Small Grants and Funding Opportunities

The Cal/EPA EJ Small Grants Program was established under Assembly Bill 2312 (Statutes of 2002, Chapter 994) by Assemblywoman Chu to provide grants to eligible community-based grassroots non-profit organizations and federally recognized Tribal governments that are located in areas adversely affected by environmental pollution and hazards and are involved in addressing environmental justice concerns.

Notice of Funding Availability for 2009 Grant Cycle

“Environmental justice” is defined in Government Code Section 65040.12 as “the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.” The EJ Small Grants for FY 2009/2010 will be awarded on a competitive basis.

Funding Available
A minimum of $250,000 in grant funds is available for this grant cycle. For each project, the maximum grant amount is $20,000. Cal/EPA plans to announce the grant awards in September of 2009. The grant term will be approximately from October 15, 2009 through October 15, 2010.

Eligibility
Eligible applicants are limited to non-profit entities or federally recognized tribal governments. A “non-profit entity” is defined as any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization that meets all of the following criteria:

1. Operates primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or other similar purposes in the public interest;
2. Not organized primarily for profit;
3. Uses its net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand, or any combination thereof, its operations; and
4. Is a tax-exempt organization under federal Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (c)(3), or is able to provide evidence that the state of California recognizes the organizations as a non-profit entity.

Individuals and organizations that are tax exempt under federal Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (c)(4) are not eligible to apply for this grant.

2009 Grant Program Goals
Grant applicants must demonstrate in their applications how their projects will address one or more of the following EJ Small Grant Program goals:

1. Enhance meaningful public participation.
   Meaningful public participation is critical to the success of any effort to address and find solutions to environmental justice issues. It allows communities and affected stakeholders to effectively participate in environmental decision-making processes.
2. Promote community capacity building.
   Community capacity building involves improving the communities’ technical and procedural understanding as well as facilitating their participation in environmental decision-making processes.
3. Collaborate with academia and/or other governmental agencies to document data related to exposures and health complaints.
   Collaboration amongst academia and/or other governmental agencies with affected EJ stakeholders in documenting exposures and health will encourage better understanding of environmental issues. This will improve relations between stakeholders and result in improved and informed decisions.
4. Promote community involvement in climate change emission reduction processes and programs.
   Climate Change refers to all forms of climatic inconsistency, but because the Earth's climate is never static, the term is also properly used to imply a significant change from one climatic condition to another. California is the first state in the nation to establish a comprehensive program to address the potential impacts of climate change. Although climate change affects everyone, the California Climate Action Team Report states that “low-income and minority communities are also at greater risk as limited resources and current disparities in health care limit the capacity of residents in these communities to adapt and respond.” Stakeholders in low-income and minority communities can provide invaluable insights and experience into the Climate Action Team’s efforts in developing and implementing climate change emission reduction programs.
5. Providing funds to continue and/or expand projects funded under the previous grant cycle that have proven effective with excellent progress and results.

Application
The applications deadline for the 2009 grant year is now closed. The EJ Small Grant Program is now reviewing applications for recommendations for the 2009 grant award. The 2009 awards will be announced at the end of September 2009.

2009 Grant Documents

• 2009 Draft Procedures and Requirements (PDF | MS Word)
• 2009 Draft Terms and Conditions (PDF | MS Word)
• Sample Tribal Resolution (PDF | MS Word)

For More Information
For more information on the 2009 EJ Small Grants, please contact:

Ms. Malinda Dumisani
E-mail: mhall@calepa.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 445-9480

2007 Cycle EJ Small Grants Information