Environmental Justice Fund

The 2023 Environmental Justice Fund application is now closed.

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 2023, there are two funding options available. Applicants may select to apply for the Mid-Size Project Fund ($10,000-$40,000) or the Large Project Fund ($40,001-90,000). There is $250,000 available for the Mid-Size Project Fund and $750,000 available for the Large Project Fund.
Projects will begin January 2024 and must be completed by June 2025.

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:

Focus on advancing climate and/or environmental justice;
Be led by or in partnership with those most affected by environmental and climate inequities (as defined above); and
Benefit people who live, learn, work, worship and play in Seattle.

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

Who We Fund

We welcome proposals from Tribes, tribal organizations, non-profit organizations, and community groups whose work is led by or in partnership with Black, Indigenous, people of color, immigrants, refugees, people with low incomes, youth, and/or elders.

Eligible Applicants must:

Have 501(c)3 nonprofit status; or
Have a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)3 nonprofit status; or
Be willing and able to secure a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)3 nonprofit status by December 1, 2023 if awarded a grant
- During the contracting period, EJ Fund staff can help connect groups to potential fiscal sponsors if the group has not already selected one.

Application Review Process

OSE partners with Seattle’s Environmental Justice Committee (EJC) which serves as the Grantmaking Committee for the EJ Fund. EJC members are individuals with deep community roots working closely with communities to advance environmental and climate justice.

The EJC will review proposals for project purpose and clarity, community benefits, feasibility, and budget. The strongest proposals will address all the items outlined in the “green” sections of each of the criteria categories in the scoring rubric.