EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program
Terminated May 2025
May 6, 2025 Update:
As of this week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially terminated all funding for the Thriving Communities Grantmakers Program (TCGM) in our region. This includes the $60 million allocated to the EJforNE coalition for environmental justice investments across New England.
This devastating and unjust decision comes at a critical moment. EJforNE was prepared to announce its first round of grant awards—nearly 400 applications submitted for vital community projects like stormwater planning, clean energy, flood resilience, youth training, and more. These projects were designed to address long-standing environmental and health inequities, and their loss will be felt deeply by communities across our region.
At the Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs, we share your frustration and anger. As an anchor organization and subgrantee, we have seen the promise this program held for building power, supporting local leadership, and bringing urgently needed resources to the frontlines of the climate crisis. To have that promise withdrawn is not only disheartening, it is harmful.
We also recognize that many of you—especially smaller grassroots partners—have already contributed significant time and energy to this process. Some have been left unpaid. Others are now forced to halt visionary community projects midstream. This is unacceptable.
Despite this loss, we remain committed to you and to the fight for environmental justice in Connecticut and beyond. We will continue to:
Advocate for the restoration of funding
Hold space for mutual support and strategy
Share opportunities for organizing and collective action
We will also provide further updates and opportunities to mobilize in the coming weeks. Now more than ever, we need each other.
Thriving Communities Grantmakers Program (TCGM)
The Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs (CRCJ) is Connecticut’s Anchor Organization for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program. This designation allows CRCJ to serve as a key connector, helping community-based organizations access critical funding and resources to advance environmental justice across our state.
Key Grant Details:
Funding Available: Up to $48M distributed over three years, with individual grants ranging from $75,000 (Seed Funds) to $350,000 (Tier 3 Implementation Projects).
Eligible Projects: These projects should address issues such as environmental health, water/air quality, stormwater management, clean-ups, healthy housing, climate resiliency, and energy justice.
Application Deadlines: Round 1 applications are due by March 7, 2025, 5 PM EST. Additional rounds continue into 2026 or until funds are fully allocated.
Eligible Applicants: Nonprofits, tribal governments, local governments, higher education institutions, and other entities working in disadvantaged communities as defined by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool.
Request help if needed- Technical assistance is available to guide you this process! Check out this great guide from EPN and contact them for additional help.
Want to support this initiative as a grant reader? The project team will release additional details in early 2025. Please sign up for general updates so you can learn more when the details are ready.
Use the following resources to learn more and support your application efforts:
– Webinar Recording: CRCJ’s Thriving Communities Grant Program Informational Webinar.
– Public Resources: General Grant Information: New England For Environmental Justice Grant Details Slides, Technical Assistance: New England EJ TCTAC Informational Slides, EPN Resource Slides
“We are honored to have been selected as CT's anchor organization. We know we are stronger together. We look forward to coalescing environmental justice organizations around Connecticut to take advantage of this opportunity to advance justice for our communities.”
As part of this program, the CRCJ will work closely with the EPA Region 1 grantmaker, Health Resources in Action (HRiA), to recruit diverse applicants for subgrant opportunities. Our primary focus will be on community-based nonprofits, particularly those new to federal funding, to ensure that Connecticut’s environmental justice community is well-represented and well-supported. In addition, CRCJ will be maintaining a database of environmental justice-related funding opportunities from federal, state, and private sources, allowing us to provide ongoing support to Connecticut organizations working toward equitable environmental solutions.
The CRCJ will host open office hours every alternating Tuesday at 10:00 am. Questions? Email [email protected]. As of 3/17/2025 office hours paused until further announcement.
EPA Region 1 is offering the following Environmental Justice Thriving Communities subgrants through the Region 1 Grantmaker, Health Resources in Action (HRIA):
Tier 1
Assessment Projects
$150,000 (1 year)
Tier 2
Planning Projects
$250,000 (1 - 2 years)
Tier 3
Implementation Projects
$350,000 (2 years)
For more information on the grant program, including application details, templates, and timelines, please visit the official website: https://
Michelle Peedin from Environmental Protection Network can be reached at michelle.peedin@
The UCONN TCTAC has an intake form: https://environmental-
UConn - Connecticut Transportation Institute - New England Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center
The University of Connecticut’s Connecticut Transportation Institute provides training and assistance to help organizations navigate federal and local grant systems, develop strong proposals and manage grant funding effectively. Services include providing guidance on community engagement, facilitating meetings and offering educational courses. Technical assistance professionals and partners create and manage communication channels to ensure all communities have direct access to vital resources and information. Unsure where to start? View the technical assistance flow chart below and get in contact with a professional here.
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Questions? Email: [email protected]
