Community organizations in the Bronx may be eligible to receive up to over half a million dollars in grant money for grassroots environmental justice projects.
Fordham University announced last week that it will offer $40 million in grant funding to community-led environmental justice projects now through 2027. Flourishing in Community, a program hosted by the university and funded through the EPA, is accepting proposals for grant funding between $75,000 and $350,000 for projects that address environmental issues in disadvantaged communities like the Bronx.
The program’s leader, Julie Gafney, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Strategic Mission Initiatives, underscored the university’s commitment to empowering communities.
“With their deep-rooted knowledge and innovative approaches, these resilient communities are well-equipped to tackle these pressing issues within their own neighborhoods,” Gafney said in a statement. “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.”
The Flourishing in Community program was made possible through a $50 million grant from the Inflation Reduction Act, awarded to the university through the EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program. Organizations with an environmental justice project proposal can visit the Flourishing in Community website to apply for funding.
Applicants are encouraged to use the EPA’s Disadvantaged Community Environmental and Climate Justice Program map, a tool that visualizes geographic areas experiencing urgent environmental issues, to identify communities that are considered “disadvantaged” and eligible for grant funding. This tool identifies nearly all of the Bronx as “disadvantaged” and therefore eligible to receive grant funding for community-lead environmental justice projects.
Grassroots efforts from EPA’s Region 2 including New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and eight federally recognized Indian nations are eligible to apply for the sub grants. Lisa F. Garcia, EPA Regional Administrator, described the strategy behind the grant making structure.
“This program improves the efficiency of the awards process, ensuring that communities can access the benefits of this climate justice funding,” Garcia said.
Applications will be reviewed by Flourishing in Community and partner organizations located within the communities that will be receiving the sub grants 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.
Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO of New York Immigration Coalition, spoke about the need for resources in the communities eligible to receive grants.
“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,” Awawdeh said in a statement.
For more information about the program, grants or application process, visit Flourishing in Community’s website or email InfoFIC@fordham.edu.
