The Na’ah Illahee Fund (NIF), in partnership with four community-based organizations—Front & Centered, Asia Pacific Cultural Center (APCC), Latino Community Fund, and Washington State Coalition of African Community Leaders (WASCL)—has launched the Healthy Environments for All (HEAL) Grant. This initiative provides $3 million in funding to support Indigenous-led efforts in Washington State that advance environmental justice, community health, and cultural resilience. The HEAL Grant seeks to empower Indigenous communities in addressing environmental disparities while strengthening traditional ecological knowledge and cultural well-being.

The HEAL Grant is designed to support initiatives that focus on key areas such as environmental justice, Indigenous food security, green infrastructure, and civic engagement. Projects may include efforts to mitigate pollution, promote sustainable food systems, implement clean energy solutions, and foster community engagement in environmental justice issues. Priority will be given to projects that align with the HEAL Act, which seeks to ensure equitable access to a healthy environment for overburdened and vulnerable communities.

Eligible applicants include Indigenous-led nonprofits (501(c)(3)), Tribal Nations, and fiscally sponsored community groups that are working to advance environmental justice for Indigenous communities in Washington State. To qualify, projects must directly benefit Indigenous communities within the state and align with the grant’s environmental justice and sustainability goals. Grantees are eligible for only one Na’ah Illahee Fund grant per calendar year but may reapply in subsequent years.

The HEAL Grant offers awards ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to support general operating expenses or project-specific costs. The Na’ah Illahee Fund has allocated a total of $400,000 for this round of funding. Grants will be distributed upfront as part of a trust-based approach, and grantees will have flexibility in defining and reporting their impact through a structured yet adaptable reporting process.

Applications must be submitted through the online JustFund grant platform. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend an informational webinar on March 5, 2025, at 2:00 PM PST. The deadline to apply is April 1, 2025, at 5:00 PM PST. The review and selection process will be conducted by the Na’ah Illahee HEAL Committee, which consists of individuals with lived experience in frontline communities across Washington. Funding decisions will prioritize projects that serve the most vulnerable populations and demonstrate innovative, solutions-oriented approaches rooted in cultural traditions.

For assistance with the application process, applicants may contact Janine Savok at janine@naahillahee.org or +1-206-659-5860. The Na’ah Illahee Fund aims to build capacity among Indigenous communities through financial support and by fostering connections among grantees via convenings and gatherings focused on environmental justice in Washington State.