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The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program aims to make it easier for community-based organizations to access federal environmental justice funding. The program was created to respond to feedback from communities about the need to reduce barriers to federal funds and improve the efficiency of the awards process to ensure underinvested communities can access the grants.

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On December 19, 2023, Philanthropy Northwest, in partnership with an extensive network of regional partners across EPA Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and tribal communities), was selected as the Region 10 Grantmaker for the Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program ("Thriving Communities Program"). Philanthropy Northwest’s goals are to distribute resources to historically underinvested communities by leveraging powerful partnerships, facilitating participatory grantmaking and designing a simplified application process. As a regional grantmaker, Philanthropy Northwest stands alongside other leaders selected to steer these funds effectively to where they can make the greatest difference, distributing $40 million in Region 10 over three years.

 

Background on the Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program

EPA's Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program was created by the Biden-Harris Administration as part of the Investing in America Agenda. Through the Inflation Reduction Act, the Administration committed $600 million over three years to the program, the largest investment in climate action in history. The program is part of the Federal Interagency Thriving Communities Network and delivers on the Administration's Justice40 Initiative under Executive Order 14008 which set the goal that 40% of the benefits of certain federal investments flow to historically underinvested communities.

Project Award Levels

There are three types of grants that potential sub-awardees could apply for:

• Type 1 (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 2 (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 3 (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).

A limited number of $75,000 non-competitive fixed-amount subawards will be available for severely capacity-constrained community-based organizations.

Round 1 for Type 3 grants closed on December 15, 2024. Round 2 for all three grant types will open in January 2025.

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Learn More About the Grantmaking Program

 

Program Officer Contacts

Philanthropy Northwest is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in any of our programs or activities.

In accordance with federal and state laws, and to ensure that we continue to uphold these values, Philanthropy Northwest has designated a Civil Rights Coordinator. If you have any questions or concerns regarding our non-discrimination policies, or if you need to file a complaint, please contact:

Civil Rights Coordinator
Lyn Hunter
Director Community Partnerships
EPA Thriving Communities Program
Philanthropy Northwest
600 University St., Suite 1725
Seattle, WA 98101
CivilRightsCoordinator@philanthropynw.org