Free Project Analysis

EPA Community Change Grant Program

Introduction

The EPA Community Change Grant Program (CCGP) is designed to support comprehensive community and place-based approaches to address environmental and climate injustices. This program targets communities facing legacy pollution, climate change, and persistent disinvestment. The grants aim to fund community-driven, change-making projects that foster healthier, safer, and more prosperous communities.

Additional Information

Funding Overview

  • Total Funding: $2.8 billion for grants, including $2 billion specifically for the Community Change Grants Program.
  • Technical Assistance: $200 million allocated for technical assistance related to the grants.
  • Grant Duration: Grants cannot exceed three years, with no extensions allowed.
  • Award Deadline: All grants must be awarded by September 30, 2026.

Program Goals

The investments made through the CCGP are intended to achieve the following goals:

1) Community-Driven Solutions: Fund projects that address environmental and climate challenges in communities facing disproportionate health, pollution, and environmental impacts.
2) Cross-Sectoral Collaborations: Invest in strong partnerships with entities committed to working with and for communities with environmental and climate justice concerns.
3) Unlock Additional Resources: Facilitate access to more significant resources to advance environmental and climate justice goals from across the federal government and other sources.

Key Considerations

• Project Duration: 3-year project duration.
• Resources and Approvals: Ensure all necessary resources (land, materials, people) are available or can be obtained quickly. Plan for competitive bidding processes.
• Documentation: Maintain thorough records and read the EPA and grant-specific Terms and Conditions carefully. Study the Grant Regulations at 2 CFR 200 and 1500.
• Staffing: Plan for adequate staffing with individuals who understand federal fund management. Prevent fraud and abuse through clear division of responsibilities.

Community Engagement

• Stakeholder Involvement: Designed with meaningful community, Tribal, and other stakeholder input.
• Engagement Models: Foster community engagement through effective community-level plans and governance strategies.
We are here to help you with any questions you might have. Feel free to submit a Free Project Analyis Request for more detailed information regarding your specific scenario.

Does Your Project Qualify for Low-Cost Financing or New Markets Tax Credits?

Reach out to our specialists to discuss how we can work together.
Get a Free Project Analysis

Our Financing Programs

The CBO Financial team specializes in helping project sponsors secure flexible, below-market financing with a focus on high-impact projects in low-income communities. Our financial experts are skilled at combining public and private funding sources so that projects that might have otherwise stalled can move forward quickly and cost-effectively.

We’ve financed over $1 billion in high-impact investments nationwide, including $150 million using New Markets Tax Credits awarded to a CBO subsidiary. Backed by powerful funding tools and expertise, you’ll be pushed through to the finish line.

New Markets Tax Credits

A federal subsidy program designed to revitalize distressed communities by providing forgivable gap financing for up to 25% of costs for high-impact projects.
New Markets Tax Credits

Capital Magnet Fund

Grants up to $15M to CDFIs and nonprofit housing organizations to finance affordable housing and related economic development activities.
Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing

Bond Guarantee Program

A program that provides CDFIs with access to long-term, low-cost capital by guaranteeing bonds issued by qualified CDFIs, providing fixed rate financing for up to 29 years at ~100 bps over Treasuries.
Federal Historic Tax Credits

Technical Assistance Awards

Grants up to $125K to startup and existing CDFIs to build capacity to serve low-income communities by funding activities such as staff training, technology purchases, and consulting services.
Community Development Financial Institutions

Financial Assistance Awards

Matching grants up to $2M awarded to CDFIs to enhance their ability to provide loans, investments, and financial services to underserved populations.
US Department of Agriculture

Small Dollar Loan Program

Up to $500K to provide a loan loss reserve to support making affordable consumer loans to low-income individuals for up to $2,500, helping them avoid predatory lending practices.
Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program

CDFI Certification

A designation for specialized financial institutions that provide financial products and services in low-income communities and to targeted populations that lack access to financing.
Puerto Rico Financing Programs

EPA Programs

Community Change Grant Program

A $10M to $40M grant program that supports community-led projects aimed at improving environmental and public health outcomes in underserved communities.
New Markets Tax Credits

Clean Communities Investment Accelerator

Provides community lenders with grants up to $11M to help accelerate investment in clean energy and sustainable infrastructure projects in low-income communities.
Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing

National Community Investment Fund

Loans and guarantees will be made directly to projects with this funding starting in early 2025.
Federal Historic Tax Credits

USDA Programs

Business & Industry

A program that provides loan guarantees up to $25M to rural businesses to improve, develop, or finance business, industry, and employment.
New Markets Tax Credits

Community Facilities

A program that offers direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants to develop essential community facilities in rural areas up to $5M.
Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing

Rural Energy for America Program

A program that provides grants up to $1M and loan guarantees to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements.
Federal Historic Tax Credits

Other Funding Programs

Federal Historic Tax Credits

The federal Historic Tax Credit is available for the rehabilitation of historic, income-producing buildings determined by the Secretary of the Interior, through the National Park Service, to be “certified historic structures” for approximately 20% of project costs.
New Markets Tax Credits

You see challenges. We see possibilities.
Your community sees change.

Established in 1999, CBO Financial is a financial consulting firm that specializes in helping businesses secure funding for development projects in the nation’s most distressed communities. Our experts understand how to present economic, environmental, and societal benefits to public and private organizations so your project receives the funding it needs to move forward quickly and reasonably. A CBO Financial subsidiary, Community Development Funding, LLC, has received six awards under the federal New Markets Tax Credit program totaling $150M. In addition the team has taken a leadership role in securing 18 awards for clients totaling over $400M.
Our Services
community-development-project-funding

The funding is out there

CBO can be your access point for a variety of federal financing and subsidy programs, including those offered by the CDFI Fund, EPA, USDA and other agencies.
Programs
community-development-project-financing

 a Significant Impact

CBO is on a mission to help elevate the lives of people living in distressed communities by providing flexible, below-market gap financing to high-impact projects that cannot otherwise move forward. Does your project qualify for financing?
Team
low-income-community-development-project-financing

Million-dollar stories

The CBO team has funded over $1 billion in projects for local and national nonprofits, for-profit developers, and municipal agencies. Our team can help you find the low-cost financing or new market tax credits needed for your projects.
Projects

Does Your Project Qualify for Low-Cost Financing or New Markets Tax Credits?

Reach out to our specialists to discuss how we can work together.
Get a Free Project Analysis