers guidelines, FAQs, and examples of successful applications, providing a wealth of information to help you get started. Grant writing workshops are another valuable resource, offering training on how to write compelling proposals with tips and best practices from experienced grant writers. Additionally, the EPA has dedicated Technical Assistance providers in each region who can connect you with grant writing services and review your draft application prior to submission.

Explore other EPA funding opportunities.

The EPA has introduced several new funding opportunities and program enhancements for FY2024 and FY2025. Up to $20 million per project is available to support redevelopment in historically marginalized communities affected by legacy pollution and climate change. Over $20 million is allocated for Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations to assess and clean up contamination on lands conveyed under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Additional funding is available for training residents in environmental remediation and green jobs. Enhanced support is also provided for communities needing help with grant applications and project planning.

Now you have it! The steps to take while preparing for your funding application. Be sure to reach out to the Montrose Brownfields team if you are ready to engage expert funding consultants. Brownfield Redevelopment Service & Consultants | Montrose Environmental (montrose-env.com)

The Author:

Andrea Pedersen is a distinguished Principal Environmental Professional and Brownfield and Community Revitalization Specialist with over 18 years of experience. Throughout her career, she has successfully assisted with over 50 EPA Brownfield Grant applications, securing over $72 million for communities across Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, California, Utah, Colorado, Texas, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Delaware, New York, and Vermont. Andrea thrives in diverse roles and responsibilities, including project and grant management, grant writing, business development, and program coordination. Andrea has cultivated strong relationships with repeat clients who trust her expertise in securing and effectively utilizing various federal, state, and local funding resources. Her work is instrumental in helping these communities build programs and achieve their restoration and revitalization goals. In addition to her prowess in grant management, Andrea delivers a wide array of technical services related to brownfield assessment and cleanup projects. She excels in developing work plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Sampling and Analysis Plans. Andrea also oversees grant management and compliance reporting, community engagement, site inventory and prioritization, Phase I/II Environmental Site Assessments, cleanup and reuse planning, and area-wide planning activities.