CalEPA Now Accepting Applications for Environmental Justice Grants
The California Environmental Protection Agency is now accepting applications for its Environmental Justice Small Grants Program.
The
program is open to nonprofit groups and tribal governments, and is focused on
supporting environmental justice projects across California. The maximum
grant amount is $50,000 and the grant term is 18 months.
“Our goal is to ensure all Californians have equal access
to a clean, safe and healthy environment. Part of the solution is to provide
critical funding to California’s most vulnerable and disproportionately
burdened communities. CalEPA’s Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
supports collaborative projects that catalyze grassroots change,” said
Secretary for Environmental Protection Jared Blumenfeld.
“This year we are seeking grant applications that focus on
the need to plan for and respond to climate change and emerging threats to our
health and safety, and that support the capacity of our communities to rebuild
and thrive in the aftermath of the health and economic challenges presented by
the COVID-19 pandemic,” Blumenfeld said.
Projects selected for the grants will address a variety of
environmental and public health objectives, including:
- Disseminating
information about environmental challenges and decision making processes
- Enhancing local capacity
to respond, adapt and prepare for climate change impacts
- Ensuring safe drinking
water
- Guarding against toxic
exposures and increasing resource conversation locally
- Designing and
implementing collaborative efforts to preserve the State’s natural and
cultural resources with an emphasis on traditional ecological knowledge
and tribal sciences
These projects may also entail regional and local
capacity-building efforts to improve access to state program benefits. Grants under this program are awarded on a
competitive basis, and are contingent on available funds.
Applications must be received by June 30, 2021.
To obtain an application package or check eligibility
requirements, please visit CalEPA’s Environmental Justice Small Grants
Program webpage.
Applications can also be requested by writing to:
California Environmental Protection Agency, Office of the Secretary, Attn:
Leticia Syslo, EJ Small Grants Program, P.O. Box 2815, Sacramento, CA 95812 –
2815; or by emailing Leticia.Syslo@calepa.ca.gov; or by calling (916) 916-601-9893.
The CalEPA Environmental Justice Small Grants Program was
established by Assembly Bill 2312 (Chu, Chapter 994, Statutes of 2002) to
provide grants to eligible nonprofit organizations and federally recognized
tribal governments.