Launching the $48M EPA Thriving Communities Grant Program for Local Activists in the Pacific Southwest

$48 Million EPA Thriving Communities Grant Program Launch

On January 10, 2025, the Liberty Hill Foundation announced the opening of applications for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program, which will allocate $48 million in grants aimed at supporting disadvantaged communities in the Pacific Southwest. This initiative will focus on environmental and health challenges, with applications set to open on January 15, 2025.

The Thriving Communities Grant Program is designed specifically to empower local organizations within California and across the entire EPA Region 9. This region includes Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and 148 Tribal Nations. Eligible applicants—ranging from community-based nonprofits and Tribal governments to institutions of higher education—are encouraged to apply if they can meet set requirements. Detailed eligibility criteria can be found on their official website: thrivingcommunitiesregion9.org.

Angelo Logan, Senior Director of Environmental and Climate Justice at Liberty Hill Foundation, emphasized the significance of this program: “The Thriving Communities Grants program will support communities and build their capacity and power to transform their neighborhoods and address the most pressing environmental problems.”

Grants will be awarded up to $350,000 to various entities, including nonprofits and governmental organizations, aimed directly at advancing environmental justice initiatives in communities that have historically faced neglect and adverse environmental impacts.

This program is part of the broader framework established by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which provides a total of $600 million nationwide to combat health and climate inequities. The goal of these grants is not only to deliver financial support but also to uplift communities that have endured long-standing environmental injustices.

The application process has been structured to ensure accessibility for organizations of all sizes, particularly those applying for grants for the first time. Liberty Hill Foundation is committed to providing technical assistance throughout the application phase, including guidance on proposals, reporting, and evaluation processes. Furthermore, interpretation and translation services may be available for participants with limited English proficiency, furthering inclusivity.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to apply through the provided link on the foundation's page. Applications will be accepted continuously and processed on a first-come, first-served basis, allowing for equitable access to funding as organizations work to secure support for their various initiatives.

For ongoing updates, resource availability, and ways to engage with the program, interested parties can visit the Liberty Hill Foundation's webpage. This is a prime opportunity for dedicated organizations to obtain vital funding while making significant strides towards sustainability and health equity in their communities.

About Liberty Hill Foundation

Liberty Hill Foundation, a catalyst for social change philanthropy, collaborates with community organizers, donor activists, and allies to further social justice initiatives through strategic investments in grants, training, and advocacy campaigns. The foundation envisions a society where everyone has a powerful voice, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or socio-economic background, working tirelessly until justice and equality are achieved for all.