Partners for Places Equity Pilot Initiative

Program Type: Specialized equity-focused sustainability grant program

Overview:
A two-year pilot program created as part of The Funders Network's ongoing commitment to equity and inclusion. This initiative provides financial and technical support to a cohort of cities and their place-based foundation partners to use an equity lens when advancing sustainability and climate action.

Award Details:

• $405,000 awarded in recent round to 7 cities
• Two-year funding commitment
• Includes financial and technical assistance

Focus Areas:

• Environmental justice and equity
• Addressing disproportionate environmental harm to low-income communities and people of color
• Climate action with equity lens
• Community resilience and health

Geographic Scope: National (7+ participating cities)

Funding Partners:

• The Kendeda Fund
• The Kresge Foundation

Key Principle:
"Low-income communities and people of color are disproportionately harmed by environmental hazards and the effects of climate change. We need to put equity at the heart of community-based sustainability efforts to ensure that everyone has a chance to live in a vibrant, healthy, resilient community regardless of their zip code." - Diane Ives, The Kendeda Fund

Special Features:

• Cohort-based learning model
• Grantees share insights and progress with peer cities
• Technical support provided alongside grants
• Multi-year commitment for sustained impact

Application Process

Structure:

• Partnership required between local government and place-based foundation
• Equity lens applied to proposal development and evaluation
• Technical support provided throughout grant period

Focus Areas for Proposals:

• Centering equity in sustainability initiatives
• Benefiting low-income residents and communities of color
• Environmental health and climate resilience
• Community engagement and leadership

Support Provided:

• Financial grants
• Technical assistance
• Peer learning with other grantees
• Capacity building support