MONTPELIER, VT– Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s announcement that Vermont’s Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) will receive $50 million provided through the EPA’s National Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program, part of the Biden Administration’s ‘Investing in America’ agenda. As a National Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaker, the ISC will help small, in-need community-based organizations with support, coordination, and oversight to stakeholders over the next three years. 

“For decades, the Institute for Sustainable Communities has been dedicated to improving the health of people and our environment by facilitating a long-term, equitable transition to a net-zero economy. I am delighted that this home-grown Vermont institute has been selected to become a ‘Grantmaker’ of EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program, which will enable the institute to assist environmental justice-driven organizations in their crucial efforts to combat climate change through sustainable, equitable practices,” said Senator Welch. 

“ISC is thrilled to work with the Environmental Protection Agency to support its national Environmental Justice Grantmaking efforts alongside our partners at the Emerald City Collaborative, Groundwork USA, the Urban Sustainability Directors Network, the Trust for Public Land, and the River Network. We welcome this opportunity to reduce the barriers communities face in applying for federal grants through a bottom up, community-centric approach, and recognize the important role of multi sectoral partnerships like the EJ TCGM program to mitigate cumulative impacts of the climate crisis in overburdened communities,” said ISC President Rebecca Kaduru. 

The EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program was established as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which Sen. Welch helped pass as member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Grantmakers will work in collaboration with the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCTACs) to create a robust support network to assist eligible community-based entities.  

Read the full announcement from the EPA here. 

Learn more about the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmakers.   

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