FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT
FUNDING FOR THE EPA EJ GRANT TERMINATED!
The Environmental Justice for New England (EJforNE) Team is outraged at the unconstitutional and unlawful termination of our Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding, totaling $60 Million, for the Region One Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program (TCGM). These funds for EJforNE were approved by Congress, after rigorous review by the EPA, as investments in rural, urban, and Tribal communities across New England to address environmental hazards, climate resiliency, and energy justice, with a vision for building livable and healthy communities for all. Additionally, these funds would have supported the growth of a sustainable, community-driven environmental justice movement to counter historical disinvestment in communities across New England.
Update: T4MA has executed a declaration supporting primary plaintiffs in “Appalachian Voices, et al. v United States Environmental Protection Agency” and is committed to working toward having the program reinstated.
Round 2 of Applications begin April 18, 2025!
The next round of applications are due by Friday May 30, 2025 at 5pm EST!
HRIA Announces T4MA as Anchor Organization in the 'New England Region Thriving Communities Grantmaker Program'
In December of 2024, T4MA was named Anchor Organization for Massachusetts for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Justice (EJ) Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program which unlocks $50M over the course of 3 years in grant funds available to community based organizations CBOs, environmental justice organizations, nonprofit organizations, and other entities representing underserved, urban, rural, Indigenous, remote, and capacity constrained communities in implementing projects to address local environmental and/or public health challenges.
As an Anchor Organization, T4MA will lead outreach efforts connecting potential grant applicants to the Core Project Team and the New England Thriving Community Technical Assistance (TCTAC).
In the coming weeks, T4MA plans to hold an info session with our partners to share this opportunity across the state. Please stay tuned as we set meetings, and update this page with relevant information.
Environmental Justice for New England (EJforNE) has opened applications for community-based projects in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, and among federally-recognized and state-recognized Tribal Nations of EPA Region 1.
EJforNE is a partnership of Health Resources in Action (HRIA), Alternatives for Community & Environment (ACE), and New England Grassroots Environment Fund, who together serve as the New England region grantmaker for the Environmental Justice Communities Grantmaking Program.
EJforNE aims to address environmental hazards, climate resiliency, and build livable and healthy communities.
Projects funded by this grantmaking program should aim to address past, current, and future environmental health and justice challenges, and specifically the legacies of disinvestment and injustice. Applications may address a wide range of issues and consist of a variety of project types including but not limited to:
- Air quality and asthma
- Fence line air quality monitoring
- Monitoring of effluent discharges from industrial facilities
- Water quality and sampling
- Small cleanup projects
- Improving food access to reduce vehicle miles traveled
- Stormwater issues and green infrastructure
- Lead and asbestos contamination
- Pesticides and other toxic substances
- Healthy homes that are energy and water use efficient and not subject to indoor air pollution
- Illegal dumping activities, such as education, outreach, and small-scale clean-ups
- Emergency preparedness and disaster resiliency
- Environmental job training for occupations that reduce greenhouse gases and other air pollutants
- Environmental justice training for youth and disadvantaged communities
Additionally, community-based organizations with limited capacities can apply for $75,000 Seed Fund grants.
Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis, with awards made quarterly until all funding is awarded.
The first round of applications are due March 7, 2025 at 5pm ET.
The second round of applications will be due May 30, 2025 at 4pm ET.
Additional application deadlines will be released soon – check back!
Additional Resources & Assistance
Learn more about the grant program, eligibility, types of projects, how to apply, and how to get support and technical assistance in the application process. You can also sign up for updates and reminders about EJforNE.
Learn More about NJforNE & The Grantmaking Program
Learn more about the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program to learn grant opportunity, who is eligible, the kinds of efforts grants will support, and details about how to apply!
