Impact

The environmental movement has long been shaped by entrenched systems of power rooted in racism, colonialism, and extractive economies, leaving frontline communities—primarily Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC)—to bear the brunt of environmental harm. Despite having the lived experience and knowledge to lead transformative solutions, grassroots environmental justice groups remain underfunded and marginalized in the broader environmental movement.

BEA addresses this imbalance by building power and fostering alignment across grassroots organizations, philanthropy, and national environmental groups. We shift resources to frontline communities through participatory grantmaking, strengthen grassroots capacity with tools and training, and cultivate collaboration to promote equity-centered solutions. Grounded in our belief that those closest to the problem are essential to solving it, BEA champions a movement rooted in justice, accountability, and collective action to dismantle systemic inequities and foster long-term sustainability.