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Michigan Justice40 Accelerator
Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, there are billions of federal dollars available nationwide to support climate action, including implementation of the MI Healthy Climate Plan. The federal Justice40 Initiative sets the goal that at least 40 percent of the benefits from these projects must flow to disadvantaged communities and the state of Michigan has committed to meeting or exceeding that goal as a part of the MI Healthy Climate Plan. This is a historic opportunity for bold climate action focused on equity and Environmental Justice. However, many disadvantaged communities and organizations face significant barriers to applying for this funding.
The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s Office of Climate and Energy (OCE) and Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate (OEJPA) with Elevate Energy’s support are launching a program to support Michigan Justice40 communities with funding, technical assistance, and training to successfully apply for and receive the available funding.
The MI Justice40 Accelerator is a 12-month cohort-based program for community-based organizations serving disadvantaged communities. Participants will be selected through an application process.
Goals
- Support Justice40 communities – Bring investments into overburdened and underserved communities to reduce pollution, create jobs, and improve public health and quality of life.
- Advance clean energy and resilience – Connect community-based clean energy and climate projects with funding to make a bigger impact.
- Build stronger organizations – Build capacity for community-based organizations through technical assistance, funding, and training to increase their power for the long haul.
Program details and eligibility
Apply by August 1 to join the first Michigan Justice40 Accelerator! Twenty-five participants will join a year-long cohort, starting in September 2024 and receive $25,000 in unrestricted grant money to support participation and project development during the cohort, as well as the below benefits. Each participant will complete and submit at least one grant application during this program.
- One-on-one technical assistance.
- Justice40 Navigator support.
- Workshops on applying for government grants.
- Peer-to-peer learning sessions.
- Informational sessions with government agency officials.
- Curated notices of funding opportunities.
- Post-accelerator, national alumni network.
The Michigan Justice40 Accelerator is an open application process for organizations that meet the following criteria:
- Nonprofits and/or tribal-serving organizations with 501(c)(3) status, fiscally sponsored projects, and cooperatives based in the state of Michigan.
- Operate in or serve Justice40 Communities.
- Have a project idea related to any of the following: Workforce Development, Resilience Hubs, Agriculture and Food Justice, Climate Action Planning, Energy and Energy Efficiency, Green Infrastructure, Water Quality and Infrastructure, Sustainable Housing, Toxins and Pollution Issues, Transit and Transportation Justice.
- Committed to applying for federal funding for their chosen project (we are here to help you do this!)
How to apply
Watch this webinar recording for a guided walk-through of the entire application process
For questions about the MI Justice40 Accelerator, please contact:
Hudson Villenueve: Hudson.Villeneuve@ElevateNP.org
Briana Parker: Briana.Parker@ElevateNP.org
Office of Climate and Energy: EGLE-OCE@Michigan.gov
Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate: EGLE-EnvironmentalJustice@Michigan.gov