Overview
Kauffman & Associates, Inc. (KAI) has provided technical assistance and subject matter expertise to over 25 tribal communities across the United States through EnDyna’s administration of the EPA’s Climate Change Grant (CCG) program. Our work has spanned multiple states, addressing various climate-related challenges that impact tribal lands and communities. From the Pacific Northwest to the Midwest and beyond, KAI has helped tribes develop projects and apply for funding to build climate resilience.
Challenges
Tribal communities nationwide face unique environmental and infrastructural challenges, many exacerbated by climate change. Poor air quality, grid instability, and inadequate housing threaten public health and community sustainability.
Solution
KAI’s role has been to provide tailored technical assistance and subject matter expertise to help tribes identify critical challenges, propose sustainable solutions, and secure funding through the EPA’s CCG program.
Selected examples:
- Yakama Nation, WA: Helped the tribe secure a CCG grant for forest thinning and milling to improve forest health and air quality while reducing wildfire risk and creating economic opportunities.
- Red Lake Tribe of Lake Superior Chippewa, MN: Supported the development of a grant to build a solar array to power community facilities, addressing inadequate housing and improving indoor air quality.
- Enterprise Rancheria, CA: Assisted with proposals for a cogeneration plant and energy storage systems to stabilize energy access and address frequent brownouts and blackouts.
- Santee Sioux Nation, NE: Guided the tribe in securing energy-efficient housing funding and improving living conditions and indoor air quality.
- Cabazon Band of Cahuilla Indians, CA: Provided technical assistance for a grant to reduce energy consumption through energy efficiency and storage solutions.
- Tohono O’odham Nation, AZ: Helped develop a grant proposal for energy-efficient housing and a dust abatement program to mitigate the effects of extreme weather, including heat domes and dust storms.
- Alaska Native Tribes (Various): Supported tribes in Alaska in preparing grant applications to address coastal erosion and permafrost thaw, focusing on energy-efficient housing and infrastructure upgrades.
Results
Through our collaboration with EnDyna and the EPA, KAI empowered tribal communities across multiple states to secure funding for projects to enhance climate resilience. By refining key challenges and developing comprehensive grant applications, we helped these communities address region-specific environmental issues, improve public health, and implement sustainable solutions. Our work spanned across Washington, California, Minnesota, Nebraska, Arizona, and Alaska, providing tailored technical assistance that supported tribes in addressing diverse climate and infrastructure challenges.
