Guided by what we’ve heard from our coal community partners, we’re thrilled to share what’s ahead this year! Thank you to everyone who responded to our field survey and directly shaped these programs.
Coal community recovery takes more than replacing jobs—it requires strengthening and diversifying whole economies. To meet this reality head-on, we’re offering $10M in grant opportunities through our Local Economy Lab to accelerate investment in three areas that together lead to transformational change: workforce development, entrepreneurship and small business support, and place-based infrastructure.
Alongside the Lab, we’re also introducing our new Transition Exchange to support peer practitioner learning and connection. And, more opportunities—including state-level policy work—are coming later this year. Read on for details!
Local Economy Lab
The Lab is our hub for seeding, growing, and scaling locally led economic projects. We’re looking for big ideas that drive economic diversification in three areas:
- Workforce development. We recognize the skills gap in energy communities, and we’re looking for creative ideas to fill it. We’ll support employer-driven programs that lead to real jobs, and that provide wrap-around supports. — RFP now open!
- Entrepreneurship and small business support. We know small businesses are the backbone of rural communities. To help them grow, we’ll provide support for business incubation, industry cluster development, and ecosystem support. — RFP now open!
- Place-based infrastructure. Critical to economic diversification are quality of life strategies that make necessary investments in a place. We’ll support broadband, efforts that make a place more attractive to live and visit, and site-specific investments on former coal sites. — RFP coming early June!
Projects will likely span multiple strategies, and we welcome that! Review all RFPs and learn more about the Lab here.
Transition Exchange
Building on the success of our annual National Convening, the Transition Exchange is a new learning network where coal community practitioners sharpen skills, build relationships, and learn about the field’s latest innovations. We’re planning to:
- Hold a Western Regional Convening (Fall 2026)
- Expand our Blueprint (to include new funding opportunities, case studies)
- Launch a Learning Exchange (with both in-person and virtual opportunities)
- Hold our National Convening (Spring 2027)
Connect With Us
RFP details, webinar dates, and new opportunities will keep rolling out through the year. Fill out this form to get every announcement and update delivered straight to your inbox. We can’t wait to build with you in 2026. Keep the great ideas coming!
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