City of Seattle, WA

04/02/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/02/2025 12:05

Seattle’s 2025 Environmental Justice Fund Application is Now Open!

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Seattle's Office of Sustainability & Environment (OSE) is excited to announce that the Environmental Justice Fund is now accepting applications until June 3!

The Environmental Justice (EJ) Fund was established in 2018 as part of the City of Seattle's Equity & Environment Agenda to invest in community-led projects advancing climate justice. The EJ Fund is designed to protect and strengthen Seattle communities hit first and worst by climate change, extreme weather, and environmental inequities - including Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants, refugees, youth, elders, and low-income residents.

This year, there are three funding options available:

  • First option offers grants ranging from $10,000 to $40,000, with a total of $160,000 in available funding.
  • Second option offers grants ranging from $40,001 to $90,000, with a total of $400,000 in available funding.
  • Third option offers projects that are led by and serve communities in the Duwamish Valley grants ranging from $10,000 to $90,000, with a total of $180,000 in available funding. More information below.

Submit your application by 5pm on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Learn more and get started at seattle.gov/environment/ejfund. The City's Environmental Justice Fund is funded through the Seattle Payroll Expense Tax, a local revenue source not connected to federal funding.

Who's Eligible?

Many types of groups can apply for funding, including Tribes and tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations, and community and neighborhood groups. Projects must be led by and directly benefit communities disproportionately affected by environmental issues.

Funded projects may advance climate justice in many different ways, such as:

  • Arts and storytelling
  • Community education
  • Organizational and community capacity building
  • Climate change adaptation and resilience
  • Community planning and visioning,
  • Skills building and trainings related to green jobs and careers in climate change and sustainability

Read more about past projects by checking out OSE's EJ Fund storytelling series.

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Restoration work in the Duwamish Valley.

New this year, the EJ Fund has set aside $180,000 for climate justice projects that benefit residents of the Duwamish Valley. This was previously known as the Duwamish River Opportunity Fund (DROF). Groups with projects that are led by and serve Duwamish Valley communities are encouraged to apply for the EJ Fund. The region's South Park and Georgetown neighborhoods face a legacy of pollution from the heavy industry and highways nearby, increased flood risks due to climate change affecting sea level rise and rainfall, and disproportionately low-incomes and job opportunities.

Get Started

All applicants are strongly encouraged to work with a Technical Assistant Consultant before applying and throughout the application process. You can request free, no cost assistance on your application by completing this form. The last day to request technical assistance is Thursday, May 15.

Interested applicants are welcome to attend a virtual information session to learn more about the EJ Fund, discuss a proposal idea, and ask questions. Information sessions are not required in order to submit a grant application.

Virtual information sessions options, hosted over Zoom:

To request interpretation or other accommodations for information sessions, please email equityenviro@seattle.gov at least one week before the session you plan to attend. We are also available to answer questions over email.

Visit seattle.gov/environment/ejfund to learn more and get started on your application!