Funding Opportunities
Below are resources cities can use for funding sources. If you have any resources you’d like to see added to this list, please let us know.
2023 RAISE Grant Program
The U.S. Department of Transportation has published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $1.5 billion in grant funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program for 2023. The program helps communities around the country carry out projects with significant local or regional impact. RAISE discretionary grants help project sponsors at the State and local levels, including municipalities, Tribal governments, counties, and others complete critical freight and passenger transportation infrastructure projects.
Half of the FY23 RAISE funding will go to projects in rural areas and half of the funding will go to projects in urban areas. At least $15 million in funding is guaranteed to go towards projects located in Areas of Persistent Poverty or Historically Disadvantaged Communities, and projects located in these areas will be eligible for up to 100 percent federal cost share, as directed by Congress in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. As was the case last year, the Department is encouraging applicants to consider how their projects can address climate change, ensure racial equity, and remove barriers to opportunity.
For the FY 2023 RAISE Discretionary Grants, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is offering a series of webinars that delve into various aspects of the RAISE application process. These webinars will be recorded and are a great resource for prospective RAISE applicants, as the webinars come from the funding source and share the guidance of USDOT.
- These webinars will be announced in the coming weeks, please periodically check this webpage.
- If interested, you can view the RAISE FY22 Webinar Series here.
- There is also a FY23 RAISE Application FAQs webpage here.
The NOFO is available here and you can learn how to apply here. The deadline for applications is 11:59 PM EST on February 28, 2023.
Community Forestry Grant Program – Spring 2023
The Iowa Legislature appropriated state infrastructure funds to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to be used for a community-based tree planting program for derecho recovery tree planting in 27 impacted counties. Additionally, through the USDA Forest Service & National Association of State Foresters (NASF) 2022 State Urban Forest Resilience Grant Program, the DNR received Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Reforestation funds.
The Community Forestry Grant Program provides reimbursable grants to be used to purchase and plant trees suitable to Iowa in counties impacted by both the August 10, 2020 Derecho and Emerald Ash Borer. A total of $125,220.32 in funds are available. Award recipients will be reimbursed $1,000 to $10,000 for the purchase of trees and materials from Iowa businesses.
Qualifying public planting lands include, but are not limited to, street rights-of-way, parks, school grounds, courthouse lawns, public buildings, fairgrounds, cemeteries, libraries, and trails (DNR lands are not eligible). The application and rules are available online on the Iowa DNR Urban Forestry website. Applications are due by 4 p.m. on Friday, March 3, 2023.
For assistance with the application and site visits, please contact Janessa Hollmaier – janessa.hollmaier@dnr.iowa.gov, 319-826-0814. For questions about reimbursement and rules, please contact Emma Hanigan – emma.hanigan@dnr.iowa.gov, 515-249-1732. Please consider also reading through the “Community Forestry Grant Program FAQ” listed below the application on the DNR Urban Forestry page.
Funding through the Iowa DOT
- The Iowa DOT has a wonderful resource full of information regarding state and federal programs providing transportation funding to local governments and other entities. Click here to explore the Iowa DOT’s Funding Guide.
- The Iowa DOT, Modal Transportation Bureau would like to remind cities and counties of the beneficial cost-sharing rail programs available for the repair of at-grade crossing surfaces and upgrading active warning devices at railroad crossings.
- State funded Highway-Railroad Crossing Surface Repair Program
- Federally funded Highway-Railroad Crossing Safety Program, (upgrading of signals, lights, and gates). * Note: The IIJA Bill, passed in 2021 changed the funding for this program from 90% federal funds / 10% local match to 100% federally funded.
- The Local Systems Bureau of the Iowa DOT has developed a website dealing with information describing the various programs within the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The IIJA provides federal funding for bridges, streets, and other projects. The link is: https://iowadot.gov/local_systems/IIJA-Information. The website also provides guidance on the use of SWAP funds and the processes to undertake as the SWAP program evolves and federally funded projects are developed.