Bullard Center Champions Community-Led Climate Solutions Despite Federal Setback

Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2025

HOUSTON, TX--The Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justiceat Texas Southern Universityannounced that its $50 million award under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Thriving Communities Grantmaking Programfor Region 6 has been formally terminated. This decision follows a recent shift in federal funding priorities.

With decades of institutional knowledge, grassroots advocacy, and community-centered infrastructure, the Bullard Center was uniquely positioned to distribute resources and build long-term capacity in environmental justice communities. "This grantmaker program was designed as a blueprint for making generational and transformative change," said Dr. Robert D. Bullard, founding director of the Bullard Center. "These communities are ready for this long overdue change. We should never forget that our justice movement was not born within the government. With or without this specific EPA funding, we will continue to stand with communities that historically have been left out and left behind."

Through a robust outreach campaign across the five states in EPA Region 6-Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arkansas-the Bullard Center utilized webinars, digital tools, newsletters, and targeted communications to attract the most promising, high-impact proposals.

"In our first application cycle alone, we received an astonishing 221 applications…more than three times the number of awards planned for the first of the three years of the grant-making program," said Alba Sereno MSSW, Program Manager for the EPA Region 6 Grant Making Program. "This overwhelming response reflects both the depth of innovation and leadership within these communities and the high degree of trust placed in the Bullard Center. It also highlights the urgent need for sustained funding-the work must continue."

Despite this federal decision, the Bullard Center remains committed in its effort to strengthen communities in EPA Region 6, across the Gulf Coast and beyond. "The Bullard Center remains honored to be selected as the EPA Region 6 Grantmaker, and we worked diligently to ensure deserving applicants were provided access to this funding opportunity," said Dr. Denae King, Associate Director of the Center.  We are truly grateful to have received innovative, community- and solution-focused applications because funding of these impactful projects is critical for enhancing well-being and ensuring that communities thrive and are resilient." 

KEY PROGRAMMING METRICS: 

• 221 applications received

• Applications were submitted from all states in EPA Region 6: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas

• Top community focus areas in applications received:

• Emergency preparedness and disaster resiliency: (59 applications) 

• Environmental training for youth: (55 applications) 

• Air quality and asthma: (54 applications)

• Environmental job training for occupations that reduce greenhouse gases and other air pollutants: (43 applications) 

• Stormwater issues and green infrastructure (43 applications)

• Healthy homes that are energy/water use efficient and not subject to indoor air pollution: (40 applications) 
• Additionally, 79 applications involved projects addressing job insecurity

The Bullard Center will explore alternative opportunities and partnerships to support the needs of communities dealing with the pressures and gaps attributed to environmental factors. The Center encourages stakeholders to join in this important work that will reshape futures and enhance health and well-being for communities and generations to come.

Read more about the Thriving Communities Grant Maker Program

Read more about the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice

Media Contact:

DeJonique G. Baptiste

Assistant Director of Communications, Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice

Email: dejonique.baptiste@tsu.edu

Phone: 713-313-5891

Category: News Media