Environmental Justice Fund

Posted: 8/14/2019 (Funding)

The Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment Environmental Justice Fund is a grant opportunity for community-led projects that improve environmental conditions, respond to impacts of climate change and get us closer to achieving environmental justice. Created in 2017, the Fund is overseen by the Environmental Justice Committee, people with deep community roots working closely with communities on environmental justice issues.

Environmental hazards and climate change affect everyone, but communities of color, immigrants, refugees and Native people experience more significant harms because of where they live and work. We know that the most effective environmental and climate solutions come from the community itself. This Fund provides grants for projects where community members are in positions of leadership, where their lived experience is honored, where their knowledge influences the work, and where they meaningfully participate in project design and implementation.

There is $200,000 available to fund projects in 2019. The application deadline is Monday, September 16, 4 pm. If you have any questions or need assistance, email ejfrfp@gmail.com

Who We Fund

Environmental Justice Fund projects should be led by and benefit the people most affected by environmental and climate issues: communities of color, immigrants, refugees and Native people – including people with low incomes, youth and seniors.

Applicants to the Environmental Justice Fund must meet these criteria:

The applicant has 501(c)3 nonprofit status or has a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)3 nonprofit status. If you do not have a fiscal sponsor, please contact us at ejfrfp@gmail.com as soon as possible.
Projects must be held within Seattle city limits and primarily benefit people who live, learn, work, worship and play in Seattle.

What We Fund

The Fund welcomes your innovative ideas and creative approaches – everything from pilot projects to existing projects.

Projects should include community-defined solutions that improve environmental and community conditions and respond to impacts of climate change. Projects can be focused on capacity building, ongoing visioning, community education, collaboration or other efforts that address climate preparedness, air quality, food insecurity, green jobs and other environmental and climate justice issues.

For examples of eligible projects, please see Examples of Eligible Projects.

Application Review Process

Proposals will be reviewed for project purpose and clarity, alignment with Equity & Environment Agenda priorities, community benefits, feasibility and budget. Decisions will be made using a combination of scores (which serve as a starting point), following this criteria and deep discussion within the Grantmaking Committee, which is made up of community members.

Past Awarded Environmental Justice Fund Projects

2018 awarded organizations and projects.

Deadline

Application deadline is Monday, September 16, 4 pm. Please note: written proposal materials must be submitted in English.

Application Materials

Guidelines & application (.zip file)
Frequently asked questions

Additional questions? Contact ejfrfp@gmail.com.

Info Sessions

Attend an information session to find out more about the application process.
(Attendance is not required):

Thursday, August 15, 6 – 7:30 pm at Northgate Branch – Seattle Public Library

Tuesday, August 20, 6 – 7:30 pm at Columbia Branch – Seattle Public Library

Conference call: Wednesday, August 28, 12 – 1 pm