New England Grassroots Environment Fund (Grassroots Fund)

Through grantmaking, convening, and learning we energize and nurture long-term engagement in community-led Environmental Justice efforts that focus on bottom-up organizing, center the voices of those most impacted, and grow shared community leadership.

We envision a vibrant network of New England grassroots leaders who have support when they need it, find belonging and joy with other organizers who are rooted in their own communities. When people are able to add their voices in community with each other through long-term engagement, we are better able to achieve systemic change towards an environmentally just future.

“The Grassroots Fund is unlike any other organization I contribute to, and in many ways it is my favorite because it feels like it is really making change in the world where it matters most!”

- Lesley, Grassroots Supporter-

We’re supporting change makers who not only experience marginalization but face systemic and structural barriers to traditional funding, including directly funding groups without 501(c)(3)/tax exempt status.

The Grassroots Fund utilizes a unique participatory approach that gives people the rare opportunity to connect across seemingly unbreachable barriers. Rather than remaining separate and unequal in terms of decision-making power, Community Readers, Grantmaking Committee members, place-based Grantees, and the Grassroots Fund board and staff join together to share their wisdom and experiences to the benefit of all.

Collectively, we are building a community for grassroots action that embodies equity, joy and solidarity, and that works to dismantle power imbalances in beautiful and lasting ways. 

The New England Grassroots Environment Fund, Inc, (Grassroots Fund) was founded in 1996 as a non-endowed public foundation focused on local people and local solutions. While we fund and support groups in all 6 New England states, our base has been in New Hampshire over the past 10 years.

Who We Are

We’re building a network of empowered grassroots leaders who are fighting for environmental and social justice. Serving all New England communities, and focusing on those who have been marginalized, we're helping them identify, select and access the tools, resources and connections they need to create healthy and sustainable communities.

Here's how we do it:

● We’re fostering innovation. - We’re supporting change makers who not only experience marginalization but face systemic and structural barriers to traditional funding. We’re investing in individuals, groups and organizations working across a broad range of environmental and social justice issues that traditional funders often overlook, and encouraging them to take creative approaches to challenging existing systems.

● We’re convening changemakers. - We’re building networks. We’re strengthening grassroots movements by making powerful, intersectional connections between a broad spectrum of individuals, groups and organizations all working toward common goals, encouraging cross-issue conversations and supporting them as they develop solutions to big problems.

● We’re reimagining philanthropy. - We’re tackling systemic oppression. With equity and justice at the center of our grantmaking, we’re changing the traditional funder-grantee relationship by shifting the power to the grassroots initiatives. We’re also dedicated to being hands on, committed partners in their fight to create healthy and sustainable communities. We’re supporting change makers who not only experience marginalization but face systemic and structural barriers to traditional funding.

● We’re amplifying voices. - We encourage meaningful participation. We believe all community members have perspectives and experiences to offer and deserve to have their voices heard. We want all perspectives to be valued, heard and considered in decision making and are particularly focused on ensuring that the marginalized voices are heard.