Annual Environmental Justice Small Grants

National Information

Environmental Justice

Regional Information

What is the Purpose of the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program?
What is Environmental Justice?
Who may submit applications and may an applicant submit more than one?
What types of projects are eligible for funding?
How much money may be requested, and are matching funds required?
Are there any restrictions on the use of the Federal Funds?
What is required for application and what is the process for awarding grants?
For more information

What is the Purpose of the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program?

The Environmental Protection Agency's

Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ)

established the

Small Grants Program

in fiscal year (FY) 1994. The purpose of the Small Grants Program is to provide financial assistance to community-based/grassroots organizations and federally recognized tribal governments to address local environmental justice concerns. Funds can be used to develop a new activity or substantially improve the quality of existing programs that have a direct impact on affected communities. All awards will be made in the form of a grant not to exceed one year.

What is Environmental Justice?

Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Fair treatment means that no group of people, including racial, ethnic, or socio-economic groups should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, municipal, and commercial operations or the execution of federal, state, local, and tribal programs and policies.

Environmental justice is about local people facing local problems by working collaboratively with the local government agencies, impacted community groups and the responsible state and/or federal agencies. Environmental justice promotes environmental and public health protection within the context of sustainable development.

Who may submit applications and may an applicant submit more than one?

Any affected, non-profit community organization or federally recognized tribal government may submit an application. State recognized tribes or indigenous peoples' organizations can apply if they meet the definition of a nonprofit organization. State, local governments and academic institutions are eligible to receive grants, however preference will be given to non-profit, community-based/grassroots organizations and federally recognized tribal governments. Individuals are not eligible to receive grants.

The Environmental Justice Small Grants Program is a competitive process. The Agency offers training and/or conference calls on grant application guidelines.

EPA will consider only one application per applicant for a given project. More than one application may be submitted if they are for separate and distinct projects or activities.

What types of projects are eligible for funding?

EPA is emphasizing the need for projects in two categories:

1. Projects which address public health concerns/issues in minority/low-income communities.

2. Projects which address how environmental information is made available in minority/low-income communities.

How much money may be requested, and are matching funds required?

The ceiling in federal funds for an individual grant is $15,000 for non-Superfund projects or $20,000 for Superfund projects.

Are there any restrictions on the use of the Federal Funds?

Yes. EPA grant funds can only be used for the purposes set forth in the grant agreement, namely, identifying a specific statutory authority. Grant funds from this program cannot be used for matching funds for other federal grants, lobbying, or intervention in federal regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings.

What is required for application and what is the process for awarding grants?

Please visit the national

Environmental Justice Small Grants Program

for details on application requirements, the award process and other details about grant implementation.

For More Information:

If you would like more information about the national EJ Small Grants Program, please call the Office of Environmental Justice's

24 hour hotline (1-800-962-6215)

. The hotline's voice messaging system will provide a menu of options - select the small grants option. Information is both in English and Spanish. You may also access the internet web site at:

http://es.epa.gov/oeca/oej/grants.html

The web site is updated each December with most of the information and forms you need for the current year's Request for Applications (RFA).

To be placed on the mailing list to receive a FY2006 application, please contact:

Victoria Plata

U.S. EPA, Region 10

Office for Civil Rights & Environmental Justice

1200 6th Avenue, CEJ-163

Seattle, WA 98101

Phone: 206-553-8580

Annual Environmental Justice Small Grants

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