Mini-Grants Available

The Carlisle Climate Action Commission is offering mini-grants to fund projects in our community with a positive environmental impact. The commission's goal is to create a plan for Carlisle to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by  26%  by  2025  and  80%  by  2050, compared to 2005 levels. To help us reach this goal, we are offering awards in three categories, with up to $1,000 available for each category: small business; nonprofit or community initiative; and youth projects.

Category definitions and eligibility

  • Small business: Must have a primary operating location within the Carlisle Borough, and utilize grant funding for business operations, community outreach, etc. which will take place in the Carlisle Borough.
  • Nonprofit or community initiative: Must be located within the Carlisle Borough, and utilize grant funding for activities that will benefit the Carlisle community. Non-profit organizations, neighborhood or social groups, or individuals may apply for these funds.
  • Youth projects: An independent project created by a student age 18 or under that is not part of a larger organization’s activities.  Students  must  be  a  resident  of  the  Carlisle area.
  • Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. June 30, 2021.
  • Projects will be approved by July 15, 2021, and must begin implementation by August 2, 2021.

Areas of funding interest
The Commission is particularly interested in proposals which address:

  • Environmentally-friendly ways to cut business costs while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions (for those applying as a small business)
  • Alternative methods of energy and energy use reduction - for example: switching from incandescent to LED lightbulbs; bike rack installations
  • Local beautification - for example: light installations; planting native plants or trees; installation or maintenance of a community garden
  • Projects which engage across Carlisle neighborhoods or with diverse groups.

**List of examples provided is not exhaustive. We encourage applicants to be creative!**

 Application materials required

  • Applicant description: Provide a summary of who you are; the services you provide (for businesses/nonprofits) or areas of personal and community involvement  (for individuals); and an explanation for your interest in the grant. (max. 500 words)
  • Project summary statement: Describe the project for which you plan  to  use  grant funding. Is it new or existing? If it is ongoing, what have its impacts been? What materials will it require? What needs does it fill for your business or within the Carlisle community, and whom will it serve? What are the potential outcomes following funding? (max. 600 words)
  • Demonstrable Impact / Community need: Justify how this grant will enable a positive environmental impact within your organization and/or the Carlisle community. Please include supplemental photography, designs, diagrams, etc. if necessary.  (max.  500 words)
  • Feasibility & proposed timeline for implementation: Provide the estimated start and completion dates for your project, along with a sketch of what steps will be undertaken and when from start to finish. Please explain  whether  your  project  has  other components which will not be fully satisfied by the grant funding and are necessary for it to be implemented.
  • Proposed costs: Provide an estimated breakdown of how grant funding will be used within this project.

For questions or to submit your proposal, please email: engagecarlislecac@gmail.com

Or submit by mail:
Sara Markowitz
Community Engagement Team Lead
Borough of  Carlisle
53 West South Street
Carlisle, PA 17013

The Climate Action Commission's mini-grants are funded by a grant from the Civic Engagement Fund at Dickinson College's Center for Civic Learning and Action. We are grateful to Dickinson and the CCLA team for their support!

Click here for a printable version of the guidelines.

Carlisle Borough Committed to Excellence in Community Service
Carlisle Borough 53 West South Street 717-249-4422 Mon-Fri: 7:30am - 4:30pm