The Environmental Protection Network (EPN), Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG), and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), along with Communities First and additional partners, are working together to safeguard billions of dollars in critical federal climate and environmental justice funding that is currently at risk.
Why is this funding at risk?
Currently, we are facing unprecedented threats to over $35 billion in EPA-related federal climate and environmental justice investments from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and other federal funding sources. These funds—particularly those benefiting underserved and disadvantaged communities, nonprofits, and Tribal governments—have been targeted through executive orders, unlawful freezes and terminations, and unconstitutional anti-DEI policies.
Our Approach
We are supporting EPA federally funded grantees by building resources, developing webinars and office hours, connecting grantees to additional support, and providing 1:1 support.
Specifically, here are some resources we provide and how to access or explore them:
- Education: We distribute regular and actionable federal funding updates and alerts to over 10,000 contacts almost every week to help grantees understand their legal and programmatic obligations, the ever-changing legal landscape, and to strengthen compliance. Sign up here to receive them in your inbox.
- Community Support: We host virtual trainings and office hours two times per month for hundreds of federal grantees and their partners. Grantees are able to connect with others in their grant program; learn and problem-solve together, with support and guidance from EPN and L4GG. Register here to join these sessions and access past webinar materials here.
- Critical Connections: We connect grantees to reporters, congressional offices, pro bono communications and government affairs firms, pro bono litigators and other potential partners to share their story and the positive impact their grants and projects have on their communities.
- Direct Assistance: We provide individualized, 1:1 pro bono technical and legal assistance to EPA and other federal environmental grantees to respond to terminations, freezes, audits and investigations; and ensure compliance with grant requirements and successful implementation of grants.
- For technical assistance (including compliance or communications), please fill out EPN’s Technical Assistance Intake Form.
- For legal assistance, please fill out L4GG’s Fund Protection Clinic Intake Form.
Check out more federal grantee resources here!