The debate over global warming and environmental concerns may be far from over, but thanks to scientific input from a wide variety of environmentally active scientific studies, the U.S. Government has decided to take steps to ensure support of environmentally friendly projects and projects that encourage the use of renewable energy sources.

One of the means of support that the government has put in place is a number of grants that can be used to design and fund green focused projects. Some of the most sought after programs include recycling and renewable energy projects.

Types of Grants Available

• Energy Efficiency Grants are designed for businesses and organizations that are heading up projects regarding energy consumption as it relates to controlling pollution and the reduction of green house gas emissions. The United States Department of Agriculture is involved in some of these grants, but so is the United States Department of Energy.  Of specific interest are green projects that support the development of renewable energy sources such as solar power, wind power, solar power and tidal energies.  In order to apply for these grants you will need to be able to provide proof of your project and its goals.
• Green Building Grants are the particular concern of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  The EPA offers a great number of subsidies and grants to communities that are involved in creating ecologically friendly housing.  These projects are given subsidies depending on the developers they used as well as the suppliers used.
• CARE Grants are an initiative that targets communities where there are concerns regarding hazardous pollutants.  These pollutants can be in the form of air pollutants, water pollutants or soil pollutants or even in buildings (such as lead paint or mercury poisoning).  CARE grants can be awarded to nonprofit organizations, schools, colleges, universities and even government agencies if they are involved in helping the community to become aware of the dangers of these pollutants and in helping to reverse the effects of said pollutants.

In order to apply for these and other grants available for organizations, businesses and community groups that are looking to enact environmentally friendly educational programs or programs designed to help reduce a community’s impact on their local community, you can go to www.grants.gov for a full list of available grants as well as directions for completing the application process.  Be sure to read all the fine print and provide all the necessary documentation for the grant for which you are applying.