Please see below or check out all of our EPN and L4GG funding, resources, opportunities, and guidance updates.

Please Join us TOMORROW, Wednesday, September 9, for a Webinar on Data Centers and Our Federal Grantee Office Hour

– Please register here for our Wednesday, September 9, 1–2pm eastern webinar on data centers, where we’ll hear community perspectives, share helpful resources, answer questions, and discuss opportunities to request technical assistance.
– If you’re a federal grantee (or were a federal grantee), register here for L4GG’s Updates on Ongoing Federal Grant Termination, Litigation, and Compliance on Wednesday, September 9, from 12:30-1pm eastern.

Data Center Resources and Site Fight Support

Technical and Legal Assistance

If your community is facing a proposed (or actual) data center:
– Fill out EPN’s Technical Assistance Request Form to request 1:1 technical (including regulatory) support.
– Reach out to L4GG’s Green and Equitable Communities Clinic to request legal assistance, research, ordinance drafting, and other legal services (including litigation).

Data Center Resource Directory

– To help us in our own work, EPN created a Data Center Resource Directory to simplify searching for data center resources in one place. Resources range from introductory data center information to deep reports on diesel generators, for example. Watch a tutorial on how to use the Directory here and suggest resources to add to the Directory here. EPN staff will review suggested resources to add on a weekly basis.

Fairshake Pro-Bono Data Center Legal Clinic

Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services is a nonprofit environmental law organization that expands access to environmental justice by providing legal services regardless of income. On Wednesday, October 7, from 9am-4:30pm eastern, they will be holding a pro bono legal clinic, open to individuals, community groups, nonprofits, and municipal officials working on data center issues in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Please visit Fair Shake’s events page for the most current workshop information, and register here.

Philanthropic and Federal Funding Opportunities

EPN and L4GG Resources to Help You Find Funding and Financing

– Check out EPN’s latest Funding Bulletin, a resource guide to funding opportunities—including philanthropic, state, and local funding and use EPN’s Technical Assistance Request Form to request 1:1 funding discovery support or other technical assistance.
– You can also access L4GG’s Sprint Hub for direct legal support for all types of green finance needs for community projects. L4GG will work with you to identify potential investors or mission-driven lenders, including Green Banks and CDFIs, to close any funding gap. In addition, L4GG’s Green Finance Team can help you navigate the complex world of alternative funding sources. Get direct pro bono assistance for your project here!

Nathan Cummings Foundation

The Nathan Cummings Foundation (NCF) is accepting Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) year-round for both grants and Program Related Investments (PRIs) through a single online application portal. NCF seeks to support innovative partners and proximate change makers advancing racial, economic, and environmental justice, with a particular emphasis on work that drives systems-level change and builds power in communities, especially in the U.S. South. LOIs are reviewed on a rolling basis, with applicants typically hearing back within approximately 12 weeks of submission after completing the initial registration and eligibility review in the portal. Learn more and submit an LOI here.

FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance Swift Current Program

FEMA’s new Flood Mitigation Assistance Swift Current program provides funding for community-led projects that reduce or eliminate repetitive flood damage to structures insured through the National Flood Insurance Program. States, tribes and territories must have received a flood-related emergency or major disaster declaration between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2027, to be eligible. Application deadlines vary by qualifying event. Local governments interested in applying should contact their State Hazard Mitigation Officer. Learn more about eligibility, deadlines, cost-share requirements and other details on Grants.gov.

Webinars, Workshops, and Office Hours

Communications Training: Building the Right Message

On Thursday, September 10, at 3pm eastern, join Climate Ready for a communications training session focused on developing clear, effective messages for advocacy and public engagement. Participants will learn practical approaches for creating strong talking points, communicating with confidence, and ensuring their messages resonate with key audiences during both routine outreach and moments of heightened public attention. Register here.

Stay Ready: AI Use and Disclosure Policies

Join the Equation Campaign on September 15, 12-1pm eastern, for a discussion about new templates for AI Use and AI Disclosure Policies, designed to help organizations establish clear guidelines for using AI that reflect their values and help mitigate risk. Register here.

Climate Ready Leadership Workshop & Office Hours: Decision-Making in the Gray Zone

Join Climate Ready for a two-part learning opportunity designed to help leaders navigate “gray zone” decisions—situations where information is incomplete, circumstances are evolving, and there may be no clear right answer. The Decision-Making in the Gray Zone workshop on Tuesday, September 15, from 2:30-4pm eastern will explore practical frameworks for balancing mission, risk, and opportunity. Then, on Thursday, September 17, from 1-2pm eastern, join Office Hours: Decision-Making in the Gray Zone, an interactive coaching session focused on applying the workshop concepts to real organizational challenges. Register for the workshop here, and the office hours here.

Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services Workshops

Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services is a nonprofit environmental law organization that expands access to environmental justice by providing legal services regardless of income. On Thursday, September 17, from 12-1:30pm eastern, they will be talking about what to expect after a disaster. Learn more about what happens after a disaster, how to protect your legal rights, and what you can do to prepare. Please visit Fair Shake’s events page for the most current workshop information and to register.

Office Hours: Preparing a Competitive Brownfields RLF Grant Application

Join Grow America on Wednesday, September 23, or Wednesday, October 21, from 3-5pm eastern for open office hours focused on preparing a competitive EPA Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grant application. Participants will have the opportunity to bring questions, discuss challenges, and explore strategies for successful Brownfields financing and redevelopment. The session will cover key considerations for applicants, including demonstrating community need, identifying potential borrowers and projects, building program capacity, and developing a strong application strategy for future EPA funding opportunities. Please note: This event may be rescheduled depending on the release of EPA’s FY 2027 Assessment, RLF, and Cleanup Grant Competition Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and related guidance. Registrants will be notified of any changes. Register here for September 23 office hours and here for October 21.

Stay Ready: Document Retention Policy & Data Storage Strategies

Join the Equation Campaign on October 7, 1-2pm eastern, for practical guidance on document retention policies and data storage strategies that can help protect organizations and their teams from legal threats and minimize legal risk. Register here.

Upcoming In-Person Brownfields RLF Workshops

Join Grow America and ICMA for one remaining no-cost, in-person workshop for EPA Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grantees. The Clark County, Nevada, workshop will be held December 8-9 and offers hands-on learning, practical exercises, and opportunities to connect and learn from other RLF teams. Register for the Clark County workshop here and book lodging by November 16; travel scholarship applications are due November 9.

Updated EPA Grant Training Courses

EPA has updated two online training courses for grant applicants and recipients: EPA Grants Management Training and EPA Grants Budget Training. The courses cover the grant lifecycle, financial management, application requirements, budgeting, and grant closeout. New applicants and recipients are required to complete the trainings before receiving EPA grant funds, and they are also recommended for organizations currently managing EPA grants. Access the EPA Grants Management Training for Applicants and Recipients here, and the EPA Grants Budget Training here.