The Department of Health (DOH) consulted with Tribes to develop two grant programs, the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Tribal Capacity Grant and the Workplace Safety for Workers Affected by Climate Change Grant. The legislature based these grant programs on Environmental Justice Council suggestions from their Climate Commitment Act funding recommendations (PDF) and budget priorities (PDF).
These grants have been funded for the 2025–2027 biennium. We will be hosting two tribal listening sessions in August to seek guidance and input of how to administer these grant funds and improve the grant programs.
More information about the total grant allocation available for the 2025–2027 biennium will be shared soon.
Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Tribal Capacity Grant
We are excited to announce, as of February 2025, we have granted funds to 19 Tribes, totaling $10.1 million.
These are non-competitive grants awarded to eligible Tribes to provide guidance and input to:
- The Environmental Justice Council about how to implement the HEAL Act.
- DOH regarding updates to the Environmental Health Disparities Map.
- State agencies about how to implement the HEAL Act (including environmental justice assessments, budgeting and funding, and community and Tribal engagement).
Timeline
2021 - Legislature passed the HEAL Act, which required: extensive tribal consultation by agencies, the creation of the Environmental Justice Council, and the maintenance of the Environmental Health Disparities Map.
2022 - After multiple meetings, the Environmental Justice Council recommended the creation of a grant program for Tribes and tribal organizations.
2023 - Legislature established the Tribal Capacity Grant program.
Workplace Safety for Workers Affected by Climate Change
In the 2023–2025 biennium, DOH awarded nearly $2 million to 13 Tribes across Washington state.
The Workplace Safety for Workers Affected by Climate Change Grant program focuses on the workplace health and safety of workers who are affected by climate impacts, including but not limited to extreme heat and cold, wildfire smoke, drought, and flooding.
Funding from this grant program can be used to purchase and distribute equipment and resources for outdoor workers in fields like fisheries, treaty rights, and first foods cultivating and harvesting. This is an ongoing grant program.
Learn more about the Workplace Safety for Workers Affected by Climate Change Grant.
For questions, comments, or concerns email the Environmental Justice Grants Program.
Related Links
The Tribal Capacity Grant is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA). 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.
