The Biden Administration’s passage the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in 2021 and 2022 together marked a historic investment in infrastructure, clean energy, and climate action. Many of these funds were subject to Biden’s Executive Order 14008, otherwise known as Justice40, which set the goal that “40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution.”
Despite this unprecedented opportunity, many grassroots organizations — especially those rooted in low-income communities and communities of color — have faced significant barriers in accessing and managing public funding. The systems through which these dollars are distributed continue to favor large, well-resourced institutions with the infrastructure to navigate complex grant requirements.
In response, the Liberty Hill Foundation and Resources Legacy Fund launched EJ Ready in 2023 to help grassroots groups in low-income communities take their place at the center of Justice40 decision-making. A cohort of 15 organizations was chosen to participate. After taking part in convenings and trainings, many organizations have been able to access public funds.
Now, with the change in presidential administration, environmental equity is at risk. Grants that have already been awarded under Justice40 — as well as environmental justice funding opportunities on the horizon — are in jeopardy. More broadly, the Trump administration has signaled that it plans to dismantle the “Green New Deal” framework, which includes prioritizing environmental justice for communities disproportionately affected by pollution and climate change. EJ Ready is determined to protect and defend the vision of Justice40 while sustaining momentum toward environmental equity.
A key component of EJ Ready is to now provide technical assistance to federal grant awardees to help them fortify their programs and withstand heightened scrutiny and uncertainty. We also continue to prepare small community-based organizations to collaborate on proposals to federal programs, but have broadened our focus to include a spectrum of public funding sources across local, regional and state agencies.
We continue to fortify the EJ Ready cohort by fostering dialogue, encouraging sharing of information, and creating spaces for peer skill development. EJ Ready also serves as a liaison between community and government, creating opportunities for connection and meaningful community input. As the nation faces political uncertainty amidst a climate crisis that disproportionately threatens low-income communities of color, we are committed to leveraging the collective power and knowledge of seasoned EJ leaders from diverse communities to continue to champion environmental justice.