Community-Centric Fundraising is a Community Partner for Groundbreaking Environmental Justice Funding

Grants Now Open for Underserved Communities in Region 8

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 12, 2024

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jenny Brandt (she/her), jbrandt36@gmail.com, (202) 697-9737

Denver, CO – Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF) is an official community partner of the Mountains and Plains EJ Grants Hub, a project of JSI. 

JSI is one of 11 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmakers selected by the EPA to distribute grant funds to underserved communities nationwide. JSI is the Region 8 grantmaker and developed the MAP EJ Hub to administer $40 million over the next three years to address environmental and climate justice challenges in Colorado, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, and 28 Tribal Nations.

JSI invited CCF to be a thought partner and facilitator for the program. In October, CCF co-led the Initial Partner Gathering in Denver, bringing the MAP Environmental Justice Council Members together for training in equitable grantmaking. CCF will continue to assist in-person, and through e-learning sessions as well as coaching sessions throughout the course of the program.

“Having CCF be a part of the grantmaking process from the start will no doubt ground this entire process in equity and justice. It’s thrilling to see the movement gain traction to inform this scale of funding, and we look forward to continuing the partnership with JSI and the MAP EJ Grants Hub to resource organizations and communities committed to environmental justice.” Esther Saehyun Lee, CCF Global Council Member.

“CCF is thrilled to be participating in Justice40 programming that seeks to invest 40% of infrastructure investments in communities that have been systematically disadvantaged up until now. We hope to see this program extend beyond December 2027.” Jenny Brandt, CCF Global Council Member

“Community-Centric Fundraising is thrilled to partner with the MAP EJ Grants Hub in this vital initiative, aligning our commitment to reshape traditional funding models with the program’s focus on environmental justice. This collaboration enables us to uplift rural and tribal communities and those impacted by legacy pollution, advancing a more equitable approach to addressing the climate crisis. Together, we aim to equip these communities for resilience and lasting change, setting a new standard for funders to lead with social justice and reduce harm.” Meena Haque, CCF Global Council Member

“JSI is grateful for the intentionality and expertise that CCF is bringing to the MAP EJ Grants Hub as we work together to ensure that equity is at the center of both the process and outcomes of this important work. We know that those who live through the experiences and with the effects of health inequity and environmental harms on a daily basis are best positioned to address these injustices, and the MAP EJ Grants Hub aims to bring resources and support to those communities who have long been marginalized and underserved.” Elizabeth White, JSI Senior Associate & Deputy Director for the MAP EJ Grants Hub

Learn more at https://mapejgrants.org/

###

JSI is a global nonprofit dedicated to improving lives around the world through greater health, education, and socioeconomic equity for individuals and communities.

Community-Centric Fundraising is a fundraising model that is grounded in equity and social justice. It is a movement that seeks to shape and evolve how to better distribute power and resources in the nonprofit sector. It is a movement created to support fundraisers and other nonprofit professionals to re-examine fundraising philosophies and practices, engage in vigorous ongoing conversations, and explore fundraising in ways that reduce harm and further equity.

Possibility Labs is CCF’s fiscal sponsor. Possibility Labs is the platform for building a new economy where all people & the planet thrive.