Great Lakes Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program is designed to lift up community-led innovation and strengthen community-based groups by breaking down barriers to federal funding.
Donor Name: Minneapolis Foundation
State: Selected States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/31/2025
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
The Great Lakes TCGM Partnership will distribute $40 million to organizations working in and for underserved communities throughout the Great Lakes region. The partnership was selected by the EPA as one of 11 grantmakers around the nation in its new Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program.
All grants will be given to environmental and public health efforts in underserved communities as defined by the EPA.
Grant Tiers
Foundation aims to distribute 30% of grant funding to federally recognized tribes and Native American organizations, 25% to rural communities, and 45% to urban communities. The partnership anticipates making 206 grants: 83 in Year 1, 85 in Year 2, and 38 in Year 3.
- Tier 1: Assessment and Engagement
- Tier 1 awards are one-year grants of up to $150,000 for assessment and engagement efforts that increase understanding of the breadth, depth, or impact of local environmental or public health issues. These grants are limited to capacity-constrained and entry-level applicants, as determined by the information you submit in the intake form. These grants will be paid on a milestone basis: 50% up front and 50% at the midway point, upon completion of agreed-upon milestones.
- Tier 2: Community Education and Planning
- Tier 2 awards are one- to two-year grants of up to $250,000 for community-focused efforts that design, inform, and highlight solutions to local environmental or public health priorities. Up to 50% of the grant can be used for relevant property acquisition. Grants will be paid on a reimbursement basis, with a small number of grantees eligible for one advance payment of up to 10% of the total grant.
- Tier 3: Project Development and Implementation
- Tier 3 awards are one- to two-year grants of up to $350,000 to pilot or implement project plans. Projects may have educational and outreach components, but must focus on developing tangible community assets or providing environmental or public health benefits to one or more disadvantaged communities. Up to 50% of the grant can be used for relevant property acquisition or purchase. Grants will be paid on a reimbursement basis, with a small number of grantees eligible for one advance payment of up to 10% of the total grant.
Eligible Activities
- Tier 1: Assessment and Engagement
- Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:
- Tier 2: Community Education and Planning
- Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:
- Developing project plans
- Developing communications and outreach plans
- Conducting workshops and trainings
- Developing curricula, toolkits, or guidelines; developing social media content
- Producing videos or printed materials
- Hosting events and gatherings
- Building or strengthening partnerships and collaboration
- Creating local advisory committees
- Engaging in public review or comment periods
- Developing or updating disaster resilience plans, emergency preparedness plans, or other community planning and visioning efforts
- Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:
- Tier 3: Project Development and Implementation
- Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:
- Strengthening cumulative impact, public health, or environmental protections
- Increasing access to healthy food
- Reducing the use of pesticides or toxic substances
- Cleaning up contaminated sites
- Conducting healthy home assessments
- Increasing energy or water efficiency in homes or buildings
- Launching community energy or water efficiency programs
- Installing water filters; developing community gardens
- Creating community resilience hubs
- Installing green infrastructure projects
- Creating internships or implementing workforce development programs.
- Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:
Eligibility Criteria
All applicants must be eligible entities, as defined below, which operate in Region 5 of the EPA, an area that includes Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, and 36 federally recognized tribal nations.
Eligible applicants include:
- Tribal governments (both federally and state-recognized) and intertribal consortia (i.e., a partnership between two or more tribes that work together to achieve a common objective)
- Native American and Indigenous organizations, including groups, cooperatives, nonprofit corporations, partnerships, and associations that have the authority to enter into legally binding agreements
- Community-based and grassroots nonprofit organizations
- Philanthropic and civic organizations with 501(c)(3) nonprofit non-profit status
- Local governments, including cities, towns, municipalities, counties, public housing authorities, and councils of government
- Institutions of higher education, including private, public, and community colleges and universities.
For more information, visit Minneapolis Foundation.
