Environmental Justice Fund

Overview

Across the United States, race is the most significant predictor of a person living near contaminated air, water, or soil. It is for this reason that the Environmental Justice Fund was created in 2017 to support efforts that benefit and are led by, or in partnership with, those most affected by environmental and climate inequities: Black, Indigenous, People of Color, immigrants, refugees, people with low incomes, youth, and elders.

In 2022, $750,000 in funding was awarded to 13 community-led organizations. Projects will begin January 2023 and must be completed by June 2024.

What We Fund

We fund a range of community efforts that respond to impacts of climate change and get us closer to achieving environmental justice. Projects can focus on, but are not limited to, arts and storytelling, community education, organizational or community capacity building, climate change preparedness, skills building and trainings related to green jobs, and community planning or visioning.

Eligible projects/programs must:

• Occur within Seattle city limits.
• Benefit people who live, learn, work, worship and play in Seattle.
• Be led by or in partnership with those most affected by environmental and climate inequities (as defined above)
• Focus on advancing climate and/or environmental justice
• *For past grantees* be different than previously funded project

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

Who We Fund

We welcome proposals from the following:

• Organizations that have 501(c)3 nonprofit status
• Community groups that have a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)3 nonprofit status
• Organizations or community groups whose work is led by or in partnership with Black, Indigenous and People of Color, immigrants, refugees, people with low incomes, youth, and/or elders and who have an understanding of their community’s environmental justice issues.

If you need a fiscal sponsor but do not have one, please contact us at ejfrfp@gmail.com.

Application Materials

• PREVIEW:

  2022 Environmental Justice Fund Application - For Reference Only

• 2022 Environmental Justice Fund Guidelines

• 2022 Budget Template 

• 2022 Project Timeline Template 

Application Review Process

The Grantmaking Committee, made up of Environmental Justice Committee and community members, will review proposals for project purpose and clarity, community benefits, feasibility, and budget. A strong proposal will include all the characteristics described in the Evaluation Criteria section of the guidelines. 

Past Awarded Environmental Justice Projects

2018 awarded organizations and projects
2019 awarded organizations and projects
2020 awarded organizations and projects
2021 awarded organizations and projects 
2022 awarded organizations and projects