ISC is one of three national Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (TCTACs). TCTACs support communities facing challenges in accessing resources and building partnerships with philanthropic and private organizations. ISC works with communities to navigate federal grant systems, develop strong proposals, manage funding, and provide guidance on community engagement and support services.
Across the country, community groups, faith leaders, nonprofits, tribal partners, local governments, and educational institutions stand ready to deliver safer water, cleaner air, healthier communities, local jobs, and weather-ready infrastructure. These projects aren’t ideas—they were approved, reviewed, and set to launch. Then the funding was frozen, blocked, and now stripped from communities following a series of Executive Orders that resulted in the unlawful termination of the EPA’s Environmental and Climate Justice Grant programs.
More than 800 projects and over $1.5 billion of federal investment in local and regional projects sit in limbo.
But communities haven’t given up. They’re still ready. They’re still here. And they’re calling for action.
$56.3 million in extreme heat resilient projects for children is going unfunded. Another $28 million was earmarked for projects supporting children in disinvested communities
$70 million was allotted to projects impacting soil quality, including supporting infrastructure in Tribal villages to restore ecosystems and revitalize land-based practices for sustainability
$6.1 million in approved community-driven proposals for ISC funding are on pause, waiting for resources to move forward.
In 2023, the U.S. EPA, in partnership with the U.S. DOE Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, designated two types of TCTACs: national and regional. Each has an important role to play in the work to support communities working towards safe, clean, healthy, and resilient environments for all. Currently, there are 19 hubs with over 144 partners across the United States.
The national TCTACs are Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC), National Indian Health Board (NIHB), and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). National TCTACs use their extensive networks in non-profits, tribes, and local governments, respectively, to connect organizations with even more opportunities. They plan events and trainings, and find and create resources that bring communities together and elevate their stories.
Between January 2024 and February 2025, the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) played a pivotal role as a national Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC) provider. By fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and capacity-building, ISC has significantly advanced environmental justice efforts nationwide.
ISC responded to over 100 technical assistance requests from regional TCTACs, local governments and organizations in EPA Region 1.
Across the TCTAC Network, which includes three national TCTACs and 15 regional centers, more than 1,800 technical assistance requests were procfessed.
The broader ecosystem of the TCTAC Network also supported applications, resulting in a total funding of $1,210,661,033.
In 2024, ISC supported the planning of the National TCTAC Symposium, which brought together over 100 representatives from national and regional TCTACs.
ISC hosted nine virtual learning sessions, providing critical peer-to-peer networking opportunities and addressing common challenges within the network.
ISC developed essential tools and resources to strengthen the capacity of environmental justice organizations including the Equitable Collaboration Roadmap to guide fair and inclusive partnerships.
Through strategic technical assistance, collaborative learning, and resource development, ISC has played a key role in advancing environmental justice initiatives. Th work strengthens communities, ensuring they have the tools and support needed to build a sustainable and just future.
For example, ISC partnered with Writing for Green to host a grant writing training tailored to the EPA Thriving Communities Grantmakers Program. Within just two weeks of launching the program in January 2025, over 125 people had registered. From this group, 25 participants were selected to receive individualized 1:1 coaching. The training covered key topics such as crafting an effective elevator pitch, budgeting for a federal grant, telling your organization’s story, and more.
Demand was clear: without funding cuts, ISC was on track to train 1,000 leaders and provide personalized support to 100 of them through 2026.
Low-income communities bear the brunt of extreme weather, increasing natural disasters, and environmental damage. Communities know what they need, but they often don’t have access to the opportunities or investments to make those solutions possible. The TCTACs are here to change that. Whether through guidance and training for grant writing, project management, or budgeting, the TCTACs are ready to support eligible entities making their communities safer, healthier, and greener.
TCTACs break down barriers to federal funding by providing full grant lifecycle technical assistance. This includes grant preparation, organization capacity building, and post-award management.
TCTACs provide resources to center community-driven solutions for energy, environmental, and climate justice.
TCTACs ensure that those who are the most impacted by extreme weather and the ongoing climate crisis are engaged in developing and implementing solutions.
