EPA Press Office:

Biden-Harris Administration Selects Philanthropy Northwest to receive $50 Million to fund environmental justice projects across the Pacific Northwest and Alaska

EPA selects regional Grantmaker to reduce barriers to federal funds and award thousands of environmental justice grants over the next three years

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that Philanthropy Northwest has been selected to serve as Regional Grantmaker and will receive $50 million under EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program created by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in climate action in history.

“For years, community advocates have been calling for federal support and resources to help address our country’s most pressing environmental justice concerns,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris’ leadership, we’re responding to these calls by removing barriers that have traditionally held communities and applicants back from accessing these historic investments in America. Together, in partnership with these Grantmakers, we are taking a giant step toward a future where every person in America has equal opportunity to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and live a healthy, productive life.”

“At EPA, we seek to empower and amplify local community-based organizations that are doing innovative work to advance environmental justice,” said EPA Regional Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “Philanthropy Northwest is driven by this same ethos, and it has deep connections with non-profit organizations across our region. We look forward to collaborating with Philanthropy Northwest to lift up new community projects through our largest investment in environmental justice to date.”

Communities will be able to apply to Philanthropy Northwest for a subgrant to fund environmental project activities, like small local clean ups, 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.

“Philanthropy Northwest does really important work in our region and I’m thrilled they’ve been chosen to award this funding Democrats passed in the Inflation Reduction Act to projects that will advance environmental justice work in Washington state,” said Senator Murray (D-WA). “Living up to our promise of environmental justice, clean water, and clean air for all communities is something I take very seriously and this funding will help us fulfill that commitment through a wide array of projects and community-led efforts across our state.”

“It’s critical that efforts to tackle climate change focus on the communities that have been left behind. That’s why I was so proud to support the Inflation Reduction Act and the unprecedented environmental justice programs it included,” said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. “Philanthropy Northwest is a perfect example of these achievements. The $50 million they’ve been awarded today through the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program will help to reduce barriers for nonprofits, Tribal governments, and community based organizations in Washington and across the Northwest to access federal funding to address climate change and the unique challenges it poses in each community.”

Grantmakers are expected to begin opening competitions and awarding subgrants by summer 2024. Community-based nonprofit organizations and other eligible organizations seeking subgrant funding will be able to apply for subgrants through three concurrent tiers offered by the Grantmakers.

• Tier One will consist of grants for $150,000 for assessment
• Tier Two will consist of grants for $250,000 for planning
• Tier Three will consist of grants for $350,000 for project development

$75,000 will be available for capacity-constrained community-based organizations through a noncompetitive process during Tier One. Each Grantmaker will design and implement a distribution program best suited for their region and communities.

“We are deeply honored to be selected as the EPA Thriving Communities Regional Grantmaker for Region 10, an opportunity aligned with our commitment to ensuring the accessibility and equitable distribution of federal resources to communities in the Northwest. Philanthropy Northwest believes in the power of collaborative efforts to drive meaningful change, and working with our partners we will center local expertise and support sustainable community-driven solutions that ensure healthy and vibrant futures for generations to come.” said Jill Nishi, CEO of Philanthropy Northwest.

In addition, EPA has selected, the Climate Justice Alliance to receive $50 million as a National Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaker to provide additional support, coordination, and oversight to the subgrantees, applicants, and the Regional Grantmakers across the western part of the country.

Background

Founded in 1976, Philanthropy Northwest is the region’s largest convener of funders and grant makers in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. Philanthropy Northwest promotes, facilitates, and drives collaborative action by philanthropy to build resilient, equitable and inclusive communities.  

EPA Grantmakers will work in collaboration with EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights to issue subgrants to community-based nonprofit organizations and other eligible organizations representing disadvantaged communities. Philanthropy Northwest will design comprehensive application and submission processes, award environmental justice subgrants, implement tracking and reporting systems, and provide resources and support to communities. The subgrants are expected to become available by summer of 2024.

Learn more about environmental justice at EPA.

For up-to-date information on when subgrants will be available, subscribe to the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights’ listserv by sending a blank email to: join-epa-ej@lists.epa.gov. Follow OEJECR on X (formerly Twitter): @EPAEnvJustice.

Contact: EPA R10 Press Office (r10_Press_team@epa.gov)

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