Midwest Frontline Fund Rapid Response Grants.
Overview
The Midwest Environmental Justice Network (MWEJN) has launched a Rapid Response Grant program to support emergency needs for partner frontline organizations. This program has been co-designed with Midwest EJ Network grantee partners, leadership, and the Midwest Frontline Fund Advisory Circle.
Flexible grants up to $10,000 are available to current Midwest Frontline Fund (MFF) grantee partners only with a turnaround time of 3 weeks or less.
We began accepting applications for the Rapid Response Grants on June 1, 2025. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with decisions sent within 3 weeks of submission. We are actively raising funds to sustain this as an ongoing rapid response grant program of the Midwest Frontline Fund and may adjust the program as we learn more over the next several months.
Rapid Response Grants Distributed to Date
Since June 1, 2025 we have awarded $359,700 in Rapid Response Grants to 27 organizations across the region..
Here’s a breakdown of the emergency projects and needs these grants have gone to since they opened—
Emergency Support Needs
Emergency Project Types
Funding by State
Program Eligibility
In order to apply for a MFF Rapid Response Grant, you must be a current grantee partner of the Midwest EJ Network (meaning you received a 2025 MFF grant).
Please do not distribute this notice of funding externally to other organizations.
This grant is intended to be used as emergency funding. We are defining emergency situations as happening in the prior 6 months and include:
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Example scenario: a smoke stack implodes, spreading dust in your neighborhood or a fertilizer spill or coal ash pond leaks impacting local water supply
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Example scenario: community response to severe storm events, flooding, heatwaves etc.
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Example scenario: Org being sued by industry; 501c3 tax exempt status is being challenged
Note that this is for specific and active threats - not the general, ongoing risk of operating in this current environment -
Example scenario: staff or community members at events being targeted by ICE
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Example scenario: A bill is being debated in your state legislature that would loosen or roll back environmental regulations; a new mining permit is being sought in your region
Note that ongoing or recurring emergencies (such as heat waves that come predictably every summer) will not be eligible for repeat funding. That is, they will be eligible for funding once, but this funding is not intended to support ongoing operational or staff expenses.
Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis, but generally, eligible areas for rapid funding will include:
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Can be used to contract and get advice from an attorney for the types of emergencies listed above.
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We recognize that mutual aid is an important organizing tool for EJ groups and that in moments of crisis organizers and leaders need individual and collective care; Examples of projects could include organizing masks or water distributions during a polluting event or setting up community cooling centers during heatwaves; Providing mental health support to staff responding to crises.
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Can be used to gather and mobilize community members in response to an emergent threat, eg, transporting community members to the State Capitol to testify at a bill hearing.
We will do our best to fund all projects that meet the above eligibility criteria, however we have limited funding. If we receive more applications than funding available, we will balance project selection based on:
Ensuring geographic spread & diversity of project types
Whether an organization has received rapid response funding in the last year
Application Process & Timeline
To apply, please submit the Google Form. We are working to make this grant program responsive and with as little burden as possible. We will be reviewing applications every two weeks and issuing payments the following week. A brief report form will be due 6 months after award date.
If you have questions about this grant, the application form, accessibility needs or any other issues, please reach out to grants@mwejn.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We recognize that EJ organizations are working on responding to compounding crises in partnership with organizations across sectors, however we are unable to extend this grant opportunity to other organizations at this time.
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No, these grants are intended to be used for hard to fund, rapidly developing activities and not predictable / ongoing expenses such as staff payroll.
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Yes, you may apply after you have submitted your 6-month report, provided that the emergency situation is a new/ emerging one and not a continuation of the scenario for which you received your former rapid response grant.
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We are trying to have a defined set of criteria for transparency and equity. Please reach out to Eartha at eborerbell@mwejn.org to discuss your situation, and we can also use your feedback for designing the future of this program.
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We prioritized Legal support, Mutual aid & wellness, and community mobilization based on feedback from grassroots partners on what is currently available and being offered by others, and where the gaps are. We are actively working on building other resources and partnerships to support our grantee partners in areas such as cyber security, crisis communications planning, and organizational compliance. Please reach out to Eartha at eborerbell@mwejn.org to discuss your situation and we will do our best to connect you with other resources and/or to use your feedback for designing the future of this program.