How to navigate federal funding for your environmental project

Discover how you can access federal support to tackle climate and environmental challenges

In November 2023, the Biden Administration devoted approximately $2 billion in grant funding to support community-driven projects tackling climate and environmental justice challenges. While a significant amount of that funding has already been given to organizations, there is still funding yet to be claimed and other opportunities for environmental justice projects to receive support.

Whether you’re an individual or part of a non-profit organization, we’ve designed this guide to help you seek the funding you need to make environmental changes in your community. 

Federal Grants 101

A federal grant is an award of money or economic aid provided by the United States Government from the general federal revenue. These grants are awarded to eligible individuals, government organizations, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and many other entities listed under the Annual Publication of Assistance Listing. 

Determining eligibility is the first step in seeking funding. To start, you must consider the type of organization you represent or if you are seeking funding as an individual. Then, you would begin the registration process. 

How to seek funding/fundraising

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the organization responsible for the protection of human health and the environment in the country. A large part of how that mission is accomplished is by offering grants and other assistance programs to smaller organisations and individuals working on environmental projects. 

To apply for the EPA’s grants and assistance programs, you must submit all proposals and applications using one of these two government systems: 

• The System for Award Management (SAM.gov) registers organizations to conduct business with the U.S. Government, which includes federal grants.
• Grants.gov is the official system for managing all federal grant applications.

The EPA has a list of grantee forms that applicants, recipients, and fellows can apply for and use for reference and other needs. There is also an application kit for federal assistance and a list of exceptions to submission requirements.

Resources & grants available

The EPA’s Community Change Grants Program still has its Notice of Funding Opportunity available for folks to apply to. The deadline to apply is November 21. To qualify for this funding opportunity, you must be:

• A partnership between two community-based non-profit organizations (CBOs).
• A partnership between a CBO and one of the following:
  • a Federally-Recognized Tribe
  • a local government
  • an institution of higher education.

Thriving Communities Symposium

The Overbrook Environmental Education Center is a community-based center in West Philly dedicated to environmental education. The center is hosting a three-day Thriving Communities Symposium from October 17th to 19th at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Over the three days, you will learn about different grant writing practices, IRA funding opportunities, the Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center, and more. There will also be panelists available to speak on the grant-making and grant-writing processes, how to access public funds, and how to access resources through the community you serve.

To register for the Thriving Communities Symposium and learn more about this event, click here.