Below you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Thriving Communities grantmaking program. Click on the links below to navigate through this page and find the answers to the questions you have.
Priorities and Definitions
What are Philanthropy Northwest’s funding priorities?
The grantmaking program's priority is to distribute federal resources to chronically underinvested communities to ensure that all people are protected from disproportionate and adverse environmental and health effects. For more information on the different types of grants, visit our website here.
My organization supports racial and social equity, but that is not our primary focus. Can we still apply?
Short answer, yes. While we recognize there are many ways an organization can promote racial, social and economic justice, the goal of this grantmaking program is to distribute resources to communities that have faced chronic underinvestment due to disproportionate and adverse environmental and health effects. To that point the application will seek to understand your organizations’ strategies to reach and support these communities.
What is “environmental justice”?
Environmental justice, as defined by the EPA, is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies. Fair treatment means that no one group of people, including racial, ethnic or socioeconomic groups, should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, municipal and commercial operations or the execution of federal, state, local and tribal environmental programs and policies. Meaningful involvement means people have an opportunity to participate in decision-making that may affect their environment or health.
Why is environmental justice important?
Environmental justice is important to ensure that all people have the right to live in a clean and healthy environment, regardless of their race, income or other factors. The combination of environmental risks and social inequities can create a disproportionate impact on some communities that hinders optimal health. Environmental justice is a public health and human rights issue that addresses a number of environmental challenges.
Is funding coming from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or Philanthropy Northwest? Our organization is hesitant to apply for federal funding.
Philanthropy Northwest is administering the grantmaking program and is serving as a pass-through grantmaker for EPA. The goal of this program is to reduce barriers organizations may face when applying for federal funding. We have developed a simplified application and grantmaking process. Philanthropy Northwest and its partners will help guide you if you decide to apply. Please note that even though grantees will be receiving funding from Philanthropy Northwest, some federal requirements will still “flow down” to grantees.
What federal requirements will “flow down” to grantees?
As part of our agreement with EPA we are required to “flow down” certain provisions to subrecipients. This means that there are still some federal requirements that subgrantees are required to follow. These are outlined on EPA’s website here.
What is considered a “disadvantaged” community?
Philanthropy Northwest is using EPA’s definition of disadvantaged communities, which are “communities that are underserved and overburdened” by adverse environmental impacts. These communities may be experiencing challenges in areas such as climate change, energy, health, housing, legacy pollution, transportation, water and wastewater, and workforce development, and in many cases have endured decades of underinvestment.
For the Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Disadvantaged Communities map identifies census tracts that are disadvantaged (defined through various criteria as overburdened and underserved). Projects funded through this program should directly benefit a community that is considered disadvantaged by the EPA mapping tool. Applicants will be asked to confirm that their project will benefit a designated disadvantaged community using the map.
Can a project be eligible if it does not fall within a disadvantaged community defined by the EPA mapping tool?
A project can be eligible that does not fall within the mapping tool mentioned above. It will be evaluated for its justification that demonstrates how it will benefit a community that is considered disadvantaged.
Can organizations that are not led by a disadvantaged community, but work directly with disadvantaged communities, apply for a grant?
Yes. Our application provides an opportunity for organizations to detail their history with the community they intend to serve as well as provide information on any projects/consortia related to the project.
General Questions About Funding Opportunity
What types of organizations and activities are eligible for this funding opportunity?
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Eligible Subrecipients |
Eligible Activities* |
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How do I know if I’m ineligible?
Ineligible subrecipients include individuals, for-profit businesses and state governments. Ineligible activities include lobbying, legal services or representation, travel for federal employees or other unallowable costs. If you have questions about eligibility, please contact us at thrivingcommunities@philanthropynw.org.
What grant types and amounts will be awarded?
Grants are separated into types and range from up to $150,000 to up to $350,000 depending on the focus of your organizational priorities.
- Type One (Assessment Projects) for up to $150,000 (1-year project period): grants focused on gathering information, assessing and understanding the problem(s) before developing a plan.
- Type Two (Planning Projects) for up to $250,000 (1- to 2-year project period): grants for those who already have a strong understanding of the local environmental and/or public health issues and are ready to formulate a community-wide plan to address those issues.
- Type Three (Project Development) for up to $350,000 (2-year project period): grants for those who already have a strong understanding of the local environmental and/or public health issues, have already formulated a community-wide plan addressing those issues, and/or are now ready to develop the technical aspects of the project (i.e., implement the project on the ground).
For more information, visit our website here.
Is there a time limit in which to “spend-down" the awarded funds?
Type One grants are for up to one year from the date of award, Type Two grants are for 1-2 years from the date of award, and Type Three grants are for up to 2 years from the date of award. Grants are expected to be completed within these timeframes. Time extensions will not be available.
Can I apply for more than one “type” of grant?
There is no limit to the number of applications an organization submits. However, an organization can only receive one grant from this grantmaking program.
Can an applicant receive funding from multiple EPA grant types (e.g., the Community Change grant, or other)? Or does receiving any other EPA grant at all make the applicant no longer eligible?
Organizations receiving funding from Community Change or other EPA programs are eligible to apply for Thriving Communities as long as the request is for a separate project or there is clear distinction of which activities of the same project are funded by each source.
If my proposal is not selected for one grant type, can I apply for another grant type with the same project?
Yes. Applicants who are not selected may reapply in future rounds for either the same Type (1, 2 or 3) or retool their application for a different Type. In other words, you can resubmit in another period for a different type so long as the grant project, budget and workplan are relevant and the time to complete the work is feasible.
Program officers are available upon request to provide feedback to applicants who were not selected. Applicants who are not selected will also be considered for the non-competitive awards.
Will you provide feedback on applications that are not funded?
Applicants who are not funded can request verbal feedback from their program officer.
Is there any priority given to projects that preference programmatic expenses as compared to staffing costs, or could a grant largely pay for increased staff capacity to accomplish grant goals?
Project budgets should be reasonable, allowable and reflective of the workplan. No preference will be given to applications that prioritize one type of expense over another. Philanthropy Northwest values the fair compensation of staff who engage in mission-driven work and knows that securing funding to do so can be a challenge.
Can I apply if I am outside of Region 10 but my work is primarily based in Region 10?
If you are an organization that might be headquartered outside of Region 10 but you have existing work within Region 10, you are eligible to apply. In the application, Philanthropy Northwest will be asking about your organization’s historical relationship with the project community.
I am planning to use a fiscal sponsor, is that allowed?
Yes, with the exception that for-profits using fiscal sponsors are not eligible for this grantmaking program. For an overview of fiscal sponsorship, click here. Please note that each fiscal sponsor can be awarded no more than five grants, with a total amount of no more than $1 million in grant funds from this program. Please ensure that your fiscal sponsor is aware of your application. If a fiscal agent applies with their own project and is awarded, then that counts toward the five-grant maximum. Their organization’s information (including EIN number) will be required to complete your registration.
Can a fiscal sponsor receive more than one grant?
Organizations serving as fiscal sponsors can receive up to five individual awards, with a maximum of $1 million in funding for the course of the program. This cap includes any prime awards to the fiscal sponsor organization. For an overview of fiscal sponsorship, click here.
Is there an indirect rate cap?
If your organization has an existing Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) with any federal agency, your budget can include that amount. If you do not have a NICRA there is a 15% maximum indirect cost rate.
Will current programs be eligible or must the program be new?
Current programs and projects are eligible to apply for funding.
Does this grantmaking program fund capital support?
Yes, if directly related to specific programmatic work. Type Three Grants (Project Development) can support the following (note this list is for illustrative purposes only and is not all-inclusive):
- Blueprints for construction or clean-up projects, schematics and technical development
- Work to get permits in place directly related to an environmental project
- Smaller land purchases and acquisitions that require less than half of the total amount of subgrant funding
- Implementation of project plans
Will match funding be required?
No, you do not need to secure funding from additional sources to receive funding for this opportunity.
When can I apply? When are applications due? When are grants awarded?
Grant applications will be accepted on a rolling basis for the window in which that grant type is open (marked with an “X” below); however, each round has a set due date to facilitate the grant review process in a fair and timely manner. Please note that all grants must be complete (all work done and funds spent) by July 31, 2027. Please note that application dates are subject to change and may be updated periodically throughout the three years of grant funding. Below is the following tentative timeline:
Can you please explain the grant timelines?
All subgrantees will have until July 31, 2027, to complete work and spend funds. No invoices can have a date past the July 31, 2027, deadline.
If we get a Type 1 grant in 2025, are Type 2 or 3 grants available in the future?
No. Due to the short-term nature of this funding and Philanthropy Northwest’s goal to distribute the funding across the region, grantees are limited to one award from the Thriving Communities Program. However, applicants who are not selected in one round of funding can reapply in future rounds for any grant type time permitting.
I'm not sure if my application includes human subjects research (HSR). How can I find out?
Philanthropy Northwest is not accepting applications that require HSR. To find out more whether your work will involve conducting human subjects research, click here.
You shared a portion of the scoring rubric in the slides during a webinar. Will the full rubric be published in advance?
Evaluation criteria is outlined on page 13 of the Request for Applications. We will not be sharing the detailed rubric with the public.
I know I will have questions along the way. Will there be time to meet with Program Officers?
The Program Team will be hosting a series of webinars during each round of grants, hosting open office hours and are available for individual assistance. To schedule a meeting with a program officer, see their contact info below.
Questions About the Grant Application
Will the applications be translated in any languages other than English?
Philanthropy Northwest is translating the application into Cambodian Khmer, Chinese, Korean, Lao, Russian, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese. Please contact your program officer as soon as possible for other or additional language needs.
Can I send in a hard copy of the application, or does it have to be online?
Philanthropy Northwest strongly encourages organizations to use the online portal. If your organization is unable to submit via the online portal, please contact your program officer to discuss as soon as possible. Their information is available on our website here.
Is there a specific list of Justice40 communities?
EPA-designated disadvantaged areas are available in their EJScreen mapping tool. For more information on the EPA’s Disadvantaged Communities Map please visit Inflation Reduction Act Disadvantaged Communities Map | US EPA.
Do you require the use of EPA tools like EJScreen to prove disadvantaged status and data? Many locations do not have data in these tools.
We do require the use of EPA tools like EJScreen in the grant application. However, we also provide an opportunity for applicants to provide input on whether they agree with the findings in EJScreen, and then provide additional community context for peer reviewers.
For projects that serve multiple counties that span rural and urban or provide services virtually, how do you define “primary project area?”
For project areas that serve multiple areas or provide services virtually (e.g., educational sessions over Zoom) grantees should consider where the majority of the project takes place or where the majority of program participants live and work. There are also opportunities in the application to provide additional context for the geographic area and community served by your project.
Who is eligible for the noncompetitive award process?
A limited number of $75,000 non-competitive fixed-amount subawards will be available for severely capacity-constrained community-based organizations. More information on these will be available on Philanthropy Northwest’s website once finalized. For more information, please contact thrivingcommunities@philanthropynw.org.
Can multiple organizations partner for one grant?
Yes, as long as one organization serves as the main applicant, which would include fiscal responsibility for the grant and grant reporting. The application, workplan and budget should clarify the roles and relationships of the various organizations along with the breakdown of funding. Specific roles for financial reporting and compliance will be particularly important to detail.
Will there be a preference for partnerships?
Partnerships are not a requirement for this funding opportunity. If applicants decide they want to enter a partnership for this grant opportunity, applications on behalf of partnerships should have a project plan that is clear about the roles partners might play. Specific roles for financial reporting and compliance will be particularly important to detail.
What is a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)? Do we need one? Where can I get assistance?
If your project mentions "collecting, identifying, evaluating, testing, sampling, measuring or any other kind of scientific processes,” a QAPP may be required. The costs for a QAPP may be paid for by this grant. An EPA-approved QAPP must be in place before any scientific work can take place. Additional information on QAPPs and templates can be found from EPA here. Please continue to visit this website for more information including webinars, office hours and examples of QAPPs in the near future.
If my organization applies and isn’t selected for a grant, can we apply again?
Yes, if the Request for Applications (RFA) is still open, and funds are available for the applicant's grant type of interest, applicants are allowed to resubmit a declined project. Philanthropy Northwest’s Thriving Communities team will be able to provide feedback to applicants if requested.
Questions About Fluxx, the Grant Portal
How do I create a Fluxx account if I don’t have one?
Register your organization here: https://philanthropynorthwest.fluxx.io/user_sessions/new
You will answer one question and your application will need to be approved before you can move to the next step. Please expect this approvals process to take 24-48 hours. Once approved, you will receive an email and you can follow the directions from there.
My username and/or password aren’t working. What now?
Please contact us at FluxxTA@philanthropynw.org with any questions.
Can I save my application and return to it later?
Yes, please make sure to press “save” frequently to ensure your input is saved.
I’m still stuck, how do I get help?
Please contact us at FluxxTA@philanthropynw.org with any questions.
Questions About the Peer Review Application
Do I need an environmental background to participate as a peer reviewer?
No, you do not need a background in environmental issues to participate as peer reviewer.
Can I apply for the Peer Review Group if I am affiliated with an organization that is applying for a grant?
If you are a staff member, board member, volunteer, or a consultant with an organization or group applying for a grant, you would not be eligible to be a peer reviewer due to a conflict of interest.
If you are applying for a Type 3 grant, can you still apply to be a peer reviewer for Type 1 and Type 2?
You cannot be a peer reviewer for any type of grant if you are applying or plan to apply for a grant with the Thriving Communities Program.
Where can I access the peer review application?
You can access the peer review application here.
How long do I serve on the Peer Review Group?
You can serve once or for multiple rounds, but we hope peer reviewers will want to serve more than once. Each round averages about two months with around 25-27 hours of work. The number of hours could change depending on the number of applications Philanthropy Northwest receives.
Updated: December 3, 2024
Program Officer Contacts
| Jacquie Braden, Program Officer (Alaska and Oregon), Thriving Communities Program |
Melissa Koepp, Program Officer (Tribes), Thriving Communities Program |
Jason Pretty Boy, Program Officer (Idaho and Washington), Thriving Communities Program |
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Location: Anchorage, Alaska Time Zone: Alaska phone: 907-318-2923 email: jbraden@philanthropynw.org |
Location: Rainier, Washington Time Zone: Pacific phone: 206-558-5367 email: mkoepp@philanthropynw.org |
Location: Boise, Idaho Time Zone: Mountain phone: 206-558-5136 |
