Members Only: October 2025

by

This month

Evergreen Resources & Tools

Coming in November

Keep an eye out for:

  • 12/3 – Green Drinks: Beer for Humans @ Rhingeist
  • 12/4 – Key Procurement Opportunities for Government
  • 12/8 – Green and Healthy Schools Office Hours
  • 12/11 – Clean Energy Funding Webinar
  • 12/16 – 25 Communities Quarterly Check-In
  • 12/31 – Thrive Together Publication

In Case You Missed It

25 Communities Project In Action

The 25 Communities Project launched in late July with 14 communities who are leading the way on sustainability in Greater Cincinnati! Since the launch we’ve hosted five trainings, one workshop, and one cohort check in – we’re excited to announce that communities are already making progress and taking first or next steps on their climate action journey. In addition to trainings and workshops, participants also receive consultations, project support, community event planning, storytelling and media, and more. These benefits are led and supported by Green Umbrella staff and partners. Be sure to check out the Members-Only Events Calendar for upcoming offerings.

There are still spots available in the 25 Communities Project – if you are a local government member and interested in participating, email Van Sullivan at van@greenumbrella.org to learn more and get involved.

Sustainability Hackathon

This past summer of 2025, the Sustainability Project Group within the Climate Research Incubator designed a Sustainability Challenge: a 48-hour challenge that brought together UC students with community partners including the UC School of Environment and Sustainability,  UC Office of Sustainability, City of Fairfield, City of Milford, and Sustainability Central to tackle real-world projects in waste management, data tracking, social media campaigns, and story-telling initiatives. The teams presented deliverables before a panel of judges. Winning projects included Story-telling and Communication Plan for Establishing a Sustainable Campus, Data Tracking and Reporting Requirements and Waste Diversion.

ThriveTogether Roundtables

As part of the ThriveTogether planning process, ThriveTogether Partners hosted a roundtable discussion focused on finding solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the agriculture and carbon removal sectors. Over 70 individuals representing areas of each sector attended the roundtables. Sessions focused on evaluating, reimagining, and updating the measures and goals for the region’s Sustainability Playbook; a guide for how individual communities within the region can approach various facets of sustainability.

Funding & Grant Opportunities

Keep Cincinnati Beautiful Safe and Clean Grant

The City of Cincinnati Safe and Clean Neighborhood Fund is intended for projects based on crime prevention through environmental design where improved beautification enhances community ownership and reduces violence. This funding is open for organizations prioritizing youth-led initiatives to promote positive physical changes in neighborhoods.

Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) Community Development Block Grant Program

Rural communities frequently face substantial challenges that require additional financial assistance. The State of Indiana, via the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, manages Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). These federal funds aim to support non-entitlement towns, cities, and counties throughout Indiana with various initiatives, such as improving water infrastructure, enhancing public facilities, preserving historical sites, addressing residential and commercial blight, and revitalizing Main Streets. CDBG funding plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life in Indiana communities while ensuring the health and safety of their residents.

More opportunities & resources:

More funding opportunities can always be found at Green Umbrella’s Member Funding and Technical Assistance Tracker.

Welcome New Green Umbrella Members!

Want to see all your fellow members? Explore the RCC Directory

Members Only: August 2025

by

This month

Evergreen Resources & Tools

Coming in September

Stay Tuned

In Case You Missed It

Regional Climate Migration Project in Greater Cincinnati

Green Umbrella’s recent climate migration webinar examined how Greater Cincinnati could see population changes ranging from loss to growth of up to 578,971 residents by 2050 due to climate-driven migration. Focus groups with local stakeholders identified key preparation needs: dramatically increased housing supply, improved transportation infrastructure, and positioning the region as welcoming to newcomers. The research continues with an invite-only workshop on August 20 featuring scenario planning and remarks from Mayor Aftab Pureval. Reach out to Van Sullivan with any questions at van@greenumbrella.org.

25 Communities Project Kickoff

On July 22, Green Umbrella launched the 25 Communities Project with a kick-off event. The kick-off marked the beginning of the initiative, which will help bring communities together to create a more equitable region by providing resources, technical support, and funding opportunities through a comprehensive support framework. Support includes monthly trainings, workshops, community events, and access to working groups. The project will run through August 2026, with communities then becoming eligible for a Climate Fellow in the Summer of 2026 to further local government capacity. If you are a local government member and interested in joining the project, submit your commitment form here. Reach out to Van Sullivan with any questions at van@greenumbrella.org.

Comprehensive Planning and Sustainability in Dearborn County, IN

In early July, the first Comprehensive Planning 101 event was held in Dearborn County, Indiana  in collaboration with Dearborn County Planning and Zoning and Dearborn County Soil and Water (SWCD). Greenspace Alliance Manager Claire Carlson, along with representatives from Planning and Zoning and the SWCD, presented on the basics of comprehensive planning, how it relates to conservation, and how individuals in Dearborn County can get involved. This event was the first in a series of comprehensive planning events that the Regional Prioritization Plan (RPP)/Policy Working Group will host throughout the region in counties and communities that are updating their comprehensive plans. The goal of this type of outreach is to spread awareness of the RPP, increase its integration into planning regionally, and integrate conservation-focused language into a community’s plan.

Funding & Grant Opportunities

Greater Cincinnati Foundation Request for Proposals

The Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF) strengthens our community through strategic investments that are both proactive and responsive to emerging needs. Their Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks to offer diverse funding opportunities that align community priorities with donor values.

Horizon Community Foundation Community Impact Fund Grant

Northern Kentucky’s Horizon Community Foundation Community Impact Fund Grant is committed to closing gaps in education, health, and employment.

More opportunities & resources:

More funding opportunities can always be found at Green Umbrella’s Member Funding and Technical Assistance Tracker.

Welcome New Green Umbrella Members!

Want to see all your fellow members? Explore the RCC Directory

Members Only: June 2025

by

Coming Up Next: Events & Opportunities

Member Resources

Stay Tuned:

In Case You Missed It

Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit

June 5, 2025 – The Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit successfully brought together over 600 leaders from businesses, startups, government, academia, and nonprofits to explore this year’s theme of “Sustainable Stories,” featuring keynote speaker Dr. Lyla June Johnston and 100 speakers across 20 breakout sessions. The event, hosted by Green Umbrella at Sharonville Convention Center, provided a dynamic platform for celebrating climate solutions, forging new partnerships, and strengthening connection and collaboration toward a more resilient future.

Climate Action Fellowship Training and Summer Projects

The 2025 Climate Action Fellowship has successfully launched with 7 professionals and students joining 5 host cities across the region to complete projects in capacity assessment, water, climate planning, energy benchmarking and more. Participating cities include returning partners in Milford and Oxford, alongside new participants Newport, Fairfield, and Hamilton County. This Green Umbrella program empowers local governments through a 10-week fellowship model that provides guidance, training, and dedicated fellows to drive meaningful climate action progress on the ground.

Climate Safe Neighborhood Advocacy Training

June 17, 2025 – Building on last year’s training with updated strategies and approaches, the session at Cincinnati Zoo’s TreeTops event space provided CSN Community Advisory Group leaders with practical tools for effectively advocating on behalf of their communities. This training session, led by Groundwork Ohio River Valley, Ohio Environmental Council and Green Umbrella, focused on building the storytelling capacity of local advocates. Particularly in ensuring they can sculpt their own story about environmental issues and opportunities in their own communities, and then identify possible venues to share their story and advocate for action–one example being how to share personal stories at local government proceedings. Stay tuned for future trainings!

Funding & Grant Opportunities

Temper of the Times Foundation

Recognizing that organizations working to protect the environment have limited access to paid media, Temper of the Times Foundation provides funds to underwrite advertising designed to promote the conservation and restoration of native wildlife, plants, and ecosystems in the United States.

PNC Foundation

The PNC Foundation supports a variety of nonprofit organizations with a special emphasis on those that work to achieve sustainability and touch a diverse population, in particular, those that support early childhood education and/or economic development.

More opportunities & resources:

More funding opportunities can always be found at Green Umbrella’s Member Funding and Technical Assistance Tracker.

Welcome New Green Umbrella Members!

Want to see all your fellow members? Explore the RCC Directory

Members Only: April 2025

by

Coming Up Next: Events & Opportunities

Member Resources

  • Submit events to our Public Events Calendar
  • Submit jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities to the Green Jobs Board
  • Access all your Member Codes for discount tickets, special entry to events, and more through the Member Portal here

Stay Tuned:

  • Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit – June 5, 2025
  • Climate Action Fellowship – Fellows/Host Cities Training – May 28, 2025
  • Green Schoolyards Action Network – Facilities Manual (Site Maintenance Maps)
  • Greenspace Alliance –  Conserve Greenspace through Planning and Zoning

In Case You Missed It:

Climate Research Incubator hosts Project Working Sessions

Green Umbrella’s Climate Research Incubator, a program created in partnership with NKU’s Kristy Hopensperger, hosted two Project Working Sessions in March. These sessions are designed to allow project teams formal time to work, receive assistance from the CRI team, and, if not currently involved in projects, find or start a project. Current project teams are actively working on litter in Covington, greenspace in Avondale, and sustainability in Greater Cincinnati overall. The next CRI Working Session will be held on April 24. All working sessions are invite-only. For more information, contact Kristy Hopensperger at hopfenspek1@nku.edu.

Compost Sales – The Common Orchard Project

The Common Orchard Project is selling bulk and bagged compost for the Greater Cincinnati Region! This program transforms food scraps that would typically end up in landfills into premium screened compost that is perfect for raised beds, house plants, and mixing your own potting soil blends.

Have food scraps? Sign up for the free, residential compost program, and help create healthy soil while diverting your organics from the landfill. Drop-off bin is accessible 24/7, and is located at the gate entrance of Camp Washington Perennial Farm.

Climate Health & Equity Toolkit For Greater Cincinnati

We are delighted to introduce a compilation of our Public Service Announcement Series on Climate Change and Health Equity Outcomes in Greater Cincinnati. This PSA Series was based on Green Umbrella’s report Climate Health Equity: Analyzing the Impacts of Climate Change on Health Outcomes in Greater Cincinnati, a comprehensive resource completed in collaboration with Scioto Analysis that explores the pressing intersection of climate change and public health.

Funding & Grant Opportunities

Green Cincinnati Plan Seeds of Change – City of Cincinnati

The City of Cincinnati has a call open for applications for Seeds of Change Grants. This funding aims to bring the Green Cincinnati Plan to life through resident-driven sustainability, equity, and resilience projects in the neighborhoods hardest hit by climate change. Projects from $1,000-$20,000 will be considered for awards. At least $100,000 will be granted during this round. Applications for this round are due April 30.

Grassroots Leadership Fund – General Support Funding

The Grassroots Leadership Fund, in partnership with the Kresge Foundation’s Climate Resilient and Equitable Water Systems (CREWS) Initiative, supports local activists across the country, and the small groups they lead, with immediate resources to address climate-driven urban flooding in low-income, historically marginalized communities.

More opportunities & resources:

More funding opportunities can always be found at Green Umbrella’s Member Funding and Technical Assistance Tracker.

Welcome New Green Umbrella Members!

Want to see all your fellow members? Explore the RCC Directory

Members Only: February 2025

by

Welcome to the first Member Newsletter of the year! We’re thrilled to have you as part of the Green Umbrella Regional Climate Collaborative.

Our newsletter structure has changed a bit since last year. We hope you like the new format! We’re also switching the schedule: these emails will go out every-other-month instead of monthly. This year, you’ll get a Member Newsletter in February (here!), April, June, August, and October. This means that each newsletter will have even more to explore, packed full of events, resources, and news for members like you.

Coming Up Next: Events & Opportunities

Member Resources

Stay Tuned:

In Case You Missed It:

Event Recaps, News, & More from Green Umbrella

Climate Research Incubator Annual Symposium

The Annual CRI Symposium held on January 31st was a great success, bringing together scholars, community shareholders, and government officials to discuss and seed resiliency projects. CRI’s first 2025 Project Working Session will be on March 4, 2025, to build on these valuable discussions. Sessions are invite only. For more information, please contact Kristy Hopfensperger.

Covington Community Advisory Group – Regional Planning Virtual Workshop Video

The recording from our January 23, 2025 Climate Advisory Group Regional Planning Virtual Workshop is now available for members.

CSN Partnership is actively seeking interested residents from Winton Hills to join our next Community Advisory Group – please share with your networks and contact: khawkins-johnson@groundwork-ohio-river-valley.

Greenspace Alliance Establishes Working Groups

“As part of our 2025 Work Plan, the Greenspace Alliance members decided to form three working groups to assist in achieving the goals outlined in the plan. Our three working groups are: Research and Implementation, RPP/Policy Implementation, and Grants.” – Claire Carlson, Greenspace Alliance Manager

For information on how to participate, contact Claire at claire@greenumbrella.org.

Funding & Grant Opportunities

Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program

This grant program advances solutions and supports partners throughout the Appalachians to connect and conserve vital wildlife habitat, build resilience, and generate new jobs and recreation opportunities for communities.

Box Impact Fund Grant

This grant offers six $25K awards in one of three target areas: child welfare, crisis response, and the environment.

More opportunities & resources:

More funding opportunities can always be found at Green Umbrella’s Member Funding and Technical Assistance Tracker.

Welcome New Green Umbrella Members!

KZF Design
Leading Member

Kenton County Public Library
Participating Member

Gateway Community and Technical College
Participating Member

Church of the Advent Walnut Hills
Participating Membe

Want to see all your fellow members? Explore the RCC Directory

November 2024 – Your Members Only Newsletter

by

Here are a few updates about Green Umbrella’s work these past weeks. The Greater Cincinnati Regional Food Policy Council, supported by the RE-AMP Action Team, held more sharing sessions on accessing and coordinating available funding available at the intersection of urban food systems and climate change. Green Umbrella has been working in collaboration with Groundwork Ohio River Valley on Climate Safe Neighborhoods, which focuses on equity and environmental justice in the region. Over the past few months, in collaboration with the City of Covington Kentucky and The Center for Great Neighborhoods, residents have been working in Climate Advisory Groups for training on climate impacts, justice and planning, community prioritization, advocacy, and action.

This is the final Members Only newsletter for 2024. Thank you for being an integral part of the inaugural year of the Regional Climate Collaborative. The next newsletter will arrive in 2025!

Your Member Benefits at Work

Get Discounted Tickets to Green Umbrella’s 2024 Annual Meeting & Celebration

December 10 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Green Umbrella’s annual celebration brings together 200 sustainability leaders from across our network to connect around sustainability successes and upcoming goals. The event provides an opportunity to engage with fellow sustainability champions from across the Greater Cincinnati region and hear about the impactful work happening across our organization and member network. The celebration will include local light bites, live music, and complimentary beverages thanks to HighGrain Brewing.

Green Umbrella members get $25 off tickets for their organizations. To purchase tickets, visit the link here and use this code: GU-MEMBER

Special thanks to our event sponsors, Three Corners Capital and Great Parks of Hamilton County!

Get the most out of your Membership:

  • Submit your events to our Public Events Calendar
  • Submit your jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities to the Green Jobs Board 
  • Stay tuned: 2024 Member Benefits Recap 
  • Stay tuned: Climate Health Equity Media Toolkit 
  • Stay tuned: 2025 Member Survey

Collaboration & Connections

Midwest Region 5 TCTAC Intake Form

EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers are here to provide technical assistance services to communities in EPA’s Region 5 territory facing environmental justice issues. The assistance centers aim to support and empower communities by providing tools and resources to address climate challenges. If your organization or community is seeking assistance in the areas of capacity building for federal grant navigation, community engagement, developing grant proposals or other technical support, the Region 5 intake form is open for requests for assistance. Green Umbrella serves as a supporting partner in the Region 5 TCTAC.

Funding & Grant Opportunities

The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (Community Forest Program)

Support for communities to acquire and conserve forests that provide public access and recreational opportunities, protect vital water supplies and wildlife habitat, serve as demonstration sites for private forest landowners, and provide economic benefits from timber and non-timber products.

Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities (Technical Assistance)

Now accepting letters of interest for 2025! The Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities technical assistance program is delivered by EPA staff and EPA-hired consultant teams.The program will provide planning assistance to local governments working in partnership with community organizations to help mitigate the effects of urban heat islands in overburdened communities.

More opportunities & resources:

  • Good Jobs in Clean Energy: Designed to encourage coalition-building in communities across the country that focus on creating quality jobs and fostering an equitable and inclusive workforce in clean energy sectors.
  • WIIN Grant: Reducing Lead in Drinking Water: $35 million to assist disadvantaged communities and schools with removing sources of lead in drinking water.

More funding opportunities can always be found at Green Umbrella’s Member Funding and Technical Assistance Tracker.

Other News:

Climate Health Equity Webinar Series

Green Umbrella’s Climate Health Equity series is a public service campaign aimed at informing communities of regional climate issues and impacts to our health. It builds upon a report in partnership with Scioto Analysis, “Climate Health Equity – Analyzing the Impacts of Climate Change and Health Outcomes in Greater Cincinnati.” Join in on the conversation and learn more with the following resources:

Meet a Member: Miami University

Miami University has had a long-standing commitment to sustainability. In 1969, the university established the Institute of Environmental Sciences, (now known as the Institute for the Environment and Sustainability) and offered a Master of Environmental Science degree, predating the founding of the Environmental Protection Agency established on December 2, 1970. The program was designed to address “the urgent need for a new program which is truly interdisciplinary in structure … and which contains a curriculum geared to train a modern environmental scientist equipped with the tools and philosophy to cope with new problems as they arise.” The institute now offers four co-majors in environmental science, energy and food systems, sustainability, and food studies. Green Umbrella is honored to have Miami University as a Supporting Member. The university’s innovative legacy continues to inspire collaborative climate work in our region and nationally.

October 2024 – Your Members-Only Newsletter

by

Last month, Green Umbrella hosted the Cultivate + Connect event at Urban Artifact. The event had over 125 food advocates gathered to celebrate the connections between food, climate, and community. Green Umbrella also launched the second cohort of the Climate Research Incubator, involving scholars from regional academic and research institutions. The first training session, held on September 20th, focused on public engagement, participatory action research, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Additionally, the national 2030 District Networks Summit took place in Cincinnati, hosted by the Greater Cincinnati 2030 District. There’s some great events coming up this month, including Banters + Brews: Decarbonization and Wellness on October 24th and Clean Energy Funding webinars.

Your Benefits at Work

Food Systems Circularity Series: Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Food Waste

October 29 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Join us for a 1- hour webinar where we’ll discuss the climate impacts of food systems with Tony Staubach, Food Waste Diversion Coordinator at Hamilton County R3Source, leader of Wasted Food Stops With Us, and key member of Green Umbrella’s Food Policy Council. Discover opportunities for building circularity in Greater Cincinnati through effective food waste reduction and diversion and learn how to track greenhouse gas emissions savings with a nationally-recognized food waste conversion calculator. This is the third session in Green Umbrella’s “Food Systems Circularity” series, amplifying the regional efforts of the Food Policy Council and the Common Orchard Project. Register today!

Get the most out of your Membership:

  • Submit your events to our Public Events Calendar
  • Submit your jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities to the Green Jobs Board
  • Stay tuned: Green Umbrella’s Climate Health Equity Toolkit

Upcoming Events

RESCHEDULED! Slow Food Live: Your Role as a Stakeholder in School Wellness

October 24 @  4 – 5:30 pm

Mark your calendars (again!) for “Slow Food Live: Your Role as a Stakeholder in School Wellness,” rescheduled for October 24th from 4:00-5:30 pm. This webinar will take a fresh look into the USDA-required Local School Wellness Policies, which hold transformative potential for food, health, and environmental systems within schools. Whether you’re a student, parent, school employee, or community partner, your voice is vital in crafting these impactful policies. Join experts Cynthia Walters of Green Umbrella’s Green Schoolyards program, Anneliese Tanner of Boston Public Schools, and Jackie Sharpe of the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce as they guide you through building effective committees and share a new toolkit.

Clean Energy Funding Opportunities – WEBINAR

October 17 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Discover a range of clean energy incentives such as tax credits, direct payments, grants, and low-interest loans designed to support your property’s clean energy upgrades in this one hour webinar hosted by Green Umbrella’s Greater Cincinnati 2030 District. Navigating these options can be complex, but Nikki Vandivort, energy policy expert from the City of Cincinnati’s Office of Environment and Sustainability, will guide you through the current funding landscape and eligibility criteria. If you own or manage a commercial, public, or multi-family property and have been thinking about a clean energy upgrade, this webinar is for you. Also offered on November 14th!

Banter + Brews: Decarbonization and Wellness

October 24 @ 7:30 am – 9:30 am

Banter + Brews is back and better than ever! Returning for the first time since 2020 as a breakfast event, Banters + Brews offers a morning of engaging conversation paired with local coffee, tea, and light bites. This month’s event is co-hosted by Green Umbrella and MA Design and will delve into cutting-edge topics around Decarbonization and Wellness in the Built Environment.

Collaboration & Connections

First Cultivate + Connect Event Brings Together Food System Champions Across the Region

Green Umbrella’s Food Policy Council and the Common Orchard Project hosted an unforgettable event earlier this month to celebrate the intersections of food, climate, and community in Greater Cincinnati. Attendees cultivated new connections, heard from regional food system champions, and participated in an interactive activity that mapped each of our vital roles in the local food system. A delicious menu also showcased 18 local businesses – curated in partnership with Findlay Kitchen, Incubator Kitchen Collective, and Edible Ohio Valley. It was a night of connection, creativity, and community that highlighted the power of collaboration in shaping a sustainable food future – read more about it on our blog, and we hope to see you there next year!

RE-AMP Action Team: Urban Food Systems Resource Sharing Session 4

October 7 @ 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Cities across the Midwest are digging into urban agriculture and building resilient urban food systems. With support from the RE-AMP Network, a coalition working to enable collaboration on climate solutions in the Midwest, the Urban Food Systems Resource Sharing Action Team is building a network to strengthen collaborative relationships, share ideas and resources, and gather best practices based on lived experience. Monthly resource sharing sessions will be held on Zoom, at  3-4:30pm ET on Mondays. Registration is required.

Green Drinks with Green Umbrella & Last Mile Food Rescue

October 24 @ 5:00 – 7:00 pm

Little Miami Brewing in Milford, OH, will host this month’s Green Drinks in collaboration with Last Mile Food Rescue for a dynamic networking event that brings together sustainability advocates from across Greater Cincinnati. This free gathering is perfect for anyone passionate about climate action and local sustainability.

Funding & Grant Opportunities

Great Lakes Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program

The Minneapolis Foundation will be awarding $40M over three years for environmental justice work in underserved communities (applicable to OH and IN). The RFP should be released in the coming week… check out the website for more details!

Clean School Bus Program

The 2024 Clean School Bus Rebate Program is accepting applications through January 9th, 2025, at 4PM ET. The EPA anticipates awarding up to $965 million to fund new, zero-emission and clean school buses!

More opportunities & resources:

More funding opportunities can always be found at Green Umbrella’s Member Funding and Technical Assistance Tracker.

Climate Health Equity Series

Green Umbrella’s Climate Health Equity series is a public service campaign aimed at informing communities of regional climate issues and impacts to our health. It builds upon a recently completed report in partnership with Scioto Analysis, “Climate Health Equity – Analyzing the Impacts of Climate Change and Health Outcomes in Greater Cincinnati.” Join in on the conversation and learn more with the following resources:

Meet a Member: City of Covington

Situated in Kenton County at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking rivers, Covington is strategically positioned for regional collaboration, lying just south of Cincinnati and west of Newport. As a Leading Member of the Green Umbrella Regional Climate Collaborative, Covington exemplifies leadership in climate action through its determined and proactive initiatives. The city recently hosted a Green Umbrella Climate Action Fellow, who played a key role in advancing environmental efforts. Following a successful climate action workshop, Groundwork Ohio River Valley and Green Umbrella are set to launch a multi-week Climate Advisory Group in October within the city as part of the Climate Safe Neighborhoods initiative.

September 2024 – Your Members-Only Newsletter

by

The Direct Pay workshop had great discussions about how to take advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act’s Direct Pay Program – the first time the federal government will provide tax-free, direct cash funding up to 70% of project costs to tax-exempt entities. Green Umbrella will be providing more workshops like this heading into 2025, so stay tuned!

The second round of Climate Research Incubator is kicking off later this month. To learn more about the Incubator, check out our latest blog.

Your Member Benefits at Work

Discounted Tickets to the Ohio Energy Conference

Green Umbrella is a proud non-profit partner of the 2024 Ohio Energy Conference on October 7th and 8th at the COSI Science Museum in Columbus, Ohio. The conference brings together energy industry professionals from across the production, manufacturing, transit, political, and social web of Ohio. We encourage you to join our team, partners, and other members at the conference this fall for transparent and diverse dialogue about Ohio’s toughest energy challenges. Green Umbrella’s network is eligible for a 25% discount on their ticket purchase – use code GU25 at checkout to apply. Our executive director will be sharing stories of green energy successes from SWOH at the conference. If you have one to share please email it to membership@greenumbrella.org.

Greenspace Alliance Policy Resource

Developing, updating, and implementing ordinances and laws specific to greenspace and environmental protection is imperative in addressing the challenges of climate change, economic changes, and community health. Green Umbrella’s Greenspace Alliance has developed a Greenspace Policy Resource Guide to provide our members with resources for best practices for developing ordinances, assessing and updating comprehensive plans, financing capital improvements, and more. Included are databases, case studies, and examples of Midwestern legislation, all related to greenspace. This is a living document so additions will continue to be made – reach out to Claire Carlson (claire@greenumbrella.org) if you’d like to see specific resources added to this guide in the future.

Get the most out of your Membership:

  • Submit your events to our Public Events Calendar
  • Submit your jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities to the Green Jobs Board
  • Learn how to navigate the Members Only Portal
  • Stay tuned: Regional Prioritization Plan Training

Members-Only Events

Food Systems Circularity Series: Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Food Waste

October 29th, 4:00-5:00 PM

Join us for this 1-hour webinar where we’ll discuss the connection between climate impacts and food systems and how we’re working to build circularity in our region through the reduction and diversion of food waste. We’ll explore how organizations and individuals can track their greenhouse gas emissions savings using shared metrics, and participants will receive guidance in using a nationally recognized greenhouse gas emissions calculator focused on food waste. Register today!

Collaborations & Connections

The Expanded Greater Cincinnati 2030 District

Green Umbrella’s 2030 District will significantly expand its service territory and re-brand as the Greater Cincinnati 2030 District beginning this fall. District participation will open to commercial, public, nonprofit, and multi-family buildings across Green Umbrella’s 10-county service area, allowing the program to reach a wider audience and create more opportunities for professional partners and members. 2030 District Director, Wyatt King, will be traveling to communities across the region this fall and winter to give presentations on the how and why of energy and water benchmarking. In the meantime, community members are invited to join a free Benchmarking 101 and Intro to the Greater Cincinnati 2030 District webinar on September 12th, and join us at the 2030 Districts Summit Kickoff Reception on September 30th!

Slow Food Live: Your Role as a Stakeholder in School Wellness

September 10, 4:00-5:30 PM

Join us for an interactive virtual event with our Green Schoolyards Manager and experts from the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce and Boston Public Schools. Discover how Local School Wellness Policies, required by the USDA for those in the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs, can transform food, health, and environmental systems in school communities. Participate in shaping these policies with a diverse committee to ensure equitable resource distribution. Learn about the basics of Local School Wellness Policies, explore a new Toolkit, and how to build effective, inclusive committees. Register now and join the conversation.

Two Food Systems Resources!

1) Join Green Umbrella and RE-AMP Network for a Food Systems Resource Sharing session on September 9th from 3-4:30 PM. The purpose of this virtual event is to support you – farm and food system-focused organizations, food policy councils, and farmers – in understanding, accessing, and coordinating federal, state, local, and private funding. Register here. 2) Check out our new “Healthy Soil, Healthy Food, Healthy Planet” one-pager to learn about why soil health is important to you and your community. The resource includes best practices, resources for next steps, and ways to get involved.

Funding & Grant Opportunities

Recreation Economy for Rural Communities

The Recreation Economy for Rural Communities program is accepting applications now through October 16th. The program provides planning assistance to small towns and rural communities to boost outdoor recreation economies and revitalize main streets. The program is a partnership between EPA’s Office of Community Revitalization, the USDA Forest Service, the Northern Border Regional Commission, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the Denali Commission.

National Association of Conservation Districts – Outreach and Technical Assistance Grants

The National Association of Conservation Districts will be awarding approximately $18 million in funding for conservation operations technical assistance, environmental quality incentives programs, and conservation stewardship programs. The goal of the program is to increase conservation plans and practices, as well as strengthen local civic engagement related to conservation and land management. Applications are due September 30th.

More opportunities & resources:

More funding opportunities can always be found at Green Umbrella’s Member Funding and Technical Assistance Tracker.

Other News

Climate Health Equity Webinar Series: Climate Change, Allergies and Health Outcomes in Greater Cincinnati

September 19, 1:00-2:00 PM

Green Umbrella’s next iteration of our Climate Health Equity series will focus on climate change and allergies in Greater Cincinnati. We will hear from local expert, Michael Sherenian MD/MS, Assistant Professor at the University of Cincinnati’s Department of Pediatrics and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, regarding how climate change has increased the distribution of allergens and related health outcomes and how we can individually and systemically address these issues. Register here.

Climate Action Wins by Green Umbrella Member Governments

Green Umbrella members are making incredible progress in their climate planning efforts. The City of Milford just established their Climate Action Steering Commission, Fairfield is working to move their Fairfield Sustains Plan to policy next month, Oxford is expediting the implementation of their climate action plan, and Covington is considering establishing a climate action task force, after a presentation by Green Umbrella team members City Commission. Milford, Fairfield, Oxford, and Covington are all Green Umbrella Leading Members and receive climate planning support through our fellowship program, 1:1 consultations, and more.

Meet a Member: PRO Lighting & Solar, LLC

PRO Lighting & Solar is an innovative company with a creative approach to energy efficiency, solar, energy storage solutions, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure solutions. Specializing in net zero solutions, they strive to accelerate the adoption of solar technology across North America. The organization is an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program certified installer and a leader in solar energy solutions, and has been upgrading lighting systems and installing occupancy sensors for over 20 years.

What We’re Exploring

Story Of Seasons: A Wonderful Life

“One of my favorite ways to decompress and relax is by playing video games. I’m currently playing Story Of Seasons: A Wonderful Life. I have been enjoying making my dream farm, raising animals, and using my crops to make tasty recipes!”

-Viviana Saldarriaga, Visual Communications Specialist

August 2024 – Your Members-Only Newsletter

by

Green Umbrella’s Local Government Climate Action Showcase had over 60 attendees who gathered to learn and celebrate our summer climate action fellows and their work with the Cities of Covington, Milford, and Oxford. The showcase featured incredible research and insights into energy benchmarking, greenspace and green infrastructure, community engagement, and more.

Our Climate Action Fellowship program occurs annually and is dedicated to bridging the gap between climate concepts and real-world experience. Thank you to the Greater Cincinnati Foundation for supporting this work and to our amazing inaugural fellows: Elese Daniel, Ella O’Maley, and David Naibei!

Your Member Benefits at Work

Training: Greenspace Alliance Development & Policy Workbook

Creating equitable and accessible greenspace requires collaboration, communication, and long-term planning. Understanding that support is needed in this work, Green Umbrella’s Greenspace Alliance has created a two-part training module and workbook that can serve as a guide and resource for establishing these spaces in your community.

You can access the workbook and accompanying training video on our Member Resource page. Make an appointment with Green Umbrella’s Greenspace Alliance Manager on her calendar here to discuss and identify next steps.

Get the most out of your Membership:

  • Submit your events to our Public Events Calendar
  • Submit your jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities to the Green Jobs Board 
  • Learn how to navigate the Members Only Portal
  • Stay tuned: Regional Prioritization Plan Training
  • Stay tuned: Soil Health Policy and Advocacy Tool

Members-Only Events

Food Systems Circularity Series: Using the Local Food Climate Impact Calculator TODAY!

August 9 @ 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm, UC’S Digital Futures Building

Join us for a 1-hour open office hours session where we’ll offer guidance and help members navigate the new Local Food Climate Impact Calculator, a GHG emissions calculator created for Green Umbrella and its members by Data Bloom. Members will receive technical assistance and coaching from the creator, Timothy NeCamp, and our Food Policy Council Director, Maddie Chera, as well as hear from peer food systems leaders currently using or looking to use the calculator.

In case you missed it, watch the recording of our previous session, “Tracking Greenhouse Gas Emissions Savings” and download the Calculator and user prompts here.

Direct Pay Training with Donovan Energy

September 5 from 3:00-5:00 pm at UC’s Digital Futures Building in Cincinnati, Ohio

This members-only training, in partnership with Donovan Energy, will focus on how communities can take advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Direct Pay Program – an opportunity to claim clean energy tax credits. For the first time, the federal government will give tax-free, direct cash funding up to 70% of project costs to tax-exempt entities like local governments, schools, hospitals, public utilities, houses of worship, and nonprofit organizations to build renewable energy projects like solar arrays, wind turbines, and storage resources like batteries.

Collaborations & Connections

Slow Food Live: Your Role in School Wellness

September 10, 4:00 PM, Virtual

Are you a school district stakeholder? Join our Green Schoolyards Manager and local school policy experts, including speakers from Ohio Department of Education & Workforce and Boston Public Schools, for this interactive conversation about how you can get directly involved in school wellness. Local school wellness policy can drive change and have a tremendous impact on food, health, and environmental systems for school communities, neighborhoods, and cities. A diverse and collaborative Local School Wellness Policy Committee has the ability to ensure there is equitable distribution of resources and infrastructure across the district. Get involved in the conversation and join our call on September 10th!

2030 District Network Summit Kickoff Reception & Panel Discussion

September 30, 5:00 PM, 1819 Innovation Hub

Green Umbrella is proud to host this year’s 2030 Districts Network Summit in Cincinnati – with two days of internal meetings with 2030 District staff and municipal sustainability personnel from across North America’s twenty-four 2030 Districts. We invite everyone passionate about healthy, high-performing buildings to join us for a kick-off celebration on September 30th, whether you’re an existing Cincinnati 2030 District partner, own or manage a commercial building, work in the commercial building sector or in facilities management, or are a champion of creating a more sustainable built environment.

Cultivate + Connect: A Celebration of Our Regional Food System

September 19, 5:00 PM, Urban Artifact

Join Green Umbrella for an evening of connection, storytelling, and celebration of our region’s food system champions. The evening will feature delicious food from a variety of local businesses and each attendee will receive two drink tickets. Thank you to Urban Artifact for hosting us in their beautiful event space, The Reliquary.

All proceeds and donations will support Green Umbrella’s food system programs – the Greater Cincinnati Regional Food Policy Council and the Common Orchard Project.

Funding & Grant Opportunities

Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building Grant Program

The HUD Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes has $50M available to assist communities to develop capacity to implement a lead hazard control program in targeted communities. The funding focuses on the following areas: workforce development, training staff and contractors, building partnerships and local coalitions, identifying target areas, and developing outreach and policies. Eligible applicants include governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and indigenous groups.

Home Energy Savings Program

Through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the State of Ohio was awarded $249 million by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), via a formula grant, to help eligible Ohioans save on home energy costs offering rebates towards projects aimed at improving energy efficiency through the following programs:

  • High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act (HEEHRA) – $124,150,970
  • Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) – $124,628,229

The Ohio Department of Development’s Office of Energy and Environment is currently designing the program for implementation in compliance with DOE requirements and is expected to submit the program for federal approval by Jan. 31, 2025.

More opportunities & resources:

More funding opportunities can always be found at Green Umbrella’s Member Funding and Technical Assistance Tracker.

Other News

Climate Health Equity Webinar Series: Climate Change, Air Quality and Health Outcomes in Greater Cincinnati

Join us on August 19th for a 1-hour webinar to learn how climate change has impacted air quality in Greater Cincinnati. This webinar is the seventh installment of our series,”Climate Health Equity,” where we will hear from local expert, Dr. Partrick H. Ryan of UC’s Department of Pediatrics, about chronic respiratory disease including asthma and how we can individually and systemically address air quality issues across our region.

Next month’s webinar topic: Climate Change & Allergies

Meet a Member: Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority

Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) is the public transport agency that serves Hamilton County residents and provides commuter routes from Clermont, Butler and Warren counties into Cincinnati. Their service, METRO, is a non-profit, tax-funded public service that operates 365 days a year.

METRO offers 26 local-service routes, 19 express routes, 5 Job Connection reverse-commute routes, provides nearly 7,000 ride per day to Cincinnati Public Schools, and will have connected our community with 20 million rides by 2026. Special thanks to CEO Darryl Haley and Senior Director of the new Bus Rapid Transit System Sharyn LaCombe for presenting at Green Umbrella’s recent Innovations in Transportation Parlor Event!

What We’re Reading

Beth Cundiff is currently reading “Freedom is a Constant Struggle” by Angela Y. Davis.

“I first chose to read this work to deepen my understanding of intersectionality, and how struggles for freedom are connected around the world. As I read Davis’s words, I gained insight and enlightenment about the importance of collective leadership in movements for change. Davis has inspired me to commit to deepen my understanding of what needs to be done to bring us closer to a better future.”

-Beth Cundiff, Green Umbrella Grants Manager

July 2024 – Your Members-Only Newsletter

by

As the first half of 2024 concludes, here are the accomplishments Green Umbrella has achieved so far:

Your Member Benefits at Work

Consultations: Greenspaces & Goals with Claire Carlson

Do you have goals for your local greenspaces? Green Umbrella’s Greenspace Alliance brings together committed stakeholders ready to conserve and expand natural places and connect people to the land. Greenspace Alliance Manager Claire Carlson is available to Green Umbrella members for consultations on how to explore and further your greenspace goals. Connect with Greenspace Alliance Manager, Claire Carlson by making an appointment on her calendar here.

Green Umbrella Badges for Members

As a Green Umbrella member, you are part of a regional network dedicated to creating a thriving and sustainable region. Show off your commitment to climate action by sharing your Green Umbrella membership status using our new member badges!

After logging into the Member Portal, you can access and download your 2024 member badge from this page here. Feel free to add it to your website, your staff email signatures, marketing materials and reports – whatever you can dream up!

Feel free to add it to your website, staff email signatures, marketing materials, and reports – whatever you can dream up! You’re also welcome to share your badge on your social media outlets. Suggested social media copy is included on the member badge download page. Don’t forget to tag Green Umbrella!

Get the most out of your Membership:

Members-Only Events

Direct Pay Training with Donovan Energy

September 5 from 3:00-5:00 pm at the Digital Futures Building in Cincinnati, Ohio

This training, in partnership with Donovan Energy, will be focused on how communities can take advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Direct Pay Program – an opportunity to claim clean energy tax credits. For the first time, the federal government will give tax-free, direct cash funding up to 70% of project costs to tax-exempt entities like local governments, schools, hospitals, public utilities, houses of worship, and nonprofit organizations to build renewable energy projects like solar arrays, wind turbines, and storage resources like batteries. Training will be held in the Digital Futures, Room 140 on September 5th from 3-5 pm.

Collaborations & Connections

2024 Local Government Climate Action Showcase

Hear first-hand from our three fellows and local government leaders about how they led their communities in their climate action planning process and projects. Green Umbrella will share opportunities that any community can embrace to take the next steps to prepare their community for environmental change and access funding to improve infrastructure, build community resilience, and save money. Topics we will cover include:

  • Conducting Capacity and Needs Assessments 
  • Starting a Green Team
  • Creating a Climate/Sustainability Action Plan
  • Engaging Communities
  • Projects related to greenspace, green infrastructure, food, and energy

2023 District Commercial Buildings Resource and Vendor List

We’ve created a vendor list of Green Umbrella members at the Sustaining or Leading levels that provide essential building services to help businesses owners develop healthier spaces, save money, and utilize green energy practices. These vendors provide energy consulting, engineering, EV charging, solar installation, HVAC, and more. Visit our website here to view and download our 2030 District Commercial Buildings Resource & Vendor List.

Green Drinks at Samuel Adams Taproom (Tonight!) and Somerset OTR

Join us TONIGHT for an evening of informal networking at the Samuel Adams Cincinnati Tap Room in OTR! Green Drinks is open to all interested in climate action issues and those seeking to get involved in local sustainability initiatives.

And don’t forget to mark your calendars for Green Drinks on August 8 at Somerset OTR from 5:00-7:00 pm! This Green Drinks directly follows the 2024 Climate Action Fellows Showcase at the Digital Futures Building in Avondale from 3:00-4:30 pm.

Funding & Grant Opportunities

Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Program

The Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST) has released an FY24 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) program. Up to $607 million is available for planning, capital construction, and technical assistance. This opportunity is open to local governments, tribal governments, metropolitan planning organizations and non-profit organizations. 

Justice40 Accelerator Program

The Justice40 Accelerator helps grassroots organizations grow their climate projects so they can access billions of government dollars dedicated to empowering communities most impacted by the climate crisis. Find their wealth of funding opportunities here.

More opportunities & resources:

  • Fairfield Community Assistance Grants – Grants are awarded to support nonprofit organizations serving the city of Fairfield and Fairfield Township
  • Thomas J. Emery Memorial Grant – Open to non-profits in the Greater Cincinnati Area supporting physical, social, civic, and educational needs
  • 100 & Change – a competition for a $100 million grant to fund a single proposal that promises real and measurable progress in solving a critical problem of our time

More funding opportunities can always be found at Green Umbrella’s Member Funding and Technical Assistance Tracker.

Other News

July’s Climate Health PSA Topic: Extreme Weather

The recording for yesterday’s webinar “Climate Change & Extreme Weather Events in Greater Cincinnati” is now available! Visit the link here to hear how climate change contributes to the frequent occurrence of extreme weather events and how this impacts health outcomes in Greater Cincinnati. The webinar features Jim Noel, Service Coordination Hydrologist for NWS/Ohio River Forecast Center, and Katie Jo Berkshire Kirkpatrick, Strategic Initiatives Manager of Northern Kentucky Area Development District.

This event is the seventh webinar in Green Umbrella’s “Climate Health Equity” series which builds upon a report in partnership with Scioto Analysis, “Climate Health Equity – Analyzing the Impacts of Climate Change and Health Outcomes in Greater Cincinnati.” All webinars recordings are available on our Youtube page.

Next month’s webinar topic: Air Quality

Fifth Third Earns 150th EPA ENERGY STAR Certification for Superior Energy Efficiency

Fifth Third announced that the George A. Schaefer, Jr. Madisonville Operations Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, has achieved the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR certification for outstanding energy performance. This certification adds an additional 460k square feet, bringing the Bank’s total Energy Star-certified space to more than 1.2 million square feet. With an impressive ENERGY STAR Score of 79, the Madisonville Operations Center outperforms 79% of comparable properties nationwide, meeting stringent energy efficiency standards set by the EPA.

Meet a Member: City of Fairfield

Located in Southwestern Ohio about 20 miles north of Cincinnati, the City of Fairfield is home to 42,097 residents and is a Leading Member at Green Umbrella. It is situated along the northern loop of I-275, positioned within minutes of recreational, cultural, and business areas.

The City is developing a plan to ensure that Fairfield is maximizing its resources in a way that provides efficiency in city operations now and in the future. The plan, Fairfield Sustains, serves as a comprehensive roadmap for addressing environmental, economic, and liveability considerations, and will be a catalyst for quality-of-life improvements for all residents. The plan also looks at energy usage in the community, open space preservation, resource protection, and economic sustainability initiatives.

What We’re Reading

Nobi is reading “The Social Entrepreneur’s Playbook: Pressure Test, Plan, Launch and Scale Your Social Enterprise” by Ian C. MacMillan & James D. Thompson

“This book connects the often difficult relationship between start-up culture, entrepreneurship, and social causes to create change and gives actionable steps, tools, and resources to launch social enterprises. Its content is based on crowd-sourced feedback on Step One, which was released as a free ebook, and the authors’ expertise to create a social entrepreneurship framework that the publishers themselves used to publish the work.”

-Nobi Kennedy, Regional Climate Collaborative Coordinator