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.
- Attend a 4-part application webinar series beginning Jan. 8, 2025 that will guide you through the different parts of the application. (Sign up here to receive updates on the webinars and other developments.)
- Register for office hours and online work sessions.
What is the timeline?
There will be quarterly deadlines for submitting subgrant applications to RTI. The first is January 31, 2025. RTI must make all subgrants within 3 years.
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.
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
- 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.