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 will be 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.
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 is expected to make subgrants for EJ projects beginning in Fall 2024. Working together with its partners (National Center for Healthy Housing, Southern Environmental Law Center, University of Kentucky, and North Carolina Central University), RTI will use a participatory governance model in which eligible subrecipients will serve as application reviewers in grant cycles other than those in which they are applying.
The 11 grantmakers will design competitive application and submission processes, award environmental justice subgrants, 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 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.
How can I access the money?
More information will be available soon for those interested in applying to RTI for subgrants.
In the meantime, RTI is looking for volunteers to serve as application reviewers and members of focus groups and a Community Advisory Board. Email tcgm@rti.org for more information.
What is the timeline?
RTI will begin making subgrants to community-based EJ projects in Fall 2024. Additional information will be posted here in Summer 2024 on how organizations can apply for subgrants. The subgrants must be made within 3 years.
To be notified of announcements and other engagement opportunities, send a blank email to join-epa-ej@lists.epa.gov.
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.
- Community Change Grant (applications open now through November 21, 2024 while funds last)
- In late 2024, affordable loans should become available for clean energy projects through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
Where can I get more information?
- Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program homepage
- Flow of Subawards & Subgrant Funds
- Email the TCGM Region 4 Grantmaker at RTI at tcgm@rti.org.
- 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.
- US EPA contacts: Jacob Burney (Burney.Jacob@epa.gov) or Marisa Valdez (Valdez.Marisa@epa.gov) 202-940-6233.
- For specific questions on this program or for more assistance, contact Jessica Finkel at info@energyfundsforall.org.