Great Lakes Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program
Supports community-led environmental justice projects in the Great Lakes region, focusing on research and solutions for environmental health, resilience, and sustainability in underserved communities.
Funder: Minneapolis Foundation
Due Dates: December 5, 2024 (applications open) | January 31, 2025 (first-round deadline) | November 30, 2026 (final deadline; rolling submissions accepted until then)
Funding Amounts: Up to $75,000–$350,000 per grant; total pool $52M over three years; funding durations range from 1–2 years depending on tier.
Summary: Supports environmental justice projects in underserved Great Lakes communities, focusing on health, resilience, and sustainability.
Key Information: Rolling applications; priority given to disadvantaged, tribal, rural, and small community applicants in EPA Region 5.
Description
This program, funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and administered by the Minneapolis Foundation with partners, aims to empower local, community-based solutions to environmental justice challenges in the Great Lakes region (EPA Region 5). Grants support projects addressing environmental health, air/soil/water quality, healthy homes, access to healthy food, stormwater and green infrastructure, emergency preparedness, disaster resilience, and environmental job training. The initiative seeks to break down barriers to federal funding for underserved communities, especially those facing capacity constraints.
