Members Only: October 2025

This month

Evergreen Resources & Tools

• Submit events to our Public Events Calendar
• Submit jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities to the Green Jobs Board
• Members get special discounts and exclusive access to certain events. Log into the member portal to view the access codes here
• New archive resource: access past issues of Green Umbrella’s bi-weekly newsletter, Green News You Can Use, at the link here

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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

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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.

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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:

• Box Impact Fund Grant
• OneCause Cares Corporate Grants Program
• Burroughs Wellcome Fund Climate Change and Human Health Seed Grants

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