Public Health

AmeriCorps improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle some of the country’s most pressing challenges through national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps members serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities and those serving.

AmeriCorps grants are awarded to eligible organizations that engage AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions to strengthen communities. An AmeriCorps member is a person who does community service through AmeriCorps. Members may receive a living allowance and other benefits. After successful completion of their service, members earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award they can use to pay for higher education expenses or apply to qualified student loans.

For this funding opportunity, AmeriCorps will prioritize consideration from organizations that:
Serve Communities:
• Serve communities with concentrated poverty, rural communities, tribal communities, and historically underrepresented and underserved individuals. These may include people of color, immigrants, refugees, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with arrest or conviction records, religious minorities, etc.;
• Implement programs for or expand access to high-quality youth mental health and substance use recovery services and prepare AmeriCorps members to enter behavioral health careers. These may include individuals with lived experience with substance use and mental health challenges to support youth mental health efforts and continued AmeriCorps work on the opioid epidemic;
• Focus on improving the quality of life for veterans, active-duty members of the Armed Forces, and their families by recruiting veterans, military spouses, and their older children into national service;
• Promote environmental stewardship to help communities (especially underserved households and communities) to be more resilient by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving land and water, increasing renewable energy use and improving at-risk ecosystems;
• Support civic bridgebuilding programs and projects to reduce polarization and community divisions; and providing training in civic bridgebuilding skills and techniques to AmeriCorps members;
Benefit AmeriCorps Members:
• Provide benefits to AmeriCorps members aimed at enhancing member experience and bolstering member recruitment and retention such as paying more than the minimum living allowance, transportation, housing, food, etc.; Create workforce pathways for AmeriCorps members, including deliberate training, certifications, and hiring preferences or support;
• Enhance and expand services to second chance youth and/or engage those youth as AmeriCorps members;
• Develop and train the next generation of diverse public health leaders through service while addressing pressing community health challenges. Review Public Health AmeriCorps Priority in the Mandatory Supplemental Information for eligibility information;
Use Evidence
• Utilize reports from the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange on programs assessed as having Moderate or Strong evidence to scale, replicate, or adapt the intervention;
Faith-Based
• Organizations that are faith-based; and
American Climate Corps
• Please note that applicants may propose projects to be affiliated with the American Climate Corps (ACC), which is a federal government national service and workforce development initiative focused on training young people for the clean energy and climate resilience workforce. Applicants who are interested must demonstrate that their project funds ACC eligible positions meeting the following criteria:
o The position has verifiable climate or environmental impact.
o The position is temporary (term-limited), and the term length is at least 300 hours.
o The position includes skills-based training as part of the program and provides a pathway to employment.
o The position must receive a living allowance and, in some cases, may receive additional member benefits.

Applicants submitting a workforce development project to qualify for affiliation with the ACC should note that in their application. Successful applicants will be notified if they are part of the ACC and may be subject to additional reporting requirements.

To receive priority consideration, applicants must show the priority area is a significant part of the program focus and intended outcomes. Priority consideration does not guarantee funding.

OVERVIEW
Founded in 1999, the Sundt Foundation was created to give Sundt employee-owners a way to give back to the communities where they live and work. Today, the Sundt Foundation remains true to its original mission, fostering a sense of connection and belonging in our local communities. The Sundt Foundation provides volunteer and grant opportunities to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in its regional areas.

The Sundt Foundation’s grants are made to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations located in its regions: Southwest (Arizona, New Mexico); South (Texas, Alabama), West (California); Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington); Intermountain (Utah, Idaho); Southeast (Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, West Virginia, Kentucky).
Funding for the Foundation comes primarily from contributions made by employee-owners of Sundt Construction, Inc., matched by the company.

GIVING GUIDELINES
Employee-owner committees are responsible for Foundation grantmaking designated in the areas of youth development, hunger & nutrition, basic needs & social services, and military & veterans.

Grants are reviewed by committees who make recommendations to the board, which meets quarterly. The committee evaluates each grant application with the following considerations:
• The organization’s mission is aligned under one of the Foundation grantmaking areas.
• The organization has been in operation for at least one year.
• The organization’s administrative expenses are less than 30% of its annual budget.
• The organization has an annual operating budget of $100,000 or more.
• The organization has not received funding from the Sundt Foundation in the last year.
• The organization has a physical office or presence in the local giving area.
• The funding request is between $2,500 - $25,000.
• The application demonstrates a clear funding need for a specific program.

FUNDING EXCEPTIONS
In general, the Sundt Foundation does not provide financial support for:
• Grant requests greater than $25,000.
• Multi-year pledges.
• Costs of fundraising events, such as dinners, golf tournaments, etc.
• Construction projects that will provide administrative facilities.
• Event sponsorships.
• Grants that would be used, in any way, to teach or promote any religious belief.
• Political candidates, parties, campaigns, or causes.
• Activities outside of the United States.

Purpose:
Priorities for RMC LLAR Prop 68:

Develop urban recreation projects and habitat protection or restoration projects,Provide workforce development opportunities,Expand access to diverse populations,Secured matching funds

RMC’s LLAR Grants are specific to the Lower LA River corridor, considered within 1.5 miles of the main stem or tributary of the Lower LA River. Projects should be consistent with the Lower LA River Revitalization Plan.

Description:
Lower Los Angeles River:

The Lower Los Angeles River program area encompasses 1.5 miles on each side of the river’s lower 19-miles, from the City of Vernon to the City of Long Beach. The Lower Los Angeles River Revitalization Plan (LLARRP) describes opportunities for improving the environment of the Lower Los Angeles River. The plan was developed through a watershed-based, equitable, community-driven process and it identified 155 potential multi-benefit projects that would improve community economics, health, and equity; the public realm; and water and the environment along and in the vicinity of the river. The Plan has been incorporated into the watershed (LLARRP) describes opportunities for improving the environment of Lower Los Angeles River. The plan was developed through a watershed-based, equitable, community-driven process and it identified 155 potential multi-benefit projects that would improve community economics, health, equity; public realm; water along in vicinity river. Plan has been incorporated into Los Angeles River Master Plan Update. Funding will support projects in line with the LLARRP, immediate drought response, and long-term water resilience.

Funding for the SDAC specific grant program shall support Severely Disadvantaged Communities as defined by the state of California.

Applications:

Applications will be submitted in two phases: a Concept Proposal and a Full Application. Applicants will first submit a Concept Proposal that will be reviewed by RMC staff for consistency with RMC goals, any specific program priorities, and the strength of the proposed project. In addition, RMC staff will look at all Concept Proposals for location, need, project type, readiness, threats, cost, and cost share. RMC staff will offer applicants feedback regarding alignment with priorities, overall merit, and any ineligible costs. RMC staff will select Concept Proposals to move forward and will invite selected applicants to submit Full Applications. Applicants will be provided the Full Application upon RMC invitation. RMC staff are available to work with Applicants during the preparation of the Full Application, as needed. RMC may request Applicants to revise and resubmit Full Applications, as necessary.

It is strongly recommended that prospective applicants contact RMC staff for a consultation prior to submitting a Concept Proposal.

Eligible Applicants:
Nonprofit Public Agency Tribal Government

Eligible Applicants Include:

State agencies

Federal agencies

Tribal entities recognized on the current US Federal Register or the Native American Heritage Commission as a California Native American tribe

Local public agencies, including:

City or county

Water districts

School districts

Certified local conservation corps

Non-profit organizations with a 501(c)(3) designation

Joint Powers Authority (JPA)

Eligible Uses
The following uses are eligible for reimbursement from RMC grant funds:
■ Grant funds may be used for the acquisition, development, rehabilitation, restoration, and
protection of land and water resources.
■ Land acquisition costs may include appraisals, land, improvements, relocation costs, title reports, surveying, and escrow.
■ Land must be acquired from willing selle rs.
■ Facilities development projects must demonstrate a strong relationship and value to natural resource stewardship or environmental education.
■ Rehabilitation and restoration projects must be biologically and technically feasible.
■ Planning and pre- project costs can be included, though shall not exceed 20 percent
of total Grant Funds. (For complicated and extensive projects, this maximum may be increased to 25 percent on an exceptional basis. Please contact RMC with questions.) These costs may include consultant fees, plan documentation, specifications, CEQA/NEPA planning, and direct project management costs.
■ Indirect and Overhead expenses are allowed, though shall not exceed 10 percent
of total Grant Funds. Projects that have lower overhead will be deemed more competitive.

Ineligible Uses
The following uses are not eligible for reimbursement from RMC grant funds:
■ Operations and Maintenance related costs.
■ Projects that are located on school properties and not open to the general public or designed solely for school students, unless part of a multi - use project which allows for access from the general public.
■ Playground equipment and/or infrastructure such as swing sets and skate parks.
■ Facilities that do not have an environmental education focus or theme, such as basketball courts, hockey courts, etc. Multi- use projects may include these elements, but this program will not fund planning or development of such facilities.
■ Projects that cause erosion or contribute to flooding.
■ Projects on land or improved property acquired by condemnation from an unwilling seller.
■ BMP (Best Management Practices) directed projects that lack an improved habitat, low impact public recreation access, or environmental education components.
■ Projects traditionally provided by the private, non- government sector or by concessionaires, such as gift shops, equipment rentals, concession stands, etc., unless it can be shown that no private entrepreneur is willing to provide services, and there is demonstrated need for the Project.
■ Projects that exclusively fulfill other mitigation requirements.

What: Urban forestry funding available to community-based organizations to work in low-income, disadvantaged communities. Projects would implement urban forestry efforts focused on tree planting and maintenance, community engagement, and/or workforce development in the field of urban forestry.
When: 3-year awards that run from 2024-2027. All projects are to be completed by or prior to November 30, 2027.
Amount: Awards may range from a minimum of $200,000 to a maximum of $1,500,000 (funding requests over $750,000 will be prioritized for proposals with a regional strategy).
Deadline: This is a rolling application process beginning September 5, 2024. All applications must be submitted by October 11, 2024. Applications will be reviewed as they are received on a first-come, first-served basis, with all award decisions finalized by October 23, 2024, contingent on applicants successfully passing a financial readiness assessment. During this rolling application process, we will prioritize projects that are shovel-ready and can be started in 2024.
Eligible Entities:
● Community-based non-profit organizations (CBO); OR
● Partnerships between multiple community-based non-profit organizations (CBOs); OR
● Partnerships between a CBO and the following:
○ a Federally Recognized Tribe, OR
○ a local government, OR
○ an institution of higher education

Arizona eligible counties: Cochise, Coconino, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yuma
California eligible counties: Amador, El Dorado, Fresno, Kern, Los Angeles, Marin, Merced, Monterey, Nevada, Placer, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Stanislaus, Sutter, Yolo, Yuba

Urban stormwater is a significant source of water pollution and can be a public health concern. Stormwater can collect various pollutants including trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment and convey them to nearby waterways. When mixed with domestic and industrial wastewater in combined sewers, stormwater can also contribute to combined sewer overflows during heavy storm events. Managing runoff remains a complex environmental challenge for local communities across the country. Many communities often face financial challenges trying to correct these issues given the costs to construct, operate, and maintain the infrastructure. This new grant program will provide funding for critical stormwater infrastructure projects in communities including combined sewer overflows (CSO) and sanitary sewer overflows (SSO).

Grants will be awarded to states, which will then provide sub-awards to eligible entities for projects that address infrastructure needs for CSOs, SSOs, and stormwater management. In 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law amended the program to add a focus on funding projects in rural and finically distressed communities while also eliminating project cost share requirements for these communities.

States are required to prioritize funding projects for communities that are financially distressed, have a long-term municipal CSO or SSO control plan, or for projects that have requested a grant on their Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Intended Use Plan. Projects under this program will have many of the same program requirements as the CWSRF and, to the extent that eligible projects are available, at least 20 percent of a state’s allocation must be used for green infrastructure, water and energy efficiency improvements, and other environmentally innovative activities. In addition, a state should use at least 25 percent of a grant for available projects located in rural communities (population of 10,000 or fewer) and/or in financially distressed communities. States may apply up to four percent of their allotment towards their administrative expenses.