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OEC Provides Local Grant Funding for Environmental Justice Work in Cleveland

Cleveland, OH — The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) Cleveland team is proud to announce the recipients of our 2020 Partner Up Support Grant to eight Greater Cleveland organizations leading and supporting the local environmental justice community through programming, services, advocacy, and education.

OEC Cleveland Metro Director Karlton Laster said, “As a statewide environmental policy organization, one of our greatest priorities is to foster strong and healthy local partnerships with organizations, large and small, who are leading in on important environmental justice work in their communities.”

Grants of up to $2,000 have been awarded to: 

  • Black Environmental Leaders: Support to hire a digital consultant to execute their Strategic Plan
  • Cleveland Owns Co-Op: Support for community solar garden projects throughout Cleveland
  • Cleveland Votes & NAACP-Cleveland Branch: Support for a graphic design and digital engagement project detailing the impacts of COVID-19 on Cleveland’s environment & community
  • Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Support for their diversity, equity, and inclusion committee’s work
  • Global Shapers – Cleveland Hub: Support to host a Northeast Ohio Youth Climate Forum and provide small grants to students
  • Organic Connects: Support to host an urban field trip for students featuring a Community Clean-Up and Women of Color Nature Retreat
  • Rid-All Green Partnership: Support to provide food supplies to low-income minority communities
  • The Trust for Public Land & LAND Studio: Support for art and community engagement components for a community art installation and greenspace project

“For me, especially as a person of color, it is imperative that we do our utmost, at all times, to emphasize diversity, equity and inclusion in the environmental and environmental justice movements locally and statewide,” Laster added. He noted that each of the organizations receiving Partner Up grant funding serves communities of color or is led by a person of color. Partner Up grant applications were evaluated and scored based on their application’s emphasis on environmental justice, community engagement, social impact and project feasibility.

The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) is the state’s most comprehensive environmental advocate for a healthier, more sustainable Ohio. The OEC develops and ensures the implementation of forward-thinking, science-based, pragmatic solutions to secure healthy air, land, and water for all who call Ohio home. Learn more at theoec.org. The OEC’s Cleveland Program was launched in Fall 2019. To learn more, contact Karlton Laster at klaster@theoec.org.