On July 17, 2024, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced they will be allocating up to $3.6 million to increase collaboration with non-profit regional intertribal organizations. DOE’s "Intertribal Organization Opportunity: Support for Tribal Clean Energy Communication and Engagement" initiative aims to enhance outreach and engagement between federally recognized tribes and the DOE, as well as providing tribes with DOE clean energy funding and technical assistance. Allocated funds may be used to assess member Tribes’ clean energy needs and match them with funding opportunities, creating newsletters and other methods of sharing information, and creating regular engagement activities with the DOE. Eligible non-profit regional intertribal organizations may request up to $300,000 annually for up to three years.
To apply, eligible organizations must:
- Be a coalition of two or more federally recognized Indian Tribes
- Be established under Congressional, State, or Tribal law
- Be governed by board members who are current elected Tribal government officials
- Act under the direction of participating tribes within a specific geographic region
- Qualify under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3) as a nonprofit organization
- Have a focus other than public health or gaming
Applications are due for the Tribal Engagement Initiative by 3:00 p.m. ET on September 24, 2024.
DOE’s initiative is one of many which aim to meaningfully contribute to President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative to provide 40% of the overall benefits of federal clean energy investments to disadvantaged and underrepresented communities. In 2023, $75 million was committed to tribal energy projects, and the Office of Indian Energy has invested $120 million in native communities since 2010. In addition, the Department of Energy has several other grants currently open which span the energy sector and range from product development to construction assistance. This includes the Solar Energy Supply Chain Incubator FOA with awards ranging from $1-6 million for efforts to improve solar technology.
For more information on Tribal law, Department of Energy funding initiatives, and assistance with applying please contact Jeff Genzer, Keith Gordon, and Gelane Diamond.
