Community Change Grants Program

Federal Agency

Sub-Department

Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR)

Purpose

To support partnerships of community-based organizations (CBOs) to implement pollution reduction, workforce development, and community engagement projects.

Applicant and/or Project Eligibility Requirements

Partnerships of two or more CBOs, or a CBO plus a local government, Federally-recognized Tribe, or higher education institution is eligible to apply.

Decarbonization Considerations

Consider leveraging this opportunity to boost investments in low- and zero-emission and resilient technologies and related infrastructure in disadvantaged communities. Example projects include developing community solar, upgrading fossil-fuel-based heating equipment to electric heat pumps, deploying electric vehicle charging networks, etc. If projects are to focus on residential buildings, consider how to integrate weatherization and panel upgrades into the scope of work. These activities can help lower the energy demand and facilitate residents to get access to more funding opportunities for home upgrades, such as the weatherization assistance program (WAP).

Equity Considerations

All projects must benefit disadvantaged communities. In addition to helping disadvantaged communities get one-time support, consider how to design projects to create a bigger impact in the long term. For example, leveraging this opportunity to develop the local workforce that supports the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants.

Helpful Tips

When building partnerships and developing applications, keep in mind two of the core objectives: 1) Provide holistic investments for communities facing legacy pollution, the acute impacts of climate change, and/or disinvestment to support their multifaceted community-driven projects to catalyze meaningful, lasting positive change on the ground; and 2) Invest in strong cross-sectoral collaborations with partners that bring a robust history of and commitment to working within communities with environmental and climate justice concerns.

Other Notes

EPA is considering awards under two separate tracks: ""– Community-Driven Investments for Change"" and ""Meaningful Engagement for Equitable Governance"". See the NOFO for additional information. See first round of awarded applications here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/biden-harris-administration-announces-more-325-million-environmental-and-climate