Sustainability Grants Awarded to Five Ames Organizations
Published on June 20, 2025
AMES, Iowa – As part of the Climate Action Grant Program, the City of Ames has awarded Community Climate Grants to five organizations in Ames to support projects that advance the community Climate Action Plan and reduce carbon emissions.
Community Climate Grants of up to $10,000 are part of a broader Climate Action Grant Program that supports community involvement in the City’s sustainability goals. This is the first of two rounds of grants that will be awarded in 2025. Organizations have up to one year to complete their funded project.
“By providing funding for projects that promote sustainable practices, we are moving Ames closer to our goals of the Climate Action Plan,” said Nolan Sagan, Sustainability Coordinator. “Community involvement is critical in reducing energy use, encouraging low-emissions transportation, reducing waste, conserving water, and utilizing nature-based solutions.”
The five organizations awarded grants are:
Ames Community Theater (ACTORS)
ACTORS, 120 Abraham Drive, will install solar panels on the roof of its facility, which will reduce over 500 tons of carbon emissions by generating renewable energy.
Green Hills Community
Green Hills Community, 2200 Hamilton Drive, will install and operate a compost corner on its grounds to compost thousands of pounds of organic waste generated each year by the cafeteria and community gardens at its facility.
Seeds of Sustainability/Repair Café
Seeds of Sustainability/Repair Café will partner with KHOI Community Radio and WeCycle to purchase tools and offer workshops to teach bicycle repair, and to install a bike rack and bike repair station at KHOI, 622 Douglas Ave.
Prairie Flower Children’s Center
Prairie Flower Children’s Center, 1517 Northwestern Ave., will install garden beds and a compost tumbler to educate staff and children through hands-on learning.
Ames United Church of Christ
Ames United Church of Christ, 217 Sixth St., will install a heat pump to meet heating and cooling needs at its facility.
The deadline for the next round of applications is Friday, Oct. 3. Applications are available at www.CityOfAmes.org/ClimateActionGrants.
Youth Mini-Grants
In addition to the community grants, Youth Mini-Grants of up to $500 are available for student-led projects year-round. Like the community grants, the mini-grants also support ideas that advance the goals of the community Climate Action Plan. All students in grades PreK-12 can apply, and projects must take place with the city limits of Ames.
In the first round of mini-grants, several students were awarded funding, including a grant to fund stickers promoting pollinator awareness. The stickers are being distributed at Wheatsfield Cooperative, Burgie’s Coffee, Clayton Farms Salads, and Filling Station.
For more information on the Climate Action Grant Program, contact Nolan Sagan at 515.239.5227 or nolan.sagan@cityofames.org, or visit www.CityofAmes.org/ClimateActionGrants.
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