Seeking Anchor Organizations to Join Regional Environmental Justice Grantmaking Program
The Environmental Protection Agency selected Health Resources in Action (HRiA) to implement the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program (TCGM) for New England, in partnership with Alternatives for Community & Environment, Inc. (ACE) and New England Grassroots Environmental Fund (Grassroots Fund). HRiA, ACE and Grassroots Fund (Core Project Team) are seeking six Anchor Organizations to join our Project Team for this initiative “Grantmaking to Build Sustained Environmental Justice Capacity and Networks Across New England.”
We are inviting nominations and self-nominations for Anchor Organizations via the nomination comment form. We are accepting nominations through July 12th, 2024, or until the Anchor Organizations have been selected. Please complete the form if your group or coalition is interested in serving as an anchor or if you would like to recommend a group or coalition. The Core Project Team will thoroughly review all nominations and contact nominees for further conversation about their interest and capacity to commit to this role. We seek to be as transparent as possible in this process and select Anchor Organizations that will help to strengthen the environmental justice movement across the New England Region. Please help us share this opportunity broadly in New England.
Each Anchor Organization (one/New England state) will receive contracts for $150,000/year for three years to fulfill the roles and responsibilities below, and if desired may have an AmeriCorps volunteer posted there at no-cost. Each Anchor Organization role can be fulfilled by a single organization or a coalition. This work will be completed in partnership with and with support from the Core Project Team – principally ACE.
- Provide information turnover if there is any change in individual representation from the Anchor Organization or Coalition throughout the term of this three-year commitment.
- Play a coordination role for funding opportunities made available by state-wide or regional organizing efforts; This includes, but is not limited to:
- Provide support and advice on the TCGM opportunity and share additional relevant funding opportunities as they are available.
- Note barriers to funding opportunities that community-based organizations (CBOs) face and identify capacity needs within your state, working with ACE to strategize how to fill those gaps with the Project Team and the New England Thriving Community Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC).
- Conduct extensive outreach for the TCGM program to recruit potential applicants. This may include but is not limited to:
- Using/developing communication methods to reach potential applicants.
- Tailoring messaging to resonate with potential applicant groups.
- Hosting information sessions for potential applicants using tools and resources provided.
- Meeting one-on-one with potential applicants.
- Provide support and resources for groups involved in the TCGM program. This may include but is not limited to:
- Fielding 1:1 troubleshooting calls with potential applicants.
- Communicating language support and resources needs to the Core Project Team.
- Providing guidance for navigating technical support needs such as who to contact for specialty support (i.e., application for UEI number, how to find an environmental engineer, etc.)
- Coordinate and build relationships across your state and/or tribal communities.
- Lead, co-lead, participate and/or complement existing initiatives to advance Thriving Communities through virtual calls to convene CBOs, philanthropy and state and tribal agencies. Depending on context of each state this may include:
- Plan logistics of meetings (set dates, provide zoom links, send reminders).
- Develop agenda with Core Project Team.
- Coordinate with Core Project Team to bring resources as needed (i.e., presenters, facilitators, etc.).
- Monitor participation/attendance to ensure overarching goals of program.
- Hold in-person gatherings as needed.
- Connect groups working in similar geographies and/or on similar projects in the state.
- Provide representation from and/or connection to tribal and Indigenous people serving organizations/entities
- Lead, co-lead, participate and/or complement existing initiatives to advance Thriving Communities through virtual calls to convene CBOs, philanthropy and state and tribal agencies. Depending on context of each state this may include:
- Participate in one to two in-person regional convenings each year, and virtual meetings, organized by the Core Project Team, to build conversations across Anchor Orgs, to:
- Connect and coordinate to enhance understanding of work happening across tribal nations and state organizations.
- Build capacity infrastructure and stabilize partnerships across the region.
- Reflect on trends of barriers groups are facing to apply for TCGM funding.
- Participate in one in-person regional convening each year with Grantees, organized by the Core Project Team.
Other information:
- Anchor organizations must be incorporated in their state, a 501(c)3, or a 501(c)6. They must also have a Universal Entity Identifier which is a simple process confirming incorporation. The Environmental Protection Network offers support to complete the process to apply for a UEI number.
- Anchors will be required to track designated key metrics and submit quarterly reports to HRiA for purposes of reporting to the EPA, using a provided template.
- HRiA will issue contracts to Anchor Organizations, which will be required to comply with certain EPA regulations.
- HRiA will provide funding, via cost reimbursement, monthly.
- Anchor Organizations may not serve as a primary applicant for a TCGM grant. They are eligible to receive funding as partners.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Stephanie Williams at [email protected].
NOMINATION FORM: We anticipate that it will take 5-15 minutes to complete this form, and highly encourage early submissions so we can follow up with questions if needed.