California Launches Second Round of Environmental Justice Grants to Empower Disadvantaged Communities

SACRAMENTO — California communities burdened by pollution, climate risks, and health disparities have a new opportunity to secure state funding for projects aimed at driving environmental equity. The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) announced Friday that applications are now open for Round 2 of its Environmental Justice Action Grants Program, with proposals due by February 28, 2025.

The program, designed to support grassroots efforts in disadvantaged areas, will fund initiatives that address urgent environmental challenges while prioritizing community engagement. Eligible projects must align with at least one of four key categories: enhancing emergency preparedness, safeguarding public health, improving environmental and climate decision-making, or strengthening enforcement of environmental protections.

“These grants are about empowering the communities hit hardest by pollution and climate impacts to lead the charge in creating solutions,” CalEPA stated in its announcement. The agency emphasized that successful proposals must “meaningfully involve” residents and organizations in disadvantaged neighborhoods, ensuring funds directly uplift those disproportionately affected by environmental harms.

Who Can Apply?
Eligibility is limited to federally recognized Native American tribes, registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and groups backed by fiscal sponsors with nonprofit status. Applicants can submit multiple proposals but are capped at $300,000 per project and $500,000 total per organization annually. Funded projects may run for up to two years.

Funding with a Focus on Equity
CalEPA’s initiative reflects its broader mission to address environmental inequities while promoting public health and sustainable economic growth. The program targets communities identified as disadvantaged through California’s Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool, which maps regions grappling with pollution, poverty, and climate vulnerability.

“This isn’t just about writing checks—it’s about shifting power to communities that have historically been excluded from decision-making,” the agency noted. Past projects funded through similar programs have included air quality monitoring networks led by local advocates, community-led disaster response training, and campaigns to hold polluters accountable.

How to Apply
Interested organizations can submit proposals through CalEPA’s Fluxx Grants Portal at calepa.fluxx.io. Detailed guidelines, eligibility criteria, and updates are available on the program website. Applicants are encouraged to sign up for the program’s listserv for deadline reminders and announcements.

With environmental justice now a cornerstone of California’s climate policy, this funding round signals the state’s push to center frontline communities in its fight against pollution and climate change. As the application window opens, advocacy groups and tribal leaders are urged to act swiftly—grants are competitive, and the clock is ticking.

Deadline: Friday, February 28, 2025, at 11:59 PM PST.