The HEAL Act Capacity Grant application is currently available in English and Spanish. Organizations are welcome to request application materials and apply in other languages also. Information sessions will be held in English, Spanish, and other languages at applicant’s request. You will find the grant information and application materials available in Spanish below. Spanish speakers may register for an information session on Monday April 22 from 1-2 p.m. (held in Spanish). The presentation slides and recording from the information session will be available here after April 22.
Request for Applications - HEAL Act Community Capacity Grants (Word)
Spanish: La aplicación para Subvenciones del Desarrollo de Capacidades de la Ley HEAL corrientemente está disponible en inglés y español. Damos la bienvenida a que organizaciones soliciten y presenten sus aplicaciones en otros idiomas. Las sesiones informativas se llevarán a cabo en inglés, español y otros idiomas a solicitud del solicitante. A continuación, encontrará la información sobre la subvención y los materiales de la aplicación disponibles en español. Individuos que hablen español pueden inscribirse para una sesión informativa el lunes 22 de abril de 1 a 2 p.m. (que se llevará a cabo en español). Las diapositivas de la presentación y la grabación de la sesión informativa estarán disponibles aquí después del 22 de abril.
The Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act was passed in 2021 to reduce environmental and health disparities and improve the health of all people in Washington state. This HEAL capacity grant program focuses on enhancing community-led decision making to advancing environmental justice (EJ) and building climate resilience. This funding equips communities most impacted by environmental hazards, including but not limited to Native Nations, Black communities, rural communities, youth, low income, unhoused, disabled, LGBTQ+, and/or other communities most vulnerable to climate impacts, with necessary resources needed to collaborate with state agencies on environmental health decisions. The Legislature required the state Department of Health (DOH) to set this grant program based on the Environmental Justice Council (EJC) Climate Commitment Act (CCA) funding recommendations and budget priorities. These grants are supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Learn more about the Climate Commitment Act.
DOH worked with a six-member community advisory committee: Tyrone Giesen, Sherronda Jamerson, Manuel Hernandez, Victor Loo, Khamla Martin, and Cheri Peterson throughout March 2024 to develop this request for applications. Their contributions helped to make the fund accessible to communities most impacted by environmental harms.
Community-based and community- led organizations are uniquely positioned to identify and respond to the engagement and participation needs of the communities they serve. They are invaluable partners in navigating the specific cultural and linguistic contexts, logistical and access barriers, and environmental justice concerns of their communities. We offer two funding opportunities to support communities in building capacity to engage in HEAL activities. Eligible organizations may apply to one or both of the following:
- Pass-through funding ($500,000-$1,000,000): We invite community-based organizations to sub-grant funds to other community-based organizations working with overburdened communities and vulnerable populations across Washington State to support equitable community engagement and participation in HEAL activities. The selected organizations will work closely with DOH staff to ensure accountability, transparency, and equity throughout the funding period and grant process. This work builds off the Environmental Justice Community Participation Fund developed in 2022.
- Project funding ($250,000-$500,000): An organization may apply on its own or in partnership with other organization(s) for funds to build organizational and community capacity to provide guidance and input to:
- Environmental Justice Council on implementation of the HEAL Act.
- Department of Health on updates to the environmental health disparities map.
- State agencies on implementation of the HEAL Act (including environmental justice assessments, budgeting and funding, community, and Tribal engagement).
Request for Applications
English: HEAL Act Community Capacity Grants (Word)
Organizations can request application materials and apply in a language other than English and Spanish if desired.
Funding
Total Amount of Funding: $11.6 million
Estimated Funding Range per Award: $250,000 – $1,000,000
Expected Period of Performance: Date of Execution – June 30, 2025
Applications Timeline and Process
| Application release date | April 8, 2024 |
| Informational webinars |
April 15, 2024, 11am-12pm (English) |
| Application due date | May 5, 2024 at 11:59pm |
| Estimated internal review of applications | May 6-29, 2024 |
| Estimated notification of contract award | May 31, 2024 |
| Estimated contract execution/start date | July 1, 2024 |
| Funding period end date | June 30, 2025 |
Informational Webinars
Information sessions will be held in English, Spanish, and other languages at your request.
Monday, April 15, 2024 at 11 a.m. to Noon (held in English)
Register for the April 15 Session
Monday, April 22, 2024 at 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. (held in Spanish)
Register for the April 22 Session
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. (held in English)
Register for the April 24 Session
Recording of the presentation in English
Presentation slides in English (PDF)
Questions and Answers about Grant Application (PDF)
Recording of the presentation in Spanish
Presentation slides in Spanish (PDF)
Questions?
Interested organizations are invited to register for the information sessions held on April 15, April 22, and April 24 to ask clarifying questions about this funding opportunity and application process. A recording and Q&A from the information sessions will be provided. Contact the Environmental Justice Grants team to discuss a project and address any questions or concerns.
Organizations may also connect with EPA funded environmental justice technical assistance centers serving our region: Northwest Environmental Justice Center and the University of Washington Center for Environmental Health Equity. These organizations are not affiliated with the Department of Health but may provide independent technical assistance.
Related Links
Environmental Health Disparities Map
The HEAL Act Community Capacity Grants is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.
