Please see our past updates if you weren’t getting them, and please take a moment to register for our new webinar series!
Sustaining and Rebuilding Resilient Communities Webinar Series
– Please register here for “The Threat Landscape for Nonprofits and How to Prepare” on Wednesday, May 13, from 1-2pm eastern. We will walk through the many threats the federal government has made towards nonprofits over the past year so that you better understand how tools like the False Claims Act, Foreign Agents Registration Act, and IRS Tax Exemptions could be weaponized.
– You can register for this series and find slides from previous webinars on our website.
Federal Fund Protection Updates and Office Hours
Current grantees and those who are fighting for their funds are invited to join L4GG on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month to receive updates on the ongoing grant termination litigation, talk to lawyers about the Court of Federal Claims, and ask grant and litigation-related questions.
– Please register here for the next office hours on Wednesday, May 13, from 12:30-1pm eastern.
Philanthropic and Federal Funding Opportunities
EPN has launched Beyond Federal Funding: EPN’s Monthly Bulletin, a resource guide to funding opportunities—including philanthropic, state, and local funding.
– Please check out our Funding Bulletin, and please use EPN’s Technical Assistance Request Form to request 1:1 funding discovery support or other technical assistance.
– You can also access L4GG’s Sprint Hub for direct legal support for all types of green finance needs for community projects. L4GG will work with you to identify potential investors or mission-driven lenders, including Green Banks and CDFIs, to close any funding gap. In addition, L4GG’s Green Finance Team can help you navigate the complex world of alternative funding sources. Get direct pro bono assistance for your project here!
– Lastly, please see a number of highlighted philanthropic funding opportunities below:
From Insight to Action: Health Equity Research That Meets This Moment
In the face of ongoing challenges to health equity, communities across the nation continue to show incredible resilience, creativity, and leadership. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is committed to supporting this momentum by funding research that centers on the lived experiences of communities most affected by policies that undermine health equity. Their new call for proposals invites community-based organizations and community-research partnerships to submit applications for funding to explore solutions that can create meaningful change.
This $8 million funding opportunity will support approximately 20 projects, with each receiving up to $500,000 for up to 36 months. They are specifically looking for proposals that elevate community-driven solutions and explore impactful, measurable strategies that can influence policy, systems, and health outcomes for all. This is a unique opportunity for communities directly affected by health inequities to lead the way in shaping the future of health policy. The application deadline is May 14. Learn more and apply here.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Five Star Grant Program
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Five Star Grant Program is now accepting applications to support local partnerships working to restore and protect water quality, watersheds, and the habitats and species they sustain. The program provides modest financial assistance to help build community capacity for long-term conservation impact, with a focus on collaborative, on-the-ground projects. Awards range from $30,000 to $150,000 and require a minimum 1:0.75 match (e.g., a $60,000 grant paired with $45,000 in matching funds). The program is open nationwide, with priority given to selected cities and counties identified in the Request for Proposals. Applications are due May 14, and awards are expected to be announced in November. Go to easygrants.nfwf.org to register in the Easygrants online system and begin the application process.
Love Your Block Grant Program
The Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University is accepting applications for its 2026–2028 Love Your Block Grant program, a two-year civic engagement initiative that brings city leaders and residents together to strengthen neighborhoods block by block. Selected cities will receive $270,000, along with coaching and hands-on implementation support, to advance resident-driven projects—from transforming vacant lots into community gardens to cleaning up public spaces. The program is designed to help cities turn community priorities into action while deepening local engagement. Aninformational webinarwill be held on May 15 from 1-2pm eastern, and applications are due June 1; register here. If you have questions, please contact BCPIcivicengagement@jh.edu.
FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Grant Program
FEMA has announced $1 billion in available funding through its Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, a major initiative designed to shift the focus from reactive disaster recovery to proactive risk reduction. By investing in resilient infrastructure and adopting hazard-resistant building codes, communities can reduce long-term costs, protect critical assets, and better safeguard residents—delivering an estimated $11 return for every $1 invested.
The BRIC program supports a wide range of projects, with an emphasis on those that provide clear, measurable risk reduction. Eligible applicants include states, U.S. territories, and federally recognized Tribal Nations, while local governments and special districts may apply as subapplicants. To qualify, jurisdictions must have a current FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plan in place at the time of application and award.
For this funding cycle, FEMA has allocated $1 billion across several categories, including a $757 million national competition (capped at $20 million per applicant), $112 million in state and territory allocations, $50 million set aside for Tribal Nations, and additional “plus-up” funding to support building code adoption and enforcement. Infrastructure projects must also meet federal domestic purchasing requirements.
Interested applicants and subapplicants may review the Notice of Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. For more information on the BRIC program, applicants should contact their FEMA Regional Office or visit www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation/learn/building-resilient-infrastructure-communities. Applications must be submitted through the FEMA GO system, with a final deadline of July 23 at 3:00pm eastern.
Call for Papers
Center for Engagement, Environmental Justice, and Health (CEEJH) Call for Papers
CEEJH’s journal Environmental Justice is planning a special issue titled “EJ 2076: A 50-Year Plan to Advance Democracy, Environmental Justice, and Health Equity.” This issue seeks contributions from community members, organizers, practitioners, and community–academic partnerships exploring long-term environmental justice questions—what progress has been made, where we are now, and what changes are needed to achieve environmental justice everywhere by 2076. This is a two-stage submission process: abstracts are due October 30 (rolling review) — submit here — and full manuscripts are due December 31. Read the full Call for Proposals and FAQs here.
Webinars and Workshops
Lawyers for Good Government’s Introduction to Build America, Buy America
Join L4GG’s Clean Energy Team on Tuesday, April 28, at 12pm eastern/9am pacific for an Introduction to BABA. This one-hour session is designed specifically for beginners and focuses on the basics. Featuring Amy Lamson, (former EPA Senior Advisor for BABA Implementation), this live webinar is a supportive space to bring your questions, like: “Which projects are subject to BABA?” and “What are the product requirements?” Register Here for Introduction to BABA
Data Center Webinar Series
The North Star Data Center Policy in Practice Training Series is cohosted by the AI Now Institute and the Data Center Working Group and runs through June 24 (Wednesdays, 1–2pm eastern/10-11am pacific). Focused on advancing affirmative, enforceable policy pathways at the local, state, and federal levels to slow and restrict the rapid expansion of AI data centers across the U.S., the series brings together expert-led analysis and on-the-ground insights from local and state organizers. Each session will explore key areas of the North Star Data Center Policy toolkit—including bans and moratoriums, zoning, water and energy use, transparency, air quality, and other critical regulatory levers to support effective advocacy and policy action. The next session is on Wednesday, April 29. Register here for some or all of the sessions.
Lawyers for Good Government’s Introduction to False Claims Act
L4GG is hosting an introductory webinar on the False Claims Act on Thursday, April 30, at 4pm eastern/41pm pacific. This webinar will cover how the False Claims Act works; how the administration is currently using it to target nonprofits, municipalities, and tribes engaged in DEI-related activities; and what you can do to better understand and mitigate your risk. Register here.
Climate Ready: Secure Communications and Safe Data Sharing
Join Climate Ready on Tuesday, May 5, at 1pm eastern/10am pacific for a practical training with Josh Levy of Groundwire Advisors on secure communications and safe data sharing. The session will cover how to use tools like Signal, Tresorit, and Proton Drive for encrypted messaging, document storage, and safer collaboration. This training is designed for leaders, operations and IT staff, communications teams, and anyone handling sensitive organizational information. Please register in advance. Approved participants will receive a unique Zoom link.
Climate Ready: Fundraising Training + Office Hours with Jasmine Sessoms
Climate Ready is offering fundraising support for Climate Ready members (you can join here), led by Strategic Fundraising Advisor Jasmine Sessoms (Firm 1968), to help organizations navigate funding uncertainty and strengthen fundraising strategy in today’s landscape. The next webinar, “The 2026 Fundraising Landscape” will be held on May 7 at 3pm eastern, and follow-on office hours will be on May 12 at 3pm eastern. The webinar will cover:
- Donor behavior trends shaping the current funding environment
- Key political considerations and philanthropic shifts
- Risk-aware fundraising strategies to navigate uncertainty
The follow-up office hours will provide an opportunity to ask questions and receive real-time, scenario-based guidance. These sessions are designed to be practical, accessible, and immediately applicable for lean teams. Register for the May 7 webinar here and the May 12 office hours here.
Climate Ready: Midterm Engagement with SKDK
Join Climate Ready on Thursday, May 14, at 3:00pm eastern for a webinar exploring how groups can use election-year moments to generate media attention around their climate priorities. In this session, SKDK will help participants build their arsenal of tactics to distribute messaging to key audiences and validators, including interested party memos, proactive pitching, and other strategies in c(3) and c(4) compliant ways. This session will help ensure organizations are meeting the moment as competitive midterm races begin heating up. Please register in advance for this webinar. Approved participants will receive a unique Zoom link.
Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services Workshops
Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services is a nonprofit environmental law organization that expands access to environmental justice by providing legal services regardless of income. The organization offers legal counsel, litigation support, nonprofit consulting, and community planning and outreach to individuals, community groups, and nonprofits navigating environmental law and policy. Fair Shake also hosts a monthly legal advocacy workshop series (held every third week of the month) focused on building practical law and public policy skills.
Upcoming events include Nonprofit Management–Managing Your Risks! on Thursday, May 21, from 12–1:30pm eastern, which takes a look at best practices to manage risks and ensure nonprofit compliance. Please visit Fair Shake’s events page for the most current workshop information and to register.
University of Arizona 2026 National PFAS Conference
The 2026 National PFAS Conference will be held June 8–10 at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, bringing together experts, community representatives, policymakers, and other stakeholders working on PFAS issues. The conference series is designed to facilitate the exchange of current research and information, support PFAS-impacted communities, and encourage cross-sector collaboration to advance efforts that protect human health and the environment. Visit https://research.arizona.edu/pfas-2026/overview for program and registration information.
Resources
FracTracker’s Open U.S. Data Centers Tracker
A new FracTracker tool highlights the rapid expansion of data centers across the United States and their growing environmental and community impacts. Driven by AI and cloud computing, these facilities are increasing demand for electricity and water while straining local infrastructure—often with limited public oversight. The Data Centers Tracker maps thousands of existing and proposed sites nationwide, helping communities, advocates, and policymakers better understand where data centers are located, how they’re permitted, and who is most affected.