How do I apply for funding from the Fund?
To request funding, please complete the Request for Funding Application here.
What do I need to demonstrate in the Request for Funding Form to be considered for Funding?
To be considered for funding, you must demonstrate that your project is:
(i) for the restoration of any natural resource or the investigation, remediation or mitigation of any environmental pollution or harm on or at any real property located in a disadvantaged community;
(ii) for any project to benefit the community health or well-being, whether to address economic, environmental or other health needs of a disadvantaged community; or
(iii) will contribute to an academic or government-funded research project related to environmental protection or conservation of natural resources in a disadvantaged community.
Additionally, your project must benefit a disadvantaged community, which the law defines to mean: a municipality in the commonwealth bearing disproportionate economic, health or environmental burdens, including, but not limited to, poverty, high unemployment, air and water pollution, disproportionate heat exposure, lack of access to green space, presence of hazardous and solid waste and material and high incidence of cardiovascular and respiratory disease and high rates of mortality.
How long do I have to wait for a response from the AGO once I submit a Request for Funding to the AGO?
We plan to review requests on a rolling basis. Once we complete our review, we will let you know our decision as soon as possible.
How much money can I request from the Fund?
The awarded amounts are contingent on fund availability, and we expect that awards will range from $10,000 to $25,000 per applicant or community. However, our office retains discretion to award larger funding amounts for projects impacting more than one community, for statewide-projects, or for projects designed to help meet the AGO and/or other state goals. It is possible that applicants may not receive the full amount of funding requested. The amount of funding awarded will depend on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the availability of money in the Fund, other pending applications, and the scope and feasibility of the project proposed in your application. We hope to fund as many projects as possible. As a reference, we recommend reviewing the award amounts, applicants and project locations of current and previous award recipients here: (PRESS RELEASE SPACE HOLDER)
How often will Funds be distributed to qualified recipients?
Although applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, we hope to distribute funds at least twice per calendar year.
What happens after I am selected for an award?
Before receiving funds, applicants must be in compliance with the Public Charities Law, including any requisite filings. At a minimum, this may require submission of an organization’s (or their fiscal sponsor’s) prior three years' tax forms.
As a reminder, tax forms should be submitted on the AGO’s online charities portal located here: www.mass.gov/charityportal. Additional questions about the compliance process can be sent to the AGO’s Non-Profit/Public Charities Division here: Charities@Mass.gov or you may call the Charities Hotline at 617-963-2101 to get information about your compliance status.
In addition to being in compliance with state Public Charities Law, applicants will have to submit their EFT banking information, a W-9 tax form and a commitment letter confirming funds will only be used for the purposes that were identified in the application. Staff members from the AGO’s Environmental Protection Division will be available to assist with this process.
Who do I contact if I have any questions?
Please send all questions to the AGO EPD EJ Fund email account here: environmentaljusticefund@mass.gov. Please be sure to leave your contact information with your inquiry.