Environmental Justice Small Grants: Cal/EPA has established the EJ Small Grants Program to assist eligible community-based, grassroots, non-profit entities, and federally recognized tribal governments to address environmental justice issues as authorized by California Code of Regulations Title 27, Division 1, Chapter 3, Article 1. The EJ Small Grants are awarded on a competitive basis.
Funding: Two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250 thousand) in grant funds is available for this grant cycle. Grant projects are funded with maximum grant amounts not to exceed $20,000 per project.
Grant Term: The grant term is a 12-month period. 
Eligibility (defined in Public Resources Code section 71116): Community-based, grassroots nonprofit organizations/entities who have a federal Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) status or are able to provide evidence that the state of California recognizes the organization as a nonprofit entity; and Federally recognized Tribal governments.
Not eligible: Organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(4) of the federal Internal Revenue Code; and Individuals may not receive grant moneys from the fund.
Program Goals: Projects funded will address the following goals for reducing environmental impacts and are intended to foster common and desirable attributes statewide:
 
1. Providing technical assistance to communities regarding goods movement activities. California is undertaking major infrastructure improvement activities across the State to accommodate transportation needs by expanding roadways, ports and rail yards. Cal/EPA and the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency have finalized the Goods Movement Action Plan, and the Air Resources Board recently approved the Emission Reduction Plan for Ports and Goods Movement in California. Many of these planning and regulatory activities involve complicated strategies that can be highly technical in nature. Hence, communities should be provided with pertinent information and technical assistance to evaluate proposed strategies and offer solutions that are mutually beneficial. The Community Benefits Agreement between the City of Los Angeles and residents is an example that allows for Los Angeles airport expansion in consideration of neighboring community concerns.  

2. Educating communities about fish contamination and water quality. Some communities engage in fishing as part of their culture and rely on it as a food source, as well as use water from rivers, lakes or streams. However, the water quality of these sources may be unknown as to possible natural and man-made contamination because monitoring data are lacking or not readily available to these communities. The preliminary findings from the San Francisco Estuary Institute’s Fish Mercury Project suggest that mercury contamination levels could vary widely with the type and size of the fish, the sampling locations, and the season. Thus, there is a need to provide and improve public information about fish contamination and water quality so that communities can take steps to avoid or reduce their dietary exposure to toxic contamination.

3. Enhancing meaningful public participation. Meaningful public participation is critical to the success of any effort to address and find solutions to environmental justice issues. It allows communities and affected stakeholders to effectively participate in environmental decision-making processes.

4. Collaborating with academia and/or other governmental agencies to document data related to exposures and health complaints. Collaboration amongst academia and/or governmental agencies with affected EJ stakeholders in documenting exposures and health will encourage better understanding of environmental issues. This will improve relations between stakeholders and result in improved and informed decisions.

5. Educating communities regarding issues related to climate change. California is the first state in the nation to put in place a comprehensive program to address potential impacts of climate change. Although climate change affects everyone, the California Climate Action Team Report states that “low-income and minority communities are also at greater risk as limited resources and current disparities in health care limit the capacity of residents in these communities to adapt and respond.” The Climate Action Team is also committed to addressing environmental justice issues in reducing climate change emissions in California. In view of the numerous regulatory and non-regulatory measures to be implemented to reduce climate change emissions, efforts are needed to educate communities about the issues involved. With this knowledge, communities can prepare to protect themselves as well as participate in the process of decision-making. In addition, their community-specific insights and experience can provide valuable input for the Climate Action Team’s efforts in developing and implementing climate change emission reduction programs.

6. Providing funds to continue and/or expand projects funded under the previous grant cycle that have proven effective with excellent progress and results.
Application Deadline: Applications must be received at Cal/EPA in Sacramento by 3:00 p.m., May 16, 2007. Applications received after Wednesday, May 16, 2007, will not be accepted. Only mailed or hand-delivered applications will be accepted. E-mailed or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Application Deadline: Applications must be received at Cal/EPA in Sacramento by 3:00 p.m., May 16, 2007. Applications received after Wednesday, May 16, 2007, will not be accepted. Only mailed or hand-delivered applications will be accepted. E-mailed or faxed applications will not be accepted.
 
For More Information or to Obtain an Application Package: The Cal/EPA EJ Small Grants FY 2007/2008 application package with detailed instructions can be downloaded below:
Contact Info:
Ms. Malinda Dumisani
E-mail: mhall@calepa.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 445-9480