EPA’s Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program (Community Change Grants) offers approximately $2 billion dollars in Inflation Reduction Act funds for environmental and climate justice activities to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. These place-based investments will be focused on community-driven collaborative efforts that involve and are responsive to community and stakeholder input.
Applications can be under one of two tracks and a lead applicant can submit up to 2 grants:
Track I- Community-Driven Investments for Change with awards of $10-20 million each (~120 awards)
There are specific target investment areas for tribes ($300 million) and for unincorporated rural communities ($50million) within this.
There are 6 requirements that must be addressed in the application: Climate Action Strategy; Pollution Reduction Strategy; Community Engagement and Collaborative Governance Plan; Community Strength Plan; Readiness Approach; and, Compliance Plan.
The threshold eligibility criterion in Section III.D.4 regarding the Project Area Map has been revised
- Appendix A regarding the Project Area and Project Area Map has been revised including:
- Requiring a map for Track I applications addressing farmworker communities and disadvantaged unincorporated communities as defined in Appendix A.
Tack II – Meaningful Engagement for Equitable Governance with awards of $1-3 million each (~20 awards)
These initiatives will facilitate the engagement of disadvantaged communities in governmental decision-making processes that impact them to advance environmental and climate justice.
Eligible Applicants: a partnership between 2 community-based nonprofit organizations (CBO) or, a partnership between a CBO and one of the following: a federally recognized Tribe, local government, or institution of higher education.
Due Date: EPA is accepting applications on a rolling basis with applications due on or before November 21, 2024, 10:59pm CST (if there are funds remaining).
Initial award selection begins March 2024 with those projects to start June 2024. Applicants who are ready, try to submit by February 20, 2024.
Grant duration: 3 years maximum
Learn more:
To attend EPA webinars on the grants see CCTA Webinar Series below.
To listen to the recorded EPA Webinar about the Notice of Funding (NOFO), view recording December 7, 2023.
To learn about future webinars and resources go to Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program
Ready to Begin? Get Assistance with Your CCG Application
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Key links/Resources:
- Main EPA grant website: Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program
- Biden-Harris Community Change Grant Program NOFO announcement (Summarizes NOFO)
- NOFO: Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program
- EPN’s Suggested Six-Step Guide for EPA’s Community Change Grants
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Community Change Technical Assistance (CCTA) Webinar Series
EPA is holding a series of webinars every Tuesday through at least March 2024. They will provide information on the content and requirements of the Community Change Grants (CCG) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), available technical assistance, and answer questions about the grant application process. Schedule (all times CST) & topics:
- February 6, 2:00 PM – Applicant Eligibility, Statutory Partnerships, and Collaborative Entities
- February 13, 2:00 PM – Defining Disadvantaged Communities
- February 20, 2:00 PM – CCG NOFO Track I Overview
- February 27, 2:00 PM – CCG NOFO Track II Overview
- March 5, 2:00 PM – CCG Community Plans: Engagement, Governance, and Strength
- March 12, 2:00 PM – Complying with Federal Grants Requirements and Developing a Compliance Plan
- March 19, 2:00 PM – Preparing a Grant Budget
- Date To Be Determined, 2:00 PM – Project Evaluation