Environmental Justice and Climate Change Grants for Tribes

The Department of Health consulted with Tribes to develop two grant programs, the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act 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).

Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act Tribal Capacity Grant

We are excited to announce that as of February 2025 we have granted funds to 19 Tribes, totaling $10.5 million.

Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act Tribal Capacity Grants are non-competitive grants awarded to eligible tribes to provide guidance and input to:

Agencies on implementation of the HEAL Act,
The Environmental Justice Council on implementation of the HEAL Act, and
The Department of Health on updates to the Environmental Health Disparities Map.

In 2021, the Legislature passed the HEAL Act, which requires extensive tribal consultation by agencies, created the Environmental Justice Council, and resourced the Department of Health to maintain and update the Environmental Health Disparities Map. In fall 2022, the Environmental Justice Council in their Climate Commitment Act funding recommendations (PDF) and budget priorities (PDF) recommended the Legislature create a grant program to resource tribes, tribal organizations, and communities in engaging with HEAL agencies and the Environmental Justice Council. In 2023, the Legislature established this grant program.

Funding

Amount of funding available: $11.7 million.

Estimated Funding Range: Base award up to $403,450. Additional funds will be redistributed based on availability. Tribal organizations will be eligible for any unspent funds, not to exceed 15% of $11.7 million.

Amount of matching funds required: None.

Indirect costs allowable: Yes.

Eligibility: Any Federally Recognized Indian Tribe with HEAL Act impacts to rights and interests in their tribal lands (RCW 70A.02.010).

Expected Period of Performance: Through June 30, 2025.

Application deadline: November 13, 2024

Applications Timeline and Process

This funding process is non-competitive. Tribes may apply by completing the Grant Overview and Application (PDF) and sending it to ejgrants@doh.wa.gov. Once completed, a member of our team will reach out to finalize your statement of work.

For a summary of the HEAL Tribal Capacity grant, review the Readiness Checklist (PDF). Information about financial, contract, and project administration considerations and eligible activities are included that can be used to determine readiness/eligibility to apply for the HEAL Tribal Capacity grant.

Funds may support activities that include, but are not limited to:

Consultation with agencies regarding HEAL Act-covered activities, such as environmental justice assessments, agency rules, and agency request legislation. Submitting to an agency (or agencies) a summary of issues, questions, concerns, or other statements regarding a proposed project with environmental justice impacts.
Requesting and engaging in meetings with state agencies or the Governor’s Office to review and resolve consultation issues or disputes or participating in formal mediation for HEAL Act activities.
Attending Environmental Justice Council meetings, subcommittee meetings, meeting with Councilmembers or staff.
Providing comments, attending technical meetings, or interacting with Department of Health staff regarding the maintenance or updates to the Environmental Health Disparities Map.
Assessing tribal needs or impacts of the HEAL Act on a tribe or their community.

More Information

Healthy Environment for All Act Tribal Capacity Grant Application (PDF)

Slide presentation from the information session (PDF)

Workplace Safety for Workers Affected by Climate Change

The Workplace Safety for Workers Affected by Climate Change grant program focuses on supporting workplace health and safety for workers who are burdened by the intersection of their work and climate impacts. The program is for workers affected by changes to our climate, 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 and includes grants to buy and distribute needed supplies. Funding may also be used to cover distribution costs including but not limited to storage space, delivery costs of supplies, and hosting distribution events. This is an ongoing grant program. Funding may be used for outdoor workers in the following fields but is not limited to fisheries, treaty rights, first foods cultivating and harvesting.

Funding

Amount of funding available: $2 million

Estimated funding range: Base award up to $62,500. Additional funds will be redistributed to Tribes based on availability.

Amount of matching funds required: None.

Indirect costs allowable: Yes.

Eligibility: Any Federally Recognized Indian Tribe with HEAL Act impacts to rights and interests in their tribal lands (RCW 70A.02.010).

Expected Period of Performance: Through June 30, 2025.

Application deadline: January 3, 2025

Application timeline and process

Timeline:

Application release date	August 30, 2024
Completed Informational webinars	September 11, 2024 September 17, 2024
Initial application period due date*	October 31, 2024
Application due date	Apply by January 3, 2025
Funding period end date	June 30, 2025

This funding process is non-competitive. Tribes may apply by completing the Request for Application (RFA) and sending it to ejgrants@doh.wa.gov.

*After the initial application period, Tribes receiving an initial award may request additional project funding using unspent funds. DOH will accept applications on a rolling basis until January 3, 2025.