Tribal Waste Management Funding

EPA has retired the Tribal Waste Management Funding Directory. Moving forward, please use the Access to Capital Clearinghouse, a directory of funding opportunities for Tribes and Tribal entities from a range of federal agencies. These funding opportunities cover many program areas, including environmental and waste management topics. The Capital Clearinghouse was developed and is maintained by the U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs in collaboration with Tribal Leaders. 

This page will help you navigate this resource, how it compares to Grants.gov, and offer tips for writing successful grant applications.

On this page:

• What’s the Difference Between Capital Clearinghouse and Grants.gov?
• Tips for Using Capital Clearinghouse and Grants.gov
• Resources for Writing Successful Grants

What’s the Difference Between Capital Clearinghouse and Grants.gov?

Both Capital Clearinghouse and Grants.gov are databases that list federal funding opportunities. However, Capital Clearinghouse is specifically intended for Native entrepreneurs, Tribal employees, Tribal Governments, Tribal consortiums, and Native community development financial institutions, whereas Grants.gov is intended for everyone (Tribes, cities, states, nonprofits, etc.).

Additionally, the types of funding opportunities available on each site differs. Grants.gov is more limited in funding scope, focusing mainly on grants with additional opportunities such as procurement contracts and cooperative agreements among some uncategorized opportunities. Capital Clearinghouse, on the other hand, contains opportunities including grants, loans, cost sharing, tax credits, vouchers, and several other categories of funding.

Tips for Using Capital Clearinghouse and Grants.gov

Both websites allow you to filter and search for funding opportunities, but their layouts and search options differ slightly. Here are some helpful resources and tips for each:

Capital Clearinghouse

• Use Keywords and Category Filters: Start with broad keywords like “waste,” “environmental,” or “infrastructure” and narrow down using the Filters option.

• Explore All Funding Types: Unlike Grants.gov, the Clearinghouse includes grants, loans, tax credits, and cost-sharing opportunities- check the funding type field on each listing or filter opportunities by the Categories of Funding filter.

• Bookmark Frequently Used Searches: You can share and save searches or pages to easily check for updates later.

Grants.gov

• Use Search Filters: Filter by eligibility (e.g., Tribal government), category (such as “Waste Management”, “Environment”) and funding type.

• Check Out their Blog: Grants.gov Community Blog features tips on searching, application preparation and common mistakes to help users navigate the website and apply for Federal funding opportunities.

• Helpful Guides and Pages:

  • Search Tips | Grants.gov contains tips on searching Grants.gov.

  • Grant Searching Made Easy: Mastering Keywords on Grants.gov – Grants.gov Community Blog helps users craft keywords to further narrow searches.

  • “How To…” Blog Series – Grants.gov Community Blog contains several blog posts on navigating Grants.gov.

  • Tips for Submitting Applications through Grants.gov | US EPA outlines the application process, from registering for SAM.gov and Grants.gov to offering common reasons for application rejection.

  • Prepare for a Grant Application | US EPA helps users learn how to register for Grants.gov and SAM.gov and start preparing a grant application before opportunities are even posted.

Resources for Writing Successful Grants

Finding a federal funding opportunity is only one part of the equation – now comes the application! There are several resources to help you build a successful grant (or other funding opportunity) application.

• EPA Grants Webinars | US EPA contains upcoming and recordings of previous webinars for those interested in applying to and/or currently managing EPA grants.

• Tips For a Successful Grant Application | US EPA provides an overview of typical grant application sections, providing tips to create a competitive application.

• Grant Writing Basics – Grants.gov Community Blog offers useful tips to help applicants write successful application, ranging from crafting your narrative to the evaluations process.

• EPA Grants Management Training for Applicants and Recipients | US EPA is a series of modules focused on helping those applying to and/or managing EPA grants.

• How to Develop a Budget | US EPA is a course with short modules focused on grant budget development.