
Green Equity Initiative Grants
Awarding grants to charities that support green environmental sustainability.
Winners of the 2022 Green Equity Initiative Grant Program
The BECU Foundation is excited to announce the inaugural recipients of our 2022 Green Equity Initiative Grant.
Nine local nonprofits have been selected to receive grants that are designed to help sustain their work in renewable energy, circular innovation and green workforce development.
Addressing Climate Change
Washington Wild protects and restores wild lands and waters in Washington state. They achieve this goal through advocacy, education and civic engagement.
Project description: Indigenous Climate Impacts Oral History
In collaboration with This Is Indian Country, Washington Wild will use their grant funds to produce 15 three to five-minute video interviews with tribal elders and leaders.
EarthGen equips youth to grow their power as changemakers for a healthy environment. Through EarthGen's science-based, action-oriented programs, young people gain the knowledge, skills and experience they need to become leaders for climate solutions and environmental justice.
Project description: Expanding Youth Climate Science Education and Action Through Technology
EarthGen will use their grant funds to help expand access to climate science education and action for K-12 students in Washington state. The grant will help advance environmental and climate justice solutions in Washington through implementation of technology.
Our Climate empowers young people to advocate for the science-based, equitable and intersectional climate justice policies that build a thriving world. They train youth from affected communities and groups to participate in broad and diverse advocacy coalitions.
Project Description: Empowering Young Climate Justice Leaders in Washington
Our Climate will create a structured curriculum to train young people across Washington to become powerful climate advocates.
Elevating Circular Innovation
Refugee Artisan Initiative (RAI) partners with immigrant women to foster an inclusive, prosperous transition to the US through artisan skills training in zero waste and small batch manufacturing.
Project Description: Coffee Bag Reuse: Upcycled Rollstock Portable Outdoor Gear
Contributing to our circular economy, RAI's Upcycled Rollstock Portable Outdoor Gear project will divert coffee bags from landfills by upcycling them into a diverse portfolio of household products.
Bike Works promotes the bicycle as a vehicle for change to empower youth and build resilient communities.
Project Description: Bike Works Recycle & Reuse Expansion & Support
Support the growth and effectiveness of our Recycle & Reuse (R&R) initiative. The R&R team processes between 7,000 - 8,000 bike donations every year for use in our youth & adult programs, free bike giveaways and social enterprise bike shop.
Supporting Workforce Development Focused on Renewable Energy
The Black Farmers Collective seeks to build a Black-led food system by developing a cooperative network of food system actors, acquiring and stewarding land, facilitating food system education and creating space for Black liberation in healing and joy.
Project Description: Stewarding the next Generation of Black Farmers
Their vision is to steward a new generation of Black farmers, bridge the gaps in our current food systems and strive toward food sovereignty and Black liberation.
Center for Inclusive Entrepreneurship (CIE) Community Enterprise Program provides training, one-on-one advising, and other support to help with the first steps of building a business, from idea generation to solidly established and ready to grow. We are currently serving people in Clallam, Jefferson, Skagit, Island, and North Snohomish Counties.
Project Description: The North Olympic Peninsula Green Equity Accelerator Emerald Cities Collaborative
CIE will pilot a social enterprise accelerator for emerging social entrepreneurs in marginalized and BIPOC rural communities including Clallam and Jefferson counties.
Emerald Cities Collaborative is a national nonprofit network of organizations that work to advance a sustainable environment while creating just and inclusive economies with opportunities for all. It's an approach they call "the high road." ECC develops energy, green infrastructure and other sustainable development projects that not only contribute to the resilience of our metropolitan regions but also ensures an equity stake for low-income communities of color in the green economy.
Project Description: E-Contractor Program
Emerald Cities E-Contractor Program (Academy and Accelerator) provides small minority construction businesses (MBE) with a comprehensive training program, support services and business opportunities to enable rapid and profitable growth, particularly in the clean and renewable energy sector.
Harbor WildWatch inspires knowledge of the Puget Sound, and greater Salish Sea by providing learning opportunities about the environment to our community and beyond.
Project Description: Developing the Next Generation of Environmental Sustainability Professionals
Harbor WildWatch is working to support the implementation of a new internship program across four counties that will reduces access barriers for BIPOC and marginalized students. The goal is to help provide the experience needed to secure first jobs in the field of environmental sustainability.
Congratulations to our 2022 Green Equity Initiative Grant winners!
Background on the Grant
The Green Equity Initiative Program is our commitment to reducing our collective carbon footprint through green workforce development and entrepreneurship.
Up to $875,000 total has been allocated for this groundbreaking program. Through an invitation-only proposal submission process, selected charities in BECU service areas will be awarded grants ranging between $50,000 and $150,000.
Selected charities will support workforce development and entrepreneurship in the following areas:
- Renewable energy
- Circular innovation (waste-to-use)
- Environmental and Climate justice
More specifically, selected charities will apply their grant funds to support:
- Administrative and program costs associated with helping start micro businesses.
- Social enterprise accelerators for emerging entrepreneurs and small business owners.
- BIPOC workers and business growth in the construction and green energy industry.
- Pitch competitions for students and startup businesses on PreCycle, Circular Innovation, and renewable energy projects and tools.
Join us in congratulating the 2022 recipients of the Green Equity Initiative Grant!
For general questions about the BECU Green Equity Initiative Grant Program, please email: socialimpact@becu.org.