Elevate celebrates Justice Climate Fund’s Award from the Environmental Protection Agency

CHICAGO – Elevate, a proud partner in the Justice Climate Fund (JCF) Coalition, celebrates that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) selected the JCF to begin award negotiations for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA) program. The JCF has been selected to receive approximately $1 billion in funding, which represents a significant milestone in advancing climate solutions and their many benefits to our nation’s communities and homes.

As a dedicated partner of the Justice Climate Fund, Elevate is proud to contribute to efforts to scale up the deployment of affordable, equitable clean energy improvements for disadvantaged American families, businesses, and communities.

“Families nationwide have long needed access to equitable resources that protect our health and environment. Elevate is proud to have been selected with our partners in the Justice Climate Fund to start the process of receiving a billion dollars in funding,” said Anne Evens, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer at Elevate. “This investment from the EPA and the Biden-Harris administration will help improve our nation’s affordable and clean energy efforts for a brighter tomorrow.”

While environmental nonprofits continue to build resiliency, we want to ensure that families nationwide have financial equity, and this comes through grants like the one from the EPA. Elevate is proud to be at the forefront of equity through climate action as we look into the future.

“This is a pivotal moment of opportunity for organizations and a time to recognize the unique challenges faced by the people we serve. They bear the dual burden of preparing for the future impacts of the climate crisis while also grappling with the repercussions of past policies,” said Abigail Corso, Chief Strategy Officer at Elevate. “We are committed to partnering with our colleagues at the Justice Climate Fund to cultivate healthier, more resilient, and truly equitable communities.”

This federal funding will help our country meet climate goals and reduce air pollution, advancing a better future for rural and urban families, including the communities we serve. In addition to reducing carbon emissions, the investments will also deliver greater economic security, creating better-paying jobs and opportunities for small businesses across the country while fostering financial inclusion via America’s Main Street financial institutions – the very community lenders that have delivered, for decades, financial opportunity, security, and prosperity to struggling Americans.

Elevate is a nonprofit organization that works nationally and is headquartered in Chicago. Elevate designs and implements programs to ensure that everyone has clean and affordable heat, power, and water in their homes and communities —no matter who they are or where they live.

The Justice Climate Fund s a purpose-built nonprofit financial institution that is building the field and deploying capital through CDFIs, credit unions, MDIs and green banks, and specialty finance firms as to enable families, communities and businesses to save money while investing in a greener and safer future. JCF is founded by the Community Builders of Color Coalition. It is steered by a Board that includes the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs, the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders, Inclusiv, National Bankers Association, Oweesta Corporation, Opportunity Finance Network, Partners for the Common Good and Community Development Bankers Association, ImpactAssets, the Housing Partnership Network, and Connecticut Green Bank. They have come together to ensure that all communities equitably benefit from the GGRF. See www.justiceclimatefund.org.