CLIMATE JUSTICE ALLIANCE, MEMBERS, AND PARTNERS RECEIVE $50 MILLION AWARD FROM EPA TO INCREASE ACCESS TO FEDERAL FUNDS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITIES

THANK YOU BROTHER, RICIN

Today the EPA announced $600 million in grants through the 2023 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking (EJ TCGM) Program. The EJ TCGM Program was created to reduce barriers to the application process and increase the efficiency of the awards process for environmental justice grants.

Climate Justice Alliance (CJA) was selected to receive a $50 million grant for its UNITE-EJ (United Network for Impact, Transformation, & Equity in Environmental Justice Communities) application and to serve as a National Grantmaker for EJ TCCGM to provide support to the Western United States (EPA Regions 8-10). CJA led and submitted the UNITE-EJ proposal with skilled and highly-respected partners: The Chisholm Legacy Project, NDN Collective, Fund for Frontline Power, JustFund, Amalgamated Foundation, Tishman Environment and Design Center at The New School, and the Center for the Urban Environment at Kean University. CJA and UNITE-EJ are excited and ready to serve as a bridge, model, and catalyst among organizations nationwide to confront the legacy of environmental harms; strengthen the environmental justice movement; mitigate the effects of climate change; support frontline communities in enacting their localized visions for thriving communities; and pilot co-governance between the EPA and frontline communities hit first and worst by environmental injustice and the climate crisis.

“This is a key milestone for Chisholm Legacy Project and Climate Justice Alliance in our respective journeys to ensure the arc bends toward justice and systems change, particularly around the vast resources at the disposal of the government. We look forward to ensuring that thousands of $150,000 to $350,000 EPA grants move to marginalized, environmental justice communities to address historic harms.” -Jacqueline Patterson, Founder and Executive Director, The Chisholm Legacy Project

“The climate and environmental investments through the Inflation Reduction Act implemented over the next few years will set the groundwork for generations to come. We are excited to partner with UNITE-EJ to ensure that Native communities can access EPA grants, including through Thriving Communities, lead with vision and experience, and move policymakers, tribal governments, and grassroots communities to not only dream but also lean into sovereignty.” -Nick Tilsen, President and CEO, NDN Collective

God Bless You and Your Families!

Love,