On August 8, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency announced $19 million in grants for Dillard University and their partner United Way of Southeast Louisiana to help disadvantaged communities tackle environmental and climate justice challenges. The funding is made available through IRA section 60201, which funds the Community Change Grants Program. This investment funds projects that will reduce pollution, strengthen community resilience to natural disasters, improve transportation access, and retrofit several public buildings.
The Community Change Grants Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), administered through EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, is still accepting applications through November 21, 2024. EPA will continue to review applications and announce selections on a rolling basis.