By Mia Khatib
mia.khatib@triangletribune.com
RALEIGH — The Biden-Harris Administration has selected Research Triangle Institute to receive $100 million and serve as “Regional Grantmaker” under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Thriving Communities Grantmaking program. This program makes it easier for community-based organizations to access federal environmental justice funding.
As a grantmaker, RTI will issue subgrants to disadvantaged communities, funding projects like local cleanups, emergency preparedness and disaster resiliency programs, healthy homes projects and more. EPA Administrator Michael Regan said for years community advocates have been calling for federal resources and support to help address environmental justice concerns.
“Thanks to President Biden and Vice President Harris’ leadership, we’re responding to these calls by removing barriers that have traditionally held communities and applicants back from accessing these historic investments in America,” he said. “Together, in partnership with these Grantmakers, we are taking a giant step toward a future where every person in America has equal opportunity to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and live a healthy, productive life.”
The program was made possible through Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest climate action investment in history, and delivers on his Justice40 Initiative, which aims for 40% of benefits from certain federal investments to flow to marginalized communities.
North Carolina Rep. Valerie Foushee said this effort is a major step forward in environmental equity.
“Through transformative investments, the Biden Administration is prioritizing the American people by removing barriers and improving accessibility for historically underserved communities with environmental justice concerns,” she said. “I am pleased that the Research Triangle Institute has been selected as a Regional and National Grantmaker to help improve and foster thriving communities throughout the country and bring visible and lasting changes for generations to come.”
Subgrants will be available by summer 2024 and offered through a tiered system. Tier 1 includes $150,000 grants for assessment, Tier 2 is $250,000 grants for planning, and Tier 3 is $350,000 grants for project development. Under Tier 1, $75,000 also will be available through a noncompetitive process for capacity-constrained community-based organizations.
In addition to issuing subgrants, RTI will be responsible for designing comprehensive application and submission processes, implementing tracking and reporting systems, and providing resources and support to communities.
“We are thrilled to lend RTI’s wealth of expertise to this important program that will help ensure that local organizations across the U.S., regardless of circumstance, can be active participants in defining how to best advance environmental justice in their communities,” said Daniela Pineda, director of the Thriving Communities Project at RTI International.
Mia Khatib, who covers affordable housing and gentrification, is a Report for America corps member.
