2024 Midwest Frontline Fund Applications are Open

The Midwest Frontline Fund (formerly our Small Grants Program) provides general operating grants to grassroots and frontline environmental justice organizations throughout the Midwest. This year, awards range from $20,000 to $30,000. As of Wednesday, June 12th, applications are now open and will be accepted through Wednesday, July 31st!

Organizations that are awarded a grant become part of the Midwest Environmental Justice Network, which provides shared learning opportunities and capacity building for our partners across the region. The Frontline Fund is guided by our Advisory Circle. Made up of grassroots leaders from across the Midwest, our Advisory Circle informs organizational eligibility, selection criteria and priorities, and serves as ambassadors for the Fund. Final funding decisions are made by the Midwest Environmental Justice Network Leadership Team. Since 2016, MWEJN has supported over 50 environmental justice organizations totaling more than $4 million in grants. We are excited to continue this work in 2024.

You can find out more about past grantees, eligibility, and the history of our grant-making here.

Eligibility:

• Non-profit organizations (501(c)3s and 501(c)4s, organizations with

• fiscal sponsors, and Tribal governments)

• Organizations that are rooted in, made up of, and accountable to communities of color, low-income communities, Tribes, and American Indian/First Nations communities who are most impacted by environmental and public health issues will be prioritized

• Organizations must work on EJ issues in these 12 Midwestern states: IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI and the Native Nations that share this geography

• Organizations must be committed to building grassroots power and leadership

How to Apply:

• Eligible applicants can submit their applications online up until Wednesday, July 31st. Please note: we suggest writing your narrative answers in a separate document, as your answers will not be saved if you close the form. Application questions can be viewed in advance on the Midwest Frontline Fund page of our website.

• If submitting the application online is a challenge for you/your organization, please reach out to Eartha Borer-Bell (eborerbell@mwejn.org), and we can set up a time to complete the application over the phone.

  We believe in relationships, and we welcome an open line of communication between partners and staff of MWEJN. We are here to uplift and support our Network partners in whatever way we can. If there are any questions about the Midwest Frontline Fund, please reach out to Eartha at eborerbell@mwejn.org