The Environmental Protection Agency is offering one-time subgrants through the agency’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program.
Created by President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the program aims to make it easier for small community-based organizations to access federal environmental justice funding that can aid disinvested areas.
The $40 million grant will be awarded to eligible projects within EPA’s Region 3, which includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and seven federally recognized tribes. Eligible projects will focus on combating harm, pollution, and climate change in marginalized communities, including:
Baltimore-based Green and Healthy Homes Initiative will administer the funds. Subgrants to approved organizations will range from $75,000 to $350,000, supporting approximately 170 projects within Region 3. Grant awards will be distributed in three phases:
- Phase I: 60 subgrants providing up to $150,000 over one year for assessment projects
- Phase II: 51 subgrants providing up to $250,000 over one to two years for planning projects
- Phase III: 50 subgrants providing up to $350,000 over two years for development projects
Recognizing that some individuals and community-based organizations may not be ready to apply for competitive grants, the program offers non-competitive resources for readiness. Ten non-competitive subgrants of up to $75,000 for one year will be awarded to groups with severe capacity constraints. These groups will be selected by an advisory board consisting of 11 organizations, including the Latin American Community Center in Wilmington.
Free grant assistance for eligible groups
The Thriving Communities grant is a part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s landmark Justice40 Initiative, which aims to direct 40% of specific federal investments to disadvantaged communities impacted by underinvestment and pollution. To facilitate this goal, communities in EPA Region 3 considered “underserved, overburdened, rural, and capacity constrained” will have access to assistance with grant writing, grant management, and outreach.
This support will be provided through the EPA’s Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center, which is served by the National Wildlife Federation.
Technical assistance provided by the National Wildlife Federation is intended to help communities identify their needs, secure funding, and engage with policymakers, government entities, and industries to address environmental and energy justice concerns.
For more information about available technical assistance, visit the National Wildlife Federation’s website.
You can contact Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com.
