This program, under which grants were made to 11 organizations that were to make subgrants to environmental justice communities, was terminated by the EPA. Three of the recipients sued the EPA and a judge ruled on June 17 that the termination is unlawful. The Administration is likely to appeal. On June 25, 2025, public interest attorneys filed a class action suit on behalf of all recipients of grants under several IRA environmental justice programs.
Read a letter requesting that RTI (the NC/SC awardee) legally appeal the termination of its award.
Below is information on how the program is supposed to work. However, at the moment, RTI is not accepting applications for subgrants.
If you had already submitted an application by the January or April deadline, click here to learn more about your application status.
What does this funding get me?
The Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program is part of the EPA’s Environmental and Climate Justice Program. It selected multiple grantmakers around the nation to reduce barriers and increase the efficiency of the awards process for federal environmental justice (EJ) grants.
Approximately $600 million was granted to the 11 successful applicants listed here, including $100 million to Research Triangle Institute (RTI), which will make subgrants to entities in EPA regions 4-7, including North and South Carolina. Learn more on RTI’s Thriving Communities Grantmaking website: region4.thrivingenvironments.org.
The types of subgrants will be:
- Tier I, Assessment: fixed amount, $150,000, duration 1 year
- Tier II, Planning: up to $250,000, duration 1-2 years
- Tier III, Development: up to $350,000, duration 2 years
- Capacity building: noncompetitive, fixed amount $75,000, duration 1 year
RTI issued the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Grantmaking program on December 11, 2024 and opened the application portal on December 20. RTI, working together with its partners (National Center for Healthy Housing, Southern Environmental Law Center, University of Kentucky, and North Carolina Central University) and a Community Advisory Board, will make subgrants for EJ projects.
If you would like to apply to serve on the Community Advisory Board, sign up here or contact Southern Environmental Law Center at 919-867-1343 or thrivingcommunities@selcnc.org.
RTI and the other grantmakers will also implement a tracking and reporting system and provide resources and support to communities, all in collaboration with EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights.
Am I eligible?
Entities eligible to receive subgrants from RTI include nonprofit organizations, Tribal governments (both Federally- and state-recognized) and intertribal consortia, local governments, and Native American organizations.
Individuals, for-profit businesses, and state governments cannot apply for subgrants.
Eligible EJ projects include assessment, planning, and project development activities on projects including (but not limited to) small local cleanups, local emergency preparedness and disaster resiliency programs, environmental workforce development programs for local jobs reducing greenhouse gas emissions, fenceline air quality and asthma related projects, healthy homes programs, and projects addressing illegal dumping.
Learn more about the subgrants and eligibility on RTI’s dedicated website: region4.thrivingenvironments.org.
How can I access the money?
Read the NOFO to learn what the application will require. Determine which tier you will apply for.
Apply here when you are ready.
For help understanding the program, you can watch the recording of a virtual information session held Dec. 12.
What is the timeline?
There will be quarterly deadlines for submitting subgrant applications to RTI. The first was January 31, 2025. RTI must make all subgrants within 3 years.
Submissions will be accepted on a “rolling basis.” Applicants can submit their application for funding when they are ready. Applicants are encouraged to choose a target date to submit their application to assist in planning. All applications received by these dates will be reviewed and considered for the next round of funding decisions. These target dates align with the scheduled meetings for review of applications and funding decisions.
Target Dates to Submit for Funding:
- January 31, 2025*
- April 30, 2025
- July 31, 2025
- October 31, 2025 (Last date for 2-year projects)
- January 31, 2026
- April 30, 2026
- July 31, 2026
- October 31, 2026 (Last date for 1-year projects)
- January 31, 2027
- April 30, 2027 (Last date for 6-month projects)
*A note from The Cultivating Healthy Environments Team amid the termination in funding (May 7, 2025)
Cycle 1 Applicants (completed by Jan. 31, 2025)
Prior to the program termination, the initial administrative review for Cycle 1 applications was completed. Feedback and details from this review will remain available until June 30, 2025 and can be viewed in the Application Portal under Administrative Review Decision and Feedback.
Cycle 2 Applicants (completed by April 30, 2025)
RTI was not able to review Cycle 2 applications before the program termination, but applicants can still access their application materials until June 30, 2025. They have prepared instructions on how to download your application so that you may use it for future funding opportunities.
Additional Questions
RTI understands that you may have questions about the program. At this time, they are unable to respond individually. However, they will continue to provide access to program materials and accessible resources, including a budget template, through their communication outlets and YouTube account until June 30, 2025.
What other incentives could I use to help me accomplish my goals?
- You may be able to access more funding from the Environmental Justice Grants, Funding and Technical Assistance Page.
- Affordable loans for clean energy projects are gradually becoming available through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
- Check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) for additional incentives that may be offered by your state, local government, or utility, as well as important federal, state, and local policies. For questions regarding DSIRE, contact Justin Lindemann (NC Clean Energy Technology Center) at jplindem@ncsu.edu.
- Check out our (non-exhaustive) list of non-federal funding from other sources that may fit your energy and cost-saving goals.
Where can I get more information?
- RTI’s NOFO with detailed requirements for applying
- Learn more and find the application at region4.thrivingenvironments.org.
- Email RTI’s Thriving Communities Grantmaking team at tcgm@rti.org.
- EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program homepage
- The Environmental Protection Network offers a step-by-step Application Guide, including a Budgets for Beginners Worksheet and presentation, information on projects that do and don’t trigger a Quality Assurance Project Plan, and more. Fill out their intake form to request application assistance.
- In addition to the resources listed above, a variety of organizations offer technical assistance that may help you access these funds. They are listed on our Get Help page.
- For specific questions on this program or for more assistance, contact Meech Carter at info@energyfundsforall.org.