Funding available for community education, organizing, testing for PFAS

Deadline for groups, individuals to submit applications is Sept. 12

AUGUST 28, 2023

LANSING - The Great Lakes PFAS Action Network is accepting applications for mini-grants through Sept. 12 from nonprofit groups or individuals focused on community education, organizing or testing for PFAS. 

According to the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART), there are currently more than 260 confirmed PFAS contamination sites in the state of Michigan with more than 11,000 suspected PFAS sites throughout the state.   

The Community Action Mini-Grants Program will provide impacted communities across Great Lake states support through:

  • PFAS Education and Awareness Raising

  • PFAS Research and Testing

  • Community Organizing

“Providing funding to impacted communities, local organizations and individuals is central to our mission of bringing impacted communities together to address toxic PFAS contamination,” said Tony Spaniola, co-chair of the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network. “When PFAS contamination is discovered in communities, people are looking for action and solutions. This funding is intended to help support efforts to kickstart community engagement, testing and other important activities.” 

Projects that support communities identified as over-polluted and disinvested, and/or projects supporting Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) that have been harmed by PFAS, are encouraged to apply.

“We aim to build power within communities impacted most by PFAS contamination so they can amplify their needs and collective voices to decision-makers, the media and other people in power,” said Sandy Wynn-Stelt, co-chair of the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network. “Funded projects have access to our science team, and our organizing, policy and communications expertise to provide needed project support.”

An information webinar is scheduled for 11 a.m.to noon EST, Wednesday, Aug. 30 for individuals and groups interested in learning more. Registration for the webinar is available online.

To learn more and apply visit https://www.glpan.org/community-action-mini-grants-program.