Great Lakes Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program
The Minneapolis Foundation offers grants for community-driven environmental justice research and projects in the Great Lakes region, focusing on local health, resilience, and environmental quality improvements.
Funder: Minneapolis Foundation
Due Dates: December 5, 2024 (applications open) | January 31, 2025 (first-round review deadline) | November 30, 2026 (final deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $150,000 (Tier 1, 1 year) | Up to $250,000 (Tier 2, 1–2 years) | Up to $350,000 (Tier 3, 1–2 years); $52M total over 3 years
Summary: Supports community organizations in the Great Lakes region to address environmental justice issues and build local resilience through EPA-funded grants.
Key Information: Applications are rolling but early submission (by Jan 31, 2025) is recommended for first-round consideration.
Description
This program, administered by the Minneapolis Foundation in partnership with the Midwest Environmental Justice Network, NDN Collective, and RE-AMP Network, funds projects that advance environmental justice in underserved communities throughout the Great Lakes region (EPA Region 5: IN, IL, MI, MN, OH, WI, and 37 federally recognized tribal nations). The program is part of the EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking initiative and aims to empower community-based nonprofits and eligible organizations to address local environmental health, air, soil, and water quality, healthy homes, access to healthy food, stormwater and green infrastructure, emergency preparedness, disaster resilience, and environmental job training. Grants are awarded in three tiers, supporting a wide range of activities from assessment to project implementation.
