Join the BEA Community

Cross-Sector Collaboration: Participate in collaborative spaces that break down historical barriers between grassroots EJ groups, funders, and national greens, and work towards greater alignment and solidarity across the environmental movement.

Community Spaces: Join a diverse community of EJ groups where members connect across geography and issue areas. BEA hosts spaces for peer learning and share best practices.

Leadership Opportunities: As a BEA member, you can serve in leadership roles, including: Steering Committee, Caucus Chair, Grant Review Committee and other ad-hoc committees

Funding Opportunities: Grassroots EJ groups active throughout the year in BEA spaces are eligible to apply for funding and can also nominate non-member organizations to access funding opportunities.

Amplify Your Impact: Grassroots EJ groups gain visibility, access resources, and build relationships that support organizational sustainability and amplify community-driven solutions.

We know grassroots EJ groups don’t all look the same—and we welcome a range of community-based organizations deeply rooted in their communities and committed to systems change.

Your organization may be a good fit to be a Grassroots Member if:

• You are led by frontline communities. Your leadership—whether staff, board, or core decision-makers—reflects the people most impacted by environmental injustice; low-income communities, communities of color, Indigenous communities, and fenceline communities.
• You’re grounded in community. You’re based in a specific place—whether that’s a neighborhood, city, region, or tribal nation—and your work is shaped by the needs and priorities of your community. Even if you work nationally, you may still be eligible if you organize through local chapters or networks that are led by, rooted in, and accountable to frontline communities.
• You use an environmental justice lens. Your organization’s work is centered on equity and justice, and grounded in the Jemez Principles or the Environmental Justice Principles, or something similar. The work might include organizing around issues such as climate justice, land and food sovereignty, health equity, clean water access, or labor organizing for a just transition.
• You’re building power. Much of your work is organizing to make change—whether through campaigns, coalition work, advocacy, or deep community building. You may be working locally, regionally, or even nationally—but your vision is community-rooted and justice-driven.

BEA recognizes that not all grassroots EJ groups follow the same structure. We welcome fiscally sponsored organizations, small or emerging groups, and coalitions. Our Steering Committee considers the full picture of your organization’s work and leadership.

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