2020 Grantmaking

In 2020, the Just Transition Fund will hold two distinct grantmaking cycles that align with Fund’s high-level, organizational goals and strategies. In the communities most affected by the changing coal economy, we’ll prioritize projects from organizations working to create economic opportunity and strengthen local economies through community economic development strategies, workforce programs, transition-related policy, and long-term community transition planning. The two 2020 grantmaking cycles are:

• Community Economic and Workforce Development. This cycle focuses on innovative organizations that are working to create high road jobs, equitably build local prosperity and wealth, and improve the economic conditions of workers and marginalized community members.
• Policy & Planning.  This cycle focuses on organizations that are working to advance local, state, and federal transition-related policies. Our planning grants support nascent community planning efforts and help communities access specialized expert resources and apply for federal grants. 

We accept proposal submissions from organizations on our RFP list and continually look to add new organizations to the list. To ensure your group is eligible to be considered for future RFPs, please see our grantmaking inquiry form information below. 

Rapid Response Fund

To respond to immediate opportunities, we maintain a Rapid Response Fund. Designed to be accessed quickly, this funding pool is available only to grantees and key partners working on urgent, time-sensitive projects and policies that have the potential to significantly advance (or impede) community economic transition efforts. This includes capacity grants to help communities enhance the competitiveness of federal grant programs applications. To learn more about the program and eligibility, please contact Sara Sweeney (ssweeney@justtransitionfund.org).

Grantmaking Inquiry Form

We’re interested in learning more about your organization’s work on economic transition. Before COVID-19, coal facilities were closing at a rapid rate that the pandemic has only accelerated. If these closures are affecting your community and your organization is responding, we want to hear from you. Please complete this form and tell us more about the conditions in your community. We’re particularly interested in programs that improve the economic conditions of low-income, people of color, and/or women. If your organization is a fit, we’ll contact you and add you to our list of upcoming grantmaking announcements. Please note: This form is NOT a letter of inquiry.