The South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources conducts environmental site assessments and cleanup planning for public agencies and nonprofits, and at privately owned sites with public benefit projects.  Contact the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources at 800-438-3367.

Provides funding assistance to property owners and operators of abandoned petroleum and waste oil tanks located at gas stations or commercially operational motor fuel vendors that closed before April 1, 1988. Contact the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources at 800-438-3367.

Under the Targeted Brownfields Assessment program, EPA Region 8 contractors conduct environmental site assessments and cleanup planning for public agencies and nonprofits, and at privately owned sites with public benefit projects. Contact William Rothenmeyer at 303-312-6045 or rothenmeyer.william@epa.gov.

These grants assist local nonprofits, especially watershed groups, to begin actual construction projects to improve the water quality of streams impacts by acid mine drainage. Lands and water eligible for reclamation or drainage abatement expenditures under are those which were mined for coal or which were affected by such mining, wastebanks, coal processing, or other coal mining processes prior to August 3, 1977, and for which there is no continuing reclamation responsibility under State or other Federal laws. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.

The Office of Surface Mining awards grants to States and Tribes to support the operation of approved State and Trival abandoned mine land reclamation programs. Approved programs use grant funds for mine site reclamation projects on eligible lands, which are lands and waters mined or affected by coal mining processess that occurred prior to August 7, 1977 as well as certain post-1977 and noncoal mining activity. Rolling application process.

Under the EPA's Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Communities program, the Community Brownfields Foundation (CBF) and CCLR provide in-kind technical assistance and training to communities and other stakeholders on brownfields issues with the goal of increasing the community's understanding and involvement in brownfield cleanup and revitalization. The TAB grants serve as an independent source of information assisting communities with community involvement, better understanding the health impacts of brownfield sites, science and technology relating to brownfield site assessment, remediation, and site preparation activities, brownfield finance questions, and information on integrated approaches to brownfield cleanup and redevelopment. Contact Jesse Silverstein at 303-962-0942 or jesse@communitybrownfieldsfoundation.org.

This opportunity provides funding to any organization engaged in water delivery to establish or expand a watershed group composed of grassroots stakeholders, including environmental, ranching, farming, tourism, land development, property owners, and other interested groups. The watershed group is charged with coming up with cooperative solutions to water shortages in a collaborative way. Applications are due by June 11, 2013.

The Choice Neighborhoods program targets funding to improve severely distressed public and/or HUD-assisted Multifamily housing that is located in distressed neighborhoods. Planning Grants support the development of comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plans which, when implemented, will be expected to achieve the following three core goals:

1. Housing: Replace distressed public and assisted housing with high-quality mixed-income housing that is well-managed and responsive to the needs of the surrounding neighborhood;
2. People: Improve educational outcomes and intergenerational mobility for youth and supports delivered directly to youth and their families; and
3. Neighborhood: Create the conditions necessary for public and private reinvestment in distressed neighborhoods to offer the kinds of amenities and assets, including safety, good schools, and commercial activity, that are important to families' choices about their community.

Applications are due May 28th. See more info below.

The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council seeks innovative (new, cutting-edge, or builds upon existing studies) grant proposals for program development, study, and collaboration. For this Request for Proposals, the Council is considering proposals to address the following priority issues:

• Making Urban Trees and Forests More Resilient to the Impacts of Natural Disasters and the long-term Impacts of Climate Change
• Green Infrastructure Jobs Analysis
• Utilizing Green Infrastructure to Manage and Mitigate Stormwater to Improve Water Quality

Organizations, local governments, tribal agencies, and partnerships are encouraged to submit proposals to address the three priority issues in ways that will lead to meaningful, replicable results across the country. Potential Innovation grantees are should work collaboratively with other organizations and entities not traditionally involved in urban and community forestry. Applications are due by July 15.

This program provides loans and grants to rural farms and small businesses to implement renewable energy projects such as solar or wind power. Fundign is also available to improve energy efficiency of existing systems. A certain number of grants are guaranteed to go to projects under $20,000, so even small proposals should consider applying. For more information, see the link below. Depending on the program applied for, applications are due either April 30, 2013, or by July 15, 2013.

The National Park Service offers grants to states and tribes to assist with historic preservation activities. Funds can be used to cover staff salaries, surveys, comprehensive preservation studies, National Register nominations, educational materials, as well as architectural plans, historic structure reports, and engineering studies necessary to preserve historic properties. Applications are being accepted now. For more information on the state program: http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/hpg/HPF/index.htm, or on the tribal program: http://www.nps.gov/history/thpo/grants.html

Under the Economic Development Assistance Programs (EDAP), the Economic Development Administration (EDA) will make construction, non-construction, and revolving loan fund investments under the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs. Grants made under these programs will leverage regional assets to support the implementation of regional economic development strategies designed to create jobs, leverage private capital, encourage economic development, and strengthen America's ability to compete in the global marketplace. Through the EDAP, EDA solicits applications from rural and urban communities to develop initiatives that advance new ideas and creative approaches to address rapidly evolving economic conditions. State and local governments, federally recognized tribes, non-profits, and institutions of higher education are eligible to apply. Applications are processed quarterly; the next deadline is March 13, 2013, followed by June 13, 2013, and September 13, 2013.

This is a great portal to all government agency's grant announcements. You can sign up for custom "Grant Email Alerts" as well. 

Limits third-party liability for lenders who comply with certain conditions.

This helpful guide details all the federal resources available to promote sustainable rural communities. Programs offerred by the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency are all outlined. If you are looking to promote economic development or sustainable growth in your community, this guide is an excellent resource.