The Greenlining Institute Supports BIPOC Community Organizations to Secure $117 Million in Investments to Advance Climate Justice Through Greenlining the Block

Greenlining the Block community partners secured $117 million in additional capital investments to fund neighborhood-level infrastructure solutions to climate change

Oakland, CA - Today, The Greenlining Institute announced that community partners through the Institute's Greenlining the Block initiative have secured over $117 million in additional capital investments to fund neighborhood-level infrastructure solutions to climate change. Partners that secured funding are people of color-led community-based organizations across the country building climate resilience in neighborhoods that have faced disinvestment and, as a result, are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Greenlining the Block was launched in 2023 by The Greenlining Institute with a commitment of $10M in funding to support community-led visions for climate action. This major milestone is a testament to Greenlining the Block's innovative community and partnership-driven model, which aims to strengthen local ecosystems in communities of color, enabling them to effectively pursue and access public and private climate resources to advance their visions for climate resilience.

"Communities of color on the frontlines of climate change-those who have been systematically disinvested in for generations-are the ones who know best what their neighborhoods need. Our mission through Greenlining the Block is to transform how billions of dollars in climate investments can reach these communities of color, ensuring they are not just recipients, but leaders in shaping their own communities. The historic opportunities presented by the Justice40 Initiative, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the Inflation Reduction Act give us a once-in-a-generation chance to finally invest in critical infrastructure in the communities that need it most. By empowering local leaders and securing the resources necessary to bring their visions to life, we're not just building infrastructure-we're building power and resilience in communities of color," said George Lee, Director of Greenlining the Block at The Greenlining Institute.

Recent successes secured through Greenlining the Block include:

• Active San Gabriel Valley secured $34.2 million, including a $20 million EPA Climate Change grant and a $9.8 million grant for the Norwood Elementary Greening Project.
• Casa Familiar received a total of $10.5 million in grants to support the development of the La Semilla Resilience Center, which broke ground on construction in July 2024.
• Environmental Health Coalition in partnership with the San Diego Foundation, secured a $28.2 million Transformative Climate Communities grant to fund projects that will improve San Diego residents' access to clean and safe transportation, electrify homes, add energy storage, install air filters, perform weatherization upgrades, and connect residents to clean energy job opportunities and apprenticeships.
• City Heights CDC secured $3.3 million from the California Air Resources Board to develop bike and pedestrian infrastructure that will connect their four under-construction Cuatro affordable housing developments to public transit options.
• Eastside Community Network secured $2.7 million to expand its wellness campus and resilience & mobility center.

About Greenlining the Block

Greenlining the Block is an initiative developed by The Greenlining Institute to support communities of color to prepare for and maximize federal, state, and local infrastructure investments to drive effective climate action that meets community needs. Greenlining the Block works to strengthen community-based organizations to advance climate justice neighborhood projects in communities across California, Colorado, Illinois, North Carolina, and Michigan.

Historically, communities of color have endured systemic disinvestment, discrimination, and neglect, leaving them highly vulnerable to the worsening impacts of climate change. In addition, these communities often face higher barriers to accessing the resources they need to build climate resilience.

Key Components of Greenlining the Block:

• Community Visioning, Planning, and Partnerships: Projects are rooted in community needs and driven by strong multi-stakeholder partnerships, turning community visions into actionable projects.
• Capital Project Development in Design Development, Site Control & Capital Stacking: Technical assistance, collaborative learning and one-on-one coaching are included to help communities identify funding opportunities and increase their project and project team readiness.
• Grant Application Processes: Support is given for transforming project plans into viable applications for local, regional, or federal funding, ensuring communities can secure the resources they need.
• Community Development and Climate Financing: Greenlining engages with public and financial institutions to shape investments that prioritize communities of color and adhere to the principles of the Justice40 initiative.

For more information about Greenlining the Block and its transformative work, please visit greenliningtheblock.org.

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