Flourishing In Community Launches $40 Million Environmental Justice Grant Program For Organizations

Flourishing in Community announces today that the online application is now open for community-based organizations, municipalities, non-profit organizations, and other eligible entities to submit proposals for subgrants to fund their environmental justice projects.

Proposals can include, among others, local clean-ups, local emergency preparedness and disaster resiliency programs, environmental workforce development programs, air quality and asthma-related projects, healthy homes programs, and projects addressing illegal dumping in the areas covering the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Region 2, which includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and eight federally recognized Indian nations.

The federal environmental agency awarded Fordham University’s Flourishing in Community $50 million from the Biden-Harris administration Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to support community-based solutions and address environmental challenges disproportionately impacting front-line communities across EPA’s Region 2. $40 million will be used for subgrants ranging from $75,000 to $350,000, and $10 million will be used to create robust dissemination channels and support structures to ensure subgrantees have the tools to carry out their projects.

“EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program was developed in partnership with communities to increase access and capacity for smaller grassroots and environmental justice groups,” said Lisa F. Garcia, EPA Regional Administrator. “This program improves the efficiency of the awards process, ensuring that communities can access the benefits of this climate justice funding. EPA is pleased to announce that Fordham University is now accepting applications under this grantmaking program.”

Flourishing in Community’s grantmaking initiative, directed by Julie Gafney, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Strategic Mission Initiatives, and Surey I. Miranda, Director of Campus and Community Engagement, underlines Fordham University’s commitment to community development and engagement with underserved and disproportionately impacted communities as they respond to pressing environmental issues facing our cities and nation.

“Today marks a historic day for Fordham University and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2. We are embarking on a journey to allocate $40 million in federal funds to the frontline communities that bear the brunt of the climate crisis and environmental challenges. With their deep-rooted knowledge and innovative approaches, these resilient communities are well-equipped to tackle these pressing issues within their own neighborhoods. We look forward to applications throughout the region for workforce development programs, education pipelines, clean air and water initiatives, solar and green energy projects, planting, and improving access to green spaces and waterways. Our commitment to fostering community-led solutions is unwavering, and we firmly believe that this collaborative path is the most promising route for advancing higher education,” said Dr. Julie L. Gafney, Associate Vice President of Strategic Mission Initiatives.

“Flourishing in Community is a first-of-its-kind effort, that I made sure we amply funded in the historic Inflation Reduction Act. Overseen by Fordham University, it will directly invest in grassroots environmental justice groups to make our air cleaner, our children healthier, and our communities more resilient. These grants will help fund everything from increasing stormwater absorption to preventing the release of asthma-causing pollutants and investing in new green jobs for young New Yorkers. I am proud of Fordham University, and I’m excited to see how the vibrant network of New York and Puerto Rican grassroots environmental justice organizations access and activate this $40 million in federal funding to confront climate change and pollution at the grassroots level. I remain laser-focused on implementing the historic Inflation Reduction Act so that we can ensure it lives up to its transformative potential to clean our air and water and combat climate change,” said Senator Chuck Schumer.

“As we face the monumental challenges of climate change and environmental justice, which disproportionately affect the Bronx and our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, investments like the Inflation Reduction Act will become the backbone of our communities,” said Congressman Richie Torres (NY-15). “The environmental justice grants Fordham received and is now open to applying for demonstrate the transformative power of the Inflation Reduction Act, the most impactful congressional action on clean energy and climate in our nation’s history. I am wishing a heartfelt congratulations to all members of the Fordham community on this important achievement.”

Flourishing in Community will work with statutory partners in the targeted communities, such as the New York Immigration Coalition around NY State, New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, ConPRmetidos in Puerto Rico, Community Foundation of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Business Initiative Corporation of New York, to review and select the projects receiving the environmental funds.

“… low-income neighbors and neighbors of color are equipped with the tools …”

“We are excited and proud to partner with Fordham University and the EPA to help uplift community-based environmental justice programs in New York State. Vulnerable and marginalized communities across New York are all too often overburdened by environmental hazards, and this support will ensure that our low-income neighbors and neighbors of color are equipped with the tools they need to fight back. We commend Flourishing in Community for their leadership on these issues and look forward to the gains we can make for our communities in our city and beyond,” said Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO of New York Immigration Coalition.

“New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (NJAIJ) is proud to continue our mission to empower and protect immigrants, including climate refugees and those burdened by environmental racism. As the state’s largest immigration coalition, NJAIJ is well-positioned to deliver the multilingual support and outreach systems that ensure this transformative opportunity reaches communities at the front lines of environmental injustice. We look forward to working with Fordham and our statutory partners to realize the goals of this partnership so that every community can have the opportunity to flourish in the place they call home,” said Amy Torres, Executive Director of New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice.

“Puerto Rico faces various environmental challenges that place its population in a state of vulnerability to the advance of the climate crisis. These grants will allow the development of environmental justice projects to improve the well-being, quality of life, and health of communities in Puerto Rico. At ConPRmetidos, we assume the responsibility of providing information to applicants, offering support to future subgrantees, and being their allies in this process,” said Isabel Rullán, Executive Director of ConPRmetidos.

“CFVI recognizes how vital this funding is to the communities we represent in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is an honor and privilege to be Fordham’s partner in this work, and we look forward to connecting with our communities so that they can access these critical opportunities and resources,” said Dee Baecher-Brown, President of The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI).

“The Business Initiative Corporation of New York is proud to support Fordham University in this mission to fund projects that will ultimately improve our environment. We are looking forward to seeing this impact on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 2 because the people and businesses within this region can only thrive if the planet thrives,” said Rafael Roger, President, of Business Initiative Corporation of New York.

“… the urgency of addressing environmental stressors in front-line communities…”

Community-based organizations in NY, NJ, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and eight federally recognized Indian nations can also take advantage of the EPA Disadvantaged Community Environmental and Climate Justice Program map online—a tool available to visualize the urgency of addressing environmental stressors in front-line communities—to identify whether a community in their area is classified as disadvantaged, and can apply for a subgrant from Flourishing in Community.

“We want to ensure that everyone in our communities has a fair and equitable chance to apply for this funding now that the application is open. It is especially important that disadvantaged communities, often the most affected by environmental and social inequities, are in leadership roles in this process. By having a voice in reviewing applications and shaping the direction of these initiatives, our goal is that the federal funding reaches those who need it most and at the same time are leading the way toward a more sustainable future,” said Wanda Salamán, Chair, Community Leadership Board Flourishing in Community.

For more information or updates on the latest developments and the application process, visit FORDHAM.EDU/FIC or email InfoFIC@fordham.edu.

Photo credit: Grassroots.