Call for Applications: United Women in Faith 2026 Just Energy for All Seed Grants ($100–$5,000)

Application Deadline: June 17, 2026

About the Grants

United Women in Faith is pleased to invite applications for small-scale seed grants aimed at supporting initiatives focused on climate justice and a just energy transition. These grants, ranging from $100 to $5,000, are intended to empower grassroots organizations and collaborative efforts that work toward equitable solutions to climate change and energy issues. Funding opportunities are open to projects led by United Women in Faith, local environmental justice groups, and coalitions that include both entities, fostering partnerships that can drive meaningful community impact. The primary goal of these seed grants is to catalyze grassroots projects that address the multifaceted challenges of climate change and energy justice through a gendered lens. Recognizing that women particularly women of color and Indigenous women often bear the brunt of climate-related impacts yet remain underrepresented in key decision-making processes, the grants aim to elevate their voices and leadership. By supporting community-led initiatives, the program seeks to amplify local knowledge, foster inclusive participation, and promote policies and practices that advance gender equity in the climate movement. These grants are designed to support a broad range of activities, including community education and awareness campaigns, advocacy efforts, capacity-building workshops, local clean energy projects, climate resilience initiatives, and coalition-building activities. Emphasis is placed on projects that are innovative, culturally relevant, and sustainable, with the potential to inspire broader change within communities and influence larger policy dialogues. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how their project will address specific climate and energy justice issues faced by marginalized populations, incorporate a gendered perspective into their work, and build community capacity for ongoing activism and resilience. Preference will be given to projects that foster collaboration, include marginalized voices, and demonstrate a clear plan for measurable impact and sustainability beyond the grant period. This funding opportunity underscores United Women in Faith’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable climate justice movement that recognizes the critical role of women and especially women of color and Indigenous women in leading the transition toward sustainable and just energy systems. By investing in grassroots leadership and community-driven solutions, the organization aims to support a resilient, justice-oriented approach to tackling the climate crisis.

2026 Timeline

• Applications Open: April 22, 2026
• Application Deadline: June 17, 2026
• Decisions Communicated: By July 25, 2026
• Funding Disbursed: By September 2026
• Project Implementation: Calendar year 2027
• Final Report Due: By December 2027

Priority Project Areas

We prioritize proposals that address one or more of the following:

• Reducing carbon emissions through sustainable transportation
• Promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency
• Supporting fossil fuel non-proliferation and divestment
• Improving air quality and climate health
• Educating and advocating for a just energy transition

What Makes a Strong Application

Strong proposals will include:

• Clearly defined, measurable goals aligned with JE4A values
• Centered equity and include directly impacted communities in leadership or decision-making
• Combination of tangible outcomes with education and advocacy components
• Realistic, detailed budget with clear justification
• Integration of the Jemez Principles and the Principles of Environmental Justice

Additional Priorities:

• Coalition applications between United Women in Faith groups and local environmental justice organizations are strongly encouraged
• BIPOC-led projects are given priority consideration
• Projects with a path to self-sustainability are given priority consideration

How to Apply

Application Link: This link should be used one time only to initiate your application. Re-accessing this link may generate duplicate application records in the system.

For all subsequent access (to continue, edit, or review your application), log in via the YourCause portal: Click here

We recommend bookmarking the portal link for ongoing use.

Questions: If you have questions about the application, create an account in the Portal for more information, or contact climatejustice@uwfaith.org

Why These Grants Matter

Climate change is not gender-neutral. Women and girls, particularly in low-income and BIPOC communities, are disproportionately affected by climate impacts including extreme weather, air pollution, and energy insecurity. At the same time, women are often underrepresented in climate decision-making and in the clean energy workforce.

The Just Energy for All Seed Grants address these gaps by:

• Funding small-scale, grassroots projects that might otherwise lack access to resources
• Prioritizing BIPOC-led projects and coalitions between United Women in Faith groups and environmental justice organizations
• Centering equity and the leadership of directly impacted communities
• Supporting projects that combine tangible outcomes (e.g., renewable energy installations) with education and advocacy
• Integrating environmental justice principles (Jemez Principles and Principles of Environmental Justice)

For United Women in Faith groups, local environmental justice organizations, and coalitions working on climate justice and just energy transition, these seed grants offer flexible funding to launch or scale impactful projects.

For More Information: Visit the Official United Women in Faith Seed Funding Page