In a bold move to address environmental injustices, the Biden-Harris Administration has announced allocating a significant $50 million grant to Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs, Inc. (SEE), as reported by the Environmental Protection Agency. This California nonprofit will act as the EPA’s Region 9 Grantmaker, deploying crucial funding from President Biden's Investing in America agenda, bolstered by the Inflation Reduction Act. SEE aims to break down barriers that have long prevented marginalized communities from tapping into federal funds necessary for their protection and sustainable development.
Regional Administrator Martha Guzman emphasized the need to provide these communities with equitable funding access, eliminating their long-standing difficulties—notably, their disproportionate burden of environmental injustice, which has hindered securing funds to shield their neighborhoods. According to the EPA's announcement, SEE will utilize its knowledge and network to streamline grantmaking focused on equity with collaborators, including the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona and Liberty Hill Foundation. A future Community Advisory Panel will further inform this inclusive grantmaking process.
SEE CEO Jennifer Hoffman expressed gratitude for EPA support and a commitment to improving the grant award process to ensure that resources efficiently reach communities on the frontline facing climate and environmental hardships. The organization's involvement signifies an important leap towards a future where individuals and the environment can prosper. The associated subgrants are anticipated to become available by summer 2024, aiming to reach vulnerable communities impacted by pollution and other environmental risks.
Also chosen was the Climate Justice Alliance, receiving a $50 million grant to act as a National Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaker, this selection highlights Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s pivotal role in passing the Inflation Reduction Act and her confidence in the Climate Justice Alliance's capacity to promote environmental well-being within the East Bay, addressing the pressing issues of pollution and fostering a greener future, in alignment with President Biden’s environmental justice vision, and fulfilling the Justice40 Initiative, which entails that 40% of certain federal investment benefits reach disadvantaged communities.
The subgrants that SEE and the Climate Justice Alliance are set to distribute come in three tiers offering different grant amounts for assessment, planning, and project development, including provisions for CBOs that lack resources. Collaboration with EJ TCTACs seeks to simplify the application process and provide support, ensuring that organizations serving disadvantaged communities can leverage these opportunities. Outlined plans, alongside federal involvement, suggest a transformative period for communities beset by environmental inequities, marking a step forward in the battle for environmental justice across the nation.
