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EJII Capacity Building Grants: 
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Funding actionable ideas to learn, engage and create power

Overview

Overview

The Environmental Justice and Infrastructure Initiative (EJII) invests in actionable capacity building activities that educate communities about environmental justice locally and beyond. 

The EJII Capacity Building Grant helps Wisconsin grass-roots organizations in need of support to elevate community awareness and knowledge of environmental justice issues. ​EJII is offering technical assistance grants between $1,000 – $10,000 to organizations to increase community-wide awareness of climate change.

This grant offers support across a network of organizations to move residents into action on infrastructure investment issues. It is key the projects align with EJII Strategic Direction.

Timeline

  • Application Begins: Applications open Monday, August 5, 2024 at 12pm CST

  • Application Review Period: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning Wednesday, September 4, 2024 and will continue until available funding has been exhausted.

  • Award Notification: EJII will notify applicants in writing after the Steering Committee finalizes award decisions starting Friday, September 30, 2024

  • Award Period: Recipients must present a plan for and spend all funds by the end of the fiscal year for which they receive the funding.

Examples of Possible Capacity Building Ideas Include:

  • Design, plan and host a series of in-person (or virtual) to bring awareness to your group's environmental justice issue. You must propose a plan that enrolls new supporters into the movement.

  • ​Sustain an existing Environmental Justice outreach and engagement campaign currently underway. You must propose a plan to sustain your work and build your base.

  • Engage in collective impact and join a campaign effort to address resilience in communities of color.

Application Process

The EJII Steering Committee is will evaluate applicants for the EJII Capacity Building Grant in a comprehensive manner. Potential grantees will have the opportunity to present their projects at a cohort gathering (w/virtual option), outlining how their projects align with and drive results towards the EJII Strategic Direction. This strategic direction is designed to propel Wisconsin toward bold statewide action beginning in the first quarter of 2025.

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Potential grantees should consider how their project can amplify awareness around key issues that connect our neighborhoods together, while also making progress towards policy or regulation changes that are favorable for equitable outcomes for all Wisconsinites.  

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The process of evaluation by the EJII Steering Committee includes careful consideration of these points and others when awarding grants.  

Our hope is that your team building, technical capacity and skills grow in order to sustain your base of support to address environmental justice and infrastructure issues that impact your community, with the support of the entire EJII statewide network. 

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We look forward to hearing how your project can help shape a better future for Wisconsin! Thank you for your interest in the EJII Capacity Building Grant Program and we wish you luck as you pursue this opportunity.

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Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions Document here.

Grantee Requirements*

  • EJII will award grants between $1k – $10k for awardees to use specifically to bring awareness to an environmental justice issue by engaging community members, convening discussions, and advancing actionable tactics and strategies to accelerate environmental justice advocacy in the state of Wisconsin.

  • Grant Update

    • 1 hour monthly EJII meeting time commitment (2024-2025)

    • Monthly check-ins with assigned EJII representative

    • Monthly EJII reports 

  • Participation in your own organization’s and EJII events

  • Panelist participation and Discussion Facilitator at EJII Events

  • Recruit and educate new initiative members

  • Members complete Racial Equity Primer & Climate Resilience Virtual Workshops ($50 stipend per member)

    • E.g. Internalized Racial Oppression Workshops

*May vary depending on award amount

How to Submit Your Application

EJII Capacity Building Grant 2024 Application Tutorial Part 1
EJII Capacity Building Grant 2024 Application Tutorial Part 2

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  • Plan 1-2 hours to complete the online application

  • Draft your responses in a document and copy/paste in the proposal submission form

  • Here are some downloadable documents for you to DRAFT your responses in. (Note that the use of these forms are NOT required)

  • After submission: Prepare for and schedule 30-minute virtual presentation of proposal ideas EJII Steering Committee

Prepare to Upload*

  • W9 (Organization or Individual(s))

  • IRS 501(c)(3) letter

    • If not a 501(c)(3), upload identification of two primary project owners/managers

  • List of primary project partners

*We recommend groups without 501(c)(3) request $2,500 or less

*May require a financial statement if requesting above $5000

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