Alternative funding sources
There’s a treasure trove of private non-profit entities that understand the benefits of brownfield redevelopment. This final article on funding sources, the third of a series, presents an overview of foundations and grant funding sources.
Because end-use planning plays such a significant role in the search for funding, as noted in previous articles, private foundations and land trusts are potential sources for grant money. And they are numerous. According to the EPA, “There are over 57,000 foundations, corporate givers, and grantmaking public charities in the United States that offer more than 246,000 grants.” And many of these organizations have Web sites, both for those looking to give and those looking to receive.
Private foundations
A Web site like Funder’s Network, for example, exists to “assist funders and organizations interested in creating more livable communities through better decision making regarding growth and development.” Funders Network represents 52 private foundations that support issues like infill, infrastructure investments, brownfield redevelopment and habitat protection.
One example of a brownfield-friendly foundation is the Meyer Memorial Trust which has general purpose grants available to support land acquisition and development. Project Officer Ann Linninger points out that foundations will often have broad, far-ranging environmental interests which is why they are viable funding sources. For example, a foundation interested in smart growth will likely see brownfields as a way to avoid sprawl.
Land trusts
Like private foundations, land trusts are non-profit organizations that can be a viable funding source for brownfields redevelopment projects. Land trusts exist to protect open spaces and green ways through conservation, land donations, land purchases and estate planning.
Funding for the Seattle Art Museum’s (SAM) outdoor sculpture park came in part from a land trust. SAM purchased 8.5 acres in downtown that included a former petroleum tank farm. Funding for the acquisition was obtained through a private fund raising campaign conducted jointly by The Trust for Public Land (TPL) and the Seattle Art Museum.
The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national, non-profit, land conservation organization that saves land for people to enjoy as parks, community gardens, historic sites, rural lands and other natural places.
A similar group is The Land Alliance, a national organization that is brownfield-friendly and lists each conservation and environmental related trust in each state in the U.S. at http://www.lta.org/regionallta/northwest.htm.
Even more funding sources
Susan Morales, with the EPA office in Seattle, has a long list of potential leads for brownfield funding partnerships, crossing into agriculture, mining and wildlife habitat protection. Don Stuart, American Farmland Trust’s (AFT) Pacific Northwest regional director, says things look promising as farmers and urbanites work together to control sprawl and conserve farmland.
Morales has started discussing mutually beneficial relationships with the Wildlife Habitat Council and she says grants may be available there and in other not-so-obvious places such as the Office of Surface Mining and the National Vacant Properties Campaign.
Although information on various alternative funding sources exists online, always start with your state or local brownfields contact as your primary resource. They will be your best guide through the complexities and possibilities of funding your brownfields redevelopment project.
