Healthy Environment for All Tribal Capacity Grant

The Healthy Environment for All Tribal Capacity Grant is administered by the Washington State Department of Health as part of the state’s broader implementation of the Healthy Environment for All Act. This legislation, passed in 2021, is designed to reduce environmental and health disparities, improve equitable distribution of environmental benefits, and enhance overall public health outcomes across Washington State. The Department of Health works in coordination with several other state agencies, including the Departments of Commerce, Agriculture, Transportation, Natural Resources, Ecology, and the Puget Sound Partnership, to implement the goals of the Act. The grant program reflects recommendations from the Environmental Justice Council and is funded through the state’s Climate Commitment Act. The primary purpose of the Tribal Capacity Grant is to support federally recognized Tribes in Washington State in building capacity to engage in environmental justice initiatives and provide formal input into state-level decision-making processes. The grant is structured as a non-competitive funding opportunity, ensuring that all eligible Tribes can receive base funding to participate in implementation efforts. Funding is intended to strengthen Tribal engagement with state agencies and advisory bodies, particularly in shaping policies related to environmental health disparities and climate impacts. Grant funds may be used for a variety of activities aligned with the HEAL Act’s objectives. Eligible uses include organizing youth-focused gatherings to increase awareness of environmental justice, hosting summits related to traditional foods and climate impacts, conducting environmental or community health assessments, and facilitating community engagement events. Tribes may also use funding to support staffing needs, such as hiring environmental policy analysts to participate in consultations with state agencies. Additionally, funds may be used to develop plans and provide guidance for updates to the Environmental Health Disparities Map. Eligibility for the grant is limited to federally recognized Tribes with rights and interests in Tribal lands located within Washington State boundaries. The program is inclusive of Tribal governments and supports continued participation from Tribes that have previously received funding in earlier biennia. Funding can be used to sustain or expand ongoing projects, ensuring continuity in environmental justice efforts. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement specified for this program. The application process requires applicants to download and complete official application materials and submit them via email to the Environmental Justice Grants Program. The Department of Health offers application support through information sessions and direct engagement opportunities with the grants team. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis within approximately ten days of submission, and applicants may be contacted to clarify their proposed scope of work. The application period for this funding cycle opens on October 3, 2025, and remains open until June 30, 2026. Awards are issued with a performance period extending through June 30, 2027. After the close of the application window, additional funds may be distributed to participating Tribes if resources remain available. This grant is part of a biennial funding cycle tied to state budget appropriations and may be expected to recur in future funding periods, although specific future dates are not explicitly confirmed.

Ensure proposed activities align clearly with HEAL Act goals and demonstrate meaningful Tribal engagement and policy input; clearly define scope of work to avoid delays during review