The Washington State Departments of Commerce and Health are creating a Community Advisory Committee. We are looking for community members who care about equity and anti-racism to provide input on two environmental justice (EJ) grants from the Department of Health and to evaluate two funding opportunities advancing energy equity and environmental justice from the Department of Commerce.
Department of Health
- Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act Capacity grants: We have $26.3 million to fund tribes, tribal organizations, overburdened communities, and vulnerable populations. These grants will help build their capacity to provide guidance and input to agencies and the Environmental Justice Council on HEAL Act implementation, and to DOH on updates to the Environmental Health Disparities map.
- Community Budgeting for Decarbonization and Climate Resilience grants: We have $38.6 million to develop and run a grant program to fund projects that benefit overburdened communities. We will select five communities in Washington to develop and prioritize projects that achieve the greatest community defined impact for decarbonization and climate resilience.
Department of Commerce
Through a combination of funding sources, Commerce expects to make a minimum of $145 million available for projects that advance equity, resiliency and environmental justice. Commerce’s Energy Programs in Communities will have two application opportunities that will be tailored to specific applicants and project types.
- Community decarbonization grants: Approximately $65 million will be available to support planning, design and construction of clean energy projects that will advance environmental justice and energy equity to benefit historically marginalized communities, such as vulnerable populations and overburdened communities. This funding opportunity is expected to be launched mid-February 2024.
- General solicitation for clean energy projects: Approximately $81 million will be available to support planning, design and construction of clean energy projects which will be open to eligible project types and applicants for all funding areas. This funding opportunity is expected to be launched late spring 2024.
What are we asking for?
We are looking for up to twenty-five (25) community members, especially those with lived experience or working relationships with marginalized communities impacted by environmental inequities. We are especially looking for people with experience in qualitative, participatory methods and with an equity and anti-racist lens to ensure we have diverse perspectives. Reviewers cannot be employed by or representing an organization that may apply for funding.
Groups will meet virtually over Zoom. Interpretation and materials can be translated in into other languages and ASL for those who require it. Committee members will be required to review information outside of meetings and will need access to a computer or a tablet with internet access.
The twenty-five (25) community members can join one or more of the following five (5) groups:
FOCUS: HEAL Act Capacity Grants
- Group #1: Develop a Request for Application (RFA) for capacity grants to go out to communities and decide how applications should be scored. Approximately 10 hours will be required from this group between February 27 to March 29, 2024.
- Group #2: Review the RFAs submitted and recommend which organizations should be funded. Approximately 10 hours will be required from this group between April 22 to May 15, 2024.
FOCUS: Community Budgeting for Decarbonization and Resilience Grants
- Group #3: Help identify and prioritize five (5) communities to participate in Community Informed Budgeting. Approximately 10 hours will be required from this group between February 27 to March 29, 2024.
FOCUS: Community Decarbonization Grants
- Group #4: Review and score the equity/environmental justice questions for the Community Decarbonization grant. Approximately 10 hours will be required from this group tentatively between April 1 to May 1, 2024.
Group 4 is requested to attend a virtual orientation on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 6:00-7:00PM.
FOCUS: General Clean Energy Grant Opportunity
- Group #5: Review and score the equity/environmental justice questions for the Clean Energy grant. approximately 10 hours will be required from the group tentatively between May 8 to June 8, 2024.
Group 5 is requested to attend a virtual orientation on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 6:00-7:00PM.
Why should you care?
We are looking for deeper community involvement by having community members engage in the design and evaluation of the grant applications for funds that will advance environmental justice in communities throughout Washington.
Compensation
Committee members will be paid at a rate of $75/hour. Payment can be made through electronic gift card or direct deposit. Anyone who receives payment over $600 will receive a 1099 tax form in the mail, and payment received may be subject to taxes. Compensation is not available if you will be compensated for this work through your job.
Conflicts of interest (COI)
Participants will be required to sign a conflict-of-interest statement during orientation. Conflicts of interest may include situations, relationships, activities, or circumstances in your life which could impact your ability to inform the grant process in an unbiased manner due to financial interests in the grant program or a relationship with potential applicants. For example, if you believe the organization you work for or an organization that employs an immediate family member may apply for or collaborate on one of these grants, then you may have a conflict of interest. If you do have a conflict of interest, you might be unable to participate in this process. If you are not sure if you have a conflict of interest, you may discuss your situation further during the application process.
To Apply
Please complete and submit this Community Advisory Committee Application Form
Please feel free to reach out with questions to Sauncha Romey at Sauncha.Romey@doh.wa.gov or to Michele Lefebvre at michele.lefebvre@commerce.wa.gov. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, February 14, at 11:59PM, but please reach out to us to express your interest if you learn about this opportunity at a later date.