Environmental Justice for California's Environment and Communities Fund (EJ-CEC)

Environmental Justice for California's Environment and Communities Fund (EJ-CEC) is sponsored by Rose Foundation. This fund supports projects addressing hazardous waste related issues faced by areas affected by environmental protection violations in California.

Environmental Justice for California’s Environment and Communities Fund - Rose Foundation Environmental Justice for California’s Environment and Communities Fund This funding opportunity is borne out of a partnership with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control to receive Supplemental Environmental Project money associated with the agency’s enforcement actions.

The Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment is administering these funds to support organizations working on hazardous waste related issues throughout the area affected by the facility’s violations. The funding opportunity is expected to be offered on an annual basis once established, though availability is dependent on DTSC enforcement actions. This Fund is closed for 2026.

Below details are for information purposes only. Important Dates for 2026: April 16, 2026 - RFP Announcement/Application Opens June 18, 2026 - Applications Due September 2026 - Grant Awards Announced Eligibility And Priorities Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, fiscally-sponsored by a 501(c)(3), a local governmental entity, or tribal entity.

The applicant must demonstrate the capacity to complete the proposed project, including experience in successfully conducting similar or related work in the past, or otherwise relevant skills and experience. Organizations with an active grant from this fund are not eligible to reapply. However, if your organization has an active grant from a different Rose fund, you may be eligible.

The location for funding is subject to change each cycle as funding is wholly dependent on the location of DTSC enforcement actions. Regardless of specific location, projects should benefit underserved, Environmental Justice communities or Disadvantaged Communities (DACs) as designated by a CalEnviroScreen 4. 0 score of 75 and above and should demonstrate a high degree of community support and community involvement.

While the applicant’s offices may be located outside of the DAC, they must explain how the proposed work will benefit particular DACs.

For 2026, there will be four locations available for grant projects: Eastern Counties of the SF Bay Area (Alameda, Contra Costa, Solano, or San Joaquin Counties) Orange and Los Angeles Counties Examples of Allowable Projects Projects must be designed to prevent or mitigate hazardous waste contamination or provide education about the proper disposal of hazardous wastes and include and further DTSC’s purpose of cleaning up the environment benefitting communities with a Cal EnviroScreen 4.

0 score of 75 or higher in the vicinity of the facility. You can find more information about the scope of allowable projects and activities here .

Projects will be considered that have significant contributions at the intersection of hazardous waste and one or more of the following: E pidemiological data collection and analysis, medical examinations of potentially affected persons Rehabilitation therapy , and improvements to the physical and mental health of impacted communities related to hazardous waste, materials, or substances All of the above will be considered insofar as they primarily benefit the population harmed or put at risk by known violations Pollution Prevention and/or Reduction Working with communities and the public to inform them about non-hazardous substitutes and proper disposal of waste.

Public education that leads to changing practices or behaviors that result in pollution prevention.

Working with industry to change practices or behaviors that result in pollution prevention such as modification to equipment, technology, processes, or procedures; reformulation or redesign of products; substitution of raw materials; and improvements in housekeeping, maintenance, training, inventory control, or other operation and maintenance procedures.

Environmental Restoration & Protection Improves the overall condition of the ecosystem Protects endangered species Remediates facilities and buildings by removing or mitigating contaminated materials Environmental Compliance Promotion Providing training and technical assistance to workers within a regulated industry so that they maintain compliance with existing environmental law.

This may include producing a seminar, or online training, directly related to correcting widespread or prevalent violations pertaining to hazardous materials.

Supporting community-based environmental compliance projects, which may include support of community-based violation reporting networks (e.g., Identifying Violations Affecting Neighborhoods or IVAN), community task forces, fence-line monitoring projects, trainings, forums, or projects that promote community-based monitoring and reduction of adverse environmental impacts.

Education, Emergency Planning & Preparedness Supporting community-based emergency preparedness and response in communities that may be impacted by hazardous wastes, materials, or substances during emergencies such as earthquake, fire, flood, or any incident that results in a hazardous substance release.

Projects that inform and educate communities how to stay safe in emergency situations involving hazardous wastes, materials, or substances releases, how to receive emergency alerts, how to shelter in place, or how to prepare their homes and neighborhoods for emergency situations.

Collecting and publicizing information about chemicals and hazardous wastes, materials, or substances that can impact or harm the community or environment from neighboring facilities.

Supporting local schools, businesses, and communities through purchasing and storing emergency supplies and shelter in place materials, making and practicing a plan for emergencies, and identifying the safest location for sheltering during an emergency involving hazardous wastes, materials, or substances.

Examples of Projects Not Allowed The following activities or types of projects will not be funded: Grants to support litigation or lobbying. Grants to individuals or for-profit businesses. Duration of Support and Grant Size Most grants are for a one-year period; however, you may request a shorter or longer grant period if that is what you need.

Established non-profit organizations are encouraged to seek grants in the $20,000 to $50,000 range. The Rose Foundation also welcomes proposals from small grassroots conservation and environmental justice groups, but the requested amount should be in the $5,000 to $10,000 range. Please read these instructions carefully and follow them step by step.

1. Check Your Project's Eligibility 2. Create An Online Account 3.

Complete & Submit An Application 1. Check Your Project's Eligibility Review Eligibility Criteria and Application Materials Please check all eligibility requirements before starting the application. Please read the following application instructions carefully and follow them step by step.

Instructions for Online Grant Submissions 2. Create An Online Account To begin your application, create a profile in our online grants system. You will be asked to enter your Federal Tax ID or Employer Identification Number (EIN).

If you are fiscally sponsored, please enter your sponsor’s EIN. If you do not have your own EIN or a fiscal sponsor, enter 00-0000000. 3.

Complete & Submit An Application Submit an Application Online Interested applicants must create an account and submit an application via our online application system. Once you are signed in to your account, go to the “Apply” menu at the top left of the page and select the application for the current round of the California Watershed Protection Fund. Applications must be submitted by 5PM PT on the due date.

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