In November 2023, the EPA released the Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program, allocating $2 billion to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects to reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community response capacity. The program design integrated nationwide community and stakeholder input, and the resulting grants will focus on community-driven and place-based initiatives to advance Environmental Justice and climate equity. Applications are being accepted by EPA on a rolling basis through November 21, 2024.
To maximize the impact of this funding for Environmental Justice and climate equity in Michigan, and to help meet the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan, including addressing environmental injustices, the State of Michigan announced in May 2024 that through the Make It In Michigan Competitiveness Fund it will provide five percent (5%) match funding of the total awarded amount for eligible Community Change Grant applications awarded by the EPA to fund projects benefiting the disadvantaged community(ies) in Michigan, provided that the application for the Community Change Grant is fully submitted to the EPA prior to August 1, 2024.
To request a letter of commitment from the State of Michigan for this match funding to include in your Community Change Grant application, complete the following form prior to application submission. We ask for 5-7 business days to return the letter and language to include in your application.
Request for Community Change Grants Match Funding from the State of Michigan
In addition to these available match funds, the Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate, in partnership with the Office of Climate and Energy and the Michigan Infrastructure Office (MIO), is offering connectivity support to interested Community Change Grant applicants.
To receive information about connecting with potential partners and other State of Michigan support updates for this opportunity, respond to the following survey:
The EPA is accepting applications on a rolling basis for $2 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding available.
This is a recording of a webinar held on January 10, 2024, on Michigan support for Community Change Grants.
Grant writing, project development, and application assistance.
Contact: Andy Draheim, ADraheim@5LakesEnergy.com; or Kate Madigan, Kate@KateMadigan.com
Grant seeking and writing, community engagement assistance, capacity building, project implementation, Sustainable Square Mile replication.
Contact: Shauna Tucker, Shauna.Tucker@BlacksInGreen.org or Hello@BlacksInGreen.org
Public funding application guides; federal funding and opportunities guidance email; webinars and convenings; SAM.gov office hours (every 2 weeks on Wednesdays from 2p.m. - 3p.m. eastern); one on one support to communities.
Contact: Olivia Smith, Region 5 Outreach Associate, Olivia.Smith@EnvironmentalProtectionNetwork.org
Grant writing assistance for up to three Community Change Grant coalitions.
Contact: Kristin Brady, BradyK4@Michigan.gov
Grant registration, project development, engineering/technical support, outreach and engagement assistance, and post-award assistance.
Contact: tctac@umn.edu or via TC-TAC request form
Grant application, project development, and outreach and engagement assistance.
Contact: EJ_TechAssist@epa.gov or 1-800-540-8123
Contact us to request help connecting with potential project partners or technical assistance providers in Michigan.
Office of Climate and Energy: EGLE-OCE@Michigan.gov
Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate: EGLE-EnvironmentalJustice@Michigan.gov
