Helping frontline communities
CSCI is focused on meeting the needs of the communities that are on the frontlines of the climate crisis. These communities often have received some of the various designations developed by federal and state agencies to assess the relative level of risk, based on environmental, as well as social and economic considerations.
Notable designations and related tools include:
- FEMA Community Disaster Resilience Zones (CDRZ)
- EPA Nonattainment Areas for Criteria Pollutants (Green Book)
- DOT’s Location Verification Tool for Areas of Persistent Poverty and Historically Disadvantaged Communities
When reviewing applications for grants, the CSCI considers designations such as these, and also provides applicants with the chance to describe in their own words the challenges and opportunities that they see within a particular community.
See also information about how to participate in the initiative,
and this short form about determining a community’s eligibility for a grant.