Funding Community-led Environmental Projects
Federal funding for important, community-led projects to monitor air quality monitoring, sample and monitor water quality, improve emergency preparedness and resiliency, and more is currently under threat, as are environmental justice programs and policies. During this time, SELC seeks to ensure that Black, Indigenous, rural, and other underserved and overburdened communities across the country still have opportunities to apply for and receive vital funding that could help propel much needed new projects forward.
We remain committed to advancing community-led solutions and ensuring that critical federal funding is allowed to be distributed, as intended, so that important projects for a safer, healthier environment can get underway.
Support for Thriving Communities Grantmaking
Under the previous administration, the Environmental Protection Agency selected 11 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmakers (i.e., Grantmakers) to receive $600 million to serve as pass-through grantmaking entities nationwide through the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program cooperative agreements.
SELC has worked in partnership with the Research Triangle Institute (RTI) in EPA Region 4 which, includes 5 states in SELC’s footprint – North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia, as well as Kentucky, Mississippi, and Florida, to connect communities with this important funding opportunity. We don’t know what the ultimate impact of threats to Thriving Communities and other programs will be, be we are hopeful that applications will continue to be reviewed and that funding will be distributed as planned.
Applying for EPA’s Thriving Communities grant
EPA has selected 11 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmakers (i.e., Grantmakers) that will receive $600 million to serve as pass-through entities nationwide through the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program cooperative agreements.
SELC is proud to work in partnership with the Research Triangle Institute (RTI) in EPA Region 4 which, includes 5 states in SELC’s footprint – North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia, as well as Kentucky, Mississippi, Florida. We are also excited to get the word out in Virginia, which is part of EPA’s Region 3.
The application is now open. To be considered for the first round of funding, apply by January 31, 2025.
Who should apply
Below are some groups that might consider applying for the funding.
- Nonprofit organizations (federal or state recognized)
- Community-based and grassroots nonprofit organizations
- Philanthropic and civic nonprofit organizations
- Tribal governments
- Native American organizations
- Local governments
- Institutions of higher education
- U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States
Subgrants awards can be used for project assessment, planning, and development and land acquisition. Subgrants can be awarded for projects that address environmental issues, including, but not limited to:
- Air quality and asthma
- Fence line air quality monitoring
- Water quality sampling and monitoring
- Small cleanup projects
- Stormwater issues and green infrastructure
- Pesticides and other toxic substances
- Healthy homes that are energy/water use efficient
- Lead and asbestos contamination
- Illegal dumping activities, such as education and
- Small-scale clean-ups
- Emergency preparedness and disaster resiliency
- Environmental justice training for youth
- Environmental job training
Visit the Thriving Communities Grantmaking Region 4 website.
Contact
Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC)
866-309-4559 or [email protected]
Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program
[email protected]
