Coming Up Next: Events & Opportunities

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Member Resources

• Submit events to our Public Events Calendar
• Submit jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities to the Green Jobs Board

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Stay Tuned:

• July 24 – July Green Drinks with Groundwork Ohio River Valley and Ocotillo Herbals
• Updates on the 25 Communities Project
• Save the Date: Wasted Food Summit, October 29, 2025

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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!

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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:

• Greater Oxford Community Foundation
• Greater Cincinnati Foundation
• Trails Capacity Program

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

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Welcome New Green Umbrella Members!

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

Coming Up Next: Events & Opportunities

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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

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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

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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.

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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:

• TTF Advertising for the Environment Grant
• Community Grant Program: Black Community Commitment
• Building Bridges Grants
• Daniel K. Thorne Foundation Grants
• Goldman Fund: Environment

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

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Welcome New Green Umbrella Members!

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

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.

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Coming Up Next: Events & Opportunities

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Member Resources

• Submit events to our Public Events Calendar
• Submit jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities to the Green Jobs Board

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Stay Tuned:

• March 13: Green Drinks with Cincinnati Public Radio
  • This event is FULL. Join the waitlist here or contact Charlie 
• June 5: 2025 Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit
  • Green Umbrella Member Discount: $25 off per General Admission ticket (with Access Code). Please reach out to events@greenumbrella.org to check the status of your membership and request the member discount code
• Get involved with the 25 Communities Project

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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.

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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:

• Women’s Environmental Leadership Fund Grant
• Tribal Solar Gap Funding
• NOAA’s Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants – Round 3
• Marcus Foundation Grants
• NEO Philanthropy Action Fund

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

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Welcome New Green Umbrella Members!

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

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!

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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

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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.

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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.

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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:

• Upcoming Webinar – Climate Change, Waste, Recycling and Health Outcomes in Greater Cincinnati December 2 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
• Webinar Recording – Water Quality, Governance and Health Outcomes
• Webinar Recording – Food Access and Health Outcomes in Greater Cincinnati Blog – I’m Thirsty! Climate Change and its Effects on Water Quality

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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.

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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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:

• Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants for Communities – awarding approximately 20 to 30 assistance agreements under this funding opportunity, with at least one award per each EPA Region
• Interact for Health Rural Change Maker Grant – supports grassroots work addressing community-identified challenges and inequalities related to health in the rural regions served by Interact for Health in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.
• Appalachia Regional Food Business Center: Business Builder Subawards – USDA Regional Food Business Centers are supporting a more resilient, diverse, and competitive food system by providing localized assistance to access local and regional supply chains.

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

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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:

• Webinar – Climate Impacts, Water Quality, Governance and Health Outcomes: October 30th, 12-1pm 
• Webinar – Climate Change, Food Access and Health Outcomes in Greater Cincinnati: November 6th, 12-1pm 
• Blog – Rising Pollens and Shifting Seasons: How Climate Change is Affecting Allergies in Greater Cincinnati
• Blog – Catching a Breath: Air Quality and Climate in Greater Cincinnati

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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.

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!

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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

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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.

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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.

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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:

• US EPA Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant– August 16, 2024 Deadline for technical assistance.
• Kentucky Fried Chicken Foundation, Kentucky Fried Wishes Grant– August 30, 2024
• The Conservation Alliance, Confluence Program– Open in August

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

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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

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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!

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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

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

• Green Umbrella co-hosted more Climate Safe Workshops in partnership with Groundwork Ohio River Valley.
• We held the second hike in the Greenspace Alliance’s Meet a Greenspace Hiking Series to explore greenspace gems.
• Green Umbrella’s Green Schoolyards Action Network held the first Greater Cincinnati Regional Green Schoolyards Summit – stay tuned for a Summit recap from Green Schoolyards Manager Cynthia Walters.

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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:

• Submit your events to our Public Events Calendar
• Submit your jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities to the Green Jobs Board 
• Find tips for navigating and posting in the Member Portal
•  Explore Members Only Resources

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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