Best Practices for Preparing EPA ECJ Community Change Grant Applications

Environmental and Climate Justice (ECJ) Community Change Grants, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), aim to empower historically disadvantaged communities to access federal funding. This funding helps address the challenges of climate change and legacy pollution while increasing resiliency for the future. With nearly $2 billion in total available funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, communities can apply for awards ranging from $10 to $20 million.  

What is an EPA ECJ Community Change Grant?

The EPA ECJ Community Change Grant is a crucial funding source aimed at supporting community-driven solutions to the impacts of climate change and legacy environmental issues. This grant represents a one-time funding opportunity with a three-year project period that must commence within 120 days of award notification. Projects funded by this grant focus on addressing significant environmental and climate justice challenges while enhancing community capacity and resilience. 

Who Can Apply for This Grant?

Eligible applicants include: 

• A partnership between two community-based nonprofit organizations (CBOs)
• A partnership between a CBO and one of the following: a federally recognized Tribe, a local government, or an institution of higher education 

What Projects or Activities Are Typically Funded Under This Grant?

Some examples of projects put forward under this grant program include:

• Solid & Hazardous Waste Removal.
• Nature-Based Restoration.
• EV Charging Stations and Infrastructure.
• Construction of a PFAS Wastewater Treatment Plant. 
• Construction of energy efficient housing (low income and market rate) and homeless shelters. 
• Utility upgrades and infrastructure improvements. 
• Cleanup of contaminated lands conveyed under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). 
• Construction of Community Resiliency Hubs: 
  • Providing medical and social services. 
  • Addressing food insecurity and provide greenhouses and community gardens. 
  • Providing emergency shelters and community resource centers. 

What are Key Components of a Successful Application?

Successful grant applications require strategic planning and experienced grant writers. Essential elements of successful grant applications include:

• Strategic Partnership: Each applicant must include a statutory partner to implement the project. This partnership is crucial for ensuring your project’s success and sustainability. 
• Clear Project Objectives: Present a well-defined project with realistic goals that can be completed within three years. Clearly articulate your objectives and how they align with community needs.  
• Strong Justification: Provide compelling data to demonstrate your community’s need. This includes statistical evidence, community testimonials, and other relevant information that highlights the urgency and importance of your project. 
• Clear Outcomes & Community Benefits: Describe key project outcomes and the resulting community benefits. Explain how your project will improve the community’s quality of life and address specific environmental and health concerns. Ensure that you have a system in place to measure the project’s success and report on its progress. 
• Strong Community Support: Present how you have engaged and will continue to engage key stakeholders, community members, and diverse voices in the planning and implementation of your project. Community involvement is essential for the project’s success and sustainability. 
• Comprehensive Project Plan & Detailed Budget: Define what you will do and how you will evaluate the project’s effectiveness. Provide a realistic, well-thought-out, and reasonable budget that aligns with the proposed activities. Ensure that all costs are allowable and necessary for project implementation. 
• Demonstrated Success & Capacity: Be able to demonstrate your past success in managing at least three other state or federal grants. Describe how your organization can successfully manage a large federal grant and comply with all reporting requirements. 
• Cohesive Narrative: A thoughtful narrative that includes a consistent theme carried throughout each section of the grant application will keep the attention of reviewers and help you score maximum points. 

Expert Insights & Advice  

What Reviewers Look For:

• A realistic project scope that can be accomplished within the three-year project period. 
• A reasonable and detailed budget. 
• Meaningful involvement from project partners.  
• Sufficient staff resources and capacity to administer a grant of this magnitude. 
• Clear objectives and well-defined outcomes for the project. 
• Demonstrated community support for the project. 
• A sustainable, long-term plan for how the project will continue to benefit the community beyond the life of the grant. 

Common Reasons for Rejection:

• Undefined projects lacking well defined milestones. 
• Unrealistic goals that cannot be achieved within the three-year timeframe. 
• Ineligible partnerships. 
• Projects that do not benefit a disadvantaged community.

Resources and Tools for Applicants

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, has contracted with EnDyna to deliver Technical Assistance (TA) under the Community Change TA Program to eligible applicants. 

• EnDyna’s Community Change Technical Assistance Website 
  • EnDyna’s Community Change Technical Assistance (CCTA) Website offers guidelines, FAQs and training videos. 
• Technical Assistance Providers 
  • EPA has dedicated Technical Assistance providers who can connect you with grant writing services and/or review your draft application prior to submission. 

Montrose’s Brownfield & Community Revitalization Practice

Montrose has a 100% success rate in securing funding on behalf of communities, Tribes, and non-profits over the past five years. Our team has experience working in all 10 EPA Regions and 40 states across the country. We understand the nuances of EPA funding opportunities and provide expert guidance and support throughout the application process.

By following these best practices and leveraging available resources, your organization can increase its chances of successfully securing an EPA ECJ Community Change Grant to support transformative projects that address environmental and climate justice challenges in your community.