The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a $5 million grant to fund US as well as international organizations for reducing global climate pollution.

Applications are being accepted by Wild Gift for leaders who are making an impact today and will continue to do so in tomorrow’s world. Only five recipients a year are selected. A mandatory, three-week trek in deep wilderness is the cornerstone of the Wild Gift opportunity.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is accepting grant applications for a total of $3.4 million in funding for environmental education projects and programs. EPA expects to award approximately 100 grants ranging from $5,000 to $200,000.

The California Energy Commission is currently seeking applicants for their Energy Innovations Small Grant Program (EISG). EISG provides up to $95,000 for hardware projects and $50,000 for modeling projects to small businesses, non-profits, individuals, and academic institutions researching the feasibility of new, innovative energy concepts.

The National Energy Technology Laboratory’s Recovery Act – Local Energy Assurance Planning (LEAP) Initiative is offering grants to city or township governments for programs and initiatives that help them develop energy assurance and resilience plans. The deadline for application is 10/22/09 and awards will be in the range of $60,000 and $300,000.

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced grant awards for up to $24 million, from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, to three university-led wind energy research facilities that have been selected to support university research and development programs to improve land-based and offshore wind turbine performance and reliability and to provide career educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students in wind energy technologies. The three universities are: Illinois Institute of Technology, University of Maine and University of Minnesota.

The Kresge Foundation has announced a new comprehensive grantmaking programs: The Environment Program. With the announcement of this new program, the foundation is expanding its commitment and narrowing its focus in each field for maximum long-term impact in its strategic areas of interest. The Environment Program addresses environment-related social issues, particularly those affecting minority, low-income, and other underserved communities. The Environment Program seeks to have tangible effects on the practices and policies associated with climate change and environmental sustainability. The programs are in the development stage; program teams will be refining their grantmaking focus and strategy over the next year.

The Conservation Fund, in partnership with Eastman Kodak and the National Geographic Society, provides small grants to stimulate the planning and design of greenways in communities across the United States. The annual grants program is designed to help establish a national network of greenways. Grant recipients are selected according to a number of criteria, including importance of the project to local greenway development efforts, demonstrated community support for the project, extent to which the grant will result in matching funds or other support from public or private sources, likelihood of tangible results, and the capacity of the organization to complete the project.

California American Water is accepting applications for its 2009 Environmental Grant Program. The company will award several grants for a combined total of $10,000 to innovative community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect watersheds and drinking water supplies within the state. A wide variety of conservation projects are eligible for funding, such as watershed cleanups, reforestation efforts, biodiversity projects, streamside buffer restoration projects, wellhead protection initiatives and hazardous waste collection efforts.