The Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program is a landmark initiative aimed at addressing environmental and climate justice challenges in disadvantaged communities.
Funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, this program provides approximately $2 billion in grants to support community-driven projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to tackle environmental and climate justice issues.
The program aims to harness the transformative opportunities presented by the Inflation Reduction Act, specifically targeting communities that have been most severely affected by climate change, persistent pollution, and historical underinvestment.
By focusing on these critical areas, the Community Change Grants program aims to foster sustainable development and create healthier, more resilient communities.
The application process for the Community Change Grants program is open until November 21, 2024. Eligible entities include non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, state and local governments, Indian tribes and intertribal consortia, and other organizations that may participate as collaborating subrecipients or procurement contractors.
To apply, applicants must submit a comprehensive grant application package, including a project proposal, budget, and supporting documentation.
The application process requires a community-based organization (CBO) or 501(c)(3) to partner with another CBO, academic institution, or local government.
Additionally, applicants must meet the EPA’s threshold for a disadvantaged community (DAC) through the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool and the Inflation Reduction Act Disadvantaged Communities Map. This ensures that the grants benefit those communities most in need.
The investments made through the CCGP are intended to achieve the following goals:
1) Community-Driven Solutions: Fund projects that address environmental and climate challenges in communities facing disproportionate health, pollution, and environmental impacts.
2) Cross-Sectoral Collaborations: Invest in strong partnerships with entities committed to working with and for communities with environmental and climate justice concerns.
3) Unlock Additional Resources: Facilitate access to more significant resources to advance environmental and climate justice goals from across the federal government and other sources.
Project Duration: 3-year project duration.
To assist applicants in preparing a Community Change Grant application, Technical Assistance (TA) is available through CBO Financial. Our expertise can guide you through the entire process, ensuring a well-prepared application.
Launched in November 2023, the Community Change Technical Assistance (CCTA) Program provides expert support in project development, engineering services, budget planning, and multilingual material translation. By choosing CBO Financial, you gain access to tailored assistance that addresses your specific needs.
Public TA resources, including a Resource Library with detailed information on the CCG NOFO requirements and application worksheets, are available on the CommunityChangeTA.org website. However, partnering with CBO Financial offers a more personalized approach to navigating these resources effectively.
Additionally, the Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate, in collaboration with the Office of Climate and Energy and the Michigan Infrastructure Office (MIO), offers connectivity support. CBO Financial can help you leverage these partnerships for your benefit.
Our comprehensive technical assistance ensures that applicants have the necessary resources and expert guidance to develop strong, competitive proposals. Choose CBO Financial to enhance your application process and increase your chances of success.
The EPA has announced the initial selection of more than $325 million in funding for 21 selected applications to help disadvantaged communities tackle environmental and climate justice challenges.
These selected applications are the inaugural submissions under the Community Change Grants Program’s rolling application process.
The program will continue to review applications and announce selections on a rolling basis. Grants under the program cannot exceed 3 years in duration, and the program aims to strengthen communities through thoughtful implementation and enable them to overcome longstanding environmental challenges.
This ongoing selection process ensures that a diverse range of projects receive the support they need to make a meaningful impact.
• Stakeholder Involvement: Designed with meaningful community, Tribal, and other stakeholder input.
• Engagement Models: Foster community engagement through effective community-level plans and governance strategies.
The Community Change Grants program is expected to bring much-needed funding to disproportionately overburdened communities, improving and saving lives by funding community-driven projects to reduce pollution and improve public health and the environment. The program will strengthen climate resilience in disadvantaged communities overburdened by high levels of pollution and climate risks, creating lasting pathways to more equitable and representative governance.
