The grants will support frontline communities working to advance environmental and climate justice

(Black PR Wire) WASHINGTON – The Frontline Resource Institute (FRI, pronounced “free”) is thrilled to announce the 13 recipients of its inaugural grant cycle through the Tides Foundation. The inaugural grants, which total over $1 million in funding, will support frontline community groups from across the U.S. to build capacity, develop organizational strategies, and advance environmental and climate justice. 

“We were amazed by the response to our first request for proposals. More than 300 organizations applied for funding to build internal capacity and develop strategies for environmental justice,” said Dr. Margot Brown, the acting director of FRI and Environmental Defense Fund’s Vice President of Justice and Equity. “There is a clear demand for funding and resources focused on organizational planning and development, and we are thrilled to be a catalyst for this kind of support.”

“Enduring and equitable solutions to the climate crisis require the leadership and expertise of frontline communities,” said Vernice Miller-Travis, a key advisor for FRI and Executive Vice President and Environmental Justice Lead of the Metropolitan Group. “FRI is working to meet a need for building authentic partnerships that are not transactional in nature between big green organizations and frontline communities that has eluded us for decades in the environmental movement. This first group of grantees will provide invaluable leadership as we work together to drive resources to the communities that need them most.”

“FRI is thankful to every organization that took the time to apply for an inaugural grant,” added Brown. “We are committed to creating and sharing more opportunities to support the frontline fight for safe, healthy, and sustainable environments.”

FRI launched in January 2022 and released its inaugural grant cycle in partnership with the Tides Foundation in August 2022. FRI is led by a Conceptual Committee composed of 11 environmental and climate justice leaders with in-kind support provided by Environmental Defense Fund.

More information on FRI’s grantees and resources and opportunities for frontline organizations is available at frontlineresourceinstitute.org.  

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The Frontline Resource Institute (FRI) supports frontline communities working to advance environmental and climate justice by providing resources and technical assistance to build a world where all can achieve healthy, safe, and sustainable environments. Find more information at frontlineresourceinstute.org