SELC Joins Partnership to Connect Communities to Environmental Justice Funding

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Southern Environmental Law Center has been selected to help connect communities to new funding opportunities as part of a historic federal environmental justice grantmaking program.  

EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program establishes $600 million in grants available to community-based organizations advancing environmental justice. The program was created as part of the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, the largest federal investment in climate action ever. 

In response to feedback regarding past difficulties for communities in navigating federal funding, the administration selected 11 institutions to design a regranting program that will reduce barriers. RTI International, a nonprofit research institute, was selected as the EPA Region 4 Grantmaker, to work in partnership with SELC and three other community partners: North Carolina Central University (CARES Center), the University of Kentucky, and the National Center for Healthy Housing. RTI will also serve as one of three National Grantmakers for EPA Regions 4-7. 

SELC’s role will be focused on working to connect long excluded communities throughout the South to available funding opportunities that will help tackle environmental challenges.  

“We’re honored to play a role in a historic effort that can support communities across our region and advance environmental justice in the South,” said Chandra Taylor-Sawyer, leader of SELC’s Environmental Justice Initiative. “Environmental justice aims to reduce unequal burdens of environmental harm on communities of color and other underserved communities, as well as making sure those communities have access to the same opportunities as all others. This program, through process and outcome, should achieve both.”