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Thank you so much for your continued efforts to protect public health and democracy during this challenging time.
Below you will find:
Potential Actions for Federal Grantees
If you are a federal grantee, here are some potential actions to consider:
1) Stay in compliance!
The best way to respond to unsubstantiated attacks on federal grants is to successfully, legally, and properly implement your project. If you can, proceed with your work!
– To help you in this endeavor, EPN, Lawyers for Good Government, NRDC, Communities First, and others are hosting gatherings of federal grantees on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month from 12:30-2pm eastern.
– Here is where you can register. You must register by 5pm pacific/8pm eastern the Monday before to attend.
– Here are links to materials from past webinars.
– The next webinar is Wednesday, March 12, and will be focused on Investigative Processes, including congressional inquiries and subpoenas, IRS audits, and agency inquiries and audits.
– The next office hours are Wednesday, March 26. Please email Kathy Pope with suggestions and put “Office Hours Topic” if you have a question you’d like us to address.
– If you have specific financial or programmatic compliance questions, please fill out our intake form so our contractors can provide pro bono assistance to you on these matters.
2) Check ASAP, asap 🙂 If you have access, consider trying to get as much of your funding properly and legally drawn down as quickly as possible.
– As always, make sure you are 100% clear on your award obligations and that you remain 100% in compliance.
– Remember, for most grants, you will need to spend these funds within 5 days (payroll, purchases, etc.).
– Do not draw down funds improperly. If you have questions about a potential drawdown, please fill out our intake form so our contractors can provide pro bono assistance to you on these matters.
3) If your funding continues to be missing or suspended from ASAP or if you are otherwise being denied a drawdown, it is important to document all of your efforts to legally draw down funding from your ASAP account and to build your administrative record.
– Email your Program Officer now. Include a timeline of what has transpired since the end of January, including the harm that you have experienced as result of the freezes (including laying off staff, not being able to pay contractors, ending contracts, etc.). If you have legal counsel, we recommend that you consult with them and get tailored legal advice for your situation. If you would like help with a template email, please reach out to info@environmentalprotectionnetwork.org.
– AND, report that you are locked out by filling out Lawyers for Good Government’s fund protection clinic intake form so they can track this violation and reach out to you about potential next steps. Litigators are ready to fight this, but we need documentation that folks are still locked out. Your specific info will not be shared with anyone without your permission.
– If your ASAP account says that your funds are in “warehousing,” please send an email to info@environmentalprotectionnetwork.org with the subject “warehousing,” and include screenshots of your ASAP account now and before if you have them. We’re not 100% sure this is an issue (especially for those with a start date in the future), but we do not know for sure.
4) Talk to your elected officials and the press.
– Consider reaching out to your elected officials and the press and educating them on the benefits your project will provide, especially in terms of jobs, stimulating the economy, energy independence, decreased exposure to pollution, and more. If you need pro bono assistance in this work, please email IRA@liletteadvisors.com for assistance.
– Consider making a video about your project and sharing it on social media. One of our partners can guide you through this process and provide editing support for some projects. Please reach out to Steven Fantes with 1-3 sentences about your project, where it is, and any information about jobs, emissions reductions, energy independence, or other benefits.
– Consider sharing your story to highlight the importance of EPA funding and the harm caused by government delays on your project. The BlueGreen Alliance (BGA) is working to connect media with first-hand accounts from grantees to bring these impacts to light. Their team can provide media training, talking points, data, and other supportive materials to help amplify these critical stories. If you’re interested in learning more or exploring how to share your experience, please contact Abby Harvey at aharvey@bluegreenalliance.org for assistance.
5) Continue to reach out to your Program Officer.
– If your PO has been terminated or put on administrative leave, email the person whose name is on their out of office, if there is one. If this issue persists, please reach out to info@environmentalprotectionnetwork.org to get advice on who else you can reach out to.
6) If you have received a grant termination notice from EPA, and we are not already in communication about this, please reach out.
– Please reach out to info@environmentalprotectionnetwork.org and please include a copy of your termination letter, any other recent correspondence from EPA, and a copy of your terms and conditions.
EPN’s New Tool
7) Please share EPN’s new tool.
For reliable information and facts about EPA from agency alumni, please check out and share our new tool, EPAFacts.org. You can choose from a wide variety of topics to find reliable information free from sensationalism, including excerpts from an important Op-ed written by three former EPA Administrators.
Nominations
8) The Grist 50
The Grist 50 is an annual list of leaders from across the U.S. who are working on fresh, real-world solutions to our planet’s biggest challenges. Called Fixers, the list includes scientists, artists, policymakers, farmers, social justice advocates, storytellers, entrepreneurs, technologists, chefs, clean energy wonks — all kinds of people pointing the way toward a just, sustainable future. Collectively, their work shows what a vibrant, diverse climate movement looks like, and how everyone has a place in it. Every year, a call for nominations goes out, and suggestions are gathered from experts, Grist allies, readers, and the public at large. The Grist team reviews thousands of nominations from all over the U.S. to select the final list. Submit your nominations for the 2025 list by Friday, March 14.
9) Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award
The Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award celebrates mid-career women of color who are building a healthier, safer, and more just world. Each year, the award provides women environmental leaders of color with personal and organizational multi-year financial support, wraparound leadership services, and public recognition. For full information about the award criteria, evaluation, and timeline, click here. Apply or nominate someone by March 30!
Funding Opportunities
10) Thriving Communities Grantmakers Grants
EPN staff can help you apply for $75,000-$350,000 through the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmakers (Grantmakers) Program via our step-by-step Application Guide, including: information on regional Grantmakers opportunities, a Budgets for Beginners Worksheet and Presentation, information on projects that do and don’t trigger a Quality Assurance Project Plan, and more! Please fill out our intake form to request assistance.
11) Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI)
The CSCI is providing grants to climate adaptation professionals to create or advance a climate resilience plan or project in collaboration with a community that is on the front lines of the climate crisis. The community should be represented in the application and effort by a community-based organization and a local, regional or Tribal government entity.
Each grant will cover a 12-month period, and include approximately $100,000 in funding as well as access to training opportunities, technical experts, and cohort support. Final amounts will be determined by the scope of work agreed upon during the grant approval process. While the funds are awarded to the adaptation professional, they also can be passed through to the government entities, community-based organizations, or other project partners as needed. Applications are due by March 21st, and you can learn more here.