Environmental Justice 2002 - 2016
Cedar Tree Foundation historically maintained Environmental Justice as a cross cutting issue in all program areas and it remains a theme in current grant making. In past Environmental Health, Sustainable Agriculture, Environmental Education and Civic Engagement grantmaking, the Foundation often explored how to best support marginalized communities of color impacted by these issues, understanding that communities of color and low-income communities most often suffer the larger burden of environmental pollution and should be leaders in identifying solutions. Click on the pictures below for highlights of past Cedar Tree grantees with strong Environmental Justice components.
Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples, Inc.
Cedar Tree funding provided general support as well as project support for the organization’s Rights of Nature and Land Defenders and Water Protectors Programs which work in different capacities to support Native community organizers to respond to threats to the earth's ability to nurture and sustain life. The Fund utilizes a wealth of strategies, from rapid response regranting to capacity building and support for community based non-profits and international advocacy to help amplify the voice of Native Peoples and advance traditional ecological wisdom with the intention of preserving Indigenous sovereignty to protect sacred lands, waters and species.
Deep South Center for Environmental Justice
Deep South Center for Environmental Justice is dedicated to supporting vulnerable communities in the face of pollution and climate change. Cedar Tree funding helped to support this organization’s work around rebuilding New Orleans and the surrounding Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Center for Race, Poverty & Environment
CRPE received general support funding to work with communities most impacted by environmental threats, helping them to create systemic change in their own backyards. The organization used community organizing, legal representation, policy advocacy, and coalition building to facilitate this work.
The Common Market
Common Market received general support funding to increase the accessibility of local, sustainably grown food throughout the Mid-Atlantic region (paying particular consideration to populations that lack access to fresh food), while improving the viability of family farms. The organization’s thoughtful approach works to achieve a food system that is fair to growers, farm workers, consumers, and the environment.
SisterSong
SisterSong is a Southern based, national membership organization; their purpose is to build an effective network of individuals and organizations to improve institutional policies and systems that impact the reproductive lives of marginalized communities. Cedar Tree funding was used to support SisterSong’s exploration of the overlap between environmental health and reproductive health.
Cultivate Kansas City
Cultivate Kansas City is an urban agriculture nonprofit working to create a democratic, just, and sustainable and local food system for all. They work to achieve these outcomes by supporting local farm and food businesses, expanding food access, and working to ensure that local food is integrated into the civic life of their community. Between 2008 - 2011, Cedar Tree supported the organization’s urban agriculture work which helped to expand sustainable agriculture in Kansas City while diversifying both the industry and customer base for urban growers.
Updated 9/2020