Sustainability Grants Awarded to Four Ames Organizations

Published on February 02, 2026

AMES, Iowa – As part of the Climate Action Grant Program, the City of Ames has awarded Community Climate Grants to four 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 second round of grants that were awarded in 2025. Organizations have up to one year to complete their funded project.

“We are advancing the Ames Climate Action Plan by funding projects that prioritize sustainability,” said Sustainability Coordinator Nolan Sagan. “To truly succeed in conserving water, reducing waste, and lowering emissions, active community participation is essential.”

The four organizations awarded grants are:

Ames High School Cybersecurity & Technology (ACT) Club

ACT Club will purchase and distribute over 100 advanced power strips. This will reduce wasted “vampire” energy from electronics and appliances.

The EcoTheatre Lab

The EcoTheatre Lab will organize an EcoTheatre Festival: A Storytelling and Neighborhood Resilience Project. The festival will involve readings of original plays written by Iowa playwrights responding to local climate issues.

Labyrinth Coffee/Collegiate Presbyterian Church

Labryinth Coffee/Collegiate Presbyterian Church will install a public electric vehicle charger in its parking lot at 159 Sheldon Ave. This supports the transition to low-emissions transportation.

North Grand Christian Church

North Grand Christian Church, 919 30th St., will expand its ground-mounted solar array. This will save on its utility bills, reduce its carbon footprint, and raise awareness about sustainability and solar energy.

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 for projects including stickers and yard signs promoting pollinator awareness, an EcoVision event that brought community organizations together to focus on sustainability, and a seed-sharing project that distributed apartment-friendly kits to help people grow food at home.

To receive notifications regarding potential future grant cycles in 2026, residents are encouraged to subscribe to our sustainability email updates at www.CityofAmes.org/sustainability.

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.###