Clean Air Challenge Launches in London: Up to $100,000 in funding available for green ideas

London Community Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of London's Clean Air Challenge, a new environmental grant program addressing air quality issues in London and Middlesex.

The Clean Air Challenge provides support for creative, green ideas for products and/or services that demonstrate significant potential for making a positive environmental impact on air quality in London. Up to $100,000 in seed money is available.

London Community Foundation grants support everything from shelter, sustenance and care for those most in need, to recreation, the arts, and education. Since 2003, the Community Foundation has committed some portion of annual funding to strategic, multi-year grants in the area of environmental health. This is the first year that this strategic funding will be dispersed through a Clean Air Challenge.

"The Community Foundation's London's Vital Signs® Report informs us that while London is making strides towards a greener city, we can further support investment in green technologies, products and services to improve air quality," says Martha Powell, C.E.O. London Community Foundation. "This grant program supports and continues our environmental commitment to our City."

Local environmental advocate Paul van der Werf, one of the volunteer consultants working with the Foundation to design the program agrees and adds, "This challenge will provide entrepreneurial Londoners the funds to get their ideas off the ground."

The Clean Air Challenge is a two-stage application process. During the first stage, applicants submit an executive summary (500 word) of his/her idea by the June 15, 2010, deadline.

During the second stage, the selected applicants will be invited to submit a more developed proposal of their idea and then present his/her case to the Clean Air Challenge selection panel - think CBC's Dragons' Den, minus the television cameras and fiery attitudes.

Individuals and groups are invited to submit Clean Air Challenge ideas that address one or more of the following objectives by the June 15th deadline:

• Reducing emissions;
• Reducing greenhouse gases;
• Reducing particulate;
• Reducing waste;
• Improving water or energy efficiency; or
• Engaging London's residents, businesses or communities in pro-environmental behaviour change.

For more information, including full program guidelines and submission information, visit www.lcf.on.ca or call Cindy Graeme at 519-667-1600 ext 103.