Application Details

Overview

THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FUND IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2026!

The Environmental Justice (EJ) Fund was established in 2018 as part of the City of Seattle’s Equity & Environment Agenda to invest in community-led projects advancing climate justice. The EJ Fund is designed to protect and strengthen Seattle communities hit first and worst by climate change, extreme weather, and environmental inequities, including Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants, refugees, youth, elders, and low-income residents. The EJ Fund is funded through the Seattle Payroll Expense Tax, a local revenue source not connected to federal funding.

In this year, up to $1.6 million is available to be disbursed over two years via two funding options:

Option 1: grants ranging from $60,000 to $80,000 (distributed as $30,000 to $40,000 per year)
Option 2: grants ranging from $80,001 to $120,000 (distributed as $40,001 to $60,000 per year)

Projects may last up to 22 months and must begin in February 2027 and be completed by November 2028.

Please note that the Environmental Justice Fund will issue the next RFP in 2028.

What We Fund

Meeting Seattle’s climate goals takes everyone. Investments like the Environmental Justice Fund are part of Seattle’s strategy to support grassroots, community‑driven solutions that accelerate climate action. This is why the EJ Fund supports diverse community-led efforts that align with one of its four funding priorities:

Developing the leadership of communities impacted first and worst by climate change: This funding category supports projects that build leadership and decision-making power within communities most impacted by climate change and environmental injustices. Funded projects help frontline communities lead and influence solutions that address the root causes of environmental inequities.
Supporting community-led climate or environmental solutions: This funding category supports projects that are designed and led by or in partnership with priority communities to address the disproportionate impacts they experience from environmental pollution and climate change.
Trainings and exposure to climate careers: This funding category supports projects that offer programming and environmental education for members of our priority communities to increase their exposure to careers that are important to adapt to or mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Building resilience to protect health and community wellbeing: This funding category supports projects that strengthen community’s ability to be prepared for and recover from climate events. Funded projects build climate resilience in ways that protect people’s health and improve community wellbeing.

Project activities can include: climate resilience and adaptation solutions, community planning and visioning, cultural knowledge preservation and/or education, environmental or climate focused arts and storytelling, environmental or climate education, outreach, and/or engagement, climate career exposure programs, and organizational and community capacity building.

Priority will be given to projects that serve the following priority neighborhoods: Beacon Hill, Bitter Lake, Central Area, Chinatown-International District, Delridge, Georgetown, Haller Lake, Lake City, Mount Baker, Othello, Rainier Beach, and South Park. For examples of eligible projects, please see the Eligible Projects section of the application guidelines. 

Who We Fund

We welcome proposals from Tribes and tribal organizations, non-profit organizations and community groups whose work is led by or in partnership with Black, Indigenous, people of color, immigrants, refugees, people with low incomes, youth, and/or elders.

Eligible Applicants must:

Have 501(c)3 nonprofit status; or
Have a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)3 nonprofit status; or
Be willing and able to secure a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)3 nonprofit status within four weeks of being notified of receiving a grant.
- During the contracting period, EJ Fund staff can help connect groups to potential fiscal sponsors if needed.

How to Apply

Apply online through the City of Seattle’s grant portal:
https://seattle.fluxx.io/user_sessions/new

Step 1: check if you are eligible to apply by July 14 at 5PM

IMPORTANT: This is a required step to submit your full application.
Once you complete this step, if you are new to applying for grants, you will be assigned a consultant who will help you complete your application.

Step 2: submit your complete application and submit by August 4!

New to the FLUXX Grants Portal?

In order to be considered for funding, the first step is for you to register in our grant portal. Please click on "Create an account Now" to start.

You will not be able to edit your profile after submission. Please ensure you have entered accurate information (including email address) when completing the registration form.

After submitting the registration form, you will receive an email notification from City of Seattle with login information and steps to set your password. This will give you access to the grant portal and the application form. Should your application be successful, this portal will also give you access to submitting invoices & reporting templates.

If you don’t have computer or internet access, contact staff as soon as possible.

For more details on how to navigate FLUXX and submit your application, please check out the application guidelines.

Application Materials

2026 Environmental Justice Fund Application Worksheet– this may be used to help you prepare your proposal offline before official submission through the grant portal.
2026 Environmental Justice Fund Guidelines
Sample Application – for Reference Only

Information Sessions & Support with Your Application

Join a virtual information session to learn more about the Fund, the review process, qualities of a strong proposal, and to ask questions!

Virtual information sessions options, hosted over Zoom.

Session 1:

Wednesday, June 10, 2026, from 6 - 7:15pm.
- Register for the first session on Zoom

Session 2:

Tuesday, June 30, from 12 - 1:15pm
- Register for the second session on Zoom

To request interpretation or other accommodations for information sessions, please email equityenviro@seattle.gov at least 3 business days before the session you plan to attend. We are also available to answer questions over email.

Support with Your Application

If your organization is new to seeking grant funding, you will be automatically matched with a consultant after you complete the eligibility step of the application. The consultant can help you as you develop your proposal. Please note that while working with a consultant is not a required part of the application it can be a valuable resource to support you as you apply. Consultants can:

Discuss your project idea for EJ Fund alignment
Provide guidance on the funding level that best aligns with your project scope and your organization’s readiness and capacity
Review your draft proposal and provide feedback
Provide high-level edits on your draft proposal

Consultants will not be able to:

Help you design your project idea
Draft your application responses

Learn about the consultants!

Drop-in Virtual Office Hours are also available. These Office Hours will be held by EJ Fund staff who will be available to answer your questions. To request interpretation or other accommodations, email equityenviro@seattle.gov 3 days in advance.

Wednesday, June 17, 12-1pm

Join the first office hour

Wednesday, July 8, 12-1pm

Join the second hour

Application Review Process

OSE partners with Seattle’s Environmental Justice Committee (EJC) which serves as the Grantmaking Committee for the EJ Fund. EJC members are individuals with deep community roots working closely with communities to advance environmental and climate justice.

Want to learn more about what makes a strongly aligned application? Check out our guidance on characteristics for a strongly aligned application.