Technical assistance coaching helps nonprofits, local governments and others plan improvements —  such as water supply and flooding infrastructure, homes and businesses near transit, and more — bringing funds to front-line organizations and communities that historically got less than their fair share.

Elevated Works

Through Elevated Works, a City of Chicago-funded technical assistance program focused on equitable transit-oriented development (ETOD), emerging developers can receive coaching and support on community engagement, design, zoning, market analysis, communications, and other project essentials. Support is available from 12 different partners as well as CNT and four other core planning partners, Elevated Chicago, IFF, Metropolitan Planning Council and Rudd Resources.

The Chicago Human Rhythm Project's Mayfair Arts Center, 8701 S. Bennett Ave., is one of 17 projects to receive a City of Chicago ETOD Pre-Development grant as of January 2024. The Rhythm Project will repurpose existing and build additional space  to include multi-functional dance, music and visual art studios, a community kitchen, solar/green enhancements and a 150-seat performance space.  

Contact: Emily Laflamme

Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center

(with Blacks in Green)

Blacks in Green launched its EPA Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC) multi-year technical assistance opportunity in early February. Federal funds are available to help local groups transform underserved places into thriving communities. CNT is a secondary partner supporting on technical assistance and is excited to see you during the 1:1 consultations to initiate technical assistance service delivery process of state and federal resources. This free, in-person event will be held at the UIC Dorin Forum. Registration is required at www.blacksingreen.org

CNT staff can help groups navigate the grant process, develop a project, administer a federal grant post award, and more. 

More (BIG website)

Contact: Cyatharine Alias

EPA Region 5 Water Technical Assistance

(with Delta Institute)

EPA’s Water Technical Assistance provides hands-on support for communities to assess their needs, identify potential solutions, and develop funding applications. Working with Delta Institute and other partners, we focus on helping historically underserved communities that have struggled to access federal water infrastructure funding, including local governments, Tribal governments, and NGOs in USEPA Region 5.

More (Delta Institute Website)

Contact: Ryan Scherzinger

EPA Community Change Equitable Resilience Technical Assistance

Community Change Equitable Resilience Technical Assistance program (CCER) is one of two technical assistance programs being offered to assist eligible applicants to apply for EPA’s new Community Change Grants. Coaches in this program will work with groups on projects in disaster-prone areas that benefit disadvantaged communities. The technical assistance can only be provided to eligible entities for Community Change Grants.

Assistance will consist of free design and project development assistance, community engagement, and partnership development workshops that result in climate resilience and environmental justice projects that can be included in applications for Community Change Grants.   

More (EPA technical assistance page)

Contact: Heidy Persaud