Community Climate Action Support Fund

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​​​Grant Program Overview

   Funding Goals 

​​   Key Definitions

   Grant Limits

Application Process

   Funding Guidelines

   Application Template

Frequently Asked Questions​​​​​​​​​​

   General Questions

   Funding Eligibility

   Review & Scoring Process

   Grant Application


​​
​
​​
​​
WI-CAN Incubator Funding-Grant-Application - FINAL.docx
​

​

Program Overview​​​

The Application period for the Community Climate Action Support (CCAS) grant program is open! 

OSCE will be accepting applications from Jan. 30 – Mar. 6. 

 

The Department of Administration (DOA) Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy (OSCE) is seeking applications for the Community Climate Action Support grant program (formerly the Wisconsin Climate Action Navigator (WI-CAN) Network Incubator Project Grant Program). This program aims to support community-driven climate and clean energy solutions in Wisconsin. The goal is to build capacity with partner organizations to better meet the needs of the communities they serve and expedite progress on local priorities. 

 

There will be a virtual WI-CAN meeting on February 12, 2026, at 3:00 pm, where this Request for Proposals will be on the agenda. The OSCE will provide a brief overview, followed by a question-and-answer session.   

 

Applications are due electronically to osce@wisconsin.gov on March 6, 2026, at 5:00 pm Central Time. Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete and submit the application ahead of the deadline. Late entries will not be permitted. 

 

Funding Goals ​

The overarching goal of this funding program is to advance the WI-CAN shared vision and desired impacts outlined in the Funding Guidelines document​. The OSCE will fund projects that engage communities to advance climate action. Additionally, the office plans to distribute funding across the state to support projects serving new communities. Funding will prioritize areas that did not receive funding from the WI-CAN Network Incubator Project Grant program, which was the first round of OSCE funding for these efforts. 

 

Key Definitions 

WI-CAN: a well-connected network of thought leaders working toward common goals of mitigating the impacts of climate change through action. In addition to the lead applicant, a participant in the WI-CAN network must be part of the proposed project. You can find a list of members here.​ 

Core Partner: an identified partner providing key aspects of the work required to complete the proposed project. 

Consultant/Subrecipient: a non-lead participant in the project providing direct services (accounting, technical, subject matter expert, etc.) to complete the project. 

Indirect work: expenses necessary for an organization's general operations but not directly tied to a specific product, project, or service (i.e., rent, utilities, and administrative - legal, fiscal - salaries) 

Fiscal Sponsor: serves as a non-lead partner in the project, providing budgetary support to a lead applicant, including signing the agreement on the applicant's behalf and serving as a pass-through to route funding to the lead applicant. This role manages finances, ensures legal compliance, and may provide additional administrative support. This sponsor should have the accounting and fiscal systems in place to successfully support the project. The fiscal sponsor’s authorized representative shall serve as the person with legal authority to sign the grant agreement if funding is approved.  

Grant Limits 

In order to ensure the funding is more widely dispersed, recipients of the WI-CAN Network Incubator Project Grant program, which was the first round of OSCE funding for these efforts, are not eligible to receive additional funding as a lead applicant or consultant/subrecipient. 

The OSCE will award grants ranging from $5,000 to $40,000 per project. Grants must be completed within 6-12 months of the execution of the grant contract and no later than March 31, 2027. Program staff anticipate announcing awards no later than April 1, 2026, with the agreement commencing and projects starting shortly thereafter. ​


Application Process

If you are interested in applying, please carefully review the Funding Guidelines linked below.  

When you are ready to apply, simply download application template and fill it out. Once you have completed the form you must send it as a single PDF to the OSCE email: osce@wisconsin.gov.  

 

Completed applications must be sent to the office no later than 5pm CT on Mar. 6, 2026. 

 

Prospective applicants should contact the OSCE with any questions or concerns about application procedures or grant terms. Questions will only be answered via email. Inquiries can be sent to: osce@wisconsin.gov. All questions received, along with other relevant grant forms and information, will be posted on this page. 


​     ​​​​
​



​

Frequently Asked Questions

Reference: Funding Guidelines​​​

General

  1. ​How do I use the Funding Guidelines document? ​​
    • ​​The purpose of the Funding Guidelines document is to provide eligible applicants with the information they need to prepare and apply for the Community Climate Action Support grant program. 
    • Prospective applicants should contact the OSCE with any questions or concerns about application procedures or grant terms. Email inquiries can be sent to: osce@wisconsin.gov. This document and other relevant grant forms and information will be posted here: https://osce.wi.gov/Pages/home.aspx 
  2. What types of projects can be funded Community Climate Action Support program? 
    • ​The OSCE is providing grant funding to a wide variety of projects that fall in at least one of our funding priority areas, as outlined in the Funding Guidelines section 2.2.
    • See also Appendix I – Previously Awarded and Ongoing Grant Projects in the Funding Guidelines for a list of projects that were previously awarded funding. 

Funding Eligibility

  1. Are governmental bodies (state, local, Tribal) eligible to apply? 
    • ​​These entities can serve as consultants/subrecipients on proposed projects, but cannot serve as lead applicants. See Section 2.1 of the Funding Guidelines. ​
  2. Are the University of Wisconsin Campuses eligible to apply?
    • ​​A UW campus may act as a project partner or consultant/subrecipient, but not as a lead applicant. ​
  3. Who is eligible to apply? 
    • ​​Eligible entities can be found in Section 2.1 of the Funding Guidelines​
  4. Are Incubator Project recipients from the WI-CAN Network Incubator Project Grant program eligible to apply for this current round of funding? 
    • ​​No, the office plans to distribute funding across the state to support projects serving new communities. Funding will prioritize areas that did not receive funding from the WI-CAN Network Incubator Project Grant program. Applications must be for new projects and/or for existing projects that require ongoing support and have not previously received this funding. See section 1.3 and section 2.1 of the Funding Guidelines. 
  5. ​We understand that prior project recipients from the WI-CAN Network Incubator Project Grant program are not eligible to serve as primary applicants. However, we would appreciate clarification on whether a prior recipient is eligible to serve as a sub-awardee under a new proposal led by a different organization. 
    • ​​​A recipient of the WI-CAN Network Incubator Project Grant program, the first round of OSCE funding for these efforts, it is not eligible to receive additional funding as a lead applicant or as a consultant/subrecipient.  That said, they may still participate as an unpaid consultant if they choose to.  See section 1.3 and section 2.1 of the Funding Guidelines. ​
  6. Can a project have one or more sources of funding in addition to the Community Climate Action Support grant program? 
    • ​​Yes, applications may be for new projects and/or for existing projects that require ongoing support and have not previously received this funding.​​​
  7. Can grant applicants contract with consultants for technical or community expertise? 
    • ​​Yes, applicants may engage in consulting agreements for technical or community expertise, including individuals supporting community projects. Examples of consultants include individuals and/or organizations with a proven track record of working with tribes and community organizations who are legally authorized to work in Wisconsin. ​​
  8. What are allowable costs? 
    • ​​Information on allowable costs can be found in section 3.2 in the Funding Guidelines. ​​
  9. ​What activities qualify as an eligible cost? Will the translation of outreach materials qualify?
    • ​​Eligible costs are outlined in Section 3.2 of the Funding Guidelines. Translation of outreach materials qualifies as an eligible cost under the “Other” category.  ​
  10. What is the permissible length of a grant? 
    • ​​Grants must be completed within 6-12 months following the grant contract execution and no later than March 31, 2027. Program staff anticipates announcing awards no later than April 1, 2026, with the agreement commencing and projects starting shortly thereafter. See Sections 2.3 and 4.4 of the Funding Guidelines.  
  11. If my organization previously acted as a fiscal sponsor for a project during the first round of funding, are we still eligible to apply as applicants for this new round?​​
    • ​Yes, as a fiscal sponsor, your organization is still eligible, as it was not an actual recipient of funding from Round 1. Additionally, the project's work and location, as well as the organization that your organization fiscally sponsors, would not affect the prioritization of a new application.​
  12. If my organization is doing work under a current Incubator Project for the WI-CAN Network Incubator Project Grant program, but was not the award recipient (Lead Applicant), are we still eligible?
    • ​Yes, being a subrecipient on a current Incubator Project does not disqualify you from applying for the next round of funding.  . In addition, a Round 1 recipient could be listed as a consultant in your proposal, but cannot receive any additional funding from this program.  See Funding Guidelines Section 2.1
  13. ​I am wondering whether a member of our organization or a Core Partner can become a WI-CAN Member, or whether we can only work with current WI-CAN Members on our proposed project.
    • You can work with a current WI-CAN member, or you can become a WI-CAN member, or both. The process to become a WI-CAN member is as follows: 1) supply us with the email address for contact(s) for the organization at osce@wisconsin.gov, and 2) schedule a 1-on-1 with the OSCE so we can learn more about your organization and answer any questions you may have about WI-CAN.  Also, per the program's requirements, at least one Core Partner for the proposal must be a member of the WI-CAN Network. See Section 2.1​
  14. ​I am wondering whether a green team within a school (governmental body) would be eligible for funding?
    • As a Green Team that operates within a school, they would not qualify as a “lead applicant” for the grant program.  That said, the Green Team would qualify as Core Partner or a consultant/subrecipient and could play a substantial role in a proposed project.  See Funding Guidelines Section 2.1. 
      ​

​

Review & Scoring Process​

  1. ​What is the timeline for review and funding? 
    • ​Applications are due electronically to osce@wisconsin.gov on March 6th at 5:00 pm Central time. Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete and submit the application ahead of the deadline. Review of applications will begin on March 9th, with two rounds of peer review, followed by a final selection by OSCE staff. The final selection will be announced on April 1st, 2026. Program staff anticipates the agreement commencing and will start shortly after the final selection is announced.  See Section 4.4 of the Funding Guidelines. ​
  2. What steps are being taken for accountability and transparency when it comes to the allocation of grants? 
    • ​​The OSCE aims to have regional diversity across the state when funding projects. To achieve an equitable distribution of funds, the OSCE may consider additional factors, including, but not limited to, geographic distribution, rural and unincorporated status, levels of pollution burden, and the fewest local resources. In addition, the OSCE has outlined the process and evaluation criteria for applicants in Section 4.3b of the Funding Guidelines. If an application is denied, the applicant may request a follow-up to discuss general themes from the review. The OSCE's decisions on grant funding are final and not subject to appeal, see Section 4.5 of the Funding Guidelines. 

Grant Application 

  1. Is there an online portal to submit materials? 
    • ​​No, applications must be sent electronically as a single PDF document to osce@wisconsin.gov. 
  2. ​Can I adjust the grant application template to fit our needs? 
    • ​​​Please use the Required Grant Application Template for your proposal and adjust it as needed. We ask that you follow the indicated word limits in the application form, using a minimum 11-point font on an 8.5x11-inch page with 1-inch margins. Submit it as a PDF. Feel free to remove instructions to maximize space for the narrative. ​​​​​